Young Women Lead Stargazing Tourism in Remote Himalayan Village of Hanle

Four young women in the remote Himalayan village of Hanle are working as astro-ambassadors, guiding tourists through the night sky. Palzes Angmo, Tsering Dolker, Tsering Yangdol and Padma Chamchot spend their days running family homestays and their nights operating telescopes for visitors.

Local Impact

At 14,764 feet above sea level, Hanle offers clear skies and is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory. Government figures show visitor numbers jumped from about 3,000 a year five years ago to nearly 30,000 in 2024-25. The Ladakh administration and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics trained 24 young people in astronomy in 2022, including these four women.

Context

Astronomy tourism brings economic opportunities to remote high-altitude regions by turning unique natural conditions into tourist attractions. Protecting night skies from artificial light allows communities to benefit from scientific interest in their local environment.