The Apple Heaven-Thanedar

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Lots of Apples, tangy red Cherries and the smell of pine and conifers in the cool refreshing mountain air welcomes you to Thanedhar. Thanedar is located approximately 80Kms from shimla,the nearest town is Narkanda which is 14kms away. Apple cultivation was pioneered here by Samuel Stokes a social worker,who saw the abject poverty among people. All throughout this beautiful hamlet you will find apple trees with their boughs heavy with the bountiful fruit.You can drive around 68Kms from Shimla crossing Dhalli ,Kufri, Fagu, Theog, Matiana then to Narkanda. Thanedar is around 16 Kms from Narkanda.
From Narkanda you can visit the famous Hatu Peak (7Kms)and the famous Hatu temple.The Hatu trek is a relatively easier on those not divulging in the more rigorous and difficult ones.All throughout the habitation is different conifers forest.You can find beautiful rhododendron,walnut,fir , the omnipresent pine trees which i have somehow started to love all along the trial.Hatu Mata temple is a must visit because you can have a beautiful 360 degrees view of the mountains as well as the picturesque villages dotting them.Close to the temple there is a campsite famously called as the Jor Bagh campsite.Its always wiser to carry essentials like water a few snacks because there isn’t much except a few Chai stalls near the Hatu Mata Temple.I enjoyed my refreshing cuppa amidst the beauty.Enroute Thanedar you will come across small but a beautiful lake known as the Tani Jubbar lake(13 Kms from Narkanda).It has the famous Nag Devta temple and luckily when we visited the place a was fair going on.With much local fanfare there were volleyball matches being played ,small stalls withe eatables to little trinkets were on display.The whole panaroma was a colourful affair.
Time just stands still in Thanedar .The local hospitality just makes everything too perfect. Home stays are common in these areas. Be sure to carry a few jackets with you ,unlike the plains the temperature here drops really low in the night. You get to taste Himachali cuisines topped with oodles of warmth of the Himachali people not to forget a basket full of cherries and peaches were bestowed upon us with love.We ended up buying quite a lot of cherries.with our wicker baskets on we had lots of fun in plucking as well as gorging on the berries ourselves .Just look around and you have numerous orchard covering the slopes. You will spend lazy days just walking in around this beautiful place.Its surely an ideal cozy and laidback getaway. I really don’t know whether i will come back here but this beautiful Himachali hillstation will remain etched in my memory forever.
How to Reach- You can drive around 68Kms from Shimla crossing Dhalli ,Kufri,Fagu,Theog Matiana then to Narkanda.Thanedar is around 16 Kms from Narkanda.
Where to stay-Sunset view hotel,Thanedar which is located in the midst of an apple orchard.Its close to circuit house.It has clean rooms which are really economical with some amazing views.

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Photos

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The jhubbar lake

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sunset

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gorging on cherries

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random clicks

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Small apples

Photo 9
Thanedar in Twilight