Apple Orchard Farmstay, Yoga & Pottery, HP
Kotkhai· 4.4 · 67 stays
“Nestled in Solitude! This Heaven on the High Hills setup by a retired Indian Army Brigadier and his family is just a private abode to relax and rest your running mind :-). My week long solo stay and a few days with my guests from Chandigarh was a total delight and value for money at The this property in Village this property nestled in the lesser Himalayas...”
“Undoubtedly, a very unique and beautiful getaway property amidst lush green apple orchids. Amazing hosts serving sumptuous home made and healthy food with outstanding hospitality. In addition to wonderful stay and food, the this property offers many interesting activities/ workshops like yoga, pottery and an opportunity for hands on organic farming ... A Mus...”
“What an amazing experience we had last week staying with our family. Located just 15-20 mins before the Narkanda market on the main highway this property seems to have been decorated and developed with some beautiful artistic minds. The service is amazing, rooms are decent to give you a home experience. Few points to consider for are that the house is 2 floo...”
“A very beautiful property to stay at with both rooms and dormitory available. Hill top view with Apple orchards all around. Very close to the Narkanda market place. Home cooked food available. 40-50 steps descending to the Homestay. Parking space for only 3-4 cars maximum.”
Narkanda serves as a base for exploring the wider region, though keep in mind that mountain roads are slow.
A drive towards Manali (about 5-6 hours away) opens up access to the Solang valley for its adventure sports and the Atal Tunnel, the 9km pass that now offers year-round access to Lahaul. In Manali itself, you can visit the ancient Hadimba Devi temple, explore the cafes of Old Manali, or soak in the Vashisht hot springs.
The Tibetan-Buddhist circuit around Dharamshala and McLeodganj is a longer journey (7-8 hours). Here you can visit the Tsuglagkhang complex, the Dalai Lama's monastery. The popular 4-hour Triund trek starts from here, offering close-up views of the Dhauladhar mountain wall.
For adrenaline seekers, Bir-Billing, the world's second-highest paragliding takeoff point, is about a 6-7 hour drive. The peak season for flying is October and November.
The high-altitude desert of Spiti Valley is accessible from the Manali side from June to October. This loop takes you through Kaza, the iconic Ki monastery, and the high villages like Kibber. This is a multi-day trip and requires careful planning.
By Air: The nearest airport is in Shimla (SLV) at Jubbarhatti, but it has very limited, weather-dependent flights. The most reliable airport is Chandigarh (IXC), a major hub in the plains, from where it's a 5-6 hour drive to the property.
By Rail: The nearest major railhead is Chandigarh (CDG). From there, you can hire a taxi. A more scenic route is to take a train to Kalka (KLK) and then board the UNESCO-listed toy train to Shimla, a slow but beautiful journey. From Shimla, the property is another 2-hour drive.
By Road: The home is located on the main highway (NH-5), about 8km before Narkanda town when driving from Shimla.
The best seasons are from March to June, when the snow melts and summer arrives in the valley, and again from September to November, for clear skies and crisp mountain air after the monsoon.
July and August are monsoon months, which can cause landslides on National Highways 3 and 21, making road travel unpredictable. From December to February, the upper reaches around Narkanda, Manali, and Shimla receive heavy snowfall.
