Hanle

About Hanle

A remote astronomy village and India's first Dark Sky Reserve, home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory and some of the clearest night skies in the world.

History & significance

Hanle is home to the 17th-century Hanle Monastery of the Drukpa lineage. The Indian Institute of Astrophysics established the observatory here in 2001 at 4,500 m, and in 2022 the area was declared the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve.

Travel tips

• Protected Area Permit required for foreigners; Inner Line for Indians.
• Stay at one of the village homestays trained as 'astronomy ambassadors'.
• Carry red-filter torches to preserve night vision.
• Plan around a new-moon night for the best Milky Way views.

Nearby attractions