Lamayuru Monastery is situated at an altitude of 3510 meters on the Leh – Srinagar Highway. Lamayuru is an offbeat but easily accessible village in Ladakh, around 125 km from Leh. Also known as the Moonland of Ladakh, Lamayuru’s claim to fame is the distinct geographical formation of moon-like landscapes carved into the greater Himalayas. The terrain next to the monastery is strange yet stunning, and some say that the soil is similar to that on the moon, which justifies the name.
Quick Info: Entry fee INR 50, open 8 AM to 5 PM. Distance from Leh: 125 km (3-3.5 hours drive). Budget guesthouses from INR 1500 per night. Best time: May to September. Yuru Kabgyat Festival in June-July 2026.
Today I am going to share a detailed travel guide for visiting Lamayuru Monastery on Srinagar Leh Highway. People visit Lamayuru when traveling from Srinagar to Leh or Leh to Srinagar on the second day of the journey after a night stop at Kargil, or before reaching Kargil from Leh. Sometimes people also plan a trip to Lamayuru along with a trip to Sham Valley from Leh. This trick helps them cover other monasteries and sightseeing places in Sham Valley too.
Let's quickly dive into the details:
What is Lamayuru Monastery?
The Lamayuru monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh dating back to the 10th century. It is also the largest existing gompa in Ladakh. The monastery has many legends associated with it, one of which is that there existed a vast lake in Lamayuru, and the founding lama, Mahasiddhacharya Naropa, dried the lake up to lay the foundation of the village and the monastery.
Thus, after the water dried up, the land started to get moon-like craters and formations. This legend, of course, doesn’t have any concrete proof and is only a story that has been told for ages. However, I can tell you from my experience that the moonland landscape is absolutely real and one of the most surreal sights you will witness in Ladakh.
The Lamayuru Monastery is home to some of the most decorated and stunning chortens or stupas and colorful rocks carved with prayers in intricate details. The monastery also houses many bright and vivid ancient paintings of the cardinal kings. It originally had five main buildings, but currently, only one central building exists, which in itself is a favorite amongst travelers, devotees, and photographers from over the world.
The Lamayuru monastery is the main seat of the Drikung Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in the lower part of Ladakh. It is interesting to know that the monastery has around 300 lamas registered under it, while 50 different monasteries are administered under it.
What is the entry fee and timing for Lamayuru Monastery?
As of 2026, the entry fee to Lamayuru Monastery is INR 50 per person. The monastery is open for visitors from 8 AM to 5 PM daily. Photography is not allowed inside the prayer hall, but you can take photographs of the exterior and the surrounding moonland landscape.
I always suggest reaching Lamayuru by late morning or early afternoon so that you have enough time to explore both the monastery and the surrounding moonland formations before sunset. The lighting in the afternoon makes the moonland terrain look even more dramatic.
When is the Yuru Kabgyat Festival celebrated in 2026?
The festival of Yuru Kabgyat is celebrated at Lamayuru with various ritualistic dance performances and sacred ceremonies. It is a two-day festival celebrated in the 2nd month of Tibetan lunar calendar. In 2026, the Yuru Kabgyat Festival will be held in late June or early July. Please check the exact dates closer to the time as they follow the Tibetan lunar calendar.
If you can time your visit during the festival, it is a truly special experience. The masked Cham dances are performed by the monks, and the entire village comes alive with celebrations. However, keep in mind that accommodation gets booked quickly during the festival period, so plan ahead.
A visit to Lamayuru over Srinagar Leh Highway is considered as one of the top things to do in Leh Ladakh. It can be easily covered as a day trip from Leh or while traveling between Kargil and Leh.
What are the main things to do in Lamayuru?
Let us look at what are the main attractions or things to do in Lamayuru apart from visiting the Lamayuru monastery itself.
Explore the Moonland Landscape
The moonland terrain is the main attraction after the monastery. The geological formations here are unique, with erosion patterns creating a lunar-like landscape. You can walk around the moonland formations, which are right next to the monastery. The best time for photography is late afternoon when the sunlight creates dramatic shadows on the ridges and craters.
Camping in Lamayuru
There are many places near Lamayuru where you can pitch your camp and enjoy the camping experience in the wild on Srinagar Leh Highway. Even the Lamayuru village has options to pitch your camps, or you can camp by hiking around over moon-land like mountains too. However, keep in mind that Lamayuru is at 3510 meters altitude, so make sure you are well acclimatized before camping here.
Yoga and Meditation
Lamayuru now has a yoga retreat center as well, which was established in the 1970s by Yogi Kyunga Rinpoche. Various monks are practicing meditation and spirituality under the foremost disciple of Rinpoche. Many travelers stay in Lamayuru for weeks to practice meditation and yoga in this serene environment.
