Things to do in Nako Village in Spiti Valley – Your Travel Guide

You can include a visit to Nako Village in your Spiti Trip Packages and head out on your Spiti adventure ASAP! Most travelers visit Nako Village as a pitstop on their trekking trail of Spiti Valley Trek or solo travelers/bikers on their Spiti Valley Bike Trip. Nevertheless, this village offers a little of everything to every traveler visiting here and each of them is unique and exhilarating. Know more about the fun things to do at Nako Village! 

Things to do in Nako Village in Spiti Valley

Nako Village’s most notable features are the Nako Lake, Nako Monastery, and breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks. It is completely encircled by lush fields with stark contrasting lunar-like, bare mountains surrounding it. It is indeed a sigh to behold and will mesmerize you!

Here are some of the things to do in Nako Village in Spiti Valley which also includes some adventurous activities to make the most of your visit to this quaint Himalayan hamlet:

1. Marvel at the Nako Lake

Also, you will find the lake is flanked by 4 Buddhist temples and caves. It is believed that Saint Padmasambhava had meditated at this lake site in his lifetime and somewhere in the middle of the lake, there is a rock with his footprint mark on it. A huge statue of the Saint has been built near the lake to honor him and his teachings.

2. Explore Ancient Monasteries

3. Take a Stroll through the Village

4. Hike to the Nako-Kibber Trail

5. Witness the Spectacular Sunsets and indulge in local cuisines

You can also explore the delectable local Spitian cuisine at the many homestays and local restaurants and cafes which are strewn all over the Valley.

6. Explore the famous Tabo Monastery

• Tabo Monastery is at an altitude of 3050 m in the Spiti Valley. It is a significant place of interest both for the local people and tourists. It is one of the oldest continuously operating Buddhist monasteries in India and the Himalayas. 

The Tabo Monastery is also known as the ‘Ajanta of the Himalayas’ for its exquisite mural paintings and stucco images that adorn the walls of its temples. It comprises nine temples, twenty-three chortens, a monk’s chamber, and an extension that houses the nuns. Tabo Monastery is also famed for its unique architecture that reflects the Indo-Tibetan culture, with its well-preserved ancient artworks, manuscripts, and frescoes that represent tales from the Mahayana Buddhism era. It is not only a prominent center for Buddhist learning but also a pilgrimage site for followers from across the globe.

7. Visit the Lipa Asrang Sanctuary

8. Go to Chitkul

The main attractions of Chitkul are its houses which have either slate or wooden plank roofs. It also houses a small Buddhist Temple and a small tower. There is a monastery called Kagyupa Temple where an age-old image of Shakyamuni Buddha is worshipped.

9. Visit Chango Gompa

You can also indulge in some photography of the surrounding natural beauty and the Himalayan mountains.

10. Visit the Gue Mummy

This naturally mummified body is believed to be of monk Sangha Tenzin,who is now kept in an enclosed small glass chamber within a local shrine. Gue Village lies near the Indo-Tibetan border and hence is a border-sensitive area and you will need to carry your identification documents while visiting this Monastery/Shrine.

How to reach Nako Village

• By Road:

From Shimla: The most common route to reach Nako Village is from Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh. From Shimla, you can take a bus or hire a taxi to Reckong Peo, which is approximately a 10-12 hour drive away. Reckong Peo serves as the headquarters of the Kinnaur district and is a major hub for transportation in the region.

Once you reach Reckong Peo, you can continue your journey towards Nako Village. The road from Reckong Peo to Nako is approximately 115 km long and takes around 5-6 hours to cover by road. The route passes through picturesque landscapes, winding mountain roads, and charming villages, offering breathtaking views at every turn.

• Shared Taxis and Buses: Shared taxis and buses ply regularly between Reckong Peo and Nako Village.

From Kaza: The second option is to travel to Nako Village through Manali passing the Spiti Valley region. The distance is approximately 314 km. It will take 2 days to reach Nako from Manali with an overnight stop at Kaza which is the Sub Divisional Headquarters of Spiti and a major tourist spot. It is the biggest town in Spiti and also the commercial center.

Best Time to visit Nako Village

The end of July till the starting of September is monsoon period and it can rain anytime, from mild showers to intense rainfall, that can cause major landslides especially in the Kinnaur Valley via the Manali route. The surrounding area of Nako is prone to landslides, in particular the dreaded Maling Nalla, a constant landslide zone in the Hindustan – Tibet Highway