Nako Lake

The lake is famous for the beautiful bird sounds you can hear which makes it a perfect stop for anyone on a Spiti bike tour. As you ride through the stunning Spiti Valley, the peaceful lake and the soothing bird calls create a magical experience. During winter in Spiti, the surface of the lake freezes over, which makes it the perfect place to enjoy ice-skating. Another attractive feature of Nako Lake is the many urban legends attached to it. Locals worship the lake as an ethereal body, while a nearby waterfall where the water is white because of its foamy texture, is believed to be the home of the fairies. There are many caves, temples and valleys nearby that you can explore when you are at Nako Lake.
- 3,662 meters (12,014 feet) above sea level
- A serene high-altitude lake in the Spiti Valley region
- Known for its tranquil beauty and reflection of the surrounding snow-capped mountains
- Sacred to the locals and an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists
- May to October (best time for pleasant weather and clear views)
- The lake remains frozen during winter (November to April), making it less accessible
- Distance from Spiti: 116.9 km
- Distance from Shimla: 312.7 km
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Distance from Manali: 313.1 km
Nako Monastery

Nako Monastery is one of the most fascinating places to visit in Spiti Valley. The monastery was built in 1025 AD, making it one of the oldest standing structures in the region. It is a restoration centre and museum for ancient Buddhist paintings and murals.
The monastery consists of four temples built on the same compound, where the exterior of the temples showcases exquisite Victorian architectural styles while the interiors are comparatively simpler. While there is no entry fee, the authorities at the monastery do accept donations from visitors and pilgrims.
Altitude:
- 3,662 meters (12,014 feet) above sea level
- One of the oldest monasteries in the region
- A center for the preservation of ancient Buddhist murals and scriptures
- Follows the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism
Architecture:
- Consists of four temples in the same compound
- Exterior features Victorian architectural influences
- Interiors house murals, thangkas, and sculptures of Buddhist deities
Entry Fee:
- No entry fee
- Donations are accepted for monastery maintenance
Timings:
- Open daily from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM (timings may vary on special occasions)
Best Time to Visit:
- May to October (pleasant weather and accessible roads)
- Winters can be harsh due to heavy snowfall & dropping temprature of Spiti.
Distance of Nako Lake from various cities:
- Distance from Spiti: 117.7 km
- Distance from Shimla: 311.6 km
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Distance from Manali: 313.9 km
Nako Gompa

- 3,662 meters (12,014 feet) above sea level
- One of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in the region
- Associated with Guru Padmasambhava, who is believed to have meditated here
- A center for Tibetan Buddhist teachings, murals, and scriptures
- Follows traditional Tibetan-style architecture
- Features four temples, each with unique frescoes and sculptures
- Houses ancient thangkas, prayer wheels, and Buddhist relics
- No entry fee
- Donations are accepted for monastery upkeep
- May to October (best for pleasant weather and accessible roads)
- Winters can be extremely cold with heavy snowfall
- Distance from Spiti: 117.6 km
- Distance from Shimla: 310.3 km
- Distance from Manali: 314.5 km
Lipa- Asrang Sanctuary

The Lipa-Asrang Sanctuary is amongst the most popular places to visit in Nako on Thrilllophilia's Spiti group tour. Situated in the district of Kinnaur at an elevation of 5,000 metres above sea level and spread over a vast area of 30.89 square kilometres, this sanctuary is a sought-after destination for nature lovers. The flora of the sanctuary consists of dry Alpine scrub, western Himalayan temperate forest land, dry broad leaves, coniferous forests, dwarf juniper shrubs, and many more exotic blooms.
If you are lucky, you may also spot some of the exotic animals that have made this area their home. Animals such as the brown bear, blue sheep, yaks, gorals, ibex, leopards, the Himalayan black bear, musk deer and other beautiful animals can often be seen in the area. The best time to visit the Sanctuary is between April to October when the weather is dry and pleasant and not too cold. This is the time when the trees are in full bloom and the animals are not yet in hibernation. To enter the sanctuary, however, special permissions are required, even though there is no entry fees.
Altitude:
- Ranges between 2,500 meters to 5,022 meters above sea level
Total Area:
- 30.89 sq. km
Best Time to Visit:
- May to October (ideal for wildlife spotting and trekking)
- Winters (November to April) experience heavy snowfall, making access difficult
Flora & Fauna To See:
- Flora: Alpine forests, coniferous trees, juniper, and high-altitude grasslands
- Fauna: Himalayan Black Bear, Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep, Musk Deer, Red Fox, Monal Pheasant, Snow Partridge, Himalayan Griffon
Activities:
- Wildlife spotting and photography
- Trekking and nature walks
- Distance from Spiti: 175.2 km
- Distance from Shimla: 251.4 km
- Distance from Manali: 323.6 km