Samstanling Monastery stands above Sumur village in the Nubra valley, founded in 1841 by Lama Tsultim Nima and home to about fifty monks. Its red, gold and white buildings are visible from well down the valley. It is younger than the Indus valley gompas, and the painting inside is correspondingly fresh.
Duke Kashmir Travels, holding J&K Department of Tourism registration JKTA00003978 since 2011, plans Nubra stays that reach beyond Diskit and Hunder. 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
- Above Sumur village, on the Panamik side of the Nubra valley.
- Founded in 1841 by Lama Tsultim Nima.
- Home to roughly fifty monks.
- Red, gold and white walls make it visible from a distance.
- The Dosmoche festival is marked here.
- On the way north towards Panamik.
What is at Samstanling?
Two main temples, monks' quarters and a courtyard on the hillside above Sumur, with wall paintings in good condition and a long view over the valley.
Because the foundation is nineteenth century rather than medieval, the colours are brighter and the iconography easier to read than in the older gompas. Morning is the time to catch prayers.
Where does it fit in a Nubra trip?
On the run north from Diskit towards Panamik, which is the second day most itineraries give the valley.
Pair it with Yarab Tso and the hot springs at Panamik. Inner Line permits cover the whole valley and are arranged in advance.
When should you go?
May to September, while the Khardung La is open and the valley roads are clear.
Nubra is warmer than Leh by day and cold at night. Two nights in the valley makes the driving comfortable; one is workable but rushed.
Booking this with us
The agency behind this guide, Duke Kashmir Travels, was registered with the J&K Department of Tourism in March 2011 (JKTA00003978) and joined IATO in 2016. More on the paperwork is on our About Us page.
Tell us when you are travelling and how many of you there are, and a costed itinerary follows. Reach us on +91 9018 44 0000, at info@dukekashmirtravels.com, or through the contact page.
About the founder
The agency was started in Srinagar in 2011 by Rayies Ahmad Zargar, who owns it to this day, helped found the JK Tourism Council, and reads every destination guide before it goes up. His LinkedIn profile is here.