MAKING A DIFFERENCE

DestinationsHanle Observatory houses the tenth highest optical telescope in the world.

Night Sky visitors now welcome at this Indian village

By Travel Weekly Asia

|

Oct 26, 2023

|

Hanle is recognised as a Dark Sky Reserve.

Hanle is recognised as a Dark Sky Reserve.

One of India’s most stunning destinations, Hanle in Ladakh, has opened its doors to overnight international visitors. Until now, local restrictions permitted only domestic tourists to explore this high-altitude village overnight.

Renowned for the Hanle Observatory, which houses the tenth highest optical telescope in the world, the village is recognised as a Dark Sky Reserve, a status awarded to places which offer exceptional nocturnal environments.

Located in the Hanle River valley on an old branch of the ancient Ladakh–Tibet trade route, Hanle is also the site of the 17th century Hanle Monastery, linked to Tibetan Buddhism.

“The region’s night skies offer a unique stargazing opportunity to visitors, and with this change, domestic and international tourists can enrich their travel experience in this magnificent part of Ladakh,” says Creative Travel’s Rajeev Kohli.

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