9 nights 10 days
Private Jeep
Local Farm House
Annapurna Region
Apple Trails of Manang is a 5 nights / 6 days immersive agro-tourism and Himalayan exploration experience that invites travelers to live with local apple-farming families in the high-altitude valley of Manang. Designed for conscious and slow travelers, the journey blends authentic farm life, cultural exchange, and scenic alpine exploration, offering a deeper connection to people, place, and purpose.
The trip takes travelers from Kathmandu into the trans-Himalayan landscape of the Annapurna region, where they stay in a traditional apple farm homestay and actively participate in daily farming routines. Guests work alongside farmers in apple orchards, learn high-altitude agricultural practices, and experience Manangi food culture through shared meals and storytelling. This hands-on engagement provides a genuine understanding of rural livelihoods and sustainable mountain agriculture.
Beyond farm life, the experience includes gentle explorations of Manang’s dramatic natural surroundings, such as hikes to Ice Lake and nearby alpine lakes, visits to monasteries and villages, and acclimatization walks offering panoramic views of the Annapurna range. Community interactions with local schools or cooperatives add further depth, highlighting the social and environmental challenges faced by mountain communities, including climate change and migration.
More than a tour, Apple Trails of Manang is a meaningful travel experience that supports local farmers, promotes agro-tourism, and encourages responsible tourism in Nepal’s high Himalayas. It is ideal for small groups seeking authenticity, cultural immersion, and a slower, more purposeful way to explore the mountains.
Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, guests are warmly welcomed and transferred to their hotel for check-in and rest. After settling in, the group participates in a tour briefing and orientation session, where they are introduced to the itinerary, safety protocols, cultural etiquette, and the volunteering program in Manang’s apple orchards. This session provides an overview of the highland farm life experience, expected activities, and opportunities for meaningful interaction with local farmers and communities. The evening is free to relax, recover from the journey, and prepare for the adventure ahead.
After breakfast, the drive continues deeper into the Manang valley, passing through scenic villages such as Pisang, surrounded by apple orchards, prayer wheels, and pine forests. Frequent stops are made to enjoy views of Annapurna II and III. Upon arrival in Manang, guests are warmly welcomed by local apple-farming families and transferred to an apple farm homestay. An orientation session introduces the Manangi lifestyle, high-altitude apple farming practices, and daily rural routines, followed by a traditional home-cooked dinner with the host family.
This day is dedicated to living and working alongside local farmers in Manang. Guests actively participate in daily farm activities such as apple orchard care, compost preparation, irrigation support, animal feeding, or seasonal apple harvesting. These hands-on experiences provide insight into sustainable mountain agriculture and the challenges of farming at high altitude. In the afternoon, travelers assist in preparing traditional Manangi meals and learn simple apple-processing techniques such as drying apples or making local pickles. The evening is spent sharing stories, cultural exchange, and enjoying a peaceful night at the apple farm homestay.
After completing light morning farm chores and breakfast with the host family, guests set out for a scenic acclimatization hike to Ice Lake (Kicho Tal) and nearby alpine lakes, surrounded by panoramic views of the Annapurna range. The hike offers an opportunity to experience the raw beauty of Manang’s high-altitude landscape, glacial terrain, and pristine mountain waters. A packed or picnic lunch is enjoyed along the trail. By afternoon, guests return to the apple farm homestay to continue living with the local family, relax, and reflect on the day’s adventure. Dinner is shared with the farmers, strengthening cultural bonds and understanding of mountain life.
Following breakfast, guests spend time interacting further with the local community. Depending on availability, visits are made to a local school, monastery, or women’s cooperative to learn about education, culture, and community initiatives in Manang. Discussions with farmers focus on climate change, apple farming sustainability, and rural livelihoods in the Himalayas. The day concludes with a farewell dinner hosted by the farming family, celebrating shared experiences, cultural exchange, and meaningful connections formed during the stay.
After an early breakfast, guests bid farewell to their host family and begin the return journey to and Besisahar via Chame. The scenic drive through the Marsyangdi valley offers a final glimpse of Manang’s dramatic landscapes. Lunch is taken en route, and arrival in Beshisahar is expected by late afternoon, marking the end of an enriching agro-tourism and Himalayan exploration experience.
After breakfast in Besisahar, the journey continues with a scenic drive to Pokhara, following river valleys and rolling hills. Upon arrival, guests check in to a lakeside hotel and enjoy a relaxed afternoon in the City of Lakes. The day is free to unwind—stroll along Phewa Lake, enjoy boating with reflections of the Annapurna range, visit cafés, or simply relax after the highland journey. This easy-paced day offers a smooth transition from mountain life to urban comfort, allowing time to reflect on the farm stay, alpine hikes, and cultural experiences of Manang.
The day begins early with a peaceful boating experience on Phewa Lake, as the calm morning waters reflect the Annapurna range and the surrounding hills. This serene moment offers a gentle start to the day and a chance to soak in the beauty of Pokhara at sunrise. After breakfast, the journey continues with a scenic drive back to Kathmandu, following river valleys and hillside roads. Lunch is taken en route, and arrival in Kathmandu is expected by evening, marking the conclusion of a meaningful journey that blended farm life, highland culture, alpine landscapes, and community interaction in Manang with relaxation in Nepal’s lake city.
After breakfast, the day is dedicated to a full-day cultural exploration of Kathmandu, with a special thematic focus on understanding the life and traditions of the Living Goddess Kumari. The sightseeing begins in Kathmandu Durbar Square, where guests visit Kumari Ghar and learn about the centuries-old tradition of the living goddess, her daily lifestyle, spiritual significance, and the unique cultural practices surrounding her existence. Guided storytelling provides deeper insight into Newar culture, rituals, and the historical context of the Kumari tradition.
The day continues with visits to other key heritage sites of the Kathmandu Valley, such as Swayambhunath Stupa or nearby traditional neighborhoods, offering a broader understanding of Nepal’s spiritual and cultural diversity. In the afternoon, guests enjoy free time for shopping in local markets and artisan shops, ideal for purchasing handicrafts, souvenirs, and locally made products.
In the evening, the group gathers for a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant, featuring authentic Nepali cuisine and cultural ambiance. This final gathering provides an opportunity to reflect on the journey—from living like a farmer in Manang to exploring Nepal’s cultural heart—and celebrate shared experiences before concluding the trip.
On the final day of the journey, after breakfast, guests are transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, for their onward flights. This marks the conclusion of the immersive Apple Trails of Manang experience, leaving travelers with lasting memories of highland farm life, alpine landscapes, cultural discoveries, and meaningful interactions with local communities in Nepal. Safe travels!
Experience
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