Your Guide To The Lunar Landscapes Of Lamayuru In Ladakh

Ladakh’s landscapes draw visitors from all over the world because of its rugged terrain, breathtaking views, friendly people, rich cultural and historical legacy, and clear night skies. But have you visited Lamayuru village?

Located on the Leh-Srinagar Highway and just 136km from Leh by car, this quaint town has geological formations which have earned it the name of “moonland” due to its resemblance to the lunar surface. This incredible landscape is not unique to Lamayuru but it is certainly the most accessible on your Ladakh tour. Here’s a complete guide to this dazzling place.

Places To Discover

Trek Through The Moonland

Explore the stunning moonland landscape by hiking through Lamayuru's eroded hills and witness their stark beauty in all its splendour. The terrain is particularly enchanting during sunrise and sunset when the play of light and shadow paints the landscape in hues of gold and crimson.

Another trek you can undertake is from Lamayuru to Hemis. The route goes through remote villages and high mountain passes which makes it a challenging yet rewarding experience. You will have plenty of opportunities to interact with the locals, experience the traditional Ladakhi way of life and marvel at the breathtaking landscapes that unfold with each step. The Lamayuru to Chilling trek can also be considered.

Lamayuru Monastery

“The Eternal Monastery” is one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist hermitages in Ladakh. It stands at 3,510m above sea level and was built into the moonland terrain sometime in the 11^th century. Originally, the monastery had five buildings though now only the central building exists. It houses beautiful frescoes, frightening masks, thangkas, statues, carpets as well as the meditation cave of Lama Naropa, a scholar of great renown. Due to its location atop a hill, the monastery offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

An annual two-day festival known as Yuru Kabgyat is the major attraction of the monastery. Mask dances by the lamas are the highlight. Another important ritual followed during the festival is the burning of effigies. It stands for the destruction of the ego in every individual. Chat with the monks here and learn about the heritage and history of the place. “Julley” means hello, thank you and goodbye so use it liberally with a smile on your face with anyone you meet.

Wanla Monastery

Wanla Gompa is a historic Buddhist monastery in Wanla village. It’s small but impressively preserved three-storey temple is dedicated to a boddhisatva of compassion. It also has one of the earliest known Drigung Kagyu prayer chambers to have survived in Ladakh. Inside are three large clay sculptures set in niches, a set of statues modelled in clay and manuscript paper on the back side of the gallery, and murals on all the walls. Together, these artworks compose an iconographic program so rich that the temple has been considered one of the earliest encyclopedic monuments of Tibet. The 4.5m clay statue in the main niche represents the eleven-headed form of Avalokitesvara, the personal meditation deity of Bhak Darskya.

Gurudwara Pathar Sahib

Located on the Leh-Kargil road and some 112km from Lamayuru is the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib. It was constructed in memory of Guru Nanak and is associated with a very important event in the history of Sikhism. It is popularly believed that from 1515-1518 when Guru Nanak was returning to Punjab via Srinagar, he sat here to meditate. A demon appeared and tried to crush him with a boulder but Guru Nanak defeated him. The boulder that the demon rolled turned soft and melted and took on Guru Nanak's shape. In 1970, a boulder which had Guru Nanak’s shape was ostensibly discovered by the Indian Army. With the help of the locals, they constructed this gurudwara to pay homage to the event. Every Sunday, officers from the Indian Army volunteer here for public service.

Alchi Monastery

This stunning monastery complex is made up of four separate settlements in the Alchi village. It has three major shrines: the dukhang (assembly hall), the sumtsek and the Temple of Manjushri, all dating from between the early 12^th and early 13^th centuries. Chortens are also an important part of the complex. The artistic and spiritual details of both Buddhist and Hindu kings of the time in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are reflected in the wall paintings in the monastery, which makes them one of the oldest surviving ones in Ladakh. The complex also has huge statues of the Buddha and elaborate wood carvings and artwork comparable to the baroque style.

While you’re here, engage in whitewater rafting, kayaking and fishing experiences in the nearby Zanskar River.

Uleytokpo

This village is the western base camp from where trekkers begin their journey to the interior of Ladakh. It has a gorgeous natural landscape full of mountains and valleys. You can camp and hike to your heart’s delight here and soak in the peace and quiet of the region.

Where To Stay

The Hotel Moonland, the Wanla Riverside Homestay, the Greenland Guesthouse, the Uley Eco Resort, the Namra Hotel Tingmosgang and the Dragon Hotel Lamayuru are some of the accommodation options in and around Lamayuru village.

Getting There

Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) is the closest airport and the Jammu Tawi Railway Station (JAT) is the nearest railhead to Lamayuru village. You can also reach it by road via the Srinagar-Leh Highway or the Manali-Leh Highway.