Located in Ladakh, Hanle Dark Sky Reserve is India’s first officially notified dark sky reserve. It spans over 1,073 square kilometers in the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary at an elevation of 4,500 meters. The reserve boasts Bortle-1 skies, the darkest rating possible, and is centered around the Indian Astronomical Observatory, one of the highest observatories in the world. Local villagers trained as 'astronomy ambassadors' host guided stargazing sessions, blending scientific insights with traditional sky lore.