Dhankar Monastery
Human-reviewedDhankar, Spiti, Lahaul & Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
- Altitude
- ~3,890 m (monastery)
- History
- Former capital of Spiti
- Dhankar Lake walk
- ~2–3 km uphill, to ~4,140 m
- From Kaza
- ~30 km
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours with the lake walk
About
Dhankar was the old capital of the Spiti valley, and the monastery sits dramatically on crumbling pinnacles between the Spiti and Pin rivers. Erosion has made the old complex fragile — it has been on watch-lists of endangered sites — and a newer monastery has been built lower down. From the village a 2–3 km uphill walk leads to Dhankar Lake, a small green tarn at around 4,140 m with views back over the valley.
How to reach
- Dhankar is a short branch road off the main Spiti road between Tabo and Kaza.
- There is little public transport on the branch; most visitors come by taxi or on a Spiti tour.
- The lake walk starts from the upper village.
Best time to visit
June to September, when the Spiti roads are open. Nights are cold even in summer, and the branch road can wash out after rain.
Things to know
- The old monastery buildings are fragile — follow signs and don't climb on the structure.
- The lake walk is short but at over 4,000 m; go slowly if you are not acclimatised.
- Carry water and a windproof layer for the exposed ridge.
FAQ
Is Dhankar Monastery safe to visit?
The site is open to visitors, but the old buildings are structurally fragile from erosion, so access to parts of it is limited and you should stay on marked paths.
How hard is the walk to Dhankar Lake?
It is only 2–3 km but climbs steadily to about 4,140 m, so it feels harder than the distance suggests without acclimatisation.
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Location
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