About 18kms northeast of Narkanda is the little village of Kotgarh. Situated just off the old Hindustan-Tibet road, it is where the apple-farming revolution of Himachal originated.
Mostly the entire villagers are Orchardist. The Fruiting season starts may onwards and the commonly sighted fruits are Plums / Apricots / Prunes / Strawberries / Peaches / Pears but the main crop on which the livelihood of the orchardist is the Apple crop. The Season for Apple Blossom in this valley is from August till middle of September. The entire valley is laden with these jewels making it no less than the “GARDEN OF EDEN”.
We recommend visiting Kotgarh either enroute to Spiti Valley, infact its better on the way back since you will be super tired. And it is a perfect weekend getaway from Delhi, actually try and spare at least 3 days. Driving Time from Shimla is approximately 2hrs.
There aren’t too many options for staying at Kotgarh, and you don’t want to keep running around asking villages if you can stay with them. We highly recommend staying at Apple Tree Cottage
They run a nice tour called ‘Apple Blossom Tour’ which is a guided one where an expert Agriculturist walks along with the group and educates them about the various varieties of apples the participants will also are taught how grafting of trees happens to produce this magnificent fruit, followed by how plucking is undertaken in the orchards along with Apple Grading and packing. There are seperate areas which are earmarked for the guests to engage in plucking of the fruit in guidance of expert pluckers.
If your idea of a vacation is too spend some relaxing time and the only noise you hear is of birds chirping and your breathing than visiting this valley is a perfect vacation choice. The location of the cottage is right in the middle of our orchards with trail walks leading all around to explore this laid back quaint place at your pace.
This Pristine valley has many interesting sights to explore. Nearby places of interest are a World Heritage Church / Mountain Lake / Sutlej River / Hatu Peak / Stokes Memorial / Narkanda Ski Slopes / Sadhu Sunder Singhs Cave and many village & forest trail walks to explore. Click here to read more
Some details about the Cottage.
The Cottage is a ‘homestay’ yet equipped with modern amenities , It is a Log cabin with a rustic old look which adds up to the flavour of staying in a village home. All meals are cooked with a personal touch of the family who stay in the Family house a few meters away. The cottage is easily accessible my motor vehicles, a ramp walkway till the cottage for an easy walk.
Don’t think further, simply plan a trip to Shimla either this or next weekend and treat yourself to some fine apples and if you are lucky, you will be in time to taste the local apple liquer.
You can either drive down or its best if you take a bus to Shimla and then connecting buses or Taxis to Kotgarh.
For information on how to book, prices click here or leave your queries in the comments
Sounds like a wonderful getaway !
Yes Ash, it is a great option especially for Delhiites
Great!! I was looking for such a getaway from Delhi 🙂 Will Oct be a good time?
Hi Aditi.. Oct is a good month to visit, it’s pleasantly chilly and pretty green. – thanks
Aditi,
October is a very nice month to travel..Its pleasantly chilly in the evenings..
Aditi,
October is a very nice month to travel..Its pleasantly chilly in the evenings..
Will go to Kotgarh one day.
Voted for you Ishwinder (vote No 59) All the best 🙂
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