Hanle, or Anley, a village in eastern part of Ladakh in Leh district at altitude of about 4,500 meters above sea level, is very close to China border and has become a popular tourist destination.
Hanle village of Ladakh is believed to be the best place for stargazing. The high altitude plains here offer beautiful panoramic views. The Indian Astronomical Observatory is established above Hanle village for astronomical studies.
The scientists chose Anley as a suitable place for this observatory due to many reasons. Hanle is a rain shadow place, which means the region rarely see clouds or rain. Secondly, the remote village is located at a high altitude plateau with almost no air or light pollution. These features make Hanley village a preferred destination for star gazing.
Hanle village is also famous among tourists for its ancient monastery. The 17th-century monastery (gompa) of the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism is located at the entrance of the village in the right hand side.
Many tourists reach Hanle with misconception that they can see stars, planets and galaxies from the Hanle Observatory. This is not true. Tourists can visit the astronomical observatory here for education purpose and to see how it works. But, keep it in mind that this observatory is teleoperated from Bangalore, not from Hanle.
Many tourists also see photos of our galaxy that have been shot from Hanle and they think they also can see similar view with naked eyes. Yes, stars are brighter, thicker and appear closer from Hanle (if there is no cloud or moon). Even the strips of galaxies can be seen with naked eyes. But, those attractive photos are generally captured with professional cameras. You can see the wonder of nature with a telescope.
Umling la, the highest motorable pass of the world at altitude of 19,024 feet from sea level, has also popularised Hanle as this small village is a gateway to Umling la pass.
How to reach Hanle village?
Hanley became more popular among tourists in the last few years after better road connectivity to the village. Hanle is easily reachable from Leh via Chumathang, Mahe and Nyoma. Tourists who visit Pangong lake can directly reach here from Pangong via Chushul. If you are visiting Tso Moriri, you can also come from Tso Moriri via Mahe bridge. From Manali side, tourists can take Tsokar – Mahe bridge – Hanle route.
Altitude Sickness
As Hanle is located nearly 4,500 m above sea level, tourists should not visit Hanle directly coming after Leh. First, you should give some time to your body to acclimatize to the altitude of Leh and you can visit Nubra valley and Pangong lake first. Then you can head to Anley and Tso Moriri.
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Do tourists need permit to visit Anley?
Basically tourists need to have permit to visit all the places in Ladakh. Permits can be booked online or offline. You don’t need a specific permit to visit Hanle.
What is the best time to visit Hanle?
Although Hanle can be visited round the year but roads can be blocked or become slippery due to snowfall and icing of the road in winter season. May to mid October is the best time to visit Hanle.
Unveiling the Hidden Gem of Hanle: A Complete Guide to Tourism
Nestled amidst the rugged terrains of the Himalayas lies the serene village of Hanle, a hidden gem in the Ladakh region of India. With its pristine landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and mesmerizing night skies, Anle has emerged as a must-visit destination for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the enchanting allure of Hanle and uncover everything you need to know to plan your unforgettable journey to this remote Himalayan paradise.
Introduction to Hanle: Located in the eastern part of Ladakh, Hanle is a small village situated at an altitude of over 4,500 meters above sea level. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and vast expanses of barren desert, Hanle offers a stark yet captivating landscape that is unlike any other in the region. The village is renowned for its ancient monasteries, pristine lakes, and unparalleled views of the night sky, making it a haven for nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts, and stargazers alike.
Exploring Hanle’s Cultural Heritage: Hanle boasts a rich cultural heritage that is deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhism. The village is home to several centuries-old monasteries, including the famous Hanle Monastery, also known as Hanle Gompa. Perched atop a hill overlooking the village, Hanle Monastery is renowned for its stunning architecture, intricate murals, and sacred relics. Visitors can immerse themselves in the serene atmosphere of the monastery, participate in Buddhist rituals, and witness the daily lives of the resident monks.
Natural Wonders of Hanle: In addition to its cultural attractions, Anley is blessed with breathtaking natural beauty that will leave you spellbound. One of the highlights of a visit to Hanle is the opportunity to explore its pristine lakes, including the picturesque Hanle Lake and nearby Tso Moriri Lake. These shimmering bodies of water, surrounded by rugged mountains and verdant meadows, offer a serene setting for picnics, photography, and birdwatching.
Stargazing in Hanle: Hanle is renowned for offering some of the clearest and darkest night skies in the world, making it a paradise for stargazers and astrophotographers. The village is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, situated at an altitude of 4,500 meters, which provides unparalleled views of the cosmos. Visitors can join guided stargazing sessions at the observatory, where they can marvel at the brilliance of the Milky Way, observe distant galaxies, and witness celestial phenomena such as meteor showers and auroras.
