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Dhankar Monastery and the high altitude Dhankar Lake in Spiti Valley

Dhankar Monastery & Lake

A thousand year old fort gompa clinging to a cliff above the Spiti and Pin rivers, with a quiet alpine lake an hour's climb above it

Monastery & LakeGompa ~3,894 mLake ~4,140 mKaza · ~32 kmJun to SepOld gompa fragile

What makes it special

Dhankar is the place in Spiti where the geography does the talking. The old monastery sits on a narrow rock spur, around 300 metres above the point where the Pin river meets the Spiti. From the village above Shichilling, you walk a few minutes and the whole valley opens up below you, brown and grey and turquoise, with the gompa looking like it is about to slide off the cliff. It has been doing that for centuries. The site has two monasteries. The old one, the dramatic cliff structure, is structurally fragile. It was weakened by the 1975 Spiti earthquake and was placed on the World Monuments Fund's list of 100 most endangered sites in 2006. You can still go inside the small prayer rooms, but the monks now live and run daily life out of the new monastery at Shichilling village just below, which holds around 150 Gelug school monks. Visit the old gompa with respect, do not crowd the upper rooms, and let it be the slow, quiet experience it asks for. What most travellers miss is the lake. From Dhankar village, a steep, exposed trail climbs roughly 280 to 300 metres in about 2 to 3 kilometres to Dhankar Lake, a small high altitude tarn at around 4,140 metres. It is not big. It is not turquoise like Chandratal. But the silence at the top, and the view back down at Manirang peak across the valley, is the kind of half hour that justifies the whole detour off the main Spiti highway.

Is Dhankar worth the detour off the Kaza Tabo highway?

Yes, especially if you have at least half a day. Skip it only if you are passing through in one rushed shot. The view from the village alone is one of the best in Spiti, and the lake trek above adds a real reason to stay longer.

How much time do you need at Dhankar?

Three to four hours covers the village, the old gompa, and the new monastery. Add another two and a half to three hours if you plan to trek up to Dhankar Lake. A relaxed half day works for most travellers. Stay a night only if you want to slow Spiti down.

Can you stay at Dhankar?

Yes, the village has a handful of basic homestays and a couple of small guest houses. Rooms are simple, bathrooms are modest, and food is what the family is cooking. It is a good place to break the Tabo to Kaza drive if you want a quieter night than a town stay.

Have a question about Dhankar Monastery & Lake?
Our team has visited 50+ times. We're happy to help plan your trip.

Quick facts

Everything you need to know at a glance

At a glance

Monastery altitude
Around 3,894 m / 12,774 ft
Lake altitude
Around 4,140 m / 13,580 ft
Location
Between Kaza and Tabo, Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
Nearest town
Kaza, around 32 km
Best season
Late May to early October
Time needed
Half day for monastery, full day with lake
Monastery timings
Generally around 7 AM to 6 PM, can vary
Entry
Small donation expected, no fixed ticket as of recent reports
Lake trek
2 to 3 km one way, 280 to 300 m climb, 1.5 to 2 hours up
Lake trek difficulty
Easy to moderate, hard mainly because of altitude

On the ground

Mobile network
Mostly Jio and BSNL, patchy. Do not rely on data
ATM
None at Dhankar. Nearest reliable ATMs are at Kaza
Fuel
No fuel pump at Dhankar. Tank up at Kaza
Food
A few small dhabas and homestay kitchens. Thukpa, momos, rice, daal
Parking
Small open lot near the new monastery at Dhankar village
Permits
Indian travellers no permit. Foreign nationals need an Inner Line Permit if entering via Sumdo from the Kinnaur side
Drone
Not allowed inside monastery premises. Sensitive border zone, fly only after checking local rules
Walking inside
Cobbled village paths and uneven steps. Easy short distances, harder breath

Seasonal weather

May to Jun
20°5°
Late spring
Jul to Aug
22°8°
Summer / Monsoon
Sep to mid Oct
17°2°
Autumn
Nov to Apr
5°-15°
Winter

Suitable for

CouplesFamiliesSeniorsSoloFirst-timersPet-friendly

How to reach Dhankar Monastery & Lake

4 approach routes with seasonal access

From Kaza

Generally open all year, weather permitting
DistAround 32 km
TimeAround 1 to 1.5 hours
Road
Tarred main road, then narrow uphill branch road

Drive south on the Kaza to Tabo road for around 24 km until you reach Shichilling. The Dhankar branch road climbs off to the left, marked by a board and a gate. From there it is roughly 8 km uphill on a narrow paved road to the village. The branch is fine for cars and bikes but tight in places. Drive in low gear, especially on the way down.

