Dhankar

About

Dhankar is one of Spiti's most photogenic secrets — a small village clinging to a crumbling ridge above the confluence of the Spiti and Pin rivers at 3,894 m. The ancient Dhankar Monastery, built into the cliff face, contains precious wall paintings and statues. A 3 km trek above the village leads to the exquisite Dhankar Lake — a turquoise high-altitude lake with reflections of the surrounding peaks.

Highlights

• starDhankar Monastery — cliff-face monastery with ancient paintings
• starDhankar Lake (4,200 m) — 3 km trek, stunning turquoise glacial lake
• starViews of Spiti-Pin river confluence from the ridge

Nearby Attractions

Gallery

Local Experiences

• exploreMonastery interior visit — rare wall paintings
• exploreDhankar Lake trek — 3 km, 2–3 hours round trip

Food & Drink

• restaurantVillage tea stalls only — carry food from Kaza

Where to Stay

• hotelBasic monastery guesthouse (₹400–600/night)
• hotelStay in Kaza and day-trip to Dhankar

Travel Tips

• lightbulbThe road to Dhankar is narrow and rough — SUV recommended
• lightbulbCarry water — no shops at Dhankar Lake

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore Nearby