Conclusion: In conclusion, Hanle is a hidden gem in the heart of the Himalayas, offering a unique blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and adventure. Whether you’re exploring ancient monasteries, gazing at the stars, or embarking on thrilling outdoor adventures, Hanle promises an unforgettable journey that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. So pack your bags, venture off the beaten path, and discover the enchanting allure of Anle for yourself.
Dark Sky Reserve soon in Hanley
November 30, 2021: Keeping in view the vast potential of Astro-tourism in Ladakh, especially the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) at Hanley, the Chairman, LAHDC Leh, Adv Tashi Gyalson today convened a meeting to review and discuss plans for establishing a Dark Sky Reserve at Hanley village in the Changthang region.
Dorjey Angchuk, Engineer in-charge at IAO Hanley, who’s also an honorary member of the International Astronomical Union, shared his views on the potential of promoting Astro-tourism, including light management, energy efficiency and ecological integrity, and uplifting the local economy of the region.
CEC Tashi Gyalson expressed his gratitude to the UT Administration led by LG Ladakh for taking a keen interest in establishing a dark-sky reserve at Hanley village. He stressed the need for formulating a comprehensive plan for the project in consultation with all the stakeholders, including the local community. He further added that the said project should be executed at an international standard to promote sustainable Astro-tourism in the region.
Principal Secretary, UT Ladakh, Dr Pawan Kotwal, stated that this project should be implemented while keeping the restoration of the natural habitat of the ecosystem in mind. He added that the UT Administration would ensure assistance for the execution of the project. He requested the public representatives to sensitise the local community on economical management, roles and responsibilities for establishing the Dark Sky Reserve at Hanley.
Principal Secretary, Dr Pawan Kotwal; Dy Commissioner Leh, Shrikant Suse; Councillor Nyoma, Ishey Spalzang; Chairperson BDC Nyoma, Urgain Chodon; Director Tourism Ladakh, Wildlife Warden, AD Tourism Leh and Engineer Incharge IAO attended the meeting.
First Star Party at Hanle Dark Night Reserve
October 20, 2023: The first official star party for experienced amateur astronomers was organised by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in collaboration with Department of Wildlife Protection, UT Ladakh at Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in eastern Ladakh, from October 12 to 15.
Hanle is home to IIA’s Indian Astronomical Observatory and hosts many professional telescopes due to its dark skies and dry weather. About 30 amateur astronomers travelled to Hanle with their telescopes and cameras to experience the beauty of the skies unaffected by light pollution and to photograph faint celestial objects that cannot be done from other locations.
It was informed that Hanle has one of the darkest skies in India and recently, an area of radius roughly 22 km around Hanle has been notified by the UT Ladakh as the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR).
Engineer-in-charge of the Observatory, Dorje Angchuk added that HDSR aims to control man-made light pollution in the area in order to preserve the pristine dark skies for astronomical research. Also, added that the Reserve is promoted as a tourist destination for enjoying the night sky, and also helps in socio-economic development of the local villages.
Award-winning Astrophotographer, Ajay Talwar added that amateur astronomers are always in search of dark skies to be able to observe faint objects and photograph them in great detail. Further, he added that he has been coming to Hanle for many years now, and certain astronomical phenomena like the False Dawn or the Zodiacal Light, can be observed in the country only from this location due to its darkness.
Furthermore, he said that zodiacal light is the sunlight that is scattered by the dust in the plane of the solar system. It is extremely faint and can only be observed before dawn from the darkest of locations. The participants of the Star Party could see and photograph this False Dawn on two successive nights.
Local villagers, Tourists, participants from Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Mandi, Ahmedabad, Lakshadweep, and Mumbai participated in the star party.
Sudhash Natarajan from Bangalore Astronomical Society who has been coming to Hanle every year and said as a keen visual observer, he is able to see obscure faint galaxies at HDSR with its Bortle-1 (darkest) sky.
Additionally, Dorjey Angchuk added that Hanle is a haven for amateur astronomers. He said that they are planning to make the HDSR Star Party an annual event. He hopes that it will be one of the most sought after events for astronomy enthusiasts in India and abroad.He further added that HDSR is promoted as a site for astro-tourism.
Head of the outreach section (SCOPE Section) at IIA, Niruj Mohan Ramanujam informed that with funding from UT Ladakh, they have purchased 24 small telescopes and given it to selected villagers inside the reserve and have also trained them as Astronomy Ambassadors.
Kesang Dorjey, from village Khaldo in Hanle added that it was a wonderful opportunity for us to learn from the leading amateur astronomers of the country and become even better-trained guides to the night sky.
Director of IIA, Prof Annapurni Subramaniam said they continue to share the unique skies of HDSR with astronomy enthusiasts, and are happy that the local communities are trained to be Astronomy Ambassadors for tourists.
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