Phugthal Monastry

Journey to Phugtal Monastery: Zanskar’s Grand Canyon & the Hidden Cave Gompa In this video, we trek through one of the most raw and breathtaking landscapes in Ladakh—the journey to the ancient Phugtal (Phuktal) Monastery. Starting from the lush, green pastures of Purne, the terrain transforms dramatically as soft alpine meadows give way to towering cliff walls, carved rock gorges, and sheer drop-offs that easily rival the Grand Canyon. Built like a honeycomb inside a massive cave high above the Tsarap River, Phugtal Monastery is a true architectural marvel clinging to the mountainside. We also dive into the harsh realities facing this sacred place—from the catastrophic 2015 Tsarap River landslide flood that destroyed crucial access bridges and monastery structures, to ongoing cliff rockslides caused by fragile, crumbling rock formations. 📍 Locations Featured: Purne Village: Lush green meadows and riversides Tsarap River Gorge: The "Grand Canyon" of Zanskar Phugtal Monastery: Ancient Gelugpa cave monastery #zanskar #pugthal #monastry #trekking #peace #himachalpradesh #himalayas #gompa