Lamayuru

Perched at an altitude of 3,510 meters along the Leh-Srinagar highway, Lamayuru is home to one of the oldest, largest, and most visually extraordinary monastic complexes in Ladakh. Belonging to the Drikung Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, the monastery was founded in the 11th century by the Indian scholar Mahasiddha Naropa, who according to legend drained a pristine lake to establish the sanctuary. Famously dubbed the “Moonland” of Ladakh due to its unique, eroded yellow-clay rock formations resembling a lunar landscape, Lamayuru offers an otherworldly setting. From ancient meditation caves and vibrant prayer halls to sweeping mountain vistas, Lamayuru provides travelers with a deeply spiritual, culturally rich, and visually unforgettable high-altitude Himalayan experience.