What to Wear in Lamayuru

The sun and the cold, on the same day

At about 3,500 m the air is thin and dry. Summer afternoons feel warm in the sun, then the temperature falls hard at dusk. A base layer, a fleece and a windproof jacket cover most of May to September. Add a down jacket for early mornings at the monastery and for the stop at Fotu La, which is higher and much windier. From October the nights freeze, and in winter you need thermals, a heavy jacket, gloves and insulated boots.

Sun cover matters more than rain gear

Ladakh sits in a rain shadow and gets little rain, even in July and August. Sunburn is the bigger risk. Wear a hat, sunglasses with UV protection and sunscreen, and carry lip balm; the dry air cracks lips within a day. Long sleeves protect you from the sun better than a vest. Pack a light shell anyway for the odd shower and for wind.

At the monastery

Lamayuru Monastery and Wanla are working places of worship. Cover shoulders and knees, and take off hats inside the halls. Shoes come off before prayer halls, so slip-on shoes or loosely laced boots save time. Socks help, as the floors are cold stone and wood.

Shoes for the moonland

The paths around Moonland and the village are loose earth and gravel. Trail shoes with grip work well. Heavier boots are only needed if you are trekking out of Lamayuru.

Goncha and perak

The goncha is Ladakh's thick woollen robe, tied with a sash, and you will see older villagers wearing it daily. The perak is a women's headdress studded with turquoise and coral. It is a family heirloom worn at weddings and festivals, not a souvenir, so photograph one only with permission. Leh has craft shops if you want a woollen goncha of your own.