High in Ladakh’s Changthang region at an altitude of 14,000 feet lies the remote village of Maan. About 35 families live here on the banks of Pangong Tso, one of the highest saltwater lakes in the world. For generations, the Changpa community has lived in harmony with its surroundings, relying on herding, traditional practices and the rhythm of the seasons.

Winter View of Pangong Lake from Maan Village

Until a few years ago, Maan depended on a diesel generator that ran only for six to eight hours a day, leaving the air filled with fumes and the nights uncertain. In 2019, that changed when every home received its own off-grid solar setup, bringing clean and reliable energy to the village. The quiet hum of solar power brought a lasting sense of progress.

With energy came new opportunities. Travelers who once stopped briefly at Pangong began spending nights in Maan. The villagers opened homestays, offering simple solar-powered rooms, warm local meals and the genuine hospitality that defines life in the mountains.

Comfortable room amenities at Astrostays, Maan Village

As travelers began staying longer the nights in Maan took on a magical glow. The skies here are among the clearest in India making the village a perfect place for stargazing. Local youth were trained to operate telescopes and share old Changpa stories about the stars. What started as a small initiative soon grew into Astrostays where visitors and villagers come together under the Milky Way to explore both science and story.

Travelers attending stargazing session at Astrostays

Then came the challenge of winter, long, harsh and often dropping below minus 20 degrees Celsius. To keep homes warm sustainably, rocket stoves were introduced. These stoves use less fuel, produce less smoke and serve both cooking and heating needs. With them homestays could now stay open through winter, each home cutting down around one to one and a half tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year.

Local women weaving muffler on advanced looms

The youth of Maan have played a key role in shaping this transformation. From managing homestays to leading stargazing sessions and maintaining solar systems they have become proud stewards of their village’s growth. Their enthusiasm has brought new energy to the community and helped Maan thrive without losing its roots.

Maan stands today as a living example of how slow thoughtful changes can become a way of life. Travelers who visit don’t just see a place they become part of a community quietly lighting its own path one step at a time. Solar power, homestays, stargazing, weaving and clean energy solutiions are now part of everyday life.

Travelers exchanging stories with the host

Tourism today is often described with big words like experience, responsibility and sustainability. But in places like Maan being a responsible traveler is simple. It’s about being kind, curious and respectful, qualities that help both the visitor and the village grow together.

To explore stargazing experiences, visit Astrostays and to book your stay at Bukpa Retreat or explore more community-led experiences, visit Mountain Homestays.