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You might have gone to Qutub Minar before, perhaps once or a few times, but when night falls, it transforms into a new kind of wonder. An airplane flies overhead, soft lights illuminate the stone structure and the ruins around it, and if you're lucky, you might see a star or two. In those moments, something familiar feels fresh and extraordinary. It creates a special atmosphere. Beneath the night sky, everything develops a slow and soothing story. It's not solely about the increasing night tourism in Delhi. Activities like night safaris, stargazing, and evening walks are becoming a part of travel plans too. These moments are not just memories you keep inside (or share online), but experiences that can help relieve a mind that's often filled with unfinished tasks, urgency, and other thoughts.
Travel is often viewed as a way to heal: whether it’s about dealing with grief, rediscovering yourself, or simply taking a break. However, there’s something about nighttime that adds a touch of beauty to every experience, which can even boost your mental well-being.
'Noctotourism' has been recognized as one of the travel trends for 2025, according to Booking.com. This term describes nighttime trips focused on stargazing and staying in places with low lighting. Globally, another report from the travel agency revealed that nearly two-thirds of travelers (62 percent) are thinking about visiting spots with dark skies. Activities like starbathing (72 percent), guided stargazing with experts (59 percent), observing rare cosmic events (59 percent), and constellation exploration (57 percent) are popular on travelers’ night-time wish lists. In India, this trend is already noticeable. From the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve in Ladakh to night safaris and stargazing retreats across the nation, experiences at night are gradually becoming more popular. The survey also indicates that three out of four Indian travelers (78 percent) are eager to try noctotourism this year.
Engaging in these experiences, especially in low-light natural environments, taps into biological and psychological factors that promote calmness, reflection, and gaining perspective. Psychology can help clarify why nighttime feels unique. During the night, especially in quiet and dim conditions, our brains experience less sensory input. “This leads to less activation of the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) and lets the parasympathetic system (rest-and-digest) take over. It results in lower cortisol levels, slower brain activity, and a feeling of mental openness,” explains Mehezebin Dordi, a clinical psychologist at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital.
Darkness and silence tend to lessen outside pressures and cues for social interaction. This leads to a focus on internal thoughts, promoting reflection instead of action-driven thinking. From an evolutionary standpoint, nighttime has always been linked to slowing down and observing rather than being busy, allowing the brain to become more thoughtful, emotionally aware, and less impulsive. Typically, overthinking flourishes in constant mental cycles. Dr Neelsha Bherwani, a senior psychologist at Apollo Spectra Hospital in Delhi, explains that “Night tourism provides sensory experiences like cool breezes, faint sounds, and sights concentrated on nature, which influence these mental patterns. Strolling through nighttime markets or enjoying the sounds of nature draws the focus both outward and inward. This change in environment works like a reset, ultimately quieting mental distractions and giving emotional clarity. ”
One nighttime activity that really captures this mental change is looking at stars. As children, many of us attempted to count stars or identify constellations we learned about in school. This simple act is a moment of well-being. How does it help? It generates a feeling of "awe." This sensation can lessen non-stop thinking and overanalyzing. "Awe" also lessens anxiety focused on oneself and engages brain areas linked to finding meaning and managing emotions. “Gazing at the vastness of the night sky helps ease self-centered anxiety and gives individuals a sense of connection to something greater. This experience is linked to reduced stress, better moods, and greater appreciation. Stargazing also promotes calmness and encourages deep breathing, which soothes the nervous system and aids in emotional stability,” states Dr Bherwani.
Although nighttime tourism can be soothing, it may present issues if it disrupts sleep patterns, increases tiredness, or places travelers in uncomfortable environments. Finding balance and ensuring safety are crucial for making night travel refreshing rather than exhausting. At night, people usually find clearer thinking and emotional calmness when compared to the intense stimulation of daytime. From a psychological perspective, it creates a transitional space between activity and relaxation, letting individuals feel less hurried and more engaged in the moment. When practiced mindfully, nighttime tourism can serve as a type of sensory therapy, enhancing emotional control, creativity, and mental rejuvenation.
