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Dark skies draw travelers to India's remote regions
Hundreds of kilometers from Delhi's glow, stargazers gather in freezing temperatures to witness meteor showers and constellations long obscured by urban light pollution. What was once a niche hobby for amateur astronomers is now fueling a growing astrotourism industry across India.
From science clubs to mainstream travel
Stargazing in India has traditionally been limited to astronomy enthusiasts and local science groups. However, as cities expand and air pollution worsens, dark skies-once taken for granted-have become a sought-after experience. Tour operators report a surge in demand, with urban residents traveling long distances for unobstructed views of the cosmos.
Remote destinations see visitor spikes
Ladakh's high-altitude village of Hanle, designated India's first dark-sky reserve in 2022, saw annual visitors jump from 5,000 to over 30,000 last year, according to Dorje Angchuk, an engineer at the Indian Astronomical Observatory. Private operators like Astroport Global, which runs astronomy workshops at five resorts, now host around 20,000 guests annually-a sharp rise from just a few hundred a few years ago.
Why visibility matters
Sky clarity is measured on the Bortle scale, ranging from one (pristine) to nine (severely light-polluted). Delhi's skies typically score between eight and nine, where only the brightest stars are visible. When fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exceeds 100, most constellations vanish, says Jasjeet Singh Bagla, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Punjab.
In contrast, high-altitude regions like Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Ladakh offer darker skies and cleaner air. Colder nighttime temperatures push pollutants closer to the ground, improving visibility.
Economic and educational benefits
Astrotourism is creating jobs in remote areas. In Hanle, the number of small hotels has grown rapidly over the past three years, with locals trained as guides and astro-ambassadors. The trend is also sparking scientific curiosity, says Dr. Sachin Bahmba, founder of the Space Group of Companies. "When people observe a meteor shower or look through a telescope, space science becomes tangible," he notes.
Challenges and future growth
Despite rising interest, astrotourism remains limited by high travel costs and a lack of infrastructure. India currently has only one officially recognized dark-sky reserve in Hanle, with another emerging at Madhya Pradesh's Pench Tiger Reserve. Expanding cities and unregulated lighting continue to erode natural darkness, making it difficult to develop similar experiences near urban centers.
State governments are beginning to take notice. Training programs in telescope use and skywatching are underway in Himalayan states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. However, experts say the sector still has a long way to go, with few organized advocacy groups compared to Western countries.
A rare connection to the night sky
For many city dwellers, these trips offer more than just a leisure activity-they provide a chance to reconnect with a night sky that has faded from daily life. As Navjot Singh, a space educator at a Rajasthan resort, puts it: "Most of our guests come from Delhi, where deep-space observation is nearly impossible. Here, they can see the Milky Way with the naked eye."
