Wish to experience the life in Igloo – visit Hamta Pass in Kullu-Manali
Forget about going to Antarctica to experience the life in an Igloo. Two youngsters, Vikas Kumar and Tashi Dorje, have built snow huts 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 the youth in 2017 to give fillip to winter tourism in Kullu-Manali. The igloo tourism is gaining momentum. They had built one igloo on a trial basis. When the response was encouraging, they decided 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.
“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,” said Vikas Kumar
“We observed that winter tourism remained lean in Kullu-Manali. It forced us to take a new initiative to give stimulus 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.” he added.
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.
“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, added Vikas.
They are hopeful to continue the business till February-end. The area is attractive for adventurous people and nature lovers.
Inside the snow hut
Since it does not require timber or any construction material, it is an eco-friendly concept. 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 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.
“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.