Astro Circuit – Hanle & Beyond: Stargazing, Stories & High-Altitude Hospitality

“Where the stars touch the roof of the world, Ladakh’s Astro Circuit invites you to look up, slow down, and connect—with the cosmos, the community, and yourself.”

Nestled deep within Changthang’s high-altitude plains, the Astro Circuit is Ladakh’s most unique offering for astro-tourism, eco-travel, and nomadic cultural immersion. This circuit centers around Hanle, home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, and expands to include Punguk, Nyoma, and Loma, where women’s SHGs, Amchi wellness traditions, and pastoral homestays create a holistic travel experience under Ladakh’s clearest skies.

Circuit Overview: Hanle & the Cosmic Belt

Leh → Chumathang → Nyoma → Hanle → Punguk → Loma (optional: Demchok/Anley sector with permits)

Ideal Duration: 4 to 5 days
Best Time to Visit: May to October
Altitude Range: 4,500m – 5,000m (acclimatization needed)
Stay Type: SHG-supported homestays and eco-guesthouses
Ideal For: Stargazers, photographers, wellness seekers, slow travelers, family adventurers

Hanle – India’s Stargazing Capital

Stay With: Hanle Pastoral Women SHG Homestays
Must-Do:
- Visit the Indian Astronomical Observatory, one of the world’s highest, with local youth guides trained by SHGs
- Attend a night sky session with storytelling on Ladakhi cosmology
- Take part in yak herding, butter churning, or pashmina combing during the day
- Experience a Sowa-Rigpa herbal tea and bath session curated by local Amchis

Nyoma – Himalayan Salt & Stars

Stay With: Nyoma Mineral SHG
What’s Special:
- Engage in a salt-harvesting demo from rock and mineral deposits
- Join a cultural exchange circle with elders sharing stories of star-navigation on ancient salt trails
- Try earth-cooked meals prepared using solar ovens by SHG women
- Optional: Detour to Yaya Tso Lake for birdwatching and nature photography

Punguk – The Darkest Skies in India

Stay With: Punguk Pastoral SHG (Emerging Stay Option)
Why Visit:
- Pitch a tent or stay with a local family in one of India’s most remote and light-pollution-free villages
- Night-time astro-photo session or simply stargazing with SHG-made herbal drinks
- Daytime walks with Changpa herders; observe yak pastures and learn about nomadic astronomy

Collect wild herbs with local Amchis for wellness sessions

Hanley / Anlay village

Nyoma village

2 Homestays

Optional Extension: Loma, Demchok & Border Stories

Permit Required. No overnight stays allowed at Demchok.
Activity Suggestion: Border viewpoint at Loma with a local youth storyteller
Learn: About ancient trade, post-independence geopolitics, and Changthang’s place in Indian astronomy and defense

SHG Activities Across the Astro Circuit

Experience	Location	Facilitated By	Highlights
Observatory Visit + Star Walk	Hanle	Local youth trained by SHG	Clear night skies + Ladakhi cosmology
Sowa-Rigpa Herbal Bath & Teas	Hanle, Nyoma	Amchi Women’s SHG	Relaxation + high-altitude wellness
Salt Trail & Harvest Workshop	Nyoma	Mineral SHG	Rock salt demo, folklore, and recipes
Yak Pasture Day Walk	Hanle, Punguk	Nomadic SHG	Learn herd dynamics + pasture cycles
Nomadic Storytelling by Fire	Punguk	SHG Elders Collective	Fire circle tales on nature, stars, and spirits

What to Buy from SHG Collectives

Herbal wellness kits – teas, salves, and bath powders
Rock salt packets – pure, unprocessed, Changthang-sourced
Pashmina wool yarns – hand-spun by SHG women
Astro postcards & zines – created by youth-led documentation groups

Tea blends with thyme, rhubarb, seabuckthorn, tulsi

Suggested Itinerary (5 Days)

Day 1: Leh → Chumathang (lunch stop) → Nyoma

Evening: salt heritage circle & overnight stay

Day 2: Nyoma → Hanle

Observatory visit + SHG homestay dinner

Day 3: Hanle

Day: Pasture walk, Pashmina session
Night: Star storytelling with SHG elders

Day 4: Hanle → Punguk

Day: Nomadic demo + photography; Night: Dark sky camping

Day 5: Return via Mahe → Leh

Optional: Stop at Sowa-Rigpa Center at Chumathang

Travel with Impact

Choose SHG-certified guides and homestays
Buy from SHG groups directly – avoid plastic souvenirs
Respect yak pastures and fragile plant ecology
Do not use bright lights after dark—support dark sky zones

Engage, ask questions, and listen to local stories

Why Choose the Hanle Astro Circuit?

India’s clearest, darkest skies for stargazing
Deeply community-rooted experiences via SHGs
Real-time exposure to nomadic life & herbal knowledge
Comfortable stays without losing touch with tradition
One of the most sustainable and remote circuits in Ladakh

Let Us Help You Plan Your Astro Circuit

We support:

SHG Homestay Booking (Hanle, Nyoma, Punguk)
Night Sky Experiences + Star Guides
Herbal wellness kits & eco-product orders
Permit coordination for Loma/Demchok border zone
Custom travel kits for responsible travelers

Travel light. Look up. And discover what 5,000 meters under the stars can teach you.
The cosmos is closer than you think.

Discover Homestays

Experience the heart of Leh by staying with local families.
Immerse yourself in Ladakhi culture, traditions, and warm hospitality.
Book your homestay and explore the region like never before.

Book Your Homestays

Discover Local Experiences

From pottery workshops to Ladakhi cooking sessions, uncover the authentic experiences that Leh offers. Dive into the local culture with hands-on activities that will leave lasting memories.

Discover Local Experiences

Discover Monasteries

Leh is home to some of the most stunning and serene monasteries in the world. Visit these sacred sites, learn about their rich history, and experience the spiritual calm of Ladakh.

Discover Monasteries