Nako Lake is a high altitude small lake situated in an extreme corner in Himachal Pradesh. So while traveling to Manali you can also plan your trip to Nako Lake. In this blog, we will share complete knowledge of how to reach Nako Lake from Manali through different modes.
Where is Nako Lake located?
Nako Lake is a small lake situated in Nako Village of Kinnaur district. Nako village is around 110 Km ahead of Reckong Peo towards Spiti.
| Name of the Place | Nako Lake ( नाको झील ) |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| District | Kinnaur |
| Elevation | 3650 m, 12000 ft |
| Accessibility | By road |
| Best time to visit | April – June, September – October |
| Travel Distance by road | 300 Km |
| Travel Time by road | 13:30 Hrs (approximately) |
How to reach Nako Lake from Manali
Nako Lake is connected by road and accessible during summers majorly The distance between Nako Lake from Manali is around 330 Km via Kaza. There are different modes by which one can reach Nako Lake.
How to reach Nako Lake from Manali by Road
There are 3 options to reach Nako Lake by road.
OPTION – 1 Manali to Nako Lake Via Jalori Pass (Shortest one – closed in Winters)
You can refer to the below table to plan your journey to Nako Lake via Jalori Pass.
| Sr. No. | Location | Distance (Km) | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Time (Hr) |
| 1 | Manali | 0 | 6400 | 1950 | 00:00 |
| 2 | Kullu | 40 | 5200 | 1575 | 01:00 |
| 3 | Aut | 70 | 3900 | 1200 | 01:45 |
| 4 | Jalori Pass | 115 | 8700 | 2650 | 03:45 |
| 5 | Anni | 145 | 4100 | 1250 | 05:00 |
| 6 | Rampur | 200 | 3300 | 1000 | 06:45 |
| 7 | Bhaba Nagar | 250 | 5100 | 1550 | 08:30 |
| 8 | Tapri | 270 | 5600 | 1700 | 09:00 |
| 9 | Karcham | 280 | 5900 | 1800 | 09:15 |
| 10 | Reckong Peo | 295 | 7900 | 2400 | 09:45 |
| 11 | Khab | 370 | 8500 | 2600 | 11:30 |
| 12 | Nako | 405 | 12000 | 3650 | 12:10 |
How to reach Nako Lake from Manali on a Bus – Option-1
There is no direct bus from Manali to Nako Lake, you need to take the bus to Kullu and To Rampur and then to Reckong Peo and then Nako Lake. You need to change 4 buses.
Bus 1 Manali to Kullu- Multiple regular busses
Bus 2 Kullu to Rampur – Following buses can be booked online.
| SR. No. | SERVICE NO. | KULLU | RAMPUR | DURATION | DEPOT | TYPE | ORIGIN | DESTINATION | ONLINE BOOKING |
| 1 | 731 | 5:30 AM | 3:00 PM | 9:30 Hrs | KULLU | ORDINARY | KULLU | SARAHAN | YES |
| 2 | 862 | 7:45 AM | 5:15 PM | 9:30 Hrs | RAMPUR | ORDINARY | KULLU | RAMPUR | YES |
Bus 3 Rampur to Reckong Peo:
| SR. No. | SERVICE NO. | RAMPUR | RECONGPEO | DURATION | DEPOT | TYPE | ORIGIN | DESTINATION | ONLINE BOOKING |
| 1 | 866 | 1:15 AM | 5:30 AM | 4:15 Hrs | KEYLONG | ORDINARY | UDAIPUR | RECONGPEO | NO |
| 2 | 1511 | 2:45 AM | 7:00 AM | 4:15 Hrs | REC PEO | HIMMANI DELUXE 2X2 NON AC | CHANDIGARH | RECONGPEO | NO |
| 3 | 1512 | 4:45 AM | 9:00 AM | 4:15 Hrs | RAMPUR | ORDINARY | CHANDIGARH | KALPA | NO |
| 4 | 930 | 5:00 AM | 11:00 AM | 6:00 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | DHARAMSHALA | PANGI | NO |
| 5 | 633 | 8:30 AM | 1:30 PM | 5:00 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | DHARAMSHALA | THANGI | NO |
| 6 | 333 | 9:30 AM | 4:00 PM | 6:30 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | SHIMLA ISBT TUTIKANDI | POOH VILLAGE | NO |
| 7 | 556 | 10:45 AM | 3:00 PM | 4:15 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | DELHI ISBT KASHMIRI GATE | RECONGPEO | NO |
| 8 | 255 | 12:15 PM | 4:40 PM | 4:25 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | SOLAN | RECONGPEO | NO |