Lamayuru Trek
Few treks around Lamayuru can be taken up in case you are interested in trekking in the trans-Himalayas. There is a trek that goes from Lamayuru to Darcha over Zanskar, which takes about 18-20 days. Then some people also do the trek from Lamayuru to Wanla to Chilling over five days. This is a moderate trek and can be done from June to September.
Bike Ride or Self Drive
You can always enjoy the beautiful drive or ride to Lamayuru from Leh or Kargil or Srinagar. The joy of this road trip to Lamayuru is simply amazing because the road conditions are mostly in excellent condition. The stretch from Leh to Lamayuru passes through Fotu La (4108 meters), which is the highest point on the Srinagar-Leh Highway.
How to reach Lamayuru from Leh or Kargil?
Lamayuru is situated on the road from Leh to Srinagar Highway, 15 km east of Fotu La pass. It is almost the midway between Kargil and Leh on NH1D. If you are traveling from Leh to Kargil or Srinagar, you will invariably pass through Lamayuru unless you are taking the Hangroo loop road or Dah-Batalik route.
And it is always a good idea to halt and enjoy the scenic beauty and ancient heritage of Lamayuru along with landscapes of moon-land around Lamayuru. You can get around the scenic village of Lamayuru on foot as it is a small hamlet of around 100 scattered houses.
Distance from Leh to Lamayuru: 125 km (about 3-3.5 hours drive)
Distance from Kargil to Lamayuru: 107 km (about 2.5-3 hours drive)
Distance from Srinagar to Lamayuru: 315 km (typically a 2-day journey with overnight halt at Kargil)
Mode of Transport to Lamayuru
By Private Vehicle or Taxi: The best way to reach Lamayuru from Leh is by hiring a cab or taxi, or on a bike, or by your private vehicle. Taxi rates from Leh to Lamayuru for a day trip are around INR 3000-4000 for a sedan or SUV. If you are traveling from Srinagar to Leh, your taxi will automatically pass through Lamayuru.
By Bus: You can also board the local buses from Leh to Kargil-Srinagar and plan the trip using public transport. The buses running between Leh-Kargil or Leh-Srinagar all pass through Lamayuru as well. Bus timings are typically at 10 AM and 12 PM from Leh. The bus fare from Leh to Lamayuru is around INR 300-500 per person.
If you are traveling to Lamayuru by bus, make sure you have confirmed the bus timing in advance in the evening at Leh bus stand or Kargil bus stand. As the bus plies only twice a day, and the timing keeps changing, given the circumstances.
By Air: The nearest airport is Leh International Airport (Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport), which is well connected with Delhi, Srinagar, Jammu, and Chandigarh. From the airport, you can rent a car in Leh or hire taxis to travel to Lamayuru. You can also fly to Srinagar and then take the road trip from Srinagar to Kargil and Kargil to Lamayuru on the next day.
By Train: The nearest railway station to Lamayuru is Jammu Tawi, at a distance of 685 km from Lamayuru. Taxis can be hired from the railway station to Lamayuru or Leh over Srinagar Leh Highway in a 3-day journey with overnight halts at Srinagar and Kargil.
Download your FREE high-resolution version pdf copy of this map of Srinagar Leh Highway covering Lamayuru and Mulbekh villages too. If you liked it and found it helpful, please feel free to share it with your family and friends to help them too.
What is the best time to visit Lamayuru Monastery?
The best time to visit the Lamayuru monastery is during the celebration of the festival of Yuru Kabgyat, which is in June or July. The months of May to October, in general, is a perfect time to visit Lamayuru Monastery because the weather is most favorable for traveling. The weather is pleasant, and roads to Ladakh are also open during that time from both Srinagar and Manali side.
The roads to reach Ladakh via Srinagar and Manali are closed from November to April-May because of heavy snow. Therefore, traveling via air is the only option to reach Leh, and further to Lamayuru monastery in Ladakh during wintertime. The roads to Lamayuru remain open in winter as well from Leh side. However, Fotu La and Namika La pass close at times during heavy snowfall.
Hence, a good time to travel to Lamayuru monastery is the same as the best time to visit Leh Ladakh. That is, from May to September or October when the roads to Leh Ladakh are open from Srinagar and Manali side. But you can always visit the moon-land of Lamayuru in the winter months as well if you are flying to Leh.
In winter, Lamayuru sees very few tourists and the snow-covered moonland landscape looks completely different. However, temperatures can drop to -20°C in January-February, so proper winter clothing is essential.
