Apple country - Himachal's apple belt

zack2137

zack2137

Leh'd and how!
Was in the Himachal apple orchid valley last weekend and it was harvest time there. Got some juicy shots to share!

All pics from Nikon D5100 + 16-85 (and some used the tele end of 70-300). Bricks and bats are welcome :)


Kotgarh Apple orchids by aashish2137, on Flickr


Kotgarh Apple orchids by aashish2137, on Flickr


Kotgarh Apple orchids by aashish2137, on Flickr


Kotgarh Apple orchids by aashish2137, on Flickr


Kotgarh Apple orchids by aashish2137, on Flickr


Kotgarh Apple orchids by aashish2137, on Flickr



Kotgarh Apple orchids by aashish2137, on Flickr
 
zack2137

zack2137

Leh'd and how!
adsatinder said:
Great Apples !
Great Pics !


There are only Royal Himachal Apples or other varieties too ?
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Thank you.

Apples tend to be more in number and quality depending on the altitude where they are farmed. So by default, apples from Narkanda will be better than apples from Mashobra.

Best quality from this belt (Kotgarh, Narkanda, Rohru) is Royale Himachal (the red ones with uniform streaks). They're classified as A-grade if you can get a box full of similar shape and size. A 15kg box generally goes for 2000-2500 rs in wholesale market.

Then there is Red Delicious. Red Delicious is 100% red, like a plum, no streaks. They are also A-grade but are relatively less juicy.

All red apples are female apples. Golden apples are male apples and are used for pollination. They grow on the same tree but have exclusive branches.

Golden apples also have Royale and Delicious quality but they are considered inferior in general and are therefore cheaper.

Any out of shape/ colour/ texture apples are C-grade and sell for less than Rs. 500 for a 12 kg box.

Fun fact: An apple tree can take 4-5 years to grow and produce fruit sample. An apple tree fully grows in about 7 years and in a good crop season, can yield 400-500 apples. Average life of an apple tree in this region is about 20 years! :)
 
zack2137

zack2137

Leh'd and how!
rahi said:
Thanks for the gyaan..=D>
By the way, any pictures of the place or contact number please.
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You can check their website: http://www.appletreecottage.co.in/

Although I wouldn't recommend this place for a family. The washrooms are common and the accommodation is not the most comfortable. Rather check out Seetalvan in Kotgarh, HPTDC Hatu in Narkanda or even some Air B&B properties in Kotgarh.

Also, please note that the harvest season in Kotgarh has ended, so right now you'll only see leaves on those trees ;)

EDIT: Since a lot of people are asking, I'll post my review of the property in a separate thread later! :)
 
R

rahi

Active Member
zack2137 said:
You can check their website: http://www.appletreecottage.co.in/
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Thanks.

Although I wouldn't recommend this place for a family. The washrooms are common and the accommodation is not the most comfortable. Rather check out Seetalvan in Kotgarh, HPTDC Hatu in Narkanda or even some Air B&B properties in Kotgarh.
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Are you a mind reader..:rolleyes: I have been to Hotel Hatu in the month of June everytime during last two years and always wondered what would be like staying amidst trees laden with apples.

Also, please note that the harvest season in Kotgarh has ended, so right now you'll only see leaves on those trees ;)
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Oh yes. I am planning to take my family there next year. On a side note, driving a four wheeler to kotgarh during season may not be a wise thing to do as the road is barely wide to let one vehicle pass at a time. Which vehicle took you there??

EDIT: Since a lot of people are asking, I'll post my review of the property in a separate thread later! :)
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Thanks in advance.
 
zack2137

zack2137

Leh'd and how!
rahi said:
Are you a mind reader..:rolleyes: I have been to Hotel Hatu in the month of June everytime during last two years and always wondered what would be like staying amidst trees laden with apples.

Oh yes. I am planning to take my family there next year. On a side note, driving a four wheeler to kotgarh during season may not be a wise thing to do as the road is barely wide to let one vehicle pass at a time. Which vehicle took you there??
Click to expand...
May-June is Cherry and Plum harvesting season. But these aren't cash crops and hence not cultivated on a large scale. Apple harvesting in this belt occurs between 5th - 25th August depending on weather conditions. In Kinnaur, harvesting is done as late as September since weather stays colder letting the fruit ripe to its full potential.

The roads are narrow in Kotgarh market which you don't need to cross. Also the roads on Rohru belt are really bad, not these ones. I took my i10 and did not face any issue anywhere :D
 
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