Hike around Lamayuru gompa

The way around the monastery starts on the main patch between the hotel and the main building of gompa. Set off from here along the beaten path up the hillsides. Just a few minutes’ walk and you will have beautiful views of the entire monastery.

Looking to the east you can enjoy virtually deserted landscape enlivened only by oasis in the river valley leading down to the river Indus.

In the south direction are visible jagged ridges, over which lead many treks – over the high passes it is possible to get to Rangdum in the valley of Suru, to Padum or Chiling in Zanskar valley.

Interesting is also the view into the oasis of Lamayuru. The greenery of the oasis contrasts with the arid slopes. At the very end is a nice chorten, which we will see on this circuit as well.

After a few minutes of the ascent you will get to the road, which is an alternative way to the Indus valley. From there you can ascent to the adjacent ridge, which is actually an ancient moraine, but the views will not be much better. So it is better to continue along the road to the west. After you pass through a little valley formed by ancient glacier, you get to the main road, from where there are great views of the monastery from the „other“ side.

Then choose the paths approaching you to the oasis in the southwest. From here is a great view of not only the monastery, but also of the entire old town.

Late afternoons are really the most beautiful in Ladakh. Therefore, stop at some of the outlook points on this circular trip and admire the play of shadows over the surrounding countryside.