Lamayuru

Lamayuru is home to one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh, dating back to the 10th century. Local legend has it that the place was once a lake that dried up. The village has around 100 houses scattered around the Lamayuru Monastery.

Lamayuru village is 125 km from Leh on the Leh–Srinagar Highway. Any vehicle going from Leh to Kargil, or on to Srinagar, will invariably pass through Lamayuru. State transport buses ply from Leh bus stand to Lamayuru at 08:00 and 14:00; however, it's wiser to visit the bus stand a day before to confirm the timings.

On foot. It's a small village.

• Lamayuru Monastery

  phone: +91 94697 32677
  address: B.P.O Khaltse
  One of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh.There are a collection of budhist murals, texts and figures on display. 50 rupees.

• MoonLandStrange but beautiful landscape next to monastery. Some say the soil here is very similar to that on the moon.

There are a number of restaurants in the village.

• Lamayuru Restaurant

  phone: +91 1982 256 069
  address: Fort Road Opp Hotel Yak Tail
  Thukpa and biryanis.

There are a number of homestays that can be arranged for around 500 rupees (2018).

• Tharpaling Guest House

  phone: +91 1982-224516
  address: Leh-Srinagar Highway
  A family-run guest house.
• Singay guest house. Clean, has wifi, secure bike parking, friendly family. Double room around 500 for one person.

• Alchi – small village with a gompa, or Buddhist monastic complex, 4 km off the road to Leh
• Kargil – second-largest town of Ladakh after Leh
• Leh – capital of Ladakh