So, imagine being up there at 2,909 meters – that’s where Auli is chilling, literally! It’s like this hidden gem in Uttarakhand that not many people talk about, but it’s got everything – snowfall vibes, trekking adventures, skiing thrills, cable car rides, and a front-row seat to Himalayan peaks. And oh, don’t even get me started on the nearby wonders like Badrinath, Hemkund Sahib, and the Valley of Flowers Trek. Auli is like your gateway to all things awesome.
And the views, my friend, are straight out of a dream. Nanda Devi, Man Parvat, Kamet Parvat – you name it, and you can feast your eyes on it from Auli.
Now, if you’re itching to plan a trip to this wonderland, hang tight. I’ve got the lowdown on how to get there, places to visit in Auli, and where to crash for the night. Ready for the deets? Let’s dive in!
How to reach Auli:
Auli is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
By Road: The road is the most affordable and best way to reach Auli. Haridwar and Rishikesh are the base points for the road journey to Auli. There is no direct bus to Auli from Haridwar. Therefore, first, you’ve to reach Joshimath which is situated at a distance of 276 KM from Haridwar, stay there for the night and leave early in the morning for Auli.
Try to leave early in the morning to reach Joshimath by evening because most of the road is surrounded by mountains so you can’t travel during the night. Therefore, you’ve to stay one night in Joshimath to reach Auli.
There are three ways to reach Joshimath from Haridwar – Bus, shared taxi or you can travel by your own car or bike. From 5 AM to 9 AM, you can easily get buses from Haridwar to Joshimath which takes around 8 to 10 hours to reach Joshimath. By evening you’ll reach Joshimath. There are lots of staying options in Joshimath where you can spend a night.
The distance between Joshimath to Auli is around 11 km, which can be covered in two ways – by road or cable car. The cable car is the highly recommended way to reach Auli because it is the second-longest and highest cable car in Asia. It takes around 25 minutes to reach Auli which can cost you around 1000 INR including a return from Auli to Joshimath as well.
The first ropeway ride leaves around 9 AM from Joshimath while the last ropeway leaves around 4:20 PM. And the same timing while returning from Auli to Joshimath. So be aware of timing while returning from Auli to Joshimath, if you miss the last ride then you’ve to stay in Auli. The ropeway tickets are valid for 3 days.
Important info: During the peak season try to book ropeways tickets well in advance. From midnight around 1 AM tourists stand in queue for the next day’s tickets, therefore, most of the tickets are sold out during the morning. So you’ll hardly get any tickets if you arrive there in the afternoon.
From the road journey, you can easily get a shared jeep and taxi in Joshimath that takes around 30 to 40 minutes to reach Auli. The taxi or jeep can cost you around 1000 to 2000 INR from Joshimath to Auli so it’s good to book a taxi from Haridwar to Auli rather than Haridwar to Joshimath. It can help you save lots of money.
By Flight: Jolly Grant Airport of Dehradun is the nearest airport to Auli which is situated just 278 KM away from Auli. From there you’ll easily get a shared taxi or bus to Auli which takes around 7 to 9 hours. Dehradun Airport is well connected to the other major cities of India such as Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Banglore and Goa.
By Train: Haridwar has the nearest railway station to Auli at a distance of 290 KM. From there you have to travel by road to reach Auli which takes around 8 to 10 hours. Haridwar is the base point for the road journey to Auli so here you can easily get a bus or taxi to Auli.
Best Places To Visit In Auli:
1. Auli Artificial Lake:
Have you heard about the Auli Artificial Lake? It’s one of the highest man-made lakes globally, perched near the clifftop in Auli. It treats you to breathtaking views of the majestic Himalayan peaks that can truly bring you a sense of inner peace.
Now, here’s the cool part – during the summer, the government works its magic by creating artificial snow on the ski slopes. So, if you’re into skiing, it’s a double delight! Picture this: gliding down the slopes and then just chilling by the lake, soaking in the beauty of your surroundings.
