Unwind and rejuvenate: Ladakh awaits you!
After the lost years of the pandemic when travelling was impossible, almost everyone would love to take a well-deserved break. While the regular sightseeing destinations are good options, if you want to escape the tourist crowd, there is a scenic village tucked away in the Indian union territory of Ladakh.
Not many people know Hanle, a remote yet historic village that gets its name from the river Hanle. Located in Hanle valley, it is also known as Anle. Being very near the Indo-Tibetan border, one would require an Inner Line permit to visit the area. Hanle is among the high-altitude Indian villages and is located about 4000m above sea level. The less-explored routes and serene landscape can be a rewarding experience.
The scenic place is historically significant as it is home to the Hanle Monastery (gompa) of the Drukpa Kagyu branch of Tibetan Buddhism, which dates back to the 17th century. For those who prefer astronomy to history, Hanle is one of the world’s highest sites to study the sky. Though the Indian Astronomical Observatory is located here, visitors require special permission from the government to pay a visit, owing to the sensitive nature of the border region. Being India’s first dark-sky preserve, the starry nights at Hanle are uniquely unpolluted.
For animal lovers, Hanle offers exclusive views of the Tibetan gazelle, while the wetlands in the Hanle basin are home to migratory birds such as the bar-headed goose and the black-necked crane. The Tibetan wild ass grazes on the sedge meadows along the Hanle River.
One can reach Hanle by air and by road. The closest airport is Fukche, which is 24 km away. The road to Hanle is undoubtedly the one less travelled! The route was a significant trade and pilgrimage corridor in the olden days. The road from Loma is the quickest way to reach Hanle. Hanle is also connected to the Koyul river valley via a mountain road that passes through the Photi La pass.
While there are no fancy hotels in Hanle, one can opt to stay in homestays that provide good food and shelter at nominal prices. The best time to visit would be between April and September since the place would be frozen in the winter months (December to March). It must be noted that Hanle is a photography-restricted area as well.