| 9 | 781 | 1:45 PM | 7:00 PM | 5:15 Hrs | SUNDERNAGAR | ORDINARY | MANDI | RECONGPEO | NO |
| 10 | 1513 | 2:45 PM | 7:00 PM | 4:15 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | CHANDIGARH | RECONGPEO | NO |
| 11 | CHD-RPO | 3:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 4:00 Hrs | REC PEO | HIMMANI DELUXE 2X2 NON AC | CHANDIGARH | RECONGPEO | NO |
| 12 | 273 | 11:00 PM | 3:30 AM | 4:30 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | SHIMLA ISBT TUTIKANDI | RECONGPEO | NO |
| 13 | CHD-SML-RPO | 3:00 AM | 7:00 AM | 4:00 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | CHANDIGARH | RECONGPEO | NO |
Bus 4 : From Reckong Peo to Nako Lake:
You need to take bus for Kaza / Nako Lake
| SR. No. | SERVICE NO. | RECONGPEO | Nako Lake | DURATION | DEPOT | TYPE | ORIGIN | DESTINATION | ONLINE BOOKING |
| 1 | RPO-KZA-01 | 5:30 AM | 9:30 AM | 4:00 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | RECONGPEO | KAZA | NO |
| 2 | RPO-KZA-02 | 7:30 AM | 11:30 AM | 4:00 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | RECONGPEO | KAZA | NO |
- Pros
- Shortest distance route
- Cons
- You need to change 4 buses
OPTION – 2 Manali to Nako Lake Via Mandi – Karsog
You can refer to the below table to plan your journey to Nako Lake via Mandi Karsog.
| Sr. No. | Location | Distance (Km) | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Time (Hr) |
| 1 | Manali | 0 | 6400 | 1950 | 00:00 |
| 2 | Kullu | 40 | 5200 | 1575 | 01:00 |
| 3 | Aut | 70 | 3900 | 1200 | 01:45 |
| 4 | Mandi | 115 | 2600 | 800 | 03:00 |
| 5 | Sunder Nagar | 140 | 3000 | 900 | 03:30 |
| 6 | Karsog | 230 | 4600 | 1400 | 06:30 |
| 7 | Rampur | 300 | 3300 | 1000 | 09:00 |
| 8 | Bhaba Nagar | 350 | 5100 | 1550 | 10:45 |
| 9 | Tapri | 370 | 5600 | 1700 | 11:15 |
| 10 | Karcham | 380 | 5900 | 1800 | 11:30 |
| 11 | Reckong Peo | 395 | 7900 | 2400 | 12:00 |
| 12 | Khab | 470 | 8500 | 2600 | 13:45 |
| 13 | Nako | 505 | 12000 | 3650 | 14:25 |
How to reach Nako Lake from Manali on a Bus – Option-2
You need to change the minimum 2 buses for reaching Nako Lake by this option. Below are the bus details you can choose
From Manali to Reckong Peo:
| SR. No. | SERVICE NO. | MANALI | RECONGPEO | DURATION | DEPOT | TYPE | ORIGIN | DESTINATION | ONLINE BOOKING |
| 1 | 866 | 11:27 AM | 5:30 AM | 18:03 Hrs | KEYLONG | ORDINARY | UDAIPUR | RECONGPEO | YES |
From Reckong Peo to Nako Lake:
You need to take bus for Kaza / Nako Lake
| SR. No. | SERVICE NO. | RECONGPEO | Nako Lake | DURATION | DEPOT | TYPE | ORIGIN | DESTINATION | ONLINE BOOKING |
| 1 | RPO-KZA-01 | 5:30 AM | 9:30 AM | 4:00 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | RECONGPEO | KAZA | NO |
| 2 | RPO-KZA-02 | 7:30 AM | 11:30 AM | 4:00 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | RECONGPEO | KAZA | NO |
- Pros
- Open throughout the year
- Cons
- Travel time is much high.
OPTION – 3 Manali to Nako Lake Via Kaza opens for 4 months only
If you are an adventure lover, this route will be the best thing to explore. You can refer below table to plan your journey. This route is open from mid-June to September end.
| Sr. No. | Location | Distance (Km) | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Time (Hr) by own Vehicle |
| 1 | Manali | 0 | 6400 | 1950 | 00:00 |
| 2 | Atal Tunnel | 35 | 10200 | 3100 | 01:00 |
| 3 | Kunzum Pass | 110 | 14800 | 4500 | 07:00 |
| 4 | Kaza | 185 | 12100 | 3700 | 10:00 |
| 5 | Tabo | 235 | 10800 | 3300 | 11:30 |
| 6 | Nako Lake | 300 | 12000 | 3650 | 13:30 |
You need to change 3 buses while traveling via this route.
