farm experience

Apple Picking in Himachal Orchards

Pluck Royal Delicious straight from the tree in Kotgarh & Thanedar

3–4 hours800+2–15Mid-July to September (harvest window)Morning, 8–11 AM (cool + best light)
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About this experience

Spend a morning in a working Himachali orchard — pick your own apples, hear the harvest story from a farmer whose family has grown apples since Samuel Stokes brought the first saplings in 1916, and taste unpasteurised cider straight from the press.

What's included

  • Orchard tour with farmer host
  • Pluck-your-own basket (up to 2 kg)
  • Cider tasting
  • Traditional Himachali snack

Not included

  • Transport (arrange taxi separately)
  • Additional apple purchases beyond 2 kg
  • Overnight stay

What you'll do

  1. 8:00 AM

    Arrive at orchard, welcome tea with pahadi biscuits

  2. 8:30 AM

    Guided walk through the orchard rows — variety identification

  3. 9:30 AM

    Hands-on picking — you keep 2 kg

  4. 10:30 AM

    Cider press demo + tasting

  5. 11:00 AM

    Depart with your basket

What to wear

  • Sturdy closed shoes
  • Full sleeves (branches scratch)
  • Sun hat

What to bring

  • Reusable water bottle
  • Camera
  • Cotton bag for extra apples

Available in

Kotgarh

Birthplace of Himachal apple cultivation

Thanedar

Stokes Farm legacy

Narkanda

Highest-altitude orchards

Manali (Old)

Sept harvest, Kullu variety

FAQs

When is apple picking season in Himachal?

Mid-July to end of September. Royal Delicious peaks in the last week of August.

Can I pick apples in Manali?

Yes but Manali harvest is a fortnight later (September). Kotgarh is the classic orchard experience.