Where to stay in Lamayuru? Budget and Hotels
Since the Lamayuru village shares a distance of around 125 km from Leh, it is advisable to stay there for a night and enjoy the calmness and serenity of Lamayuru fully. Many people choose to stay in Lamayuru for weeks and months, practicing yoga. There are various stay options in Lamayuru like Hotel Moonland, Siachen Guesthouse, Dragon Hotel, and Hotel Niranjana.
Budget accommodation in Lamayuru (2026 prices):
- Basic guesthouses: INR 1500-2000 per night for a double room without meals
- Mid-range hotels: INR 2500-3500 per night with basic amenities
- Homestays: INR 1200-1800 per night with home-cooked meals
- Monastery guesthouse: INR 800-1200 per night (very basic, shared bathrooms)
Even the Lamayuru monastery offers accommodation options too along with other guest houses in Lamayuru village. Keep in mind that facilities are basic in Lamayuru, so do not expect luxury amenities. However, the hospitality is warm and the food is delicious.
In case you are planning a two day trip from Leh to Lamayuru, you can even come back from Lamayuru via Dah-Hanu route as well to explore Dah-Hanuthang villages and local culture up there.
You can always refer to some good hotels and guest houses in Leh for your base accommodation in Leh.
Where to eat in Lamayuru?
Lamayuru monastery has a fabulous restaurant called Niranjana Lamayuru Restaurant, which offers amazing food. Even if you are not staying in Lamayuru, when coming from Kargil to Leh, this restaurant is my favorite place to eat lunch on the way to Leh. The service is a bit slow, but the taste buds will be 100% satisfied.
On the road between Kargil-Lamayuru-Leh, there are various food or eating options in Lamayuru and on the highway as well. The food is pretty local and does not have a lot of variety, but is still really delectable and filling. You should try some local dhabas on the way which offer very nice and tasty local authentic Tibetan food. Thupka, momos, and skew (Tibetan bread) are the staple dishes here.
Budget for food in Lamayuru (2026 prices):
- Thupka or noodles: INR 100-150 per plate
- Momos: INR 80-120 per plate
- Simple dal-rice meal: INR 150-200
- Chai: INR 20-30 per cup
- Full meal at guesthouse: INR 300-500 per person
You should always carry your water bottle and refill it as many times as you need water. It will not only keep you hydrated always, but you will also help in saving the Himalayas from plastic garbage. Remember, every tiny step counts and your step in this direction can help save the Himalayas too !! 🙂 🙂
Leh to Lamayuru Itinerary – Day Trip or 2 Days
As suggested in the article, the distance from Leh to Lamayuru is 125 km only, and with such good road conditions, you can always make a day trip from Leh to Lamayuru. However, if you have time and you are not traveling on Srinagar Leh Highway but want to visit Lamayuru from Leh itself, then you can follow the below two days Leh to Lamayuru itinerary.
Day 1 | Leh – Sham Valley – Lamayuru
Start early from Leh (around 7-8 AM) and move to Lamayuru. On the way, you should cover Sham Valley sightseeing that includes places like Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill, Sangam (Indus-Zanskar confluence), Alchi Monastery, and Likir Monastery. You may wish to have lunch near the Indus river somewhere around Khaltse or Uley Tokpo. Reach Lamayuru by late afternoon, explore the monastery and moonland. Overnight at Lamayuru guesthouse.
Day 2 | Lamayuru – Chitkan – Dah – Hanuthang – Leh
While going back to Leh from Lamayuru, you can take the route of the Aryan village via Dah village and Hanuthang village to experience the local culture up there. This is an offbeat route and very few tourists take this route. As it will be a long route (around 200 km total), you need to start early in the day from Lamayuru (by 7 AM), otherwise you will not be able to spend much time at Dah-Hanuthang villages. Reach Leh by evening.
Important Tips for Visiting Lamayuru Monastery
Do I need permits to visit Lamayuru?
You should note that no inner line permits are required to visit Lamayuru monastery as it falls on the Srinagar Leh Highway. However, if you are planning to visit Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, or Tso Moriri from Leh, you will need permits for those areas.
Respect Monastery Rules
It’s important to note that photography is not allowed inside the prayer hall of the monastery. Please follow the monastery rules and ask before taking a photograph of any monk. Do not step over the statues and respect the holy place. Remove your shoes before entering the prayer hall. Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees.
Take AMS Seriously
Travelers are advised to consult their doctors before commencing this high altitude road trip journey to Lamayuru because it can be tedious and demanding. The Lamayuru weather conditions can get extreme, especially in winters. It is not recommended to sleep at Lamayuru directly when traveling from Srinagar without any overnight halt at Kargil.
Besides being unbearably cold in the winter season in Lamayuru or nearby Leh, AMS (acute mountain sickness) may hit even the most experienced travelers, as the altitude is 3510 meters. If you are flying to Leh and planning to visit Lamayuru on the same day or next day, please acclimatize in Leh for at least one full day before going to Lamayuru.