2. Auli Ropeway:
Auli Ropeway is the second longest and highest cable care in Asia. It is the shortest and most budget way to reach Auli from Joshimath. This 4.5 KM journey offers you some mesmerizing views of Himalayan peaks.
- Fees: 1000 INR for round trip.
3. Garson Bugyal:
Located 3 KM uphill from Auli, Garson Bugyal is the must-visit place in Auli. It is located just 1.5 KM from the last point of Ropeway. From there you need to do the trek to reach up there. During winter you’ll get lots of snow while in summer this place is filled with green meadows surrounded by oak trees and Himalayan peaks.
Summer is the best time for camping and trekking. There is no accommodation in this area so leave on time to return to Auli or Joshimath.
4. Chattarkund:
Located just 3 KM away from Garson Bugyal, Chattarkund is a small sweet water lake that is surrounded by the lush greenery of pine & oak trees and Himalaya’s mountain range. To reach there you need to do a 4 KM trek from Garson Bugyal. This place is famous among honeymoon couples.
5. Adventurous Activities:
Auli is known for its thrilling range of adventure activities. If you visit in winter, you can dive into skiing, snowboarding, take a balloon ride, or enjoy a good hike. Come summer, and the options expand to include trekking, camping, a cable car ride, and even bird watching.
Now, let’s talk about skiing—it’s the superstar activity in Auli. Every year, Auli hosts the National Alpine Skiing contest, kicking off between January and February. If you happen to be in Auli during this time, you can even join in the excitement and participate. And guess what? You can also treat yourself to a 7 to 14-day skiing course.
So, whether you’re a winter enthusiast or a summer seeker, Auli has an adventure waiting for you!
6. Joshimath:
Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Joshimath is an important pilgrimage destination in India where religion and Dharam are considered the 2 main elements of life. This place is famous for its various temples and monasteries such as Narashima temple, Vridh Badri temple, and Joshimath temple.
During winter many tourists visit Joshimath when the idol of Badrinath temple is brought down from Badrinath to Vasudeva temple in Joshimath. Apart from religion, this place is rated as the base point of the Valley of Flower National Park.
In Joshimath, you can see the oldest tree in India, Kalpvriksha which is believed to be 1200 years old. Also here one can see the meeting point of 2 famous Hindu rivers Alaknanda and Dhanuliganga.
7. Nanda Devi National Park:
Just a short drive, about 30 km away from Auli, you’ll stumble upon the incredible Nanda Devi National Park. It’s the ultimate spot to soak in the breathtaking diversity of animals in the Himalayan Peaks. Perched at an elevation of 3500 meters above sea level, right around Nanda Devi’s peak, this park treats you to a sweeping panorama of the Himalayan peaks, boasting lush flora and fauna.
This place is a real gem—it’s a protected area, carefully preserved to maintain its natural beauty. So, if you’re yearning to unwind in the embrace of nature, you’ve found your perfect spot.
8. Chenab Lake
Chenab Lake is a man-made lake situated in Dang village 2 KM from the GMVN guest house. Despite being a man-made lake this place holds a different charm among tourists. Surrounded by the lush green forest of deodar & oak trees with green meadows this lake has peaceful vibes.
This lake is yet to be explored by tourists so you’ll get the untouched beauty. In case of water shortage, this small crystalline lake serves as the water reservoir for Auli village.
- Best time to visit – May to October
- How to reach – Being a hidden beauty, Chenab Lake can be reached only by a trek to the Dang village. Around 10 Km from, Vishnuprayag is the last motorable point to Chenab Lake. The trek is ideal for beginners.
8. Trishul Peak
Trishul Peak is one of the best places to visit in Auli. It is famous for its 270-degree view of the Himalayan mountain range including Nanda Devi Peak. The height of this peak is 7120 meters.
The three peaks that form the Trishul make the shape like a Trishul – the weapon of Lord Shiva and that’s why it is known as the Trishul peak.
9. Kwani Bugyal
Kwani Bugyal is an amazing trekking destination situated 12 KM from Gurso Bugyal. Dotted with lush meadows and forests, Kwani Bugyal offers breathtaking views of peaks like Nanda Devi and Dunagiri. It is a famous tourist spot among adventure seekers who love to explore untouched beauty.
