Kinnaur · Himachal
Nako
A high village around a turquoise lake on the old trade route to Tibet, with a 1,000-year-old monastery.
Nako is an easy hill destination in Kinnaur, Himachal, reaching 3,800 m. The best time to go is June to September. Plan 1 to 2 days on the ground from Shimla / Reckong Peo and about ₹2,500 per person per day.
What to do in Nako
The one thing not to miss
Nako lake and village
A small lake ringed by willows and old stone houses.
- 2The monasteryAn old temple complex at the edge of the village.
- 3The viewpoint aboveA short climb to prayer flags and a view of Reo Purgyil.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
Shimla to Nako
About two days on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings; go gently, you have gained height.
Day 2
Nako lake and village · The monastery · The viewpoint above
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Nako to Shimla
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
The most peaceful halt on the Shimla–Spiti road, and a genuine high-altitude lake village.
Why not
Very small and cold; facilities are basic.
Before you go
- Permits
- None.
- Guide
- Not needed.
- Safety
- Altitude 3,600 m on your first night up from Kinnaur — watch for headaches.
- Phone & internet
- Very weak; BSNL only.
Altitude
Nako reaches 3,800 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- You arrive already high. Rest for the first two days: no long walks and no drives over high passes.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Himachal →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: District emergency operation centre, Kinnaur, Reckong Peo.
All emergency contacts for Himachal →What to pack for Nako
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
8 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) It is cold at 3,800 m, especially at night.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
1 item
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
8 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 3,800 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
- Moisturiser and a saline nasal spray The air is very dry; skin and the inside of the nose crack within days.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsNone.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereVery weak; BSNL only.
For what you're going for
3 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
- Car phone mount and charger Hands-free navigation on mountain roads.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Himachal Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Shimla / Reckong Peo.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Yes, any car can make it. The road beyond Rampur is cut into cliffs and prone to rockfall and landslides. Drive in daylight and check road status.
By road
From
Reckong Peo
- Distance
- about 100 km
- Drive time
- 3.5–4 hours
- Reckong Peo
- Spillow
- Pooh
- Khab
- Nako
From
Shimla
- Distance
- about 330 km
- Drive time
- two days
Break the journey at Kalpa or Reckong Peo.
Live directions from ShimlaFrom
Kaza
- Distance
- about 110 km
- Drive time
- about 4 hours
- Kaza
- Tabo
- Sumdo
- Nako
Buses and shared taxis. The Reckong Peo–Kaza bus passes Nako once a day; check the time in Reckong Peo.
Pickups & drivers
From Shimla / Reckong Peo. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Nako yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Nako: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Nako?
The best months for Nako are June to September. May and October are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to March.
How difficult is Nako?
Nako is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 3,625 m and reaching 3,800 m.
How many days do you need for Nako?
Plan 1 to 2 days on the ground, counted from Shimla / Reckong Peo. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Nako cost?
Expect about ₹2,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹5,000 for 2 days, before the cost of getting to Shimla / Reckong Peo.
How do you reach Nako?
By road: from Reckong Peo it is about 100 km, 3.5–4 hours (Reckong Peo → Spillow → Pooh → Khab → Nako); from Shimla it is about 330 km, two days; from Kaza it is about 110 km, about 4 hours (Kaza → Tabo → Sumdo → Nako). The Reckong Peo–Kaza bus passes Nako once a day; check the time in Reckong Peo. The nearest gateway is Shimla / Reckong Peo.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Nako?
Permits: None. Guide: Not needed.
Is Nako suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is good; with seniors it is good. It is quiet in season. Altitude 3,600 m on your first night up from Kinnaur — watch for headaches.
What should you pack for Nako?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, sun cap or hat, compact umbrella, rain jacket or poncho, comfortable walking shoes with grip. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Nako?
Very weak; BSNL only.
Will I get altitude sickness at Nako?
Nako reaches 3,800 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. You arrive already high. Rest for the first two days: no long walks and no drives over high passes. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Nako?
Nako is not a good choice for anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 3,800 m. Also keep in mind: Very small and cold; facilities are basic.
Close to Nako
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Taboabout 33 km
More in Kinnaur & Spiti
- Chitkul & Sangla3,450 mcompare
- Kalpa3,400 mcompare
- Kaza4,600 mcompare
- Rupin Pass4,650 mcompare
- Spiti Valley circuit4,590 mcompare
- Tabo3,400 mcompare