Booking an igloo for overnight stay is a new tourism concept in Manali which has gained so much popularity in a short time period. Tourists from across the India visit Manali in winter season to have their unique experience with igloo in Manali.
Staying in an igloo, domestically or commercially, was possible only in the countries like Switzerland, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Canada. With successful four seasons since 2016, and the fifth season already started in Manali, now India is alsoin the list of countries providing igloo stay to the tourists.
Tourists want to experience an Eskimo life by staying in the igloo for one night. The Manali Igloo Stay is providing tourists with warm clothing, warm bedding, tasty cuisines and many snow activities near Sethan village in Hamta, Manali. Vikas and Tashi, who first introduced igloo to the country in 2016, believe that things and innovative ideas like igloo should be developed to promote winter tourism in Himachal.
How to reach Manali igloo stay site
Manali Igloo Stay is available near Sethan village on Manali-Hamta road, about 16km from Manali.
Best time to visit Manali Igloo Stay
Igloos can be built in winter season only when there is availability of snow and temperature is too low. Mid-December to mid-March is the best time for your first igloo stay.
How are the igloos made in Manali
There are different techniques used to make an igloo. In Manali, Vikas and Tashi used technique of building blocks of snow and then joining them together to give shape to igloo. They learned it from youtube videos. They used snow blocks to build the structure similar to brick.
How stable and durable are igloos
If built using good technique, the structure is very hard, stable and durable. Vikas, Tashi and there friends occasionally climb on igloo top to check its strength.
How safe is igloo stay in Manali
Spending a night in igloo is generally safe until you are medically unfit, have heart or breathing related problem or have problem with even little colder weather. The temperature inside igloo will be much higher than outer temperature. The structure will not collapse in night time when the outer surface turns ice.
Facilities at Manali igloo stay
The main structure (walls, floor and roof), the bed, table, bench and everything made with snow are well decorated. This snow village has a small restaurant (cooking area and dining area), washroom and space for snow activities. The whole area is decorated with colourful lights. Tourists are given warm clothes and warm bedding.
Activities at Manali igloo stay
- Bonfire
- Live music (on demand)
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Tube slide
- Nature walk
- Snow drive
- Making snowman
Is igloo stay safe for children and elderly
Everyone with good health can stay in igloo without any problem but children and elderly should avoid staying overnight in igloo. However, they can visit the area in day time and can enjoy other activities.
Xmas and New Year in igloos in Manali
Manali, December 14, 2020
Although it is too early to predict White Christmas and White New Year in Himachal but tourists can surely enjoy their stay in an igloo at Manali as local youths have started building igloos to draw tourist crowd in winter season.
Timely snowfall and low temperature have produced a perfect environment for igloo concept which has become famous in a short time in India. Covid-19 has badly hit the hospitality sector of Himachal and hoteliers are adopting different tactics to woo the tourists.The makers of igloo believe a large number of tourists will visit Manali only to see their snow village. The stay in igloo was possible after January when temperature remains lowest and the state witnesses frequent snowfall. Parts of Himachal have received good snow and temperature is below freezing point in December.
After two youths of Manali — Vikas and Tashi — had introduced country’s first igloo near Sethan village of Hamta in winter season of 2016-17, the igloo stay is now available at many places in the state.
The makers of igloo believe a large number of tourists will visit Manali only to see their snow village. The stay in igloo was possible after January when temperature remains lowest and the state witnesses frequent snowfall. Parts of Himachal have received good snow and temperature is below freezing point in December.After two youths of Manali — Vikas and Tashi — had introduced country’s first igloo near Sethan village of Hamta in winter season of 2016-17, the igloo stay is now available at many places in the state.
Vikas and Tashi have completed three igloos at an altitude of 9,000ft which are ready for booking. Both tourists and local residents are thronging Hamta to see igloos. Tourists who are crazy about snow and ice during Christmas can have a different experience here.Given the overwhelming response from tourists who are thronging Manali only to experience igloo stay, a few more youths are also building igloos this year. While another igloo site is being developed at Hamta, some youths from Seraj area of Mandi district who had built an igloo on experimental basis last season will build igloos on commercial basis this season. Lahaul valley, where temperature has plunged below minus 10 degrees C, will also have igloo stay option for the first time.
Given the overwhelming response from tourists who are thronging Manali only to experience igloo stay, a few more youths are also building igloos this year. While another igloo site is being developed at Hamta, some youths from Seraj area of Mandi district who had built an igloo on experimental basis last season will build igloos on commercial basis this season. Lahaul valley, where temperature has plunged below minus 10 degrees C, will also have igloo stay option for the first time.
“We have three igloos ready for tourists. More will be built soon,” Vikas said, adding that the igloo site near Hamta has over 30cm of snow and temperature is favourable. “We are getting a large number of enquiries. Tourists want to spend at least one night inside igloo which is a new experience in India. We are gearing up to host tourists during Christmas and New Year when special arrangements will be made,” he said.
Tourists get a private igloo to stay. They get warm clothing and bedding. The igloos are decorated with colourful lights. The site has a small restaurant and special arrangement of washroom. Bonfire and music nights are organised for tourists. They can also try had at skiing and snowboarding. As many times tourists are not able to get a chance to book the igloo and experience Eskimo life, they visit the site in the day time.
The youths with help of friends had built first igloo in winter of 2016 after watching videos on youtube. Igloo stay is famous in countries like Switzerland, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Canada. India has been included in this list after efforts of the local youths. The igloos are available for stay for tourists for the fifth consecutive season.
“We assure tourists that igloo structure is stable and durable that many people can stand on it without fear of its collapsing. We want government to promote the Hamta area for winter tourism as the area is mostly north-facing where snow melts very slowly. We don’t want tourists to crowd and litter this beautiful area which will surely be known for its snow villages in future,” Vikas added.
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