Camping in Sethan Valley, Manali: Launching My First Hospitality Adventure
When in 2015 I was facing a lost battle with my corporate life, unsatisfied and wanting more by myself, I had no idea that in just a couple of years I would be earning money by travelling and visiting countries on media trips. I had no idea, back then, that tourism boards across countries will be inviting me for experiencing their country and writing about them on my blog. In short, I didn’t know that I would become a travel influencer. [If you do not know what’s a travel influencer, read this blog: How Travel Influencers Get Paid To Travel]
And what I certainly didn’t know, after quitting my job to travel and facing more financial problems than I could ever imagine, during the initial year of travel blogging, that very soon I’ll have my own hospitality business — camping in Sethan, Manali.
So if you are wondering where to stay in Sethan, give camping in Sethan, a try.
FootlooseCamps, as I now tell the world with a proud look and a confident face, is my first hospitality venture — a brainchild, a chef-d’œuvre! And the best place for camping in Sethan, Manali.
Camping In Sethan, Manali: Taking
Before I started travelling, I was one of those people who would never take risks in their life, someone who would only want to play safe and invest in things where the gave a guaranteed return — something akin to investing days and months in return for a monthly pay-check. But travelling taught me how to take risks. Though of course I never learned about playing a blind shot, and I think I never will. But the fact that I am more open to ideas and possibilities now what makes me a risk-taker.
And FootlooseCamps is an outcome of that learning — of taking risks I was hopeful for!
You may also be interested in reading about these Manali camping spots and these offbeat places in Manali, other than Sethan.
Camping In Sethan, Manali: A Risk Well Taken
The idea of starting a campsite in Sethan germinated about 6 months ago, during the summer of 2016 when I visited Sethan yet once again and ended up staying — as always — for a couple of weeks. I remember how every day, after a few nights, I would wake up and decide to spend just another night.
Its stillness, its beauty, felt addictive, and the local hospitality — a hope, for the better world!
Tip: If you are visiting Sethan in winter, I recommend you experience staying in an igloo.
Sethan: A Place For Slow Travellers
Located only 15km from Manali, Sethan is not a place for hurried tourists but for slow travellers, for those who appreciate the cliched idea of ‘taking the road less travelled’ and exploring offbeat places. And a kind of experience than Sethan Camping offers, in totally unparalleled.
For the hurried tourist, for those for whom the idea of holidaying is drinking a few beers in the night, dance their arse off over the bonfire and waking up groggily the next morning, I would advise to stay away and sticking to the frequented places like Manali and Shimla. Because for them, camping in Sethan has nothing to offer. It’s a place for sober tourists.
Getting to Sethan is expensive than most places you can think of and so is staying and eating for the kind of experiences it offers: that is raw and rustic. Sethan moreover has no tourist attraction(s). It has no famous temple and neither does it have a waterfall. But what Sethan has is an experience of a different kind.
Related Read: Camping In Village Soyal
Where To Stay In Sethan: FootlooseCamps
So, when the idea of starting a first hospitality network germinated in mind, I decided to start camping in Sethan, Manali.
Since I’ve always appreciated the idea of slow travel, of maintaining perfect harmony with nature and getting local experiences, my campsite, FootlooseCamps deliver to all those ideas.
It offers (yes I claim it!) The Best of The Himalayan Views, a raw and rustic camping experience, and (to those who appreciate it and whenever possible/asked for) a chance to meet the local community.
Tip: The road to Sethan (which, however, is only 15km away from Manali) has no public bus or shared jeep/auto service. So you either need to hire a full taxi from Manali to Sethan, or you can come in your own car. If you’re coming in your own car, please note that you need to obtain permission (that costs around 100 Rupees per vehicle) to access the area. One can self-drive and pay for permission. Manali to Sethan taxi can cost a whopping 1000 to 2000 Rupees per trip, depending upon the number of passengers and the time of the year.
