“In a dry, high-altitude desert, this whitewashed village is improbably famous as the apple capital of Nepal, brandy and all.”
About Marpha Village
Marpha is a traditional village of the Thakali people, an enterprising community of the Kali Gandaki valley historically involved in the salt and trans-Himalayan trade. In the modern era, apple cultivation was successfully introduced to the area, and Marpha became the centre of Nepal's apple production, famed for its orchards and apple products, adding to its appeal as a stop on the Annapurna and Mustang trekking routes.
What Marpha Village is
Marpha is a striking whitewashed village in the Mustang region of Nepal, set on the Annapurna and trans-Himalayan trail amid a dry, mountainous landscape. Famous as the apple capital of Nepal, this traditional Thakali village is known for its neat stone streets, flat-roofed white houses, and the apples, cider and brandy that grow from its surprising orchards.
Marpha is a striking whitewashed village in the Mustang region of Nepal, set on the Annapurna and trans-Himalayan trail amid a dry, mountainous landscape.
The Apple Capital of Nepal
Despite its arid, high-altitude surroundings, Marpha is renowned for its apple orchards, the result of cultivation introduced and developed in the area, which thrive in the local climate. The village produces fresh apples, dried apples, apple cider and a locally distilled apple brandy that travellers and trekkers prize. Combined with its immaculate traditional Thakali architecture and warm hospitality, the apple trade has made Marpha one of the most charming stops in Mustang.
The Experience
Taking the village's clean, paved lanes between whitewashed flat-roofed houses, visiting orchards and distilleries to taste fresh apples, cider and the celebrated apple brandy, and exploring its monastery and traditional Thakali architecture. The neat, welcoming village, set against dramatic dry mountains, offers a restful and flavourful stop, and its apple products are a memorable highlight of trekking through Mustang.
Why It Matters
Marpha exemplifies the resourcefulness of the Thakali people and the surprising agriculture of the high trans-Himalayan valleys, turning an arid landscape into Nepal's apple capital. As a beautifully preserved traditional village on major trekking routes, it combines cultural charm with a unique local specialty.
Marpha exemplifies the resourcefulness of the Thakali people and the surprising agriculture of the high trans-Himalayan valleys, turning an arid landscape into Nepal's apple capital.
Why Visit
A beautiful whitewashed Thakali village in Mustang, the apple capital of Nepal, famed for its orchards, cider and apple brandy on the Annapurna trail.
✦ Insider Tips
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Taste the local apples, cider and apple brandy.
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Wander the whitewashed Thakali streets and monastery.
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It is a popular stop on the Annapurna and Mustang treks.
