Gujarat : Starscapes, India’s leading astro-tourism company, will host ‘Wish on a Star’, a 3-night, 4-day Geminids meteor shower viewing experience in Nadabet, Banaskantha district, Gujarat, from 12 to 15 December 2026. Set against the open desert, the Geminids are widely regarded as the king of meteor showers, with up to 120 meteors an hour at peak under ideal skies.
Peak viewing is on the night of 13th–14th December, when a thin crescent Moon will leave the sky dark and the fainter meteors visible. Unlike most showers, which are born from comets, the Geminids are shed by the asteroid 3200 Phaethon, producing bright, slow-moving streaks often tinted yellow, white and even green. With the constellation Gemini rising soon after sunset, the show begins in the evening. Nadabet’s flat, open horizon and Bortle-class 3–4 dark skies allow the whole dome of the sky to be seen, so fewer meteors slip past unseen.
The experience is based at the Wildlife Interpretation Centre in Nadabet, a Forest Department facility with exhibits on the region’s wildlife, including the Indian wild ass. The programme combines guided telescope sessions, a peak-night meteor watch, astrophotography coaching, solar observation and hands-on science activities, and is designed for first-time stargazers, families with children, photographers, couples and friends alike. Participants will also explore Nadabet’s border-tourism zone and join a guided birding walk at the winter wetland.
Shri Pravinbhai Mali, Minister of State (Forest & Environment), Government of Gujarat, said “Gujarat’s landscapes are not only beautiful by day; they hold some of the clearest night skies in the country. Nadabet, with its open desert, wetlands and rich wildlife, is a natural place to experience them. Initiatives like this bring responsible, nature-based tourism to our border region, create opportunities for local communities and help people connect with the environment around them. I congratulate Starscapes and invite visitors from across India to come, look up and discover the night skies of Gujarat.”
Ramashish Ray, Founder, Starscapes, said “The Geminids are the most generous meteor shower of the year, and Nadabet is one of the best places in India to watch them: a flat horizon, dark desert skies and a winter climate that is made for sitting out under the stars. With ‘Wish on a Star’ we want to make that night accessible to everyone, from a child seeing a meteor for the first time to a photographer chasing a fireball. Our guides, telescopes and learning sessions turn a night under the sky into an experience people carry home. We are grateful for the support of the Gujarat Forest & Environment Department in showcasing Nadabet as an emerging dark-sky destination.”
The event is part of Starscapes’ Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gujarat Tourism to jointly develop Gujarat as a key astro-tourism destination. Through initiatives such as ‘Wish on a Star’, Starscapes aims to showcase the state’s dark-sky locations and create opportunities for visitors to experience astronomy through immersive, nature-based tourism.
Key highlights of ‘Wish on a Star’ include:
● Peak-Night Meteor Watch: Canopied seating under an open sky from 9:30 PM until about 2:30 AM, with a guided introduction to finding the Geminid radiant, and hot coffee and hot chocolate through the night.
● Telescope Sky Tours: Guided tours of stars, constellations, planets and deep-sky objects through Starscapes telescopes, including a second stargazing night over the wetland.
● Astronomy Master Class and Astrophotography: A one-hour session on meteor showers and the winter sky, plus a dedicated briefing on camera settings, framing and time-lapse techniques to capture the Geminids.
● Solar Observation: Safe views of the Sun through telescopes fitted with proper solar filters.
● Rocket Workshop and Astro Games: Hands-on rocketry, propulsion and space exploration activities, quizzes and group games, with special rates for children aged 6–12.
● Border Country and Wetland Birding: A visit to Nadabet’s border-tourism zone and a guided morning birding walk at the winter wetland, followed by stargazing over the water.
Participants stay for three nights at Hotel Shivay International, Tharad, with all group transfers from Ahmedabad Airport and between the hotel and Nadabet included. The programme is limited to 50 seats and led by an event lead and two expert Starscapes starguides, with first-aid support throughout.
Dates and booking:
● 12th–15th December 2026 (peak night 13th–14th December).
● Packages start from ₹19,999 per person on double occupancy, with an Early Bird offer of 10% off for bookings made till 31st October 2026.
● For bookings and queries, call or WhatsApp +91-9667307015 or visit www.starscapes.zone