One of the most offbeat places to visit in Uttarakhand, Auli is very popular as a snow skiing destination where the first South Asian Winter Games in India was organized. Auli happens to be one of the most preferred holiday destinations in India that attracts travelers, with impeccable Himalayan mountain views and tranquil and serene conifer lined slopes.
Besides being renowned as one of the best skiing destinations in India, Auli offers a perfect platform to indulge in various enthralling snow activities like snowboarding. It is a perfect winter destination in India for people coming from metros. Find yourself in the vicinity of snow-capped mountain peaks like Nanda Devi and Mana Parvat. If you're out for adventure, Auli will never disappