The Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR) in Ladakh is India’s first designated dark sky reserve, established in 2022 to preserve the area’s exceptionally dark skies for scientific research and astro-tourism.
Attractions include:
1. Hanle: The Dark Sky Reserve will be located at Hanle village in Eastern Ladakh.
2 . National Large Solar Telescope (NLST): Gregorian Multi-Purpose Open Telescope in Merak village in Ladakh.
3 . Himalayan Chandra Telescope (HCT ): 2m Gamma Ray Telescope at Hanle.
4. Major Atmospheric Cerenkov Experiment Telescope (MACE): the world’s highest and the second-largest Cerenkov Telescope.
5 . High Altitude Gamma-Ray (HAGAR): First High Altitude Gamma-Ray Telescope Array.
6. Stargazing at various dark sky locations during the trip.
Important Health Advisory for travel to Leh/High Altitude Regions [Official Link]
All tourists/visitors arriving in Leh must undergo at least 48 hrs of acclimatisation before initiating their journey to high-altitude areas
• Road travel does not help at all in acclimatisation. It builds up the altitude effect progressively.
• Tablet Diamox-250mg (acetazolamide) must be taken twice a day, after breakfast and dinner, at least two days before starting the journey to Leh and should be continued for two more days after arriving at Leh.
• There should be no active physical exertion on the first two days of arrival in Leh.
• Tourists should have at least 2-3 litres. of water per day and should avoid alcohol, smoking cigarettes and sedatives
• Tourists should have a light meal on the first day of arrival to avoid indigestion.
• In case of symptoms of HAPE/HACE, kindly consult a doctor immediately.
Symptoms include:
• Headache • Nausea • Coughing • Lassitude • Lack of Concentration
• Disturbed sleep • Loss of appetite. • Irregular breathing • Breathlessness