LADakh is all set to host Astro Week 2026, an initiative which officials say has been designed to position the Union Territory as South Asia’s premier destination for astronomy-based tourism. The event, which is being held from May 20-26, will bring together not only astronomers and researchers, but also astro-photographers, and travellers.
It is for the second year that the festival is taking place, and this time, the activities include sky observation sessions, expert talks, scientific exploration and community-led experiences.
Astro-tourism aligns naturally with the unique geographical and environmental attributes of Ladakh, located at a high altitude. According to the UT administration, minimal light pollution and stable atmospheric conditions make the region one of the best locations for stargazing and astronomical observation. These factors prompted the authorities to identify astro-tourism as a priority area within its broader sustainable tourism framework.
Unlike conventional tourism models that often “strain local ecosystems”, astro-tourism, according to the UT’s Tourism Department, emphasises “preservation of natural darkness and environmental integrity”.
Hanle and the science behind it
Hanle in Ladakh’s remote Changthang is home to the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR), the country’s first dark sky reserve, established around the Indian Astronomical Observatory, and run by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. The reserve ensures strict control over artificial lighting, preserving the natural night environment, making the place ideal not only for scientific research, but for tourism experiences as well.
Experts say while almost all parts of India are severely affected by light pollution, Hanle has almost no light pollution. Usually, the darkness of skies is measured by amateur astronomers on the Bortle scale.
A city sky would normally be Bortle-9, and only the brightest stars can be seen. A Bortle-1 sky is the darkest. In Ladakh, HDSR is India’s only accessible Bortle-1 sky.
HDSR covers several villages, government infrastructure, and a Buddhist monastery. Until recently, the villagers led a nomadic lifestyle. In 2023, the first HDSR star party was organised and was meant for experienced amateur astronomers in India.
The naked sky led to amazing visual observations and astro-photographs. Since then, the HDSR star party has been organised every year.
Dorje Angchuk, the observatory’s engineer-in-charge, says that during Astro Week, the astronomy outreach will take place at multiple places, including Leh, Sham, Nubra, Zanskar, Kargil, Drass, and Changthang.
The festival, he points out, has two major purposes: raising awareness among people, and to boost tourism.
Fillip to low-footprint tourism
Ladakh’s Tourism Secretary Sanjit Rodrigues says astro-tourism exemplifies UT’s commitment to “low-footprint, high-value tourism”.
“It requires minimal infrastructure development compared to mass tourism, reduces environmental degradation, and promotes conservation-oriented practices such as controlled lighting and waste management,” says Rodrigues. Attracting smaller, more responsible visitor groups who seek meaningful experiences, Ladakh, he adds, “ensures reduced ecological stress, higher per capita economic returns and long-term sustainability of tourism assets”.
Tashi Gyalson, former chairman of the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), agrees with the observation. He says Hanle is becoming a major tourist hotspot. “Changthang region was earlier only limited to Pashmina, but now Hanle is becoming a name in astronomy.”
There has been a major change especially in the last two years, points out Gyalson. “A number of tourists are coming, which is changing the place as well, and the region has a bright future — literally and figuratively — in terms of tourism.”
