A few years ago, Sethan was a hidden gem—a quiet Buddhist village nestled in Hamta Valley, where you could escape Manali’s chaos, camp under starry skies, and experience raw Himalayan beauty. Today, it’s a cautionary tale of uncontrolled tourism.
Locals, and those operating a guesthouse in the area, have moreover started ripping off tourists in the name of an offbeat location, with hotels charging over 10,000 Rs per night for Glamping experience.
From Manali Mall Road, taxis moreover charge around 2000 Rupees to Sethan village. This fare can go up to 7000 Rupees during the peak winter season. Additionally, you need to get an online permit to enter Hamta Valley (where Sethan is located) costing 100-250 Rupees per vehicle.
Located approximately a 45-minute drive from Manali, Sethan used to be a place for slow travellers – particularly during winter, when snow claims its ground and any movement beyond this tiny Buddhist town, becomes impossible!
A few years ago, when I first visited Sethan there were no guesthouses. At that time, the charm of this place was different. From the entire Hamta Valley, one could see the towering Dhauladhar range, with River Beas flowing right into it, dividing and Pir Panjal and the mighty Dhauladhar.
Back then, the environment was also clean, giving a clear view of the Kullu Valley. Today, it’s all construction everywhere. The road in Hamta Valley and in the village of Sethan, is in a bad shape with regular movement of tourist vehicles blowing dust, emitting smoke, and giving those living in the valley no different an environment than we can find elsewhere in India.
I remember, before COVID wave hit India and Manali experienced uncontrolled tourism, Sethan (and most of Hamta Valley) used to be different. In January, the valley used to get draped in white, leaving a magical view of the Kullu Valley. Little flakes of happiness covered the entire valley with a sheet of white.
Today, the snowfall patterns have changed too. In the last two years, we saw almost no snow in January.
Here’s why I no longer recommend Sethan (and why you should skip it too)…
Why Sethan Hamta Isn’t Worth Visiting Anymore
1. Uncontrolled Construction & Deforestation
- Hotels Over Trees: The valley is now littered with poorly built guesthouses, glamping sites, and cafes. Forests have been cleared to make way for concrete, disrupting the fragile ecosystem.
- Noise Pollution: What was once a silent retreat is now filled with late-night parties and loud music from hotels. The “slow travel” vibe is dead. You can even find traffic-jam during the winter months when people visit the zero-point in Sethan for snow activities. 4*4 taxis moreover charge as much as 7000 Rupees per trip (for a 15km distance) which is unrealistic.
2. The Road to Sethan is a Nightmare
- 15km of Potholes: The road from Prini to Sethan has 35 hairpin bends, but now it’s also riddled with deep craters, landslides, and zero maintenance. Again, taxis charge ₹2000–7000 for a one-way trip, but the ride is brutal even in a 4×4.
- Permit Hassle: You still need an online permit (₹100–250) to enter Hamta Valley, but no one checks if hotels are following environmental rules.
3. Overcrowded & Commercialized
- Instagram Has Ruined It: Sethan is now packed with tourists, especially in winter (thanks to “Igloo Village” hype). The solitude it once offered is gone.
- Trash & Poor Waste Management: With no proper disposal systems, plastic waste is piling up in the entire Hamta Valley.
4. No Local Culture Left in Sethan
- Tibetan-Buddhist Charm? Gone. Most original families have moved to lower altitudes, replaced by profit-driven hotel owners. The village feels like a Manali satellite, not a cultural escape.
- No Authentic Experiences: Just overpriced cafes serving Maggi and pizza—nothing close to traditional Himachali or Tibetan culture.
Alternatives to Sethan (And Hamta Valley)
I recommend places like Fojal Valley and Soil village over Sethan for a more peaceful experience.
You can also stay in Nasogi area in Manali for mountain-top and valley view that Sethan is popular for.
Additionally, visit Kasheri Village (located near Patlikuhl) for a similar valley-view.
The inhabitants of Sethan are the original migrants from Tibet and Spiti Valley. They are all Buddhist people and used to come to Hamta Valley as horse herders, to do trade.
They were given land in Hamta Valley by the then Government of India when Himachal Pradesh was still a part of Punjab.
During winter, most of them move to the lower altitude towns in Kullu Valley, leaving Sethan a beautifully deserted town, before moving back in summer again, and resuming their usual farming business.
