Places for a Visit for Stargazing in India: Top Places for The Space Enthusiasts

Starring at the numerous stars shining in the dark sky is a precious experience. But, the street lights, noise, and pollution in the cities will hinder your effort, even if you have bought the best home telescope. Hence, you have to go out in the open to attain the perspicuity and serenity to gaze at the universe from a small extension of it. 

Here are the best places to visit for stargazing in India, renowned for the astonishing views of clear skies.  

• Turtuk Village, Nubra Valley, Ladakh
• Shaheed Dweep or Neil Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Rann of Kutch, Gujrat
• Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh
• Pangong Tso Lake, Ladakh
• Coorg, Karnataka
• Sonmarg, Jammu, and Kashmir
• Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
• Kashid Beach, Maharastra
• Indian Astronomical Observatory, Ladakh

1. Turtuk Village, Nubra Valley, Ladakh

Turtuk is one of the northernmost villages in India, surrounded by high mountain ranges. It is also a strategically important location in the Nubra Valley as one of the gateways to Siachen Glacier, and you need to collect a permit for entering this valley. Apart from the historical monasteries and Bactrian camel rides, Nubra offers a great opportunity to stare at the crystalline shines in the night sky. The 3001mt. altitude makes this a friendlier place in the surrounding. So you can plan a road trip from Leh to reach Nubra Valley (150km.) from April to June and from September to October for the best atmosphere. 

2. Shaheed Dweep or Neil Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Neil is a tiny island surrounded by the Bay of Bengal that makes it a perfect place for stargazing. This small island is a famous tourist attraction for its stunning beaches, underwater amusements, and tranquil vibes. After evening the azure water merges with the dark starry night sky and creates breathtaking scenery. The absence of pollution and noise kept the environment around Nail Island clean and perfect for space enthusiasts. The stars seem to come within a hands stretch from this place, as the sky remains very clear throughout the year.   

3. Rann of Kutch, Gujrat

It is one of the largest salt marshes on this planet, famous for marshland and mudflats. This place is also popular for the crystal clear views of the night sky, as six magnitudes of stars are visible in bare eyes from this place. The silent atmosphere in the widespread desert helps astrophysicists to capture marvelous astrophotography. The best time to visit Rann of Kutch is during winter, i.e. from October to February. The best way to visit by a rental self-drive car from Ahmadabad or you may take the public transports from Bhuj to reach Rann of Kutch.

4. Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

The Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh is another popular hotspot for stargazing in India due to its high altitude, clear sky, and zero pollution. Many visitors come to this place to watch and capture the glittering spectacles of the stars and Milky Way during the night. Kibber or Kyibar in Spiti Valley is known as the highest motorable village worldwide, at an elevation of 4270mt. and it is a popular point to stargaze. You can enter the Spiti Valley either from Shimla or from Manali, and winter is considered the best time to visit this place. 

5. Pangong Tso Lake, Ladakh

Pangong TSO is a high-altitude lake at an elevation of 4,225 mt. and significantly famous for its astonishing view and changing colors. At night the landscape of Pangong Tso becomes enchantingly beautiful with the reflection of starry sky outlines. Many people trek to this place and make camp around the lake to catch a glimpse of millions of stars in the Milky Way. The best time to travel at Pangong Tso is from May to September. 

6. Coorg, Karnataka

It is one of the top hill sites amid the awe-inspiring Western Ghats mountain range. Coorg is a famous tourist attraction for eye-catching waterfalls and beautiful widespread coffee gardens. Also, the clean and peaceful atmosphere makes the night sky a grand canopy of starry outlines. Many adventurers camp in the woods of Coorg, to view the breathtaking sceneries of the stars peeking from behind the mountain peaks. October to March is the best time to visit Coorg for stargazing, and you can rent a self-drive car from Bangalore to reach this place by road. 

7. Sonmarg, Jammu, and Kashmir

Sonmarg has historical importance for being a gateway to the ancient high-altitude mountain pass known as Silk Road, which connects Kashmir with China. It is a hotspot for adventurers and campers for the beautiful landscapes covered in snow. Also, the pollution and noise-free atmosphere in this place make the night sky a transparent shade with millions of glittering stars. Sonmarg is a famous spot on the way to Leh, and you can drive a car from Srinagar to reach this place during summer. 

8. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Jaisalmer Fort is a famous tourist spot in the heart of the Thar Desert, and people visit here for desert camping, camel safari, and jeep safari. Also, the calm desert atmosphere presents a great opportunity to gaze at the starry night sky. The pollution-free atmosphere plays a vital role to capture the stunning night sceneries like the dunes of sands covered in a glittering canopy. Winter is the best season for tourists to visit here, and you can hire a self-drive car to reach here from Jodhpur. 

9. Kashid Beach, Maharastra

Kashid is a beach village in the North Konkan region on the shores of the Arabian Sea. The widespread beaches increase the scenic beauty of this place, and the silent, pollution-free atmosphere makes the night sky a starry presentation merging in the sea. It is only 135km away from Mumbai, the best night-out place to visit in India. But, if you don’t like the madding crowd, then you can take 4 hours drive to reach Kasid. 

10. Indian Astronomical Observatory, Ladakh

The Indian Astronomical Observatory situated in Henle in Ladakh is one of the world-highest sites at 4,500mt. above sea level for gazing at the stars. This place has two optical, infrared, and gamma-ray telescopes for stargazing. Humidity and pollution are significantly low at this high altitude, and above all, the sky usually remains throughout the year in this place. For such a suitable surrounding Henle is referred to as “Moonland” on earth and one of the favorite places for space enthusiasts.

So, if you are planning a weekend stargazing trip, then you can select a safe car on rent from Revv to make your dream of stargazing come true. The universe is full of mysteries, and these points to stargaze won’t disappoint you if you choose the right time to visit.