3 Lamayuru
J&K, Zanskar and Ladakh Bus Tour
Kargil > Lamayuru > Leh
On 19th May 2006 caught an early morning 5 AM bus at Kargil headed for Leh. I planned to hop off at Lamayuru and stay there one night and see the oldest Gompa in Ladakh built around 10th century.
The 4.5 hour bus ride from Kargil to Lamayuru over the barren terrain via Namik-La (3760m) and Fotu-La Pass (4147m) was a pretty scenic and breathtaking.
Arriving at Lamayuru at 9:30am checked into the new 4-story Niranjan Guest House adjoining the Gompa. The comfortable double room here was for Rs 200/- per day. The GH shared a courtyard with the Gompa adorned with huge colorful paintings.
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Niranjan GH and the courtyard adjoining the Lamayuru Gompa
Paintings in the courtyard shared by the Niranjan Guest House and the Lamayuru Gompa
View from Lamayuru Gompa ..... looking west to where the road descends into the Lamayuru valley from Namik-La Pass
View from Lamayuru Gompa ... looking eastward, where the road descends further down into the Lamayuru valley all the way to Indus river, at Khalsi
The deep erosions on the hillsides of the Lamayuru valley
Gompa Courtyard paintings
A brief History of the Gompa posted on a signboard at entrance to Gomp
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The next day i.e. 20th May 2006caught a bus at 10:00AM going to Leh. But the bus was full and no seats, so decided to go standing till Khalsi (just an hours ride) and then change bus there. The scenery & terrain from Lamayuru to Khalsi on bank of Indus river was pretty awesome.
At Khalsi after lunch got another bus at 11:15AM to Leh. The ride along Indus river valley apssing through some barren mountain terrain was really awsome as seen in Pics below and to the right.
We passed several villages on the way .... Likir, Basgo, Nimmu, Phey and Spituk .... finally reaching Leh at 3:00PM in the afternoon.
Indus River just out of Khalsi
View of the scenery near Likir
2 kms after Nimmu you reach this beautiful site ... where the gorges of Indus and Zanskar rivers meet.
Hotel Tso-Mori on Fort Rd, Leh
Arrived at Leh at 3:00 PM; after checking out several hotels, checked into Hotel Tso-Mori on Fort Road at Rs 400 per day.
Inside the prayer hall ......... of the Lamayuru Gompa
11:30 AM Indus river a few mnutes out of Khalsi
1:30 PM - Basgo Gompa on the ridge opposite (to right of 2nd tallest tree)
Near Nimmu .. view of bridge crossing the Indus river, way below.