Sethan Village is the perfect choice for you if you want to spend some quiet time in the mountains. Away from the crowd, go on long walks, watch the sunset, and hear the birds chirp first thing in the morning.
Sethan is a small Buddhist village located in Hamta valley. It oversees the Dhauladhar range.
Unlike Manali, Sethan is not laid with markets & many cafes to hop into. There are only a handful of restaurants that are modest but will put you in a state of tranquillity.
The sky in Sethan is clear, untouched by pollution. During the day, it is bright blue, a beautiful ombre of orange at the sunset, and filled with stars at night.
Sethan isn’t a popular choice since it doesn’t offer what most travellers are looking for shops, cafes, touristy spots, etc.
I visited Sethan in February 2023. The weather was pleasantly cold during the day and it got chillier by the night. With temperature even dropping below zero.
Came back home feeling extremely content and happy with the quick vacation I had in Sethan, followed by a 2-day stay in Manali.
Let me tell you all about what I saw and did in Sethan & Manali!
*I love capturing photos, and recording videos, so the majority of my trip included going on long walks in the village.
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Glamping in Sethan Valley
Glamping is slowly gaining traction and becoming a favourite amongst tourists. Many glamping resorts have popped up around Manali and Sethan villages.
I stay at one named – Glamping Club India, in Hamta Valley.
The resort is merely 30 minutes away from Manali. You can easily get a taxi from Manali to Sethan. The cost can vary depending on the season and weather conditions you’re travelling in.
If it’s snowing, usually a Gypsy works the best and can cost around 2k. If the weather is clear, you will notice that Alto is the most popular choice.
In the winter months of December and January, Sethan is covered in snow and is a blissful winter wonderland. It is famously known as the Igloo village too.
You can find various Igloo stays nearby for an adventurous time.
More about Sethan Valley & how to reach it
Sethan Valley is a restricted area (because of the Hydro project) so if you’re taking your own private vehicle you will need a permit. You can get the permit easily from this link.
Also, your taxi driver will also need to have this permit. Enquire him about the permit before booking.
By bus
In order to reach Sethan from Delhi, you can take a bus from Delhi to Manali and then book a local taxi to take you from the Manali bus stop to your stay in Sethan.
From Delhi, it takes around 14 hours to reach Manali. And an additional 30-40 minutes to reach Sethan from Manali.
Also Read: How To Pack For A Trip Like A Pro: 10 Must-Have Things
By Train
The nearest railway station is the Joginder Nagar railway station which is around 160 km away from Manali.
You will have to take a bus/taxi from the station to Manali and then to Sethan.
By air
Kullu Manali is the nearest airport and is 50 km away from Manali. If you tend to get motion sickness while travelling by bus or car for a long time, opt for a flight!
After reaching the airport, you can take a taxi to Manali/Sethan.
When should you visit Sethan?
Months from January to March are great if you want to enjoy activities like snowboarding, skiing or winter treks.
June onwards, it is best for exploring on foot and camping in unexplored laps of nature. Sethan is the starting point for the Hamta pass trek. Avoid the monsoon season as there is a chance of landslides in the mountains.
Heavy snowfall is generally expected in November and December, so you might have to find a sweet safe spot to travel during those months.
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Things to do in Sethan Valley
Dream Hamta Cafe
Since Sethan is a very small and secluded village, you aren’t going to find many eateries around.
Your best option is to have your meals at the hotel itself.
Although there is this one beautiful cafe called the Dream Hamta Cafe which offers serene views of the sunset while you enjoy a hot cup of cappuccino.
Also Read: SAVE THIS Spiti Valley Travel Guide! 7-Day Itinerary
Snowboarding, skiing, zipline & tube slide
You can enjoy all of these winter activities in the valley which is covered with snow from November to March.
But as the years’ progress, the village is seeing shorter months of snow. (Global warming ugh)
It costs 4,000 bucks for two people to enjoy 3 activities: skiing/snowboarding, zipline & tube slide.
The cost of renting a snowsuit & a pair of boots is ₹350. A walking stick costs ₹50 and a pair of socks cost ₹100.
If there is a good amount of snow during your visit to the Sethan valley, you should definitely rent out the snowsuit, boots and socks.
It makes it easier to climb up on snowy mountains and supports the locals who make their living through tourists.
If you get them individually, it will cost you more. The locals are very hospitable and sweet. I didn’t meet a single local who wasn’t nice or helpful.
Even in Manali, when I was trying to locate where my taxi driver is, local taxi drivers nearby offered to help me navigate.
Go for a hike
An offbeat place like Sethan is the perfect place for a hike. Hamta pass trek is an amazing tryout. The views are out of this world!
It is not for beginners as it can be a bit challenging.
Things you MUST pack for Sethan
- Sunscreen (link)
- Lip balm (link)
- Woollen cap & socks
- Skiing socks (link)
- Waterproof trekking shoes (link)
- Jackets for minus temperatures, if you’re visiting in the winter season (link)
- Umbrella in case it starts snowing (link)
