Diksit Monastery, usually written Diskit, is the oldest and largest gompa in the Nubra valley, founded in the fourteenth century by Changzem Tserab Zangpo. It belongs to the Gelug order and stands on a hill above the Shyok, with the valley floor and its dunes spread out below. A large Maitreya statue on the slope below the gompa is visible from far down the road.
Duke Kashmir Travels, registered with the J&K Department of Tourism as JKTA00003978 since 2011, runs Nubra itineraries over the Khardung La. Ladakh packages start near ₹6,350 per person, twin sharing.
By Duke Kashmir Travels Team · Reviewed by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, Founder · Published · Updated
Key takeaways
- Founded in the fourteenth century by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple in the Gelugpa line.
- The oldest and largest monastery in the Nubra valley.
- A prayer hall with drums, and paintings of guardian deities on the upper floor.
- A statue of Cho Rinpoche, the crowned Buddha, stands in the prayer hall.
- The Dosmoche festival, sometimes called the festival of the scapegoat, is held here each year.
- Ten kilometres from the Hunder dunes.
What is at the monastery?
A hilltop complex of prayer halls and chapels, the crowned Buddha in the main hall, guardian deity paintings upstairs, and the long view over the Shyok valley.
The giant Maitreya statue below the monastery is more recent and is the image most visitors photograph. The climb up from the road is short but felt, since Nubra still sits above 3,000 metres.
When should you visit?
May to September, when the Khardung La road is reliably open. The winter festival is the exception worth planning for.
Nubra needs an overnight from Leh: the pass, the drive and the altitude make a same-day return a poor idea. Most itineraries give it two nights.
How do you get there?
Over the Khardung La from Leh, then down into the valley — a long half day of driving.
Inner Line permits are required for Nubra and are arranged in advance; we handle them for guests. Samstanling and Panamik lie further up the valley.
Booking this with us
Duke Kashmir Travels has held Department of Tourism registration JKTA00003978 since March 2011 and has been an IATO allied member since 2016. The full list of registrations sits on our About Us page.
Send your dates and traveller count and we will build the itinerary around it. Call +91 9018 44 0000, email info@dukekashmirtravels.com or use the contact page.
About the founder
Rayies Ahmad Zargar founded Duke Kashmir Travels in Srinagar in 2011 and still runs it. He co-founded the JK Tourism Council and reviews the guides published here, including this one. Profile on LinkedIn.