Nako

Nako is a lovely village located in upper Kinnaur region, very close to Spiti Valley. If you are coming to Spiti Valley from Shimla, Nako serves as your first introduction to barren landscape. It is a quaint village located in the lap of Himalayas with Buddhism as its driving force. You can see a large prayer wheel on its hill that has recently been installed by its youth club, as well as many smaller prayer wheels or series of prayer wheels all around the village. There is an ancient sacred lake on the edge of the village. Guru Padmasambhava is supposed to have meditated near the lake, making it sacred for villagers. His footprints are also marked on a rock here which is worshipped by villagers. Nako Monastery, an ancient monastery dating back to 11th CE, was established by the great translator Rinchen Zangpo. The Dalai Lama established a new monastery just outside the old village. Besides, there are small treks that you can do from Nako like a day-trek to Turtle Rock.