Phugtal Gompa

As its name suggests (Phug means cave), the honey-comb-like Phugtal Monastery, home to more than 70 monks, stands at the opening of a large cave on a cliff above the Tsarap River. It has three large and one small prayer room whose frescoes are similar to the 11th century ones of Alchi Monastery. The chorten here is believed to house the relics of its founder, Tsherap Zangpo.

It takes a tough, arduous trek of two or three days to reach this isolated monastery, which appears to be miraculously glued on to the side of a vertical rock-face.