Changthang Valley
Astro-tour in Ladakh
Main Activity : Stargazing
To 30th November
4 / 10
Maximum Group Size : Up to 12 People
Highlights
● Visit Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle, the world’s highest space observatory
● Gaze & capture time lapse video of the milky way during your stay in Hanle
● See the planet of our solar system with the help of a high-power telescope during your homestay at Maan Village, Pangong
● Captures breathtaking images of the unique wildlife in Ladakh during your stay in Tsomoriri
● Learn about the Nomadic (Changpa) culture of Ladakhi living in the remote areas of Hanle and Pangong
● Sunset photography at Pangong lake
What to Expect
When it comes to getting the best views of the milky way and the stars which can be seen in the sky it all narrows down to planning and some amount of luck. Three of the key factors you must know when it comes to clicking fantastic photos of the night sky are: No/less light pollution, Clear skies & High altitude. And that’s why Ladakh is a perfect destination for Astrophotography as it offers all 3 of them. In fact, few destinations of Ladakh like - Hanle, Pangong tso & Maan Village are renowned destinations among Astro photographers.
Hanle is a remote region in Ladakh and also home to the highest space observatory in the world, the Indian Astronomical Observatory. It is located at an altitude of about 14,500 ft, which means that practically half of the atmosphere is below you. The air is dry as the amount of water vapour is less and the gaps between the mountains are huge which makes it easier for you to capture bright shots of the milky way. Hanle experiences over 150-180 cloud free nights beside over 260 nights that are useful for overserving the night sky. You will have plenty of opportunities to click the perfect shot of the Night Sky. During your stay in Hanle, you get to see and capture the inner planets of our Solar system such as - Mercury, Venus, Mars and outer planets such as Saturn and Jupiter.
On your visit to the Pangong lake, you will stay at the Maan Village. The local women running the homestays in the village are not just trained in hospitality but also in operating the telescopes and reading the night sky. Apart from learning about the night sky you will get to know the local culture, taste the local cuisines and how the people survive and go on with their daily lives in remote regions of Ladakh. Also, enjoy walking on Pangong Lake and taking sunrise & sunset photographs.
