Manali is among the top place when we think of a travel plan to Himachal. Himachal is a hilly state with many more beautiful places that can be visited. Rakchham is one of them. So while traveling to Manali you can also plan your travel to Rakchham. In this blog, we will share complete knowledge of how to reach Rakchham from Manali through different modes.
Where is Rakchham located?
Rakchham is a small village in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. It is the second last inhabited village on India – China border after Chitkul. It lies on the bank of the Baspa river which is the tributary of river Satluj. Baspa river meets Satluj at Karcham dam, the location from where there is a diversion for Rakchham. Rakchham is around 15 km from Sangla.
| Name of the Place | Rakchham ( राक्छम ) |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| District | Kinnaur |
| Elevation | 3100 m, 10200 ft |
| Accessibility | By road |
| Best time to visit | April – June, September – October |
| Travel Distance by road from Manali | 310 Km ( Minimum) |
| Travel Time by road | 10:30 Hrs (Minimum) |
How to reach Rakchham from Manali
Rakchham is connected by road and accessible throughout the year except during heavy snowfall or during heavy rainfall. The distance between Rakchham from Manali is around 310 Km. There are different modes by which one can reach Rakchham.
How to reach Rakchham from Manali by Road
There are 3 options to reach Rakchham by road.
OPTION – 1 Manali to Rakchham Via Jalori Pass (Shortest one – closed in Winters)
You can refer below table to plan your journey to Rakchham via Jalori Pass.
| Sr. No. | Location | Distance (Km) | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Time (Hr) By Own Vehicle |
| 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 | Sangla | 295 | 8500 | 2600 | 10:00 |
| 11 | Rakchham | 310 | 10200 | 3100 | 11:30 |
How to reach Rakchham from Manali on a Bus – Option-1
There is no direct bus from Manali to Rakchham, you need to take the bus to Kullu and To Rampur then to Reckong Peo, and then to Rakchham. 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 Rakchham:
| SR. No. | SERVICE NO. | RECONGPEO | RAKSHAM | DURATION | DEPOT | TYPE | ORIGIN | DESTINATION | ONLINE BOOKING |
| 1 | RPO-CKL-01 | 9:30 AM | 12:30 PM | 3:00 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | RECONGPEO | CHITKUL | NO |
| 2 | RPO-CKL-002 | 12:00 PM | 2:30 PM | 2:30 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | RECONGPEO | CHITKUL | NO |
- Pros
- Shortest distance route
- Cons
- You need to change 4 buses
OPTION – 2 Manali to Rakchham Via Mandi – Karsog
You can refer below table to plan your journey to Rakchham via Mandi Karsog.
| Sr. No. | Location | Distance (Km) | Elevation (ft) | Elevation (m) | Time (Hr)By own Vehicle |
| 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 | Sangla | 395 | 8500 | 2600 | 12:15 |
| 12 | Rakchham | 410 | 10200 | 3100 | 12:45 |
How to reach Rakchham from Manali on a Bus – Option-2
You need to change minimum 2 buses for reaching Rakchham 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 Rakchham:
| SR. No. | SERVICE NO. | RECONGPEO | RAKSHAM | DURATION | DEPOT | TYPE | ORIGIN | DESTINATION | ONLINE BOOKING |
| 1 | RPO-CKL-01 | 9:30 AM | 12:30 PM | 3:00 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | RECONGPEO | CHITKUL | NO |
| 2 | RPO-CKL-002 | 12:00 PM | 2:30 PM | 2:30 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | RECONGPEO | CHITKUL | NO |
- Pros
- Open throughout the year
- Cons
- Travel time is much high.
OPTION – 3 Manali to Rakchham 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 | 300 | 12000 | 3650 | 13:30 |
| 7 | Reckong Peo | 400 | 7900 | 2400 | 16:00 |
| 8 | Karcham | 415 | 5900 | 1800 | 16:30 |
| 9 | Sangla | 430 | 8500 | 2600 | 17:15 |
| 10 | Rakchham | 445 | 10200 | 3100 | 17:45 |
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 – Reckongpeo
| 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 |
Bus – 3 Reckongpeo to Rakchham
| SR. No. | SERVICE NO. | RECONGPEO | RAKSHAM | DURATION | DEPOT | TYPE | ORIGIN | DESTINATION | ONLINE BOOKING |
| 1 | RPO-CKL-01 | 9:30 AM | 12:30 PM | 3:00 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | RECONGPEO | CHITKUL | NO |
| 2 | RPO-CKL-002 | 12:00 PM | 2:30 PM | 2:30 Hrs | REC PEO | ORDINARY | RECONGPEO | CHITKUL | NO |
- Pros
- Best for Adventure
- Cons
- Travel time is much high.
For online booking of buses on the HRTC website kindly Click here
Note: If you 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 Rakchham from Manali on your own Vehicle
If you can reach Manali in your own Vehicle then reaching Rakchham is not too 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 Rakchham in the evening..
- Road near Rakchham 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 Rakchham is considered among the most dangerous road 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 part 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 got stuck somewhere.
- Road near Rakchham is not so okay, so having a high-ground clearance vehicle would be a good option.
- If you are having 4X4 vehicle then this is a good option.
- The road from Kaza to Rakchham 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 – Rakchham route petrol pump near Reckong Peo after Kaza.
How to reach Rakchham from Manali on a bike
Lots of bikers every year travel to Spiti via this route. Rakchham is also on their destination list.
Kindly consider the below points before planning a trip to Rakchham on a bike.
- Every bike can reach Rakchham but prefer a bike with > 150 cc engine.
- The road from Manali to Kaza is in very bad shape, Kindly plan well before traveling.
- Make your bike is 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 landside-prone areas that are treacherous during raining season.
- The petrol pump on this route is at Manali, Kaza, and near Reckong Peo.
How to reach Rakchham from Manali on a Taxi
Taxi can easily be hired for Rakchham and there are many options available on online platforms. Following key things to be considered while taxing taxis to Rakchham.
- The driver should be experienced in traveling in these areas.
- You can add the Spiti circuit during route -3.
- Ground clearance of the Vehicle is good.
- Negotiate well before finalization.
How to reach Rakchham from Manali by Train
Rakchham and Manali are not connected by train.
How to reach Rakchham from Manali by air
Since Rakchham is located inner in the Himalayas, there is no airport nearby. The Last airport is at Buntar Near Kullu and the other at Shimla.
Summary – “How to reach Rakchham from Manali”
Let’s summarize what we have understood in this blog “How to reach Rakchham from Delhi ”
- Rakchham is a wonderful travel destination located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
- You can reach Rakchham by three options from Manali.
- Rakchham can be reached throughout the year during option 2 but for Option-1 & 2 plan during the summers
- Rakchham can be reached by self-driven car, bike, taxi, and by Bus.
- The cheapest way to reach Rakchham is by the HRTC bus and many options are available.
We hope you have got a good understanding of “How to reach Rakchham from Manali ”. If you want to give suggestions on this blog ” please do comment.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions:
Question – Manali to Rakchham bus
Answer – There is no direct bus from Manali to Rakchham. You need to change buses at multiple locations.
If you want to know how to reach Rakcham from Delhi, Kindly Click here.
