When it comes to Igloo staying in Manali, there’s only one place where it is possible — in Sethan village.
Located 15 km from Manali Mall Road, Sethan is a quaint Buddhist town.
From Sethan village, one can see the towering Dhauladhar ranges. River Beas flowing right next to it divides Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal where Hamta Valley is located.
Now, speaking of Igloo experience in Sethan or Manali, if you’re imagining a cozy, magical winter wonderland where you’ll spend hours snuggled up in your snow cave, sipping hot cocoa while gazing at the stars—reality is far from it. The Igloo Stay in Sethan is, at best, a novelty experience that wears off within an hour or two. After that, you’re left with nothing but boredom, discomfort, and regret—especially considering the exorbitant price you pay for it.
Anyway, let’s discuss the entire itinerary in detail before I talk more about why it’s not a good experience (especially, given the price-tag)…
There are two ways to experience Igloo Stay in Sethan Manali…
- The 1-night stay
- The 3-day/2-night itinerary
We did a 3-day/2-night activity, and it wasn’t worth it (not for the hefty price of INR 18,000 that we paid).
Igloo Stay In Sethan, Manali: The Itinerary
1 Night Stay (that costs INR 9,000 per couple)
- Arrive at Sethan Igloo site by lunch. You will be welcomed with a hot cup of tea followed by veg meals for lunch. We savoured the tastebuds with delicious food. No doubt, the food felt delicious at 3000 feet above sea level.
- Use the in-house amenities like common washrooms (that might feel filthy because everyone’s pissing every 10 minutes, including those who are only visiting igloo sites for activities — meaning guests other than in-house guests).
- Try adventure activities like snowboarding/skiing, tube slide and biplane. Honestly speaking, it’s impossible to learn skiing and snowboarding in a day and nearly 99% people don’t enjoy it either because of lack of instructors onsite, so it’s waste of money other than getting a few photos to show-off on Instagram.
- Witness the mesmerizing sunset and the snow-capped mountains’ views from the comfort of your Igloo site.
- Try snowman-making around sunset, while your host prepares for the campfire.
- Includes: All 3 Meals, unlimited Chai/Coffee, evening campfire and Stay.
- May or May Not Include: Manali to Igloo site transport.
3 Day/2 Night Stay (INR 18,000 per couple)
Day 1
- Arrive at Sethan Igloo site, by lunch. You will be welcomed with a hot cup of tea followed by veg/non-veg meals for lunch.
- Use in-house amenities like common washrooms and charging points to settle down.
- Witness the mesmerizing sunset along with the views of the snow-capped mountains from the comfort of your Igloo site.
- Try snowman-making around sunset, while your host prepares for the campfire.
Day 2
- After breakfast, try adventure activities like snowboarding/skiing, tube slide and biplane. Honestly speaking, it’s impossible to learn skiing and snowboarding in a day and nearly 99% people don’t enjoy it either because of lack of instructors onsite.
- Anyway, get some photos and videos clicked before moving back to the location for lunch.
- Post-lunch, try tubing in the itinerary.
- If you want to skip tubing can stay back and relax in the Igloo.
- Once done, return to the base camp for the evening snacks and dinner.
- A group bonfire is included in the itinerary on Day 2 as well.
Day 3
- Head to the parking area after breakfast and be ready to depart.
Included: All 3 Meals, unlimited Chai/Coffee, evening campfire for 2 nights, skiing, tube-slide and 2-night Stay. Your transport to and from Manali may or may not be included. Please note, 4*4 taxis charge 5,000 to 7,000 per trip.
Why the Igloo Stay in Sethan Manali is Overrated & Not Worth the Hype
1. The Igloo Itself is Cramped, Wet, and Uncomfortable
The igloo room is barely big enough to fit two people lying down on a thin foam mattress (no proper bedding, just a sleeping bag).
There’s zero privacy—sound travels easily, so you’ll hear every conversation, sniffle, or worse from neighboring igloos.
Condensation is a nightmare. The walls drip water, making everything inside damp. Your clothes, shoes, and even the sleeping bag feel wet and cold within hours.
No ventilation means the air inside gets stale quickly. If you’re claustrophobic, this will feel like a snowy prison.
2. Nothing to Do After Dark (Except Freeze & Regret Your Life Choices)
Once the sun sets (which is early in the mountains), there is absolutely nothing to do.
The “campfire” is a small, half-hearted affair where you’ll huddle for warmth before giving up and retreating to your icy igloo.
No electricity inside the igloo means no reading, no music, no entertainment—just you, the cold, and your thoughts.
Phone signals are weak, so even mindless scrolling is out of the question.
3. The Activities Are a Scam (Just Instagram Props)
Skiing/Snowboarding? Unless you’re already a pro, you’ll spend most of your time falling face-first into snow with zero proper guidance. There are no skilled instructors, just indifferent staff who’ll half-heartedly push you down a slope.
Tube sliding? Fun for 5 minutes, then it’s just repetitive and boring.
Biplane? Another gimmick—just a short, underwhelming ride with no real thrill.
4. The Common Washrooms Are Disgusting
Since the igloos have no attached bathrooms, you’ll have to trek to a filthy common washroom shared by dozens of people.
The floors are wet, muddy, and slippery—imagine walking through slush in freezing temperatures just to pee.
No proper cleaning means the stench and mess only get worse as the day progresses.
5. You’ll Feel Stuck & Desperate to Leave
Unlike a hotel or homestay where you can relax, here you’re trapped in the cold with no escape.
The initial excitement fades quickly, and you’ll realize you’ve paid thousands just to suffer in a frozen cave.
If you’re doing the 3-day package, the second day feels like a punishment—repeating the same dull activities with no real enjoyment.