Igloo tourism a hit near Hamta Pass

Dipender Manta

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Tribune News Service

Mandi, January 20

Two youths of Manali are promoting igloo tourism near the Hamta Pass at Sainthen village in Kullu district to attract tourists in the region. The concept of igloo tourism (stay in snow houses) was conceived by two youths, Vikas Kumar and Tashi Dorje, in 2017 to give fillip to winter tourism in Kullu-Manali.

The igloo tourism is gaining momentum. The duo had built one igloo on a trial basis and they got good response, which encouraged them to move forward in an organised way.

This year they have developed three igloos, especially for couples, at Sainthen village and they were getting good response. They charge Rs 5,500 for a night stay in igloo in which they provide local food and entertain them with snow activity. 

Talking to The Tribune, Vikas Kumar said, “We observed that winter tourism remained lean in Kullu-Manali. It forced us to take a new initiative to give fillip to winter tourism.  However, igloo tourism depends on the weather conditions, which requires adequate snowfall for the construction of igloo. It is an eco-friendly practice to promote winter tourism.”

Vikas said construction of one igloo costs over Rs 40,000, which takes around six days for eight labourers.  For the maintenance of an igloo, adequate snow is mandatory. If temperature rises, the snow of igloo starts melting rapidly.

He said, “We are promoting igloo tourism as ‘Manali Igloo Stay’ and tourists can search for it on the website Keylinga.com. The Sainthen village is situated 16 km from Manali close to Hamta, which is covered under thick blanket of snow these days.” 

They are hopeful to continue the business till February-end. The area is attractive for adventurous people and nature lovers.

Calling it an eco-friendly concept, which has been promoted in a big way in foreign countries, Vikas said, “It does not require timber or any construction material. Everywhere, it is just snow which will melt on its own. Tourists coming in for overnight stay will be provided meals, snow dresses and skiing kits.”

It is expected that in the coming years, more youths can adopt igloo tourism in the region for self-employment during the winter season.

An inside view

• An igloo is also known as a snow house or snow hut. The snow used to build an igloo must have enough structural strength to be cut and stacked appropriately.
• Vikas, the man behind the concept, said, “Despite snow house, the temperature of igloo remains normal inside as compared to temperature outside. However, we provide hot water bottle to customers and warm-feather sleeping bags with extra fleece and a thick foam mattress.”
• “We started the igloo tourism on January 15 and till now around 20 couples have visited here. There are advance bookings for February and we are hopeful of good business in the coming days” he added.
• This year they have developed three igloos, especially for couples, at Sainthen village
• They charge Rs 5,500 for a night stay and provide local food and entertain them with snow activity