Leh - Part 3

One of the really amazing things about Leh is that there's an incredible amount to see in the outlying villages. And while transport can be a bit sparse at times, it's possible to get to most of the places of interest.

So armed with the pages from the Lonely Planet, and some good recommendations from the locals we headed out to find Thiksey Monastery.

It's an impressive sight – set on the top of an outcrop of rock at one edge of the Leh valley:



Inside there's loads of temples and we spent a good few hours wandering around.

Buddhist texts in one of the temples:



The view from the roof:



“200 dollars for Jousting Sticks. Tell 'im he's dreamin'”:



The view from the roof – looking back towards Leh:



One of the tiny monasteries inside the main complex:



Mandala wall painting:



Buddhist Images:



The Library:



Protector wall painting:



Giant Buddha – this one is three stories high – and the upstairs room has a hole in the floor so it can fit:



From there, we headed to Shey Fort. We couldn't see most of it because it was closed for renovations – but we were able to sit for almost an hour listening to the monks chanting in one of the temples.

View from Shey Fort looking back to Thiksey which can just be seen on the left:



The ruins of the old fort:



Brock – enjoying the view: