How to reach Reckong Peo from Manali – 2023 Updated

Do you know, the Prominent place in India with the purest air to breathe is Kinnaur?  So while traveling to Manali you can also plan your travel to Reckong Peo. In this blog, we will share complete knowledge of how to reach Reckong Peo from Manali through different modes.  

Where is Reckong Peo located?

Reckong Peo is situated in the Kinnaur District of Himachal Pradesh. It is the district headquarter of Kinnaur and is situated on a hill that lies on the left bank of the Satluj river. It was called the Gateway to Tibet from India as it lies on Hindustan Tibet road.

Name of the Place	Reckong Peo ( रिकांग पिओ )
State	Himachal Pradesh
District	Kinnaur
Elevation	2400  m, 7900 ft
Accessibility	By road
Best time to visit	April – June, September – October
Travel Distance by road from Manali	300 Km ( Minimum)
Travel Time by road	10:00 Hrs (Minimum)

How to reach Reckong Peo from Manali

Reckong Peo is connected by road and accessible throughout the year except during heavy snowfall or during heavy rainfall. The distance between Reckong Peo from Manali is around 300 Km. There are different modes by which one can reach Reckong Peo.

How to reach Reckong Peo from Manali by Road

There are 3 options to reach Reckong Peo by road.

OPTION – 1 Manali to Reckong Peo Via Jalori Pass (Shortest one – closed in Winters) 

 You can refer below table to plan your journey to Reckong Peo 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

How to reach Reckong Peo from Manali on a Bus – Option-1

There is no direct bus from Manali to Reckong Peo, you need to take the bus to Kullu and the To Rampur and then to Reckong Peo and then  Reckong Peo. You need to change 3 buses.

Bus 1 Manali to Kullu-  Multiple regular buses

Bus 2 Kullu to Rampur – Following buses can be booked online.

Bus – 1

• Transport Name: HRTC
• Bus Number: 731
• Bus Type: ORDINARY
• Depot Name: KULLU
• Departure Time (24 Hrs Format): 5:30
• Arrival Time (24 Hrs Format) : 15:00
• Time Taken: 9 Hrs 30 Mins
• Bus Route: KULLU ➔ BANJAR ➔ AANI ➔ LUHARI ➔ SAINJ ➔ RAMPUR ➔ BAGIPUL ➔ SARAHAN

Bus – 2

• Transport Name: HRTC
• Bus Number: 862
• Bus Type: ORDINARY
• Depot Name: RAMPUR
• Departure Time (24 Hrs Format): 7:45
• Arrival Time (24 Hrs Format) : 17:15
• Time Taken: 9 Hrs 30 Mins
• Bus Route: KULLU ➔ BANJAR ➔ AANI ➔ LUHARI ➔ RAMPUR

Bus 3 Rampur to Reckong Peo:

For reaching Reckong peo by bus kindly read this blog post.

• Pros
  • Shortest distance route 
• Cons
  • You need to change 4 buses

OPTION – 2 Manali to Reckong Peo Via Mandi – Karsog

You can refer below table to plan your journey to Reckong Peo 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

How to reach Reckong Peo from Manali on a Bus – Option-2

You need not change any bus

From Manali to Reckong Peo:

• Transport Name: HRTC
• Bus Number: 866
• Bus Type: ORDINARY
• Depot Name: KEYLONG
• Departure Time (24 Hrs Format): 11:27
• Arrival Time (24 Hrs Format) : 5:30
• Time Taken: 18 Hrs 3 Mins
• Bus Route: UDAIPUR ➔ JAHLMA ➔ GOOFA HOTEL ➔ MANALI ➔ KULLU ➔ MANDI ➔ SUNDER NAGAR ➔ KARSOG ➔ RAMPUR ➔ BHAWANAGAR ➔ TAPRI ➔ KARCHAM ➔ RECONGPEO

From 

• Pros
  • Open throughout the year
• Cons
  • Travel time is much high.

OPTION – 3 Manali to Reckong Peo 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

You need to change 2 buses while traveling via this route.

