You can now stay in an igloo hotel in this Himachal Pradesh village

Ever heard about the icy igloo hotels under the Northern Lights in Alaska, before the majestic Matterhorn in Switzerland, neighbouring the frozen Torne River in Sweden or amidst snowy conifer forests in Japan? If you’re looking for a freezing igloo stay this winter, as an end-of-year adventure perhaps, you don’t have to travel that far. There’s an igloo village far closer, nestled in a quaint little village in Himachal Pradesh; and it’s all set to open its doors for the season once snowfall hits the valley.

Sethan Valley is about 12km from Manali and situated at an altitude of over 2,500m. Sethan locals and cousins Vinod and Suresh Bodh set up Igloo Village Sethan in 2019 after an Australian tourist showed them how igloos are made. The two run a homestay called Sethan Heights in the village and build about five igloos every year after enough snow has collected in the village. “In Alaska, winter temperatures drop to -30°C, making the region extremely icy. Sethan is less cold in comparison, with winter temperatures dropping to about -12°C at night,” Vinod Bodh explains. “So, we have to make sure we have at least 2-2.5ft of snowfall in the region to begin building the igloos every year, and mix the snow with water to create compact blocks which will hold through the season.” Here’s everything you need to know about the igloo village in Himachal Pradesh.

When is the igloo village open for the season?

As per Bodh, Sethan Valley receives its first snowfall around mid-December. The igloo village is typically operational from mid-December till the end of February or the first week of March. These dates vary depending on the weather, so check with the team before you make plans.

What’s the best time to visit?

Bodh gets the highest number of enquiries between Christmas and New Year—the most popular time for guests to visit. However, you can also visit in January, when winter is in full swing.

What’s inside the igloo?

Each igloo is 9ft in diameter and about 5ft in height—ideal for a couple, though three guests can be accommodated in one igloo on request. Inside the igloo is a foam mattress with sheets and wool and electric blankets to keep you extra warm. There are lights inside, as well as electrical sockets to charge your phone. There are no attached bathrooms. Instead, there’s a common bathroom outside. Sleeping bags can be arranged inside the igloo on request.

What about food?

The menu at Sethan Igloo Village includes vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, including dishes like dal, rice, roti, bread, omelette, Maggi, French fries, chicken or paneer curries and vegetables.

What should you wear?

Bodh recommends wearing thermal innerwear with all your clothes, and carrying warm down jackets, good snow boots and gloves. He also recommends carrying sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright sun during the day. The team offers snow shoes and snowsuits as and when needed.

What to do in and around Sethan Valley?

The team regularly arranges bonfires for guests at the igloo village in the evenings. Given the heavy snowfall, Sethan Valley is a good spot to enjoy snow sports and adventure activities. The valley has facilities for skiing, snowboarding, snow treks and even heliskiing. The slopes are gentle and can be accessed on foot; there are no ski lifts in the area. Snowboarding is among the most popular activities in the region for tourists. Bodh also recommends exploring the village of Nihar Thach closeby, where visitors can buy handicrafts, dig into local delicacies like momos and siddu (a Himachali wheat flour bread typically eaten with ghee in the winter), and also check out other igloos and skiing facilities.

How much does it cost?

A night’s stay at Igloo Village Sethan starts at Rs5,500 and includes your stay, all meals, snacks and tea or coffee, and evening bonfires. Discounts are offered for big groups looking to book multiple igloos. If you have a big enough group, you can also book all five igloos. Call 9816125512 / 7018911104 to book; Instagram