Fuel stop: Tank up at Kaza, no fuel beyond

From Tabo

Generally open all year, weather permitting
DistAround 32 km
TimeAround 1 to 1.5 hours
Road
Tarred main road, then narrow uphill branch road

From [Tabo](/places-to-visit/tabo-monastery), drive towards Kaza for around 24 km to Shichilling. The branch road to Dhankar village turns right and climbs about 8 km. The detour fits cleanly into a Tabo to Kaza day, and most travellers do it that way.

Fuel stop: No fuel at Tabo. Carry enough from Kaza or Reckong Peo

From Manali via Kunzum

Late May to early October
DistAround 235 km
Time10 to 12 hours, ideally with a night halt
Road
Mountain road with rough patches, two high passes

This route crosses Atal Tunnel, drops into Lahaul, climbs over [Kunzum Pass](/places-to-visit/kunzum-pass), then enters Spiti via Losar and Kaza. Doing it in one day is brutal. A night at Kaza or Chandratal is the sane choice. Acclimatise in Kaza for at least a night before pushing the lake trek at Dhankar.

Fuel stop: Manali, then Kaza. Long stretch in between with no reliable fuel

From Shimla via Kinnaur

Generally open year round, with weather based closures
DistAround 410 km
Time2 to 3 days, with overnight halts
Road
Mostly tarred, narrow and exposed in stretches through Kinnaur

The longer, gentler approach. Shimla to Narkanda or Sarahan, then Kalpa, Nako, Tabo, and into central Spiti. The slow gain in altitude is the body friendly way to enter Spiti. Most travellers reach Tabo on day 2 or 3 and visit Dhankar on the next morning's drive towards [Kaza](/places-to-visit/kaza).

Fuel stop: Shimla, Rampur, Reckong Peo, Powari. Last reliable fuel before Kaza is at Powari

Best time to visit

Season-by-season breakdown to help you plan

Recommended
Late spring
May to Jun

Best window for first time visitors

Temperature
Around 15 to 22°C day, 5 to 10°C night
Roads
Both routes generally open by early June. Manali side later if snow lingers
Lake trek
Open and dry
Crowds
Moderate

Roads from both Shimla and Manali are usually open by late May to early June. Days are clear, the lake trek is dry, and crowds are still moderate. This is the easiest time to do Dhankar with the lake.

Summer / Monsoon
Jul to Aug

Busiest stretch, occasional landslide risk

Temperature
Around 18 to 22°C day, 7 to 10°C night
Roads
Mostly open. Watch for landslide closures on approach roads
Lake trek
Open, occasionally muddy
Crowds
High

Spiti is in a rain shadow, but the road in from Kinnaur or Manali can be hit by landslides during the plains monsoon. Dhankar itself stays fairly dry. This is also the peak crowd window. Book stays in advance.

Recommended
Autumn
Sep to mid Oct

Cleanest light of the year

Temperature
Around 12 to 17°C day, 0 to 5°C night
Roads
Generally open through September, Manali side may close by mid October
Lake trek
Open, cold mornings
Crowds
Low to moderate

If you care about photography, this is the window. Crowds thin out, the air is sharp, and the contrast between the rivers and the brown cliffs gets dramatic. Nights start getting cold quickly. Pack a proper jacket.

Winter
Nov to Apr

Only via Shimla, only for the prepared

Temperature
Around 0 to 5°C day, minus 10 to minus 15°C night
Roads
Manali side closed. Shimla side open with frequent disruptions
Lake trek
Effectively closed
Crowds
Very low

The Manali approach via Kunzum is closed by snow. The Shimla route stays open most of winter but can be blocked for days at a time. Dhankar is cold, quiet, and beautiful, but the lake trek is buried in snow and the old gompa interiors are colder than outdoors. This is for serious cold weather travellers, not casual visitors.

Things to see & do

7 experiences at Dhankar Monastery & Lake

1

Walk to the old fort gompa

30 to 45 min
The cliff structure is the photo everyone wants, but the real value is being inside it for a few quiet minutes. Walk up gently from the new monastery, climb the wooden ladders inside with care, and keep your voice low. The structure is fragile. Honour that. Step out on the rooftop terrace for the view down to the river confluence, which is the single best vantage point in Dhankar.
2

Visit the new monastery at Shichilling

20 to 30 min
This is where the active community of around 150 Gelug school monks lives and prays. The hall is bright, the murals are well kept, and if you time it right you may catch a prayer session. Less dramatic than the old gompa, more alive.
3

