Zostel Home Passu, Dharamshala

Imagine this. You’re sitting by the window in a bucolic room made of a century-old wood, watching as the sun pierces through the sky. Under it, a string of green hills is complemented with a river that gushes down swiftly, merely a few feet away. That’s life here at ZostelX Dharamshala in Passu, a small village lodged on the periphery of Dharamshala. The house is made sustainably with the help of bamboos, clay tiles and wood, slates from local slate mines and a natural water filtering system. Conveniently located away from the tourist crowds and yet near to the scenic attractions, this home offers a balanced getaway between solitude and experiences. The common area is more like a wooden cabin with glass windows, offering mesmerizing views of the greenery. With litchi orchards and an in-house polytunnel in the backyard, a feet-dipping pool, and a garden springing with peculiar plants and flowers, the home is nothing short of organic magic. A small garden behind the house with all the fruit and flower bearing trees is a frequent haunt for birds such as the Russet sparrows, Sibias, Rose Finches, Magpies, Bulbuls, Asian barbets, Tyrant flycatchers, Redstarts and many more. You may also spot Himalayan Griffons, Lammergeiers and Kites catching warmth on the terrace in the cold winters.