Lahaul Spiti
Dhankar Monastery clings impossibly to a cliff above the confluence of the Pin and Spiti rivers — one of the most dramatic monastery settings anywhere on earth. The short hike from the gompa up to Dhankar Lake rewards trekkers with a brilliant turquoise glacial lake and panoramic views of the Spiti Valley spread out like a relief map below. It's a deeply meditative experience that combines history, spirituality, and raw natural beauty.
The trail to the lake is unmarked in places — ask the lamas at the monastery to point you in the right direction before you start.