Trek up to Dhankar Lake

3 to 4 hours round trip
The trail starts near the new monastery's parking area. It is short on paper, around 2 to 3 km one way, but it climbs steadily and exposes you to sun the whole way. Plan 1.5 to 2 hours up, an hour at the lake, an hour down. Carry at least 2 litres of water per person and a hat. Most fit travellers find it manageable. The altitude does the work, not the gradient.
4

Climb to the Dhankar fort ruins

20 min
A short scramble above the old monastery takes you to the remains of the original fort. Not much survives, but the position is the point. This is where Spiti's old rulers, the Nonos, kept watch over the valley. It is also a good warmup for the lake trek.
5

Sit at the river confluence viewpoint

20 min
Either from the gompa rooftop or from a flat patch above the village, the view of the Pin and Spiti rivers braiding into one is what travellers remember. Best in late afternoon when the light catches the water. Bring a thermos and stop talking for a bit.
6

Photograph the village at golden hour

30 to 60 min
Around half an hour before sunset, the cliff and the mud houses turn warm and the gompa stands out against the darkening valley below. From the road just before the village, you get the postcard frame. From the rooftop of the old monastery, you get the wide one. Both are worth the wait.
7

Eat a slow lunch at a local homestay

1 hour
Homestay kitchens here serve simple local meals, usually thukpa, momos, rice, daal, and seasonal vegetables. Order ahead by an hour if you can. The food is honest, the chai is strong, and after the lake trek it tastes better than it should.

Know before you visit Dhankar Monastery & Lake

Essential information for planning your visit

Nearby attractions

Other places worth visiting nearby

Tabo MonasteryAround 32 km · 1 hour
Tabo Monastery
The 996 AD monastic complex with the famous murals and stucco sculptures, often called the Ajanta of the Himalayas. Pair Tabo and Dhankar in one day, with Tabo first thing in the morning.
Explore
Around 32 km · 1 to 1.5 hours
Kaza
Spiti's main town and the natural base for everything in the central valley. ATMs, fuel, cafes, and the only real medical care for a long way around.
Explore
Around 45 km · 1.5 hours
Key Monastery
The largest gompa in Spiti, sitting on a conical hill above the river just past Kaza. The classic photo of Spiti.
Explore
Around 25 km to the Attargu turnoff
Pin Valley
The greener side valley off the main Kaza Tabo road, leading to Mud village and the cold desert national park. Pairs naturally with a Dhankar visit if you have an extra day.
Around 50 km · 2 hours
Gue Mummy
The naturally preserved mummy of the monk Sangha Tenzin at Gue village, dated to roughly the 15th century. A short, strange, memorable detour off the road towards Sumdo.
Around 30 km · 1 hour from Dhankar via Lingti
Lalung Monastery
A small, quiet 11th century gompa in Lingti valley known as Serkhang, the golden temple, for its old gilded sculptures. Almost no crowds, even in peak season.
Around 100 km · 4 to 5 hours via Kaza and Kunzum
Chandratal Lake
The high altitude crescent lake on the Manali side of Kunzum, accessible only from late May to early October. Worth a separate day, not a same day combo with Dhankar.
Explore
Jispa
Jispa
A quiet Lahauli village at around 3,200 metres on the Bhaga river, where the camping is the point and the Manali to Leh highway runs right through
Explore
Mud Village
Mud Village
The last village in Pin Valley at around 3,810 metres, where the road ends and the trekking trails take over
Explore
Losar Village
Losar Village
The first village of Spiti from the Manali side, at around 4,080 metres, where the cold desert really begins
Explore
Gue Mummy Monastery, Spiti Valley
Gue Mummy Monastery, Spiti Valley
A 500 year old self mummified monk in a glass case, in a tiny village above the Spiti River near the Indo Tibet border
Explore
Langza Village
Langza Village
A small Spitian village at roughly 4,400 metres above Kaza, known for its giant seated Buddha overlooking the valley and the marine fossils scattered across its slopes
Explore
Kibber Village
Kibber Village
A high Spitian village at roughly 4,270 metres above the Spiti River, base for the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and the only realistic place in India to try and see a snow leopard in winter
Explore
Hikkim — World's Highest Post Office
Hikkim — World's Highest Post Office
A small Spitian village at roughly 4,400 metres, home to a working post office that has been stamping postcards from the top of the world since 1983
Explore
Komic Village
Komic Village
A 13 house Spitian hamlet at around 4,587 metres, often called the highest motorable village in the world, with a fortress like Sakya monastery on the canyon edge
Explore

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Frequently asked questions about Dhankar

The old monastery sits at around 3,894 m (12,774 ft). The lake above the village is at around 4,140 m (13,580 ft). The trek between them gains roughly 280 to 300 m of elevation.

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