Key facts
- Four young women in Hanle, Ladakh, are trained astro-ambassadors guiding tourists.
- Hanle, at 14,764ft, is known for its clear, dark skies and is India's first Dark Sky Reserve.
- Visitor numbers have surged from 3,000 annually five years ago to nearly 30,000 in 2024-25.
- The women earn about 25,000 rupees ($260) a month from astronomy sessions.
- Tourism growth poses a threat to Hanle's dark skies due to increased light and construction.
In the remote Himalayan village of Hanle, India, four young women are transforming their lives and local tourism by guiding visitors through the exceptionally clear night sky. Palzes Angmo, Tsering Dolker, Tsering Yangdol, and Padma Chamchot, all in their late 20s, have become Hanle's astro-ambassadors.
By day, they manage family-run homestays, cooking and attending to guests. By night, they set up telescopes, identify constellations with laser pointers, and explain celestial phenomena to tourists who travel hundreds of kilometers to witness the Milky Way and planets. These women grew up with the starry skies but only recently received formal training in astronomy.
Hanle, situated at an altitude of 14,764 feet, boasts dry air and minimal light pollution, making it ideal for astronomical observation on about 260 nights annually. It is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory and was designated India's first Dark Sky Reserve in 2022. This designation has significantly boosted tourism, with visitor numbers rising from approximately 3,000 five years ago to nearly 30,000 in 2024-25.
In 2022, the Ladakh administration and the Indian Institute of Astrophysics trained 24 local youths, including these four women, in astronomy. The training covered star and planet identification, sky navigation, telescope operation, and astrophotography. Initially nervous about handling the equipment, the women have since gained confidence and now regularly guide visitors, showing them lunar craters, Saturn's rings, and other planets.
The women earn about 25,000 rupees ($260) per month from their astronomy guiding services, charging 200 rupees per session. This income provides them with greater financial independence. However, the growing popularity of Hanle also presents challenges, as increased tourism, construction, and artificial light threaten the very darkness that attracts visitors.