Hanle is home to around three hundred families. With its population close to a thousand, it is located way ahead of where the defined boundaries of the Nubra Valley end. It is also close to China border and at a strategic location for the Indian army. Most tourists who travel to Nubra Valley go until Hunder for the sand dunes and double humped camels. Further down, this small village is different from what I had expected.
We were travelling from Tangtse and had the right permits to spend a night at Hanle. The Indian army keeps a record of people who enter the village and hence it is important to follow the rules. After covering over 300 kms to reach Hanle, we did not realize exactly when the village boundaries began. We spotted some directions to homestays and that indicated that we had arrived.
The first look of Hanle will take you by surprise. It feels too far for inhabitation but many families call the village their home. There is a different kind of calmness around the place, you can see make shift tents of the nomads who have their roots in Tibet and some houses that look as if they have been deserted. But it’s not true. Families run home stays for tourists and the nomads herd pashmina goats for their wool. Leh is where this wool goes and that’s how, the houses run.
When we reached, it was already dusk. There wasn’t enough time to visit the monastery and the Indian Astronomical Observatory which is also the world’s highest observatory. That day was a long one for us. While VT chose to stay at the homestay and talk to other travelers, I stepped out to feel the village. I don’t suffer from FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) but I fear if I would ever go back to Hanle.
What I am sharing with you below is my version of Hanle and by no means the only views that this beautiful nomadic village has to offer. If there was another chance, I would love to visit what I couldn’t and walk around some tents and houses to see life up close.
In August 2017, VT and I took a 12-day road trip to Ladakh. Check out this space for all photos and posts about our trip.
happiness and food 
Lovely! 🙂 The skies here are insanely magical.
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You bet! Thank you for reading Shubham. Makes me happy 🙂
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Lovely photos. These remote places remind me of my childhood. My dad was posted in several places near the border, and I have been to similar places, although not this particular one.
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Wow! So good to know and happy you shared. I wish I had seen such places more. When I travel now, I make it a point to know a little more about the place. Thanks for reading.
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Reminded me of a travel book about Mongolia I read long ago, written by an American.
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Your photos are breathtaking! They look like they could be part of a coffee table book collection.
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Thank you so much Melissa:)
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Ladakh is truly beautiful. You don’t have to visit any specific point for getting good pictures, it’s beautiful everywhere!
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It looks like they are happy in their own little cluster. That’s actually the best way to live life!
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It’s so interesting to see how other cultures live. This must be such a peaceful life, away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. You have awesome pics, too! You’ve got a good photographer’s eye!
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Yes, peaceful but I wonder how we will feel if we live like that. Thank you Lisa. So kind of you.
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It’s interesting to see your picture of the houses from far away and then up close. It’s stark and remote and so connected with a satellite dish!
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That last pic of the clouds is simply stunning Parul. I can totally relate to your stepping out for a walk; I would have done the same. I am itching to go back to Ladakh and have marked this spot for the clouds and the astronomy base.
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This is lovely Parul! I really love those cloud photos.
Do you have to have permits to stay there? Are they easy to get, or would it be stressful for family of villagers to go away and come back?
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Thanks Josy!
Tourists need permits to visit. The villagers don’t need any 🙂
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Phew! I was getting worried for them!
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Ha ha! Yes, I know what you mean. The place is close to border so it’s important that the government tracks the visitors. Else there could be miscreants.
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Your pictures are astonishing, Parul! It’s the first time I am hearing about Hanle and I’d love to explore it soon. Those small houses are so charming!
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Thank you Lydia. The Himalayan region is stunning and while we think about travelling, I wonder what if I could live there. If you get time, check out my post on Turtuk 🙂
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