A Memorable Visit to the Apple Bowl of India with Apple Orchard Tours
Natural beauty always attracted and fascinated me since childhood. Looking at the red apples made me wonder how it would be to visit the orchids where these beautiful natural fruits grew. I with a couple of my friends and family members planned visiting apple orchard farms in Himachal Pradesh and particularly Kothgarh that is also known as the apple bowl of India. On my endeavor to plan the trip, I found out that Shikhar Travels organized special apple orchard programs for nature lovers like us. So, we tagged along enthusiastic nature lovers on this amazing trip.
Talking about the tour, it was a 12-day tour that took us to largest apple estates in India at Kothgarh along with other beautiful tourist locations such as Christ Church, Jakhoo Temple, Stokes Farm, Tani Jubbar, etc. We were totally in awe of the natural beauty of Himachal and were informed that an American named Samuel Stokes introduced apple cultivation in Himachal region.
Visiting Apple Orchards of Kotgarh, Thanedar, Sangla & Kalpa
I was totally unaware of the places in Himachal and the tour helped me understand local topography along with the places where apples are actually cultivated. After spending some time in Shimla, we were taken at a higher altitude to experience the natural beauty of apple orchards. We visited the famous apple garden in Thanedar & Kothgarh. Afterwards, we were also informed about the export that takes place from Kothgarh to global destinations.
On our excursion, we also visited Stokes Farm that was established by Samuel Stokes himself after he came on a summer visit to Shimla. He loved the local environment, settled down in Kothgarh and started apple farming that is still thriving to date.
We also got a chance to visit the local apple orchards in Kalpa that is famous for Kinnauri apples. This is where the luscious fruit blooms and I understand how it is so sweet. Being in such a cool and beautiful environment can sweeten anyone.
We also visited the beautiful Sangla valley that is also known for apple production. Other beautiful sights we saw during a hike to Tani Jubbar Lake and excursion to Chitkul etched in my forever memory.
Beautiful natural sights worth mentioning
The tour was not a hardcore orchard tour and also gave us a chance to see the scenic beauty of Himachal Pradesh. Apart from the famous apple orchards, we visited a number of tourist spots in Shimla such as The Ridge, Christ Church and Jakhoo Temple. Every spot had its own historical/religious significance and we were thoroughly informed about the same by our guide.
We also visited the famous Kalpa Monastery and Bhimkali Temple that are known for their amazing architectural styles. Other experiences including the hike to Tani Jubbar Lake made the trip a refreshing retreat from monotonous lives.
Things worth Mentioning: Impeccable Hospitality & Planning by Shikhar
I am not a fan of travel agencies, but the arrangements by Shikhar transformed me overnight. Right from the pickup to hotel accommodation, everything was perfect. No one in the whole group had to worry even for a minute about the personal safety and hygiene, despite the harsh environment and terrains. We were given the chance to indulge in luxury at some of the most luxurious resorts in Himachal Pradesh while on the trip. Moreover, the guides knew everything about the local places and enlightened us in detail, making the whole experience much more fulfilling. If you are planning to do something different, try going on an apple orchard tour with Shikhar. You would not be disappointed even for a single minute.
As told by Vikas, part of Apple Orchard Tour by Shikhar Travels.
For more information email us: tours@shikhar.com