- Altitude
- 4,166 m
- Distance
- 14 km from Kaza
- Best time
- May – October, and winter via Kinnaur
- Ideal stay
- Half day
About Key Monastery
Key (Kye) Gompa is the largest monastery of Spiti — a thousand-year-old fortress of white cells stacked on a conical hill above the Spiti river.
Key monastery belongs to the Gelugpa sect and is home to around 300 lamas. Its stacked, fort-like buildings are the most photographed sight in Spiti.
Inside are old murals, rare thangkas and a collection of ancient weapons. The monks often welcome visitors with butter tea, and you can stay overnight in the monastery guesthouse.
Things to see & do
- Fort-like monastery architecture
- Morning prayers with the monks
- Views of the Spiti river valley
- Overnight monastery stay
Suggested itinerary
Half day
Kaza → Key → Kibber → Chicham → Kaza
Visit Key in the morning for prayers, then Kibber and the Chicham bridge.
Local tips from our drivers
- Morning prayers start around 6:30 am.
- Take the viewpoint road above the monastery for the classic photo.