But with less than 20 houses it remains a beautiful offbeat place meant to relax and unwind.
If, however, you still plan to stay inside of the Sethan Village or elsewhere in Hamta Valley, here is what I recommend:
Where To Stay In Sethan
Since it is a small town housing no more than 20 properties (out of which many are homes for local people only) the accommodation is fairly limited. There are very limited hotels and camping sites.
Speaking of where to stay, if it’s winter, stay in one of those snow-igloos (which isn’t a very comfortable experience but definitely something unique). Please note that an igloo experience is only available in winter. To some, Sethan is also known as Igloo Village Manali.
Please note that Igloos are only available between January and March. Starting in April, the igloos start melting.
If not Igloo, I suggest to you try one of the homestays in the village (that still offer some value for money and a local experience). Most Glamping sites are only overcharging people. Geodesic domes are certainly overhyped and most places are only overcharging people because of Instagram popularity of the domes.
I also ran a Glamping Dome property in Sethan (under my brand name FOOTLOOSE CAMPS) for a while before shutting it down because the entire experience was going against our primary focus — of mindful and immersive travel experiences. Check FOOTLOOSE CAMPS on Instagram.
Additionally, please note that Sethan Village is located between Curve number 35 and 36. There are total 38 Curves in Hamta Valley. Almost all Glamping sites are located outside of Sethan Village and selling them by the name of Sethan. The village homestays are guesthouses run by locals can only be found after Curve 35.
Nearly 90% of guesthouses in Hamta Valley are located outside (and before) Sethan village because of the no-network zone in Sethan. Even BSNL has no network in Sethan Village. Around half a kilometre before you enter the village (precisely at Curve 35) phone networks disappear.
Some of the hotels and places to stay in Hamta Valley are Glamping Club, Mystic Heist, Dream Hamta Cafe, Nirvana Hamta Retreat, the White Musk, the Glamp Eco and Awe Glamping.
How To Reach Sethan from Manali
You will first need to reach Manali (by bus taxi or self-drive). If you are planning a road-trip from Delhi to Manali, read this blog here. From Manali, Sethan is approximately 15km away and easily accessible by taxi.
From Manali Mall Road, taxis charge around 2000 Rupees for Manali to Sethan, and this fare can go to 6000 Rupees during the peak winter season (when only 4×4 cars are allowed).
If you’re driving, I suggest you take the old Kullu Manali highway (from Kullu) that passes through Naggar and reach Prini. Prini is located 3 km from Manali and can be navigated on Google Maps. From Prini, you will find a road going uphill on your right, towards Hamta Valley. Just take that road for the next 15 km (and 35 hairpin bends) and you reach Sethan village.
Hamta Valley Travel Tips
- I have seen a lot of people searching for Sethan Valley on Google. Please note that there is no valley called Sethan Valley. The valley where it is located is called Hamta Valley.
- To give you a better idea, Hamta Valley rises perpendicularly to Kullu Valley. Think of it as a high mountain pass that connects Manali in Kullu Valley to Kaza in Spiti Valley.
- Unlike in Manali, here you won’t find much to see and do. There are no popular temples or waterfalls. It is a small village meant for those who appreciate the idea of slow travel. If you’re one of those people who visit mountains to relax and unwind, this is your kind of place. If, however, you’re looking for things to see and do, you may be disappointed.
- There are no cafes in the village but just a couple of dhabas where you can find things like Maggi and Parantha.
- The entire ambience is very village-like — no fancy shops, no cafes, no vibrant crowd. Kalzang Dhaba, located at curver 33.
- There are no popular temples or waterfalls in Sethan; the village is perfect for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and embrace the slow travel experience.
- It is also possible to do a day trip to Hamta Valley. Just catch a taxi from Manali, spend a day lazying around, and return.
- Taxis from Manali to Sethan take between 2000 to 6000 Rupees, depending upon the kind of taxi (Sumo or an Alto) and the season. If it’s peak season and most taxis are booked, they may charge extra.
Hamta Valley Travel Permit
Sethan and the entire Hamta Valley is a protected areas. You need to obtain an online permit to access Hamta Road. As soon as you start on Hamta Road, you will be stopped at the ADHP (Adhani Hydro Project) barricade for an online permit that requires you to fill out a short form and pay 250 Rupees for cars and 100 Rupees for motorcycles.