Bus – 1 Manali to Kaza
| SR. No. | SERVICE NO. | MANALI | KAZA | DURATION | DEPOT | TYPE | ORIGIN | DESTINATION | ONLINE BOOKING |
| 1 | KLU-KZA | 5:30 AM | 4:30 PM | 11:00 Hrs | KEYLONG | ORDINARY | KULLU | KAZA | NO |
Bus – 2 Kaza – Nako Lake
You need to take bus for Reckong Peo.
| SR. No. | SERVICE NO. | KAZA | RECONGPEO | DURATION | DEPOT | TYPE | ORIGIN | DESTINATION | ONLINE BOOKING |
| 1 | KZA-RPO-01 | 5:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 8:30 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | KAZA | RECONGPEO | NO |
| 2 | KZA-RPO-02 | 7:30 AM | 4:00 PM | 8:30 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | KAZA | RECONGPEO | NO |
- Pros
- Best for Adventure
- Cons
- Travel time is very high.
For online booking of buses on the HRTC website kindly Click here
Note: If you are planning to take an offline HRTC bus, kindly confirm the timings from the HRTC Depot office before finalization. Click here to know the phone numbers.
How to reach Nako Lake from Manali on your own Vehicle
If you can reach Manali in your own Vehicle then reaching Nako Lake is not too much difficult a task but it depends on the choice of the route you are taking
For Option -1 and Option 2
- The travel time is more than 8 hrs so please make sure you start early in the day so that you reach Nako Lake in the evening..
- Road near Reckong Peo is not so okay, so having a high-ground clearance vehicle would be a good option.
- You don’t require a 4X4 vehicle there as the normal vehicle can reach there.
- The road from Rampur to Nako Lake is considered among the most dangerous roads so driving should be done carefully.
- In winter there would be snow at Jalori pass so better take the route via Karsog.
- There are limited petrol pumps the way after Rampur.
For Option – 3
- The route after a few kilometers from the Atal tunnel is totally bad in shape and opens for only 4 months a year. So please make sure you are well prepared for that terrain.
- The travel time is more than 8 hrs Kaza so please make sure you start early in the day as during the rest of the day the water level in the crossing is high.
- There is no network/support on this route. Make sure you are having cold prevention set up in case you get stuck somewhere.
- If you are having a 4X4 vehicle then this is a good option.
- The road from Kaza to Nako Lake is majorly okay but has some treacherous sections.
- Cancel or postpone your travel if there is bad weather.
- In Manali – Kaza route petrol pump is only at Kaza after Manali.
- In Kaza – Nako Lake route petrol pump near Reckong Peo after Kaza.
How to reach Nako Lake from Manali on a bike
Lots of bikers every year travel to Spiti via this route. Nako Lake is also on their destination list.
Kindly consider the below points before planning a trip to Nako Lake on a bike.
- Every bike can reach Nako Lake but prefer a bike with > 150 cc engine.
- Road from Manali to Kaza is in very bad shape. Kindly plan well before traveling.
- Make your bike fully serviced.
- Ride carefully as the road is considered dangerous road
- Carry rain covers along with as there might be rain at higher reaches.
- There are many landslide-prone areas that are treacherous during the rainy season.
- Petrol pumps on this route are at Manali, Kaza, and near Reckong Peo.
How to reach Nako Lake from Manali on a Taxi
Taxis can easily be hired for Nako Lake and there are many options available on online platforms. Following key things to be considered while taxing taxis to Nako Lake.
- Drivers should be experienced in traveling in these areas.
- You can add the Spiti circuit during route -3.
- Ground clearance of the Vehicle to be good.
- Negotiate well before finalization.
How to reach Nako Lake from Manali by Train
Nako Lake and Manali are not connected by train.
How to reach Nako Lake from Manali by air
Since Nako Lake is located deep in the Himalayas, there is no major airport nearby.
The Last airport is at Buntar Near Kullu and the other at Shimla.
Summary – “How to reach Nako Lake from Manali”
Let’s summarize what we have understood in this blog “How to reach Nako Lake from Delhi ”
- Nako Lake is a wonderful travel destination located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
- You can reach Nako Lake by three options from Manali.
- Nako Lake can be reached throughout the year during option 2 but for Option-1 & 2 plan during summers
- Nako Lake can be reached by self-driven car, bike, taxi, and by Bus.
- Cheapest way to reach Nako Lake is by the HRTC bus and many options are available.
We hope you have got a good understanding of “How to reach Nako Lake from Manali ”. If you want to give suggestions on this blog ” please comment.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions:
Question – Manali to Nako Lake bus
Answer – There is no direct bus from Manali to Nako Lake. You need to change buses at multiple locations.
