Phugtal Monastery is one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, in Kargil district, India. Phugtal Monastery is located in the remote Lungnak Valley in south-eastern Zanskar taluk. The Phuktal Monastery is built like a honeycomb around a natural cave. It is believed to have existed for more than 2,550 years. The present Phuktal Gompa of the Gelug lineage was established in the 14th century by Jangsem Sherap Zangpo.

Phugtal Monastery

Phugtal Monastery, also known as Phuktal Monastery or Phugtal Gompa, is accessible by foot only. Gompa means a Buddhist Monastery. In the warmer months, people here use donkeys, horses, and mules to bring supplies. During the frozen winters, they bring supplies through the frozen Zanskar River.

The monastery here houses about 70 Buddhist monks. This monastery is on a cliff, beneath a cave entrance, using a foundation made of clay and twigs. The earliest inhabitants of the cave were the 16 followers of Gautama Buddha, whose images are on the cave walls of the Phugtal Monastery.

How do I Go to Phugtal Monastery?

Phugtal Monastery is very difficult to reach. One can drive up to Zanskar from Padum by road and then need to trek the remaining part. It requires a lot of trekking (around 7 to 9 hours of trekking alone), and it’s not a place for ordinary tourists. You must cross many Himalayan mountain passes to reach the Monastery via the villages of Anmu and then Cha. A few houses offer homestay facilities in Cha.

Another option is to go to the village Purne, on the opposite side of the river Lungnak, and you need to cross wooden bridges en route. The second route is wider and not as high as mentioned in the first option.

Opting for a group tour package from any reliable tour operator is advisable.