Disclaimer: We are serious about content integrity. The author spent 2 days at the location as part of a sponsored stay. However, all the information mentioned in the article is completely unbiased and honestly written, to offer valuable travel information to our readers. Read about our editorial policies.
“This better be worth it” — said my husband and our taxi driver, after having an exhausting journey on the uneven, almost-dangerous roads that led to the Himalayan homestay.
Well, we had reached Plant Pot Cafe & Homes at around 9:30 in the night. So, it was pitch dark and there was no way to find out what we were surrounded by.
The next morning, the minute we opened the homestay’s door and set our eyes on the sight in front of us, it took our breath away! There lay a view we had never seen before.
Pristine, virgin Himalayan mountains in lush shades of green and shimmering white stood in front of our eyes. The sun’s light made one side of the mountains glimmer, while the beauty of these majestic mountains conquered our hearts. Was the dangerous ride worth it? Hell, yeah!
Plant Pot is a quaint homestay-cum-cafe that sits atop Shangarh, a picturesque village in the Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh. Why do we recommend a stay here? And how did this homestay win our hearts? We’ll discuss them all and more in this article. Let’s begin with the highlights.
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Top 3 Highlights Of The Himalayan Homestay
# The breathtaking, untouched views
We have been to Shimla, Manali and several mountain towns before. However, most of these places have become overcrowded due to a rise in the population of locals and tourists. This wasn’t the case with Shangarh, making it one of the best offbeat places to visit in India. And this homestay offered an unobstructed view of the gorgeous Himalayan mountain ranges and the entire valley. The magic can genuinely be felt when you are there.
# The heartwarming & delectable food
Plant Pot Cafes & Homes is run by a young couple named Sumee and Tanmoy, who have poured their heart and soul into building the place and its extensive food menu. From the much-loved Himalayan momos to soul-nourishing soups, herbal teas, indulgent pancakes and pizzas to decadent desserts, you’ll find a huge variety of options to try. And honestly, we fell in love with the food. But more on that later in the article.
# Unique experience with each season
The season in which we visited (May) allowed us to admire the lush green meadows, freshly bloomed flowers, and the tall, dark and handsome Deodar trees right behind Plant Pot. But the Winter season turns the Himalayan homestay into a snow-capped wonderland, making it a perfect Winter getaway in India during December, January and February.
Note: We do not recommend traveling to the place in the rainy season, in view of the calamities that had struck Himachal Pradesh during monsoon 2023.
The Room At The Himalayan Homestay
Plant Pot has 2 types of rooms — private boutique rooms and dormitories, with a capacity of 15 guests on the whole. We stayed in a boutique room that was painted in soft pink hues with predominantly wooden interiors and a 4-poster bed with pretty white curtains.
The walls were adorned with local craft pieces, while the windows were large enough to get clear views of the outer vistas.
In terms of cleanliness, we found no issues whatsoever. However, as this is a village homestay, you might find fewer bathroom products when compared to regular hotels. So, you might want to bring all your toiletries and other essentials.
TWT tip: The weather in Shangarh and most of Himachal Pradesh can get unbearably cold and harsh even in the peak summer. Thus, it would be safe to bring multiple layers of clothing to cover yourself from head to toe.
The Food At The Himalayan Homestay
As mentioned earlier, the food at Plant Pot is one of the best parts of a stay here, besides the gorgeous views. Co-founder Sumee and her team of kitchen staff (local women of the village) add a secret ingredient in the food, called love. This is very evident when you sit down for a meal here.
The menu offers predominantly plant-based dishes. However, they are open to offering you vegetarian food as well on request. Everything from the sauces to jams, cheeses and breads are freshly made here.
And, did I mention? The cafe has floor tables and mattresses that make the dining experience very homely and informal. There are also a few tables and benches outside in their garden from where you can enjoy your meals while admiring the serene views.
Here is a detailed description of the dishes we tried:
- Vanilla Pancakes – Although these were plant-based and eggless, they turned out to be so fluffy, soft and scrumptious. The hints of vanilla were beautifully balanced with the subtle sweetness of the pancakes. They were topped with powdered sugar and maple syrup…yum!
- KVFC Wrap – A plant-based version of Kentucky Fried Chicken wrapped in a roti and drizzled with mayo & sauces, it was perfectly seasoned, crisp and bursting with flavors.
- Mushroom Pizza – Topped with mushrooms from the local mountains and a delectable cashew sauce, the pizza was soft, fluffy and flavorful.
- Plant-Based Chicken Momos – Do I even need to explain about Himalayan momos? With a juicy mock chicken filling, these felt so good to eat in front of the mountains.
- Veg Sushi – Since sushis are cold, it did not make for such a good choice for the brutal cold weather of Shangarh. But nevertheless, the subtleness paired with the accompanying soy sauce was spot on.
