Don’t be a Gama , In a land of Lama - BRO(Border Road Organisation)
The actual meaning for above quote can be well known , once you start moving ahead from Reckongpeo towards Nako.
According to most travelers it is advised to just spend about an hour at Nako and then head towards Kaza and yes they are true about it, untill.....
DAY 1
We started our journey from Rampur Bushahr towards Nako. Nako is 184KM from Rampur Bushahr and 101KM away from Reckong Peo. There is no direct buses to Nako or Kaza, you have to first reach Reckongpeo and then further to Nako.
If you travelling from Shimla, then take bus directly to Reckongpeo and then there are two buses from Reckong peo to Kaza via Nako.
1. Reckong peo to Kaza - HRTC(6-7am).
2. Reckong peo to Kaza – HRTC(1pm)
From Shimla you can take bus to Rampur Bushahr and then from Rampur to Reckongpeo.
Last bus From Rampur To Reckongpeo is at 12:50am.
We boarded in our bus which was private at around 12:30am from Rampur Bushahr Bus stand. Ticket cost us approx 240INR per person.
We reached Reckongpeo at 4:20am in the morning,and waited for the bus till 6am.The bus timming in the morning is according to the driver’s mood. But you have to be there at the bus stand at 6am for seat booking according to your choice. There are room available near the bus stand ,if you plan to stay at Reckongpeo for just 400INR.
The bus came to bus stand at 6:50 and started to ply at around 7:40am from Reckongpeo towards Nako. Ticket cost us around 250INR per person.
Every turn will either surprise you or shock you. Every turn is full of surprises and shocking views. Shocking views is for the reason that how the roads have been created under the mountains,hats off to the BRO(Border Road Organization). There is danger on every turn and there are warning regarding the blasting going on or the shooting stone from the mountains. The condition of roads are great.
We reached Spiloo Village(a small village,about 40km away from Reckongpeo) at 9:10am.Bus halts there for the breakfast and tea.It is the last stops for the bus before it reaches Nako.
After we started our journey ahead,as we moved further the trees started to vanish and the mountains started turning into the barren dessert without any vegetation and we started to feel like being in another part of world,but this was something i never gave a thought about that there would be another part of Himachal within Himachal.
After Spiloo we crossed Poo Village and then reached Nako at around 12pm.Bus stops there for lunch and then heads towards Kaza. Since we have no plan further so we planned to stay at Nako only.According to most travelers it is advised to just spend about an hour at Nako and then head towards Kaza and yes they are true about it.But if you want to hike to Mountains around Nako (snowline area near Nako ) then staying overnight is the only option.
All mobile signal works fine.You get all the facilities except ATM and there is water scarity at the end of the year as all the water sources freezes due to sudden temperature drop (-3 to -15’C).And you will get only two water buckets per day at your stay.
There are plenty of homestay around the lake and the price is same for all approx. 900 per person(Stay only).You have to spend extra for Food.
We got to the hotel Reo Purgil Nearby the lake and there are plenty of homestays around, so no need to book in advance.
It cost us around 900 INR (in off season,month of November).Then we went arount the Nako village,Monastry and Nako lake which can be covered on foot in about 1 hour.We had our lunch at nearby Dhaba (which coast us 100 per person).And then we started our hike to the nearby mountain.
The hike was moderate and the breeze was ice cold with temp dropping to -4’C.After hiking for 2 hr we reached the top and can see the half Hangrang Valley(Total Eight villages in Hangrang Valley,including Nako).
Then to our surprise we saw footprints of Snow leopard(or whatever it was) and believe me it was horrifying. So we started back towards the village.
We got our dinner at 8pm near the Dhaba for 100 INR per person.The last wine shop is about 7km before the Nako Village and only Local wine can be purchased at 300 INR/litre.After dinner we went to sleep. Do carry your woolen cloths as the temperature drop is sudden.Temperature vary between 1’C to -15’C even on normal days.
On next day we woke up at around 8am at had our Breakfast and started our journey back.There are only two buses from nako to Reckongpeo. One at 9am from Nako and other one at 12:30pm from Kaza to Reckongpeo via Nako.We had to wait longer as this bus reached Nako at 2pm.
And halts for the lunch at Nako only.We hads our lunch and then started our journey back to Reckongpeo.The bus was overcrowded and we didn’t got a seat and only option was to travel standing.
We reached Reckongpeo at 6pm, the last bus leaves the Reckongpeo to Shimla is at 7pm,luckily we got our seats and again this bus was also overcrowded.
Overall it was an mesmerizing experience, knowing how people live on the other part of Himachal Pradesh with less vegetation, harsh weather and solely depending upon natural resources.
TRIP COST
Ticket Cost - 1,150 -/INR approx per person (From Rampur to Nako and back)
Stay at Hotel- 900INR for Room
Brkfast,2Lunch,Dinner- 400INR
Total Cost -- 2500INR Per Person.
Thankyou For Being Here.
Stay Safe and Travel Responsibly.