Ever wondered how mainstream is ‘Manali’ for travelers? If you’re looking for an offbeat place near Manali, this place has more to offer than just a traditional stay!
Located merely 15 kms away and at an elevation of 800 meters from Manali, Sethan valley is a majorly Buddhist village, with no more than 15-20 houses in it’s area. It gets more snowfall than any other town in and near Kullu Valley. This secluded yet mesmerizing village offers a plethora of activities and adventures to partake in. Naming a few, there are multiple day treks you can go for in this valley. Sethan forms as the base of the famous Hamta Pass trek.
The village enjoys a stupendous weather palette throughout the year. During the summer (June-Oct) , it is an ideal place for hikes and camping.
Source: https://www.campwanderers.com/to 1
But what makes Sethan more alluring than ever is the Igloo stays. Moving to the winter months, this place transcends into an enchanting fairy-land covered by snow. Back in 2016, Sethan had nothing but a few guest houses. Then in the year of 2017, a local built the first ever Igloo in Manali, or Himachal Pradesh for that matter. This made the town pick up popularity in 2018, when all the major news channels in India wrote about this place. In fact, citing Financial Express, Sethan is the first place in India ever to offer an Igloo experience.

Igloo Stays Sethan
Igloo is a shelter made from blocks of snow placed on the top of each other, the technical definition we memorized in school.

Source: https://www.kallol34.com/2021/03 1
Igloo is a shelter made from blocks of snow placed on the top of each other, the technical definition we memorised in school. But staying a night in winter in a camp admist a land submerged with snow, would be the moment where one’s travel fantasies get real. The warm and cosy environment inside the Igloo admist the treacherous cold outside, living so close to the nature is an experience immensely magical and indescribable for those who spend a night inside it. It is a bucket-list worthy experience for sure.
Sethan village near manali igloo
Sethan village near Manali igloo. The stay price at Sethan Igloo village can cost somewhere around five and six thousand rupees.

Source: https://footloosedev.com/igloo-s 1
The stay price at Sethan Igloo village can cost somewhere around five and six thousand rupees. Traveling to this snowy heaven will take you a night bus from Delhi to Manali and a readily available taxi from Manali to the Sethan Igloo village,  that can cost around 1500 rupees which reasonably comes down when you share it with a group.
This is where we’ve got you covered! On His Own Trip organises Manali-Sethan group trips. You can book customized Manali Tour Packages with On His Own Trip including other off-beat places. If you think the mountains are calling you and Manali seems like your next trip, you can check Manali trip cost on On His Own Trip website.
All we ask for some happy group photos before you leave!
~This article was written by Shweta Sridhar.