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Voykit pocket guide · India
Nako
नाको
Spend a day walking the lake, monastery and village gates; add a night if you want a quiet stay – 1 day, optional 1 night.
Nako is a remote high‑altitude village in eastern Himachal Pradesh, accessible only by bus or 4WD from Reckong Peo. With an Inner Line Permit you can explore the lake, monastery and surrounding walks in a few hours; limited accommodation means a night is optional.
- Country
- India
- Local name
- नाको
- Best months
- check
- Avoid
- check
- Stay
- 1 (optional) nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹500–₹800 excl. bed · Mid ₹800–₹1,200 excl. bed · High ₹1,200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police / all services 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bottled water | ₹20–₹30 |
| Snack (chips, biscuits) | ₹15–₹30 |
| Meal at dhaba | ₹100–₹150 |
| Tea/coffee at Reo Purgil | ₹30–₹50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KUU · Kullu Airport
- Domestic flights; about 150 km (93 mi) by road to Reckong Peo, then bus to NakoDomestic flights; about 93 mi (150 km) by road to Reckong Peo, then bus to Nako
- SLV · Shimla Airport
- Domestic flights; about 250 km (155 mi) to Reckong Peo, then bus to NakoDomestic flights; about 155 mi (250 km) to Reckong Peo, then bus to Nako
Typical fares
- Reckong Peo → Nako bus
- about ₹300, 4–5 h (check)
- Inner Line Permit (Reckong Peo)
- ₹50, valid 14 days
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walking is the only practical mode; village is compact.
See and do
Known for
- Nako Lake
- Nako Monastery (Gompa)
- Traditional stone‑wood village gates
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tashigang village (hike) | Walk from Nako Lake trail, 3–4 h total | 3–4 h |
Sleep
- Lake View Hotel
- In front of Nako Lake; basic rooms, no price listed
- Galaxy Guesthouse
- ₹150 per night; road‑side
- Lavon Guesthouse
- ₹150‑₹600; next to Galaxy
- Reo Purgil
- Rooms from ₹400; only hotel‑type option
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | माफ़ कीजिएmaaf kijiye |
| Thank you | धन्यवादdhanyavaad |
| How much is this? | यह कितना है?yah kitna hai? |
| Can I pay by card? | क्या कार्ड से भुगतान कर सकता हूँ?kya card se bhugtaan kar sakta hoon? |
| Where is the toilet? | शौचालय कहाँ है?shauchalay kahan hai? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Inner Line Permit required – ₹50 in Reckong Peo, free in Kaza or Shimla; valid 14 days.
- Transport is limited – 1‑2 buses daily to Reckong Peo (4‑5 h) or Malling Nullah (45 min); 4WDs cost more.
- Seasonal road closures possible; check locally before travel.
Generally safe for tourists; main risks are altitude, remote location and permit compliance.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Nako yet. Suggested stay: 1 (optional) nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Nako Lake
- Nako Monastery (Gompa)
- Traditional stone‑wood village gates
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Nako, revision 5325766 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5325766
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Nakoनाको
इस पते पर ले चलें
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / all services112
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/nako-india). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.