I made this video in 2017, during my first visit to the village and Hamta Valley. As I said above, many things have changed, but you will still get a good idea of what to expect. The video includes my Manali to Sethan journey, my first snowboarding and snow-hiking experience, and more…
If you have a question or would like to connect, please find me on Instagram. You can also follow my YouTube channel for video updates.
What To See & Do In Sethan
The town sits at an altitude of over 2700m above sea level (almost 700m higher than Manali). It offers a combination of winter and summer adventure activities. One can compare it with the likes of Solang Valley minus the crowd.
Between December and March, Hamta Valley receives heavy snowfall making its grassy land ideal for skiing, snowboarding, and snow-hiking. And thanks to its offbeat location and no chair lift, the chances of bumping into a fellow skier are always very low.
Though you may bump into a bear if you’re that unlucky (just kidding!) rest assured, you will enjoy the exclusivity of the place. During the summer, the place is ideal for camping and trekking.
[Also Read: My First Snowboarding Experience]
I was told that the land around Sethan is of high religious significance too.
Around 2 kilometres from the village lies Pandu Ropa – a place where Pandavas (before the time of Mahabharata) stayed and meditated. They also used a part of the land to grow crops, making it no less auspicious for the believers.
If you move further and trek towards the east, you will end up at Indrasana Peak (6200m) which is believed to be the throne of Indra (or the Rain God).
So yea, if you are visiting Sethan during winter months (December, January, February and March) you can try…
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Ziplining over the snow
- Tube Slide
- Igloo visit/stay
- Snow trekking
- 4*4 Gypsy ride
- Stargazing
If you visit during Summer or Autumn (April, May, June, September, October and November) you can try…
- Trekking/Hiking
- Camping
- Rock Climbing
- Bouldering
- Birdwatching
- Stargazing
From Sethan, if you continue for 3 more km on the same Hamta Road you reach the starting point of the popular Hamta Pass Trek. It’s a 3-day trek that takes you to Chandratal in Lahaul-Spiti. Hamta Pass trek is one of the most popular treks in Himachal Pradesh.
One can visit Chikka (day 1 basecamp for Hamta Pass trekkers) in less than 4 hours from Sethan and camp there. With a beautiful river stream flowing next to the campsite, it will certainly make for a memorable experience. If not, one can put a tent (or choose from one of the many campsites in the village) anywhere near the village. Check this video below…
It is also possible to visit Brighu Lake, but the best route for Brighu is via Vashishth (or Bashisht).
There are many popular hotels (located not in Sethan but outside of the village, in the same valley) that can also be visited to enjoy their food and amenities. Other than the local delicacies that can be tasted in the popular Kalzang Dhaba; I suggest you visit GlampEco for their coffee (just a little expensive though!), Dream Hamta Cafe for Pizza; FootlooseCamps for Buddhist dishes like Momos, Timok and Thukpa; White Musk Resort for Italian Pasta; and Awe Glamping for traditional Indian Thali.
Weather In Sethan
Since it is located at 2700m above sea level (Manali is 2050 metres) it remains comparatively cold throughout the year. During winter, expect the town to be covered under snow for at least 3 months.
Winter in Sethan can be harsh, so prepare accordingly. I have experienced freezing water pipes and the entire town (including all guesthouses) having no water supply for a week. During winter, expect the temperature to fall to -15 degrees Celsius.
During summer, we get a maximum of 15 degrees Celsius and not above. Since it’s quite high in altitude from sea level, expect intense sunlight. Wear sunscreen and sunglasses on a sunny day.
The Best Time To Visit Sethan & Hamta Valley
Throughout the year honestly, except for monsoon. Of late, the town has started getting popular and I won’t call it offbeat anymore, no matter what the season is.
During winter though, Sethan witnesses peak season. This is when the town hosts temporary igloo stays and activities like Snowboarding and Skiing.
During summer, people visit to enjoy trekking and hiking in the valley. It is ideal to go camping during May, June, September and October.
If you are interested, visit during the harvest season of late September and enjoy fresh apples, apricots, pears and other seasonal fruits.
That’s all in this blog, if you have more to add to this guide, leave a comment below!
Also Read: Offbeat Destinations Near Manali
