Nako Lake
Human-reviewedNako, Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh
- Altitude
- ~3,660 m
- Region
- Upper Kinnaur, near the Spiti boundary
- Nearby
- Nako monastery (4 old temples)
- Access
- On NH5 between Reckong Peo and Tabo
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours, or an overnight
About
Nako sits high on the road between Kinnaur and Spiti, near the point where Himachal meets the Tibet border zone. The lake is shallow and often partly frozen in the colder months; a path runs around it past willows and prayer flags. The village behind it has narrow lanes of flat-roofed mud houses and the Nako monastery, a cluster of four small temples with old wall paintings, linked to the 11th-century translator Rinchen Zangpo.
How to reach
- Nako is on the main Kinnaur–Spiti road, about 100 km beyond Reckong Peo.
- Buses between Reckong Peo and Kaza pass through; shared taxis also run.
- Indian nationals may need an Inner Line Permit for parts of this route near the border — check in Reckong Peo.
Best time to visit
May to October. The road can close after snow or landslides, and winters here are severe.
Things to know
- Walk around the lake on the marked path; the fields beside it are farmed.
- The monastery temples are small and dark — visit in daylight and ask before photographing.
- Nako is high; if you have come up quickly from Kinnaur, take it easy.
FAQ
Do you need a permit for Nako?
Nako itself is generally open to Indian nationals, but the route onward towards the border areas of Kinnaur can require an Inner Line Permit. Check current rules in Reckong Peo.
What is there to see at Nako besides the lake?
The old village with its mud-brick houses and the Nako monastery — four small temples with early wall paintings — are the main draws alongside the lake walk.
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