Unlike popular destinations like Pangong Tso, Nubra Valley or Turtuk, the remote corner like Hanle barely makes it into the tourist’s itinerary. This is due to a lack of knowledge and also certainly because of the remoteness of the place. Hanle is one of the most spectacular places in Ladakh. You will be blown away knowing the reasons why Hanle should be on your Ladakh bucket list.
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In recent times, the far-flung place is slowly getting prominence amongst offbeat travelers. Hanle is officially notified as Dark Sky Reserve by the UT’s Wildlife Department. The 1,073 sq km identified area covers a cluster of six hamlets of Hanle including Bhok, Khuldo, Shado, Punguk, Naga, and the Tibetan Refugee habitations located within the Changthan Wildlife Sanctuary. Hanle is India’s first dark sky reserve.
Table of Contents
Where is Hanle?
Hanle is located about 260 km from Leh. It takes more than 9 hours of driving from Leh to reach the remote village of Hanle. The spectacular vistas can literarily make your jaw drop. It is better to start early from Leh if you aim to reach Hanle on the same day. You can reach Hanle via Pangong Tso as well. It will depend entirely on your Ladakh itinerary.
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I would highly recommend taking a night halt at Nyoma on your way to Hanley from Leh. This was my route from Pangong Tso to Hanle:
Spangmik (Pangong Tso) – Man – Merak- Chusul– Tsaga La– Tsaga Village– Mahe – Nyoma- Loma– Hanle
What to see and explore in Hanle?
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Hanle flaunts vast wilderness in green pastures and giant mountains around. The emptiness of the surroundings, the sound of the wind, and the scattered villages make it an ideal place for slow travel. Hanle displays enchanting vistas which look straight out of a fairytale book.
Hanle houses the Indian Astronomical Observatory which is the world’s highest observatory in the world at an astounding height of 4500 meters. Apart from that, one of the must-visit places is Hanle Monastery. Let us find out what you can see and explore in Hanle.
Indian Astronomical Observatory
Your visit to Hanle is incomplete if you return without visiting the world’s highest observatory. The Indian Astronomical Observatory allows a visitor to enter the station on a guided tour where a detailed brief is given. I was lucky to get a brief about the telescope and how it functions.
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Due to its remoteness, an advantage of more clear nights, minimum light pollution, background aerosol concentration, and extremely dry atmospheric condition, Hanle was chosen for the Indian Astronomical Observatory. Significantly, Hanle is located in the rain shadow area which makes it unaffected by both the southeast monsoon and the western disturbance. It results in cloudless clear skies. Hanle has around 270 clear nights in a year which makes it heaven for astronomers.
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I was informed that wind flow is laminar in Hanle. This is why the stars do not twinkle here and with no light pollution. Therefore, the stars are visible to the naked eye. This is one of the biggest factors attracting Astro-scientists to Hanle.
Hanle was chosen due to its accessibility even in the winter months when temperatures drop down to minus 10 degrees Celsius.
Hanle Monastery
If you are visiting Hanle, don’t miss the ancient Hanle monastery. Located in Hanle Valley, the monastery is located on the ancient trade route between Ladakh and Tibet. Built with the help and support of Ladakhi King Sengge Namgyal and Stag-tsang-ras-pa (a famous Tibet priest), Hanle was the first monastery to be associated with the Drukpa lineage.
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When I visited Hanle monastery, the main temple was closed. It was only a few of us at the monastery at that time. What I loved about the monastery is that it has a powerful aura and the view from the rooftop is just amazingly breathtaking. The colorful prayer flags, the sound of the wind, and the peaceful aura around them were enchanting.
Umling La Pass
Photo Courtesy: Shiv Aroor
Umling La has earned the reputation of the World’s Highest Motorable road. This has become one of the top attractions in Ladakh nowadays. The Umling La Pass was forbidden for tourists till 2021. The restriction was lifted in 2022 which resulted in people wanting to visit Umling La Pass at the earliest. It is hardly 105 km from Hanle village. If you are visiting Hanle, you must include Umling La Pass on your itinerary.
