The town of Likir and its monastery are located around 50 kilometers from the city of Leh. However, it will take you two and a half hours along dizzyingly high roads to get there. I advise those of a sensitive disposition not to take the public bus!
There is an absolutely superb trek from Leh to Likir which can be completed in three days. The monastery is famous throughout the whole country mainly for its huge, seven-meter tall Buddha statue.
It is possible, if the monks agree to it, to spend the night in one of the rooms set aside for monastery visitors. This was a unique experience on my travels through India, and one that will remain forever engraved in my mind.
It was on a Royal Enfield, the classic Indian motorbike, that we headed out one day to Lamayuru. It was an ambitious undertaking, as we wanted to have the time to stop at Likir on our way back; At Alchi we made a U-turn, as we realized we would not have made it back before nightfall.
From the road we saw a few chortens on the hill, which told us we were approaching Likir Gompa. We had just enough time to take a break in front of the giant Buddha before having to leave.
I can't tell you how amazing it was during sunset - the soft light, hair flying in the wind, clinging to my driver speeding us home along the stunning road between Likir and Leh.