It is an easy trek of 13 KM from Auli. The trek is full of panoramic views, lush green grasslands, forests and snow-capped mountains. It is the perfect place to visit in Auli for an offbeat experience.
- Best time to visit – June to September
10. Auli Chair Lift
It is not a place but an experience that you should enjoy while visiting Auli. Auli Chair Lift is the best way to reach the skiing slopes of Auli. Unlike the Auli Ropeway, it doesn’t have a fixed schedule. However, it keeps running during operational hours. It is located in the GMVN complex of GMVN hotel in Auli.
- Price – 500 INR per person.
11. Narsingh Temple
Narsingh temple is a very ancient temple located in Joshimath, 78 KM from Auli. This temple is dedicated to the fourth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Narasimha half human and half lion.
During the winter season, the idol of Badrinath temple is taken down to Narsingh temple and placed along with the Narasimha idol. Therefore, it is a significant attraction among devotees of Lord Vishnu.
This temple has a very strange prophecy that one day when the right arm of the Narsingh idol falls then a devastating landslide will occur and block the route of Badrinath. Due to that, it is also believed that the right arm of the Narsingh idol is shrinking day by day and scientists also support that.
12. Rudraprayag
Situated 127 km from Auli, Rudraprayag is one of the five Prayag of the Alaknanda river and the meeting point of Alaknanda and Mandakini. Due to the proximity of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Chamunda Devi and Rudranath temple, this place is always busy with tourists.
Along with religious significance, the serene natural beauty of this town will mesmerize you. It is amazing to see the confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini. So, if you’re in Auli don’t forget to visit this place
13. Nandaprayag
Nandaprayag is another important pilgrim site for Hindus and part of panch Prayag. It is the place where Alaknanda meets with Nandakini river. It is believed that a dip inside the confluence of Nadaprayag would wash all your sins.
Famous for religious significance, nature walks, meditation, and surrounding beauty, it is one of the best places to visit near Auli.
Places to stay in Auli:
There are various places to stay in Auli run by GMVN. But we recommend you to stay in Joshimath white exploring Auli, it can help you to save lots of money. As Auli can be covered in one day so it’s good to spend the night in Joshimath where you’ll get various range of hotels from budget to luxurious.
One day is enough to enjoy the most of Auli so don’t need to stay in Auli. Try to stay in Joshimath for budget hotels.
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Haridwar -> Joshimath -> Stay in Joshimath
- Day 2: Joshimath -> Auli via cable car -> Visit the artificial lake, do skiing, snowboarding, balloon riding, horse riding -> Return back to Joshimath to stay
- Day 3: Joshimath -> Auli -> Trek to Garson Bugyal -> Trek to Chatterkund -> Return back Joshimath to stay
- Day 4: Joshimath -> Haridwar
Frequently Asked Questions
What is famous in Auli?
Auli is famous for its Ski resorts, skiing slopes, skiing events, hidden natural beauty and the highest cable car in Asia. If you’re fond of winters and snow then don’t forget to visit Auli this winter.
What are the places to visit in Auli in December?
Auli Artificial lake, Auli ropeway, Auli Ski resorts, Chattrakund lake, Gorson Bugyal, Joshimath, Nanda Devi National Park, Chenab lake and Narsingh Temple are the best places to visit in Auli in December.
What is the best time to visit Auli?
Auli is a year-round destination but the prime attraction of this town is Snow therefore November to March is the best time to visit Auli. April to June is the perfect time to enjoy the rich grasslands of Auli.
Is Auli good for honeymoon?
Yes, without a doubt Auli is one of the most romantic places to enjoy a honeymoon in India. The tranquility and mesmerizing natural surroundings of this town give you the space where you can enjoy a romantic time with each other. You can also engage in fun activities like Skiing and sledge riding as well. The famous Auli ropeway will let you enjoy the spectacular beauty of the Himalayas.