GET STAR-STRUCK AT INDIA’S HIGHEST OBSERVATORY IN LADAKH

Nobody ever talked about Hanle. That is, until some physicists from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics decided in 1996, that this remote village in Ladakh was the perfect site for setting up an observatory in the Indian Himalayas. The prime reason: over 260 spotless night skies in a year! By the turn of the century, the country’s highest astronomical observatory—at a height of 4,511 metres—was ready to roll. Currently the 10th highest of its kind in the world, the Indian Astronomical Observatory is run by 25 people, including Dorjey Angchuk, the engineer-in-charge who is happy to talk to you about cosmic matters. iiap.res.in

GETTING THERE

Base yourselves in Leh, where you can rent a car or a motorcycle, get the required area permits, and make the six-hour road trip to the observatory.

STAY

State-of-the-art homestays like Nimmu House (starts from ` 8,000/USD111;

nimmu-house.com) and resorts such as The Grand Dragon Ladakh (starts from ` 11,999/USD167; thegranddragonladakh.com) make for ideal bases.