Petrol Availability on Srinagar Leh Highway
Leh, Kargil, and Khaltse petrol pumps remain fully functional even in the winter months as well. So, you can pretty much rely on them for fuel availability in case needed for your road trip to Lamayuru. Read my detailed guide on fuel availability in Leh Ladakh for more information.
Mobile Network Connectivity
BSNL and Airtel postpaid numbers work fine in Leh Ladakh. Other networks do not get any reception. As Lamayuru monastery is between Kargil and Leh, BSNL phone connections will work fine. BSNL has the widest coverage in Leh Ladakh, and Reliance Jio has also started its operation starting 2018. However, connectivity can be patchy at times.
You should check my tips on mobile connectivity in Leh Ladakh for detailed information on which SIM cards work where.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lamayuru Monastery
How far is Lamayuru from Leh and how long does it take to reach?
Lamayuru is 125 km from Leh. The drive takes about 3 to 3.5 hours depending on road conditions and the number of breaks you take. You cross Fotu La pass (4108 meters), which is the highest point on the Srinagar-Leh Highway.
Can I visit Lamayuru in winter?
Yes, Lamayuru can be visited in winter, but only if you fly to Leh as the Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh highways remain closed from November to May. The road from Leh to Lamayuru generally remains open in winter, though Fotu La and Namika La passes may close temporarily during heavy snowfall. Temperatures can drop to -20°C, so proper winter gear is essential.
What is the entry fee for Lamayuru Monastery in 2026?
The entry fee for Lamayuru Monastery is INR 50 per person as of 2026. The monastery is open from 8 AM to 5 PM daily.
Why is Lamayuru called the Moonland of Ladakh?
Lamayuru is called the Moonland of Ladakh because of the unique geological formations around the monastery. The erosion patterns have created a lunar-like landscape with craters, ridges, and undulating terrain that resembles the surface of the moon. Some say that the soil composition is also similar to that on the moon, though this is more legend than scientific fact.
When is the Yuru Kabgyat Festival at Lamayuru in 2026?
The Yuru Kabgyat Festival at Lamayuru will be celebrated in late June or early July 2026. The exact dates follow the Tibetan lunar calendar and are usually announced closer to the time. The festival features masked Cham dances performed by monks and is one of the best times to visit Lamayuru.
Are there good hotels in Lamayuru village?
Lamayuru has basic accommodation options including Hotel Moonland, Siachen Guesthouse, Dragon Hotel, and Hotel Niranjana. Basic guesthouses cost INR 1500-2000 per night. The monastery also offers very basic accommodation from INR 800-1200 per night. Do not expect luxury facilities, but the hospitality is warm and the food is good.
Can I do the Lamayuru to Wanla trek as a beginner?
The Lamayuru to Wanla to Chilling trek is a moderate 5-day trek suitable for beginners with reasonable fitness. However, proper acclimatization is essential as you will be trekking at altitudes above 3500 meters. I always suggest spending at least 2-3 days in Leh before starting any trek in Ladakh.
Is photography allowed inside Lamayuru Monastery?
Photography is not allowed inside the prayer hall of Lamayuru Monastery. However, you can photograph the exterior of the monastery, the chortens, the moonland landscape, and other areas of the village. Always ask permission before photographing monks.
Conclusion
Apart from the ancient and remarkable monastery, the village of Lamayuru with its serenity and unique natural beauty is your ideal place to halt between Kargil and Leh. The landscape changes as soon as you leave from Kargil, and it is bound to keep you in awe throughout.
Have a travel question?? You can subscribe to my YouTube channel and leave a comment to ask your travel questions about traveling to the Himalayas.
I hope this travel guide for visiting Lamayuru will help you plan a successful trip to this majestic place in Leh Ladakh. The moonland formations alone are worth the detour, and the ancient monastery adds a spiritual dimension to the visit.
If you know your friends or family are planning a trip to Leh Ladakh and Lamayuru, do share this article with them to help them make a memorable trip. For other details about traveling in Ladakh, discussions, queries, and finding travel partners, please go through the DwD Community.
Last Updated: February 2026. This article has been updated with the latest information on entry fees, accommodation prices, and road conditions.
2 Comments
Comments section gets closed in 90 days. To ask your travel questions, you can follow my YouTube Channel for a faster reply or for a much slower reply follow me on Instagram. :)
Beautifully detailed and narrated the PDF map is excellent and would very useful as I’m reaching Leh on 26th May ans have a plan to go to Lamayuru alongwith Sham valley on 27th May. Regards..
Excellent, you have a wonderful trip. I am glad it was helpful for your trip