Rangdum Monastery
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Rangdum Monastery

130 km from Kargil via Suru Valley

Rangdum Monastery — view 1
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About Rangdum Monastery

A remote 18th-century Gelugpa monastery perched on a hillock at 4,031 m in the Suru Valley, ringed by glaciers and stark mountains in every direction.

History & significance

Founded around 1790 by Lama Gelek Yeshey Takpa during the reign of King Tshewang Namgyal of Ladakh, Rangdum hosts about 40 monks and contains rare murals, ancient thangkas and a small museum.

Travel tips

  • No fuel between Panikhar and Padum — fill up at Kargil.
  • Stay overnight in a homestay or the monastery's guesthouse.
  • Mobile networks do not work — embrace the digital detox.
  • Carry warm clothing; nights are below freezing even in July.

Nearby attractions

Pensi La passDrang-Drung glacierParkachik GlacierSuru Valley