Wanla Monastery is a worthwhile detour southeast of Lamayuru, reached by a narrow side road through a dry valley. It is much smaller than Lamayuru, but the setting is excellent: a ridge above Wanla village, sparse castle remains, and a temple that feels more fragile and intimate than the better-known gompas on the main highway.
The main reason to go is the three-storeyed Avalokitesvara temple, one of the important surviving monuments of medieval Ladakhi Buddhist art. Access can depend on a caretaker monk, so ask locally before driving out. Even if the inner rooms are closed, the ridge and village make the detour worthwhile if you are not in a hurry.