Manali to Kaza via Bus

• Transport Name: HRTC
• Bus Number: KLU-KZA
• Bus Type: ORDINARY
• Depot Name: KEYLONG
• Departure Time (24 Hrs Format): 5:30
• Arrival Time (24 Hrs Format) : 16:30
• Time Taken: 11 Hrs 0 Mins
• Bus Route: KULLU ➔ MANALI ➔ KUNZUM LA ➔ LOSAR ➔ KAZA

Kaza – Reckongpeo via Bus

Bus – 1

• Transport Name: HRTC
• Bus Number: KZA-RPO-01
• Bus Type: ORDINARY
• Depot Name: REC PEO
• Departure Time (24 Hrs Format): 5:00
• Arrival Time (24 Hrs Format) : 13:30
• Time Taken: 8 Hrs 30 Mins
• Bus Route: KAZA ➔ TABO ➔ SUMDO ➔ NAKO ➔ POOH VILLAGE ➔ SPILO ➔ SKIBBA ➔ RECONGPEO

Bus – 2

• Transport Name: HRTC
• Bus Number: KZA-RPO-02
• Bus Type: ORDINARY
• Depot Name: REC PEO
• Departure Time (24 Hrs Format): 7:30
• Arrival Time (24 Hrs Format) : 16:00
• Time Taken: 8 Hrs 30 Mins
• Bus Route: KAZA ➔ TABO ➔ SUMDO ➔ NAKO ➔ POOH VILLAGE ➔ SPILO ➔ SKIBBA ➔ RECONGPEO

• 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 HRTC bus, kindly re-confirm the timings from the HRTC Depot office before finalization. Click here to know the phone numbers. 

 How to reach Reckong Peo from Manali on your own Vehicle 

If you can reach Manali in your own Vehicle then reaching Reckong Peo is not too difficult a task but it depends on the choice of the route you are taking 

For Option -1 and Option 2

1. The travel time is more than 8 hrs so please make sure you start early in the day so that you reach Reckong Peo in the evening..
2. Road near Reckong Peo is not so okay, so having a high-ground clearance vehicle would be a good option.
3. You don’t require a 4X4 vehicle there as the normal vehicle can reach there.
4. The road from Rampur to Reckong Peo is considered among the most dangerous road so driving should be done carefully.
5. In winter there would be snow at Jalori pass so better take the route via Karsog.
6. There are limited petrol pumps the way after Rampur.

For Option – 3

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. There is no network/support on this route. Make sure you are having cold prevention set up in case you got stuck somewhere. 
4. Road near Reckong Peo is not so okay, so having a high-ground clearance vehicle would be a good option.
5. If you are having 4X4 vehicle then this is a good option.
6. The road from Kaza to Reckong Peo is majorly okay but has some treacherous sections.
7. Cancel or postpone your travel if there is bad weather.
8. In Manali – Kaza route petrol pump is only at Kaza after Manali.
9. In Kaza – Reckong Peo route petrol pump near  Reckong Peo after Kaza.

How to reach Reckong Peo from Manali on a bike

Lots of bikers every year travel to Spiti via this route. Reckong Peo is also on their destination list.

Kindly consider the below points before planning a trip to Reckong Peo on a bike.

1. Every bike can reach Reckong Peo but prefer a bike with > 150 cc engine.
2. The road from Manali to Kaza is in very bad shape, Kindly plan well before traveling. 
3. Make your bike is fully serviced. 
4. Ride carefully as the road is considered dangerous road
5. Carry rain covers along with as there might be rain at higher reaches.
6. There are many landside-prone areas that are treacherous during raining season.
7. The petrol pump on this route is at Manali, Kaza, and near Reckong Peo.

How to reach Reckong Peo from Manali on a Taxi

Taxi can easily be hired for Reckong Peo and there are many options available on online platforms. Following key things to be considered while taxing taxis to Reckong Peo.

1. Driver should be experienced in traveling these areas.
2. You can add the Spiti circuit during the route -3. 
3. Ground clearance of the Vehicle to be good.
4. Negotiate well before finalization.

How to reach Reckong Peo from Manali by Train

Reckong Peo and Manali are not connected by train.

How to reach Reckong Peo from Manali by air

Since Reckong Peo 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 Reckong Peo from Manali”

Let’s summarize what we have understood in this blog  “How to reach Reckong Peo from Delhi ”

• Reckong Peo is a wonderful travel destination located in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh.
• You can reach Reckong Peo by three options from Manali.
• Reckong Peo can be reached throughout the year during option 2 but for Option-1 & 2 plan during summers 
• Reckong Peo can be reached by self-driven car, bike, taxi, and by Bus.
• The cheapest way to reach Reckong Peo is by the HRTC bus and many options are available.

We hope you have got a good understanding of “How to reach Reckong Peo from Manali ”. If you want to give suggestions on this blog ” please do comment.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions: