Lamayuru Tourism

"Moonland of Ladakh" Lamayuru Tourism Lamayuru is a small village situated midway between Kargil and Leh on NH1-D also known as the Srinagar- Leh Highway. It is situated 100 km ahead of Leh, after Fotu La- the highest pass on the Srinagar-Leh Highway. Known as the 'place of freedom' and housing the oldest and one of the largest monasteries in Ladakh region, Lamayuru is the place to visit for all those seeking peace and tranquillity.  Lamayuru is immensely famous for a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery located nearby. However, its claim to fame is accredited to the surreal breathtaking view of moonlike landscapes carved into the mountains. A large lake long ago dried up and the protrusions looked like the surface of the moon. Tourists from various places visit this relatively serene destination to immerse in this scenic beauty. Download Lamayuru PDF Guide > What's Great? Picturesque. Serene. A unique destination hence not very crowded. What's not so Great? Hilly region can be a problem for some. Difficult to reach. Food and water can be an issue. For Whom It is an ideal place for anyone looking to escape the dull corporate life. It is peaceful and beautiful. It is also an exciting place for adventure lovers, and also for people with keen interest in geology. It is also an ideal location for families to spend some time together.

The Moonland Lamayuru is famous for it moonlike landscapes carved into the greater Himalayas. The best way to view them is by climbing what is called the meditation hill. The monks meditate on the rocks and make medicines out of the herbs found there. As you climb the meditation hill, you will notice rocks with prayers written on them. It is also home to the most beautiful monastery and some of the most decorated stupas. Festivals in Lamayuru Lamayuru hosts two annual festivals- Yuru Kabgyat and Hemis Tse Chu, in the 2nd and 5th month of the Tibetan Lunar calendar, respectively. Yuru Kabgyat usually takes place during July or August. It is a two-day extravaganza, celebrated with great enthusiasm and energy. Masked dancers perform the essentials of Tibetan Buddhist teaching through traditional dance. This festival also aims at protecting the world from natural calamities and disasters and establish peace. A prime attraction of this festival is the demolition of a statue, depicting the enemy inside us. Colorfully dressed Buddhist Monks are found in every nook and corner of the district during the festival, and they also participate in dance dramas. Hemis Tse Chu is also a two-day festival held in June. A 200-year-old tradition, it is one of the biggest and most famous monastic festivals in Ladakh. Hemis Tse Chu is dedicated to Guru Padmasambhava- the founder of Tantric Buddhism. The festival involves resident monks/lamas of the Hemis Monastery perform sacred mask dance- Cham dance, leading to the destruction of sacrificial offerings and portrayal of good over evil. Buddhists from Tibet, China, Japan etc. and other tourists from all around the world visit Lamayuru exclusively to witness these grand festivals.

Itinerary Day 1:Arrive at Leh. Day 2:Drive from Leh to Lamayuru(3-4 hours). A 1-hour trek will lead to the famous Tibetan Buddhist Monastery. After the visit, another hour-long trek to Wanla, hiking through the 3,750 Mt Prinkti La Pass. Overnight camping at Wanla. Day 3:Wanla to Hinju is a 5-hour long trek through the more quaint Ladakhi villages. Stay at meadow camp outside Hinju. Day 4:A 6-hour long trek to from Hinju to Sumdo Doksa via Kongskil La ridge. A gradual ascent will bring you to the Kongskil La ridge for scenic views of Stok and Karakoram ranges. The other half of that trek is, however, a little difficult to attain. Day 5:5-hour trek from Sumo Doksa to Base of Dung Dung Chan la. After a few river crossings, the trail gradually ascends to the base of Dung Dung Chan la. Day 6:5-hour long trek from the base to Chiling. It is a straight climb. A vehicle from Chilling village will drop you off at Leh.

Restaurants and Local Food in Lamayuru The cuisine of Lamayuru falls in the same domain as Leh with similar elements, influences and preparations. Hence, Tibetan cuisine can be found in this area. The most primary of the dishes available here areSku and Thukpa(thick soup with vegetables and noodles),Pava(a dish made of sattu),Khambir(a type of local bread).one might also want to indulge in steamed dumplings stuffed with meat or vegetables with chili sauce andSkieu(a dish made with vegetables, mutton and flour). Other than this one can find plenty of restaurants and eateries providing typical Indian cuisine.

Apr-Junis the best time to visit Lamayuru Summers in Lamayuru are quite warm and offer the best time to visit. Slight showers during the monsoons also make the season an almost ideal time. However, there are chances of landslides and cloudbursts during the monsoons. Winters tend to be quite cold with the minimum temperature touching 5 degrees Celsius.  Weather in Lamayuru Loading... Lamayuru in Summer (April - June) In contrast to the rest of the country, the mountains remain relatively cooler during the summer seasons making them a perfect getaway. The temperature hardly crosses 25 degrees Celsius and the nights are a little cooler, and hence it is advisable to carry light woollens. Also, don't forget to take sunscreen as the sun might be a little harsh. Lamayuru in Monsoon (July - September) Monsoon is the season which experiences heavy rainfall. Along with that, the area is extremely prone to landslides and cloudbursts which can hinder your travel. It is best to avoid visiting during this period. Lamayuru in Winter (October - March) The winter arrives during September and October. The weather is pleasant during the day and chilly in the evenings. For trekkers, this is a perfect time. The unbearable winter starts from November and lasts till February end. Outsiders usually do not prefer visiting during this harsh season. Most of the trekking routes close down after the first heavy snowfall. Many roads heading into Ladakh are closed during heavy snow, and only aerial routes remain open. Monthly Weather in Lamayuru Month Avg. Minimum (°C) Avg. Maximum (°C) January -8 5 February -7 10 March -2 14 April 3 19 May 10 24 June 11 26 July 18 29 August 17 27 September 12 27 October 3 23 November -4 16 December -8 12