Monastery famous for festivals
Lamayuru (3 500 m asl) is an important pilgrimage site at the boundary of Muslim and Buddhist Ladakh. It is surrounded by typical „moonscape“ with a green oasis in the valley. Over green fields are old houses of mud brick stuck in the slope, where is the live nearly the same as decades ago. At the very top is a nice monastery renowned by Buddhist festivals. The town lies just a short distance from Fotu la pass (4,094 m asl), the highest point of the road from Srinagar to Leh. It's basically the last place to the west of Leh, where people hike in mass. Both those interested in Buddhist culture and trekkers come here, who set off from here to a world-famous trek Lamayuru – Padum in Zanskar.
Panorama of Lamayuru
The entire Lamayuru is very nicely laid over the river valley. The most beautiful views of it are from the road leading here from Kargil.
Houses along the road
Straight to the monastery leads the road around the houses built around, but also inside, rocky cliffs.
The way through the old town
But use the alleys leading through the old town instead of the road. It's a much more interesting way along many chortens, old houses and fences with donkeys.
Rock walls below the monastery
Also the entire rock wall below the monastery is interwoven with various buildings sometimes reminiscent by their position an eagle's nest.
Huge chortens
After you ascend through the old town to the monastery, you will surely be attracted by huge, beautifully painted chortens.
View into the mountains
Already from the monastery itself is a very nice view of the surrounding mountains. But even so, definitely set out for the ascent above the monastery, or better for the circular walk around to absorb the atmosphere of this place.
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