- Asian Rice Bowl – A complete meal in itself with veg nuggets, herbed rice, crunchy vegetables and toasted sesame seeds, the rice bowl was hearty and soothing.
- Hot Chocolate – This was such a perfect companion to have in front of the mountains! Served with a marshmallow stick, the drink was smooth, creamy and thick.
- Mocha – Created with almond milk and local dark chocolate, the coffee was made to perfection.
Other Activities At The Himalayan Homestay
You will find lots of indoor games within the cafe, such as Jenga, chess, ludo and other board games. If you want to bring out the artist in you, there are also water colors, paints and drawing books, or you can play badminton on their lawns.
The homestay owners even arrange meadow trails and nature walks to the nearby villages. They also host movie nights, barbecue, karaoke, yoga, meditation sessions and more. You can visit the nearby sunset point, waterfalls and trek to the Shiva temple during the day.
Location Of The Himachal Homestay & How To Reach?
The two best ways to reach Plant Pot in Shangarh is either by a taxi/own vehicle or a bus from Shimla or Chandigarh. These 2 cities have the nearest railway station and airport to Shangarh, which takes approximately 6 hours to reach.
The other option for road, rail and air connectivity is Delhi, 10 hours away from Shangarh.
Once you reach Shimla/Chandigarh, you can book a taxi directly for Plant Pot. However, the most affordable option would be to hop on a bus for Aut and then get on a second bus for Sainj, where you need to change another bus to reach Plant Pot. This last bus leaves around 4:30 in the evening.
As the place is situated on a remote hilltop in Shangarh, it could be slightly difficult to locate the place. Google Maps has not been able to capture the location accurately yet.
However, after reaching the location shown on the map, you can call the homestay owners for further directions.
If you have enough time in hand, you can also cover Manali, which is just 3 hours away from Shangarh. River rafting in the Beas River is a popular activity tourists opt for around Manali.
Pros & Cons Of The Himalayan Homestay
Pros of Plant Pot, as established earlier, are the divine views of the mountains, lip-smacking food, pretty and comfortable rooms, and tons of interesting activities to indulge in.
The only cons are the brutally cold weather and the kucha road you need to drive on to reach here. So, bringing sufficient warmers and an experienced driver would be essential.
TWT Experience Summary Of The Himachal Homestay
Honestly, our stay at this Himalayan homestay turned out to be one of our most memorable and rejuvenating trips. From the heavenly views of the valley and Himalayan mountains, to the soul food, warm hosts, offbeat activities and comfortable rooms, so many things about the place made the risky drive worth it. Would I go back here again? I certainly would!
Inclusivity checklist:
✅ Vegan-friendly
✅ Vegetarian-friendly
✅ Allergen-friendly options
✅ Healthy options
✅ Pet-friendly
Price of room: INR 3500 per night (discounts are offered on bookings made 15-30 days prior to arrival)
Check-in time: 12 pm (early check-ins might be chargeable depending upon the staff availability)
Check-out time: 11 am (late checkout will also be chargeable with 10% of the room charge added on the bill)
Contact: 9015418389, 8437068110
Address: Tehsil, P.O Madana, Village – Dhaghara, Shangarh, Next to Forest Rest House, Sainj, Himachal Pradesh
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/p5AdAWrdoEbfHtma8?g_st=ic
Frequently Asked Questions On The Himalayan Homestay
Q. Is traveling to the Himachal Pradesh homestay Plant Pot safe now?
A. Yes, although many roads of the state were destroyed by the continuous downpour and landslides till August 2023, the Himachal Pradesh government announced last month that all tourism activities have been resumed and that it is safe to travel to the state now. Plant Pot Cafes & Homes, which was also shut for a few months during the calamities, reopened the place in the beginning of October 2023.
Q. What is the best time to visit the Himachal homestay Plant Pot?
A. Summers are ideally the best time to enjoy the scenic and lush green meadows that the homestay is surrounded by. The temperature is also more bearable in the months of March, April and May. However, if you enjoy snowfall, the colder months of December, January and February turns the place into a Winter wonderland!
Q. What precautions need to be taken while traveling to the Himalayan homestay Plant Pot?
A. Due to the extreme cold weather, it is important to carry multiple warmers to cover yourself from head to toe here. You also need to travel by a vehicle that has the capacity to bear the uneven and kucha roads here, besides having an experienced driver. During snowfall, some roads of Shangarh can get blocked. Thus, you might want to travel light and be prepared for delays and alternative travel modes/routes.
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2 thoughts on “Plant Pot Cafe & Homes – A Homestay In Himachal Pradesh With Untouched View Of The Himalayas”
Wow. Vey beautiful place seems to be. Were unknown to many people.
Very good information for Nature lovers and Travelers. Well done.
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