Moonland
in Travel

Moonland

Moon Land is the affectionate name for the area near Lamayuru in the Ladakh region because it mimics the moon. There are thousands of tourists who come here each year because of a special geographic trait. A visitor to Lamayuru won’t overlook the unexpected landscape. There is another proverb that states that when the moon is full, the land takes on an exotic appearance that is both uncommon and entrancing. This landscape, which was carved into the Greater Himalayan ranges, sharply increased Lamayuru’s renown. On the renowned Leh-Srinagar Highway, Lamayuru is situated 100 kilometers from Leh and is accessible to interested travelers.

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The landscape of Lamayuru, which is 3,500 meters above sea level and situated between Kargil and Leh, is strange yet breathtaking. Moonland got its moniker because it’s said that the soil is similar to that on the moon. The distinctive geographical formation of moon-like landscapes carved into the larger Himalayas is Lamayuru’s claim to renown. Here is more information:

The Lamayuru monastery, which dates back to the tenth century, is one of the earliest monasteries in Ladakh and the biggest gompa still in existence. There are many myths surrounding Lamayuru, one of which is that there used to be a sizable lake there before Mahasiddhacharya Naropa, the founding Lama, dried it up to build the town and the monastery.

The ground began to develop moon-like craters and formations after the water dried up. Of course, there is no actual evidence for this folklore; it is simply a long-trusted tale.

 

Photo of There's a 'Moonland' on Earth and Here's the Complete Guide to Visit It! 1/3 by Abhigya S

Photo of There's a 'Moonland' on Earth and Here's the Complete Guide to Visit It! 2/3 by Abhigya S
Photo of There's a 'Moonland' on Earth and Here's the Complete Guide to Visit It! 3/3 by Abhigya S

Some of the most elaborately adorned and beautiful chortens, or stupas, as well as vibrant rocks with intricately carved prayers can be found at the Lamayuru Monastery. Numerous colorful historic paintings of the cardinal monarchs are kept in the monastery. Only one central structure remains today, down from the original five, but it is still a favorite among tourists, devotees, and photographers from all over the world. It’s fascinating to learn that the monastery currently has 50 different monasteries under its administration and has 300 registered Lamas.

Things to do:

Camping in Lamayuru: There are numerous locations close to Lamayuru where you can set up your own tent and take advantage of the Srinagar Leh Highway’s wild camping opportunities. The hamlet offers places for you to set up camp. Even camping is possible if you hike over mountains resembling moon territory.
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Yoga and Meditation: Yogi Kyunga Rinpoche founded a yoga retreat in Lamayuru in the 1970s, where numerous monks practice meditation and spirituality under the guidance of Rinpoche’s most important student.
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amayuru Trek:  If you’re interested in trans-Himalayan hiking, you can hike over Zanskar from Lamayuru to Darcha in about 18–20 days. You can also choose the five-day Lamayuru-Wanla-Chilling journey.
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The essential bullet ride: You can always enjoy the beautiful drive or ride to Lamayuru from Leh or Kargil / Srinagar. The joy of this road trip to Lamayuru is simply amazing as the butter smooth roads are in excellent conditions.

Where to stay in Lamayuru?

Lamayuru village shares a distance of around 125 km from Leh, so it is advisable to stay there for a night and enjoy the calmness and serenity of Lamayuru, fully. Many choose to stay in Lamayuru for weeks and months, to practice yoga. There are various stay options in the village, like Hotel Moonland, Siachen Guesthouse, Dragon Hotel among others. The monastery also offers affordable accommodation options.

 

Written by Mallika Dureja

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