Himachal
travel tips & guides
A guide to travellers’ paradise Sethan Hamta
Where is Sethan village, why visit Sethan, what to do in Sethan, where to stay in Sethan— Get answers to all your queries in this travel guide to Sethan village, also called a traveler’s paradise.
Do you really want to visit an offbeat place, which is blessed with the beauty of nature and also lies hidden away from all the crowds and noise of any typical hill station? A place where you not only can explore the mountains but also your inner self and find that elusive mental peace you have been seeking.
If it is so, then Sethan village near Manali in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh should be in your bucket list.
A Travel Guide to Sethan Hamta
About Sethan village
Located near Manali town at an altitude of around 2700 meters and overlooking the Dhauladhar mountain range, Sethan is the last village on the route to Hamta Pass, a high mountain pass that connects the Kullu valley with the neighbouring Spiti valley.
In the old days, Hamta Pass and Rohtang Pass were the only two mountain passes that were used by traders and locals to reach the Kullu valley from Lahaul Spiti and the far off Ladakh region.
The village is populated by Khampas, an ethnic group that originally hails from Tibet and practices Buddhism. The predecessors of present-day Khampas, who used to cross the Hamta Pass to reach the Kullu valley mainly for trade, had settled down here hundreds of years ago and were given legal rights over the land by Partap Singh Kairon, former Chief Minister of erstwhile Punjab region that comprised areas of Punjab, Himachal and Haryana.
How to reach Sethan village
To reach Sethan, you first need to be in Prini village, which is around three kms from Manali town on the left bank of the Beas river. Sethan is located at a distance of around 17 kms from Prini village. A link road built by a private hydro project company takes you from Prini to Sethan.
When we visited in September of 2024, the road was in a really bad condition and in need of repair. The tarring on this road has been stripped off due to rains and driving through non-mettled portions especially on the curves is a test of your driving skills. There are a total of 40 curves from Prini till Sethan. But all said and done, the bumpy ride is still worth the price you pay for reaching the awesome Sethan.
Things to do and places to visit in Sethan
The small and sleepy Sethan village is meant for nature lovers especially the mountain lovers. You can spend your time here exploring the Deodar forests and peaceful meadows, hiking or by just chilling out on the banks of serene rivulets here.
1. Pandu Ropa
The first place you can visit is Pandu Ropa. At a distance of around one km from Sethan village and opposite a rocky mountain wall that runs along the length of this road with waterfalls bursting out of it especially during the monsoon, lies the Pandu Ropa. According to a popular legend, Pandavas of the Indian epic Mahabharata during their exile had cultivated paddy here and hence the name Pandu Ropa (Pandavas’ paddy field). It’s a marsh land and looks more like the bed of a dried-up lake.
Right behind the Pandu Ropa is a mountain cave in a huge rock. The cave has been given a little touch by fitting in a small door at the entrance. A Sadhu used to live in this cave but we found no one there when we visited.
2. Jabri meadow
Further away from Pandu Ropa and at a distance of around 2 kms from here is a beautiful meadow. You can either walk up till here or you can drive on the project road that takes you to a hydro dam from where the meadow is a stone’s throw away. On your way to the meadow, you cross a gushing rivulet. You can spend a good time relaxing and exploring this meadow, called Jabri in local dialect.
3. Hamta Pass
The way to Hamta mountain pass goes through this meadow only. The Hamta Pass, which used to be a trade route and also a shepherds’ way, was first popularized by British travellers, who had started exploring the Western Himalayas after winning Kullu from the Sikhs in 1846. Today, Hamta Pass is one of the favorite treks of backpackers in the Kullu valley. You can also do the Hamta Pass trek with our expert guides.
Weather in Sethan
The weather in Sethan remains mostly pleasant most times of the year. The winters start to set in a little early here due to the high altitude of this place. The mornings and evenings become nippy by October but days remain pleasant if the sun is out. This whole area also receives snowfall earlier than Manali, which is comparatively at a lower height. The months of spring, summer and autumn are the most pleasant here.
Best time to visit Sethan
If you want to experience Hamta valley in its full glory then you should visit in spring when all the trees, fruit orchards and vegetation are in bloom here and in the entire Kullu valley. If you want to experience the best and the most pleasant weather conditions then you should come to Sethan in May and June.
If you are a snow lover then come here in winters as Sethan gets literally buried in snow. But there is a catch in visiting Sethan in the winters. The snow can make it rather difficult to reach Sethan via road given its condition. It’s also risky to drive in snow on such a road.
Places to stay in Sethan
If you want to stay in the peaceful Sethan then there are some good options available in the village. A number of guest houses, cottages, camping and glamping sites and homestays have come up in Sethan and around the village in recent years. There are also igloo stays available here, making Sethan earn the nickname of ‘the igloo village of India.’ Here are some of the best places to stay in Sethan.
1. Glamping Club
Want to stay in a luxurious dome with stunning views of the Himalayas? The Glamping Club on the way to Sethan village is a good option. The Glamping Club provides accommodation with a seasonal swimming pool, free parking, a terrace and restaurant with excellent service.
2. Montane Chalet
Located near Sethan and along the road to the village, Montane Chalet provides accommodation with a garden and a bar. The restaurant at this lodge serves Indian cuisines. Vegan and gluten-free options are also available.
3. White musk resort
Located near Sethan, this luxurious honeymoon resort provides luxury accommodation with private bathtubs, loft nets, and a restaurant with stunning views of the Himalayas. The dome accommodation is also available.
4. GlampEco Stays
Another luxurious glamping site, GlampEco offers accommodation in traditional mud houses and modern dome tents with breathtaking views. This property has free parking and offers free breakfast.
5. Nirvana Hamta Retreat
Nirvana Retreat offers luxurious camping aka glamping in its domes near Sethan village. Nirvana provides free parking, has a restaurant and also a rooftop terrace. The view from Nirvana is really breathtaking.
6. Keylinga igloo stay
Want to stay in an igloo? Keylinga offers igloo stay near Sethan village. Keylinga also provides transportation facility in a 4X4 vehicle from Prini village to its igloos near Sethan. The igloos are operational only in full blown winters when there is heavy snowfall.
Sethan village travel guide video
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