Sethan is a quaint village in Himachal Pradesh, approximately 12 km from Manali. This small Buddhist village called Sethan is located at 2700m above sea level, this tiny hamlet is far away from the hustle and bustle of Manali and yet easily accessible. Covered in snow during winters, Sethan Valley is a great place to try out skiing and snowboarding.
This Buddhist village is a tiny hamlet that oversees the Dhauladhar range. The panoramic view of Dhauladhar ranges and the consummating silence makes it a perfect destination for travelers who are looking for a relaxing and surreal experience. Moreover, since Sethan is a restricted area, you will hardly find any crowd en route or at Sethan.
There are approx 10-15 houses in Sethan Village in Manali. The primary inhabitant of Sethan was Gaddis or migrant shepherds of Spiti and Kinnaur. The village belongs to the Khampa tribe of the Buddhist community who basically indulge in farming. They used to move up and down according to the season. It was in 1951 when Kullu was a part of Punjab state that the State Government of Punjab allotted them this land and Sethan village was formed. Even today, the vast majority of the villagers move to Kullu valley during winters.
Sethan is also a place of great religious significance for Hindus. There is a spot called Pandu Ropa, a couple of kilometers from Sethan Village. It is believed that Pandavas remained there during their exile. Sethan is also the beginning point of the trek to Indrasana Peak which is believed to be the throne of Indra – the God of Rain in Hindu mythology.
In winters, Sethan turns into a magical white land with lots of adventure activities. It is a lesser-known destination for snowbound trekking, snowboarding, and skiing in Himachal Pradesh. It is the only place in India that offers ‘Igloo’ stays.
Sethan is 12 km from Manali, about a 45 min drive. Since Sethan is off the usual route, unless you have your own vehicle, you will have to hire a taxi which will cost you INR 1200 on normal days. It can go as high as INR 1500 during the long weekend holidays or peak tourist season in Manali. It is a little costly, but this beautiful secluded village is worth it.