Where to stay in Hanle?
Hanle being one of the remotest corners in Ladakh, you will not find any fancy accommodation options. There are a lot of local accommodations in Hanle Village. You will find decent Homestay options. Prior booking is recommended in season. Otherwise, one can find plenty of homestays that are quite affordable.
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After searching for more than an hour, I found quite a decent Homestay in Hanle. The homestay name is Kalsang Homestay Naga. It is a budget homestay and an excellent option for backpackers. It has 5 rooms and one of the rooms has an attached washroom. So, even if you are traveling alone you can opt for the homestay.
The best part about the homestay is the location. The night view from the homestay is beyond excellent. Even though it is a budget homestay, the host is quite accommodating. I remember clearly that whatever I demanded, was fulfilled. Even though it is a budget homestay, I found the price a bit high considering you are on a shoestring budget.
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really liked your blog , it was so helpful and amazing , it cleared all my doubts
Thanks for such a beautiful blog on Hanle, Ladakh. This place is way out of the world. The stunning photos show how charming Hanle is.
really liked your blog , it was so helpful and amazing , it cleared all my doubts
Amazing content, Ladakh is everyone wonder when it comes to travel. and Yes going via Bike ride is an another adventure to do when you are planning to Ladakh trip. Thanks for sharing amazing article.
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This is a great article about visiting Hanle, a remote village in Ladakh. It discusses Hanle’s attractions, including the Indian Astronomical Observatory, Hanle Monastery, and Umling La Pass. Hanle is known for its clear skies and lack of light pollution, making it a great place for stargazing. The article also provides information on how to get to Hanle and where to stay.
I would definitely recommend adding Hanle to your Ladakh bucket list! It is a unique and beautiful place with something to offer everyone.
Wow, so detailed and definitely very helpful. Hanle is long due in my bucket lists. Last time when I was in ladak, duse to some health issues I couldn’t complete this much awaited journey of my life. This time I’m planning Hanle via Tsomoriri and all the way to UmlingLa. Thank you so much for this detailed blogs.
Thank you, for the great article about Hanle. I have been considering a trip to the territory of Ladakh, and thinking about visiting Hanle, but with your detailed information and pictures I will definitely take the time to go there. Saving this post for later!
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really liked your blog , it was so helpful and amazing , it cleared all my doubts
It was fun reading about Hanle. You have written about it beautifully. Will be visiting it soon with friends and family.
Thanks for such a beautiful blog on Hanle, Ladakh. This place is way out of the world. The stunning photos show how charming Hanle is.
Thank you for sharing such valuable insights! I particularly enjoyed how you explained it in a clear and concise manner. It has definitely broadened my understanding.
In 2017, I traveled to Leh and then from leh to Khardung La, it was indeed an awesome experience visiting Ladakh. Next time I’ll definitely plan for Hanle as well.
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You have done a great job of showcasing the beauty and charm of Hanle. Your guide is very detailed and informative. I learned a lot about the history, geography and attractions of this place. Your photos are breathtaking and make me want to pack my bags right away. Hanle seems like a hidden gem in Ladakh!
Thank you for posting this good article, this article is very helpful to us to knowing about our required information.
One of the main reasons to visit Hanle is its incredible stargazing opportunities. Located at a high altitude and boasting clear skies, this remote village is a paradise for astronomers and stargazers. The Hanle Observatory, situated here, provides an unparalleled opportunity to witness the wonders of the night sky and learn about celestial bodies.Oeverall, grear articles
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I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for introducing me to new and unexplored places in Ladakh through your blog. As a tour guide, I have had the opportunity to visit Leh Ladakh multiple times, but your insightful blog has provided me with a wealth of information that will greatly benefit the tourists I guide. Your detailed descriptions and recommendations have opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for me to showcase the hidden gems and lesser-known attractions of this breathtaking region. Thank you for your valuable contributions to the tourism industry and for enriching my knowledge as a tour guide.
Regards
Harry
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