Experience slow living at a plant-based homestay & cafe nestled in the Himalayan mountains

May 23rd, 2023

Do you find yourself yearning for a vegan stay or hotel every time you travel? You’re not alone. Although most major cities in India offer marked plant-based options today, the community still struggles to find vegan food in smaller towns. But, we have some great news! The next time you plan a trip to Himachal Pradesh, a quaint plant-based homestay-cum-cafe awaits you.

Stay in the lap of Himalayan mountains

The meadows that surround Plant Pot Cafe & Homes 

Nestled in Shangarh, a picturesque village in the Sainj Valley, Plant Pot Cafe & Homes is a beautiful property that will let you escape the hustle-bustle of your city life and experience the joy of slow living in nature’s lap. It lies inside an apple orchard amidst the stunning Himalayan mountains, which transform into a Winter wonderland with snow-capped peaks in the cooler months. In the summer, the place offers lush green meadow views. 

“It truly is a magical place. It is situated atop Shangarh, so you can get a bird’s eye view of the entire valley from here. Just behind our property, there are beautiful Deodar forests and Shangarh’s sunset point is a minute away from the property. If you come in winter, you can witness gorgeous snowfall. The place turns into a mini Switzerland!” says Sumee Kashyap, the founder, who runs the place with her partner Tanmoy. 

A boutique room at the vegan homestay

Plant-based food cooked with love

“Most importantly, guests fall in love with the food because I cook with a lot of love and pure intentions. I treat it like prasad (offerings made to God). Plus, I have hired some wonderful local women staff who have been helping me with everything here,” adds Sumee, who is a vegan herself.

Some of the plant-based dishes served at the cafe

The food served at Plant Pot Cafe & Homes includes dishes from various cuisines such as pancakes, sushi, dim sums, pizzas, mock chicken, thupka, smoothie bowls and a lot more. Everything is freshly made on order and all the ingredients like peanut butter, bread, plant-based milk, curd, tofu and jams are made in-house from scratch. 

A couple enjoying a Himalayan candle-light dinner on the premises

Founder’s inspiring vegan journey 

Interestingly, the founder’s story is as fascinating as the place itself. After having successful stints in fashion designing, graphic designing and digital marketing in Delhi, Sumee was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2020. It is a chronic disease that causes musculoskeletal pain throughout the body and doesn’t have a cure. When she was hospitalised, she was consuming 10-15 tablets thrice a day. 

Founders Sumee and Tanmoy

“At one point, my SgPT level was 100, when the ideal range is supposed to be 0.3-0.6. That’s when the doctor said we should take a break and get off all the medicines. He asked me to come back for a test after two weeks. That’s when I did my own research, read about plant-based therapy and decided to try it. I cut down my consumption of dairy, oil, masala, sugar, meat and processed food. After 2 weeks, my symptoms started subsiding drastically. This was the turning point in my life and I decided to adopt a plant-based lifestyle ever since,” she explains.

The story behind Plant Pot

While her journey of overcoming the disease itself is a miracle, what led her to start the homestay is equally unreal. “Every single night for almost a month, I had the same dream in which I was in a cafe in the mountains serving food to people. I was flabbergasted! Because I was leading a comfortable life, had never imagined quitting my job and I had no clue about the mountains,” Sumee recalls.

Founder Sumee participating in Shangarh's local cultural events

“But I took these recurring dreams as a sign. After a month passed, I started enquiring about the possibilities, explored Himachal, their culture, made a lot of friends and stayed there to do R&D for a while. Eventually, I decided to move and start this place after a lot of struggles, hard work, help from local friends and unconditional support from my partner Tanmoy throughout my illness and journey of starting Plant Pot,” she adds.  

Activities galore for guests 

A guest capturing the green vistas in her art 

The place offers a wide variety of activities guests can participate in. From trekking to the nearby waterfalls and sunset point to playing games like badminton and football in the sprawling green lands, there’s a lot to do here. She also organises movie screenings, live music, karaoke, meditation, yoga sessions, and barbecue nights on the property. 

Tons of activities and games offered for the guests

There is WiFi for those who want to work from the scenic mountains. Sumee has also started curating Himalayan lifestyle products such as coffee exfoliators, hair oils, scented candles and vegan snacks, which visiting guests can purchase. 

“I am calling out to the vegan community to come and try this place, reconnect with nature, and enjoy the soulful food. This is an experience that will certainly offer you peace, rejuvenate your mind and serve as a detox for your soul,” she signs off. 

Snow-capped meadows around Plant Pot Cafe & Homes during Winter
 

QUICK INFO FOR TRAVELLERS

Guest capacity of Plant Pot Cafe & Homes: 12-15 

Room types: Dorms and private boutique rooms with views of apple orchards and valleys. 

How to reach: Land at Chandigarh or Shimla/Buntar airport/railway station, then take a cab to Shangarh. If you are taking a bus, you need to alight at Aut station and take another bus to Sainj. The last bus from Sainj to the property starts at 4:30 pm. 

Address: Tehsil, P.O - Madana, Village - Dhaghara, Shanghar, next to Forest Rest House, Sainj, Himachal Pradesh

Phone: 9015418389

Like this? Read: How to travel in India as a vegan? Best hacks, dos & don’ts, local phrases to know

Read More: The Mountains Are Calling: Set Off On A Luxury PlantBased Trek To Tarsar Lake In Mesmerising Kashmir