Food · Marpha and Jomsom, Nepal
Marpha apple orchards and brandy tasting
Walk through Marpha's orchards, learn how the Thakali village turned from the salt trade to apples, then taste dried apples, juice and the local brandy in a village shop. Best during the August–October harvest.
Photo: Sundar1 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · CommonsMarpha's orchards lie on terraces above and below the village, irrigated by channels from the side valleys. Trees are low and stony walls protect them from the wind. In autumn you see families picking, sorting and drying apples on rooftops. The government horticulture farm near the village helped bring in apple varieties and still works with fruit and vegetable research.
Back in the lane, small shops sell dried apple rings, apricot and apple jam, apple juice and cider, and bottles of Marpha apple brandy. Some sell walnut and buckwheat products too. Ask to taste before buying; most shopkeepers are happy to pour a sip. Drink in moderation at this altitude, especially on your first day.
Finish with apple pie or apple crumble in a lodge kitchen; Marpha's lodges have made them for trekkers for decades. Carry a bag of dried apples for the trail; they are light and keep for weeks.
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Questions
Before you book
When is apple season in Marpha?
Harvest runs from about August to October. Dried apples, jam and brandy are sold all year.
Can I carry Marpha brandy back to India?
Indian customs allows a limited quantity of alcohol in your baggage. Check the current duty-free allowance, and pack bottles well.
Is drinking alcohol at altitude safe?
Alcohol can worsen dehydration and mask altitude symptoms. Avoid it on your first night above 2,500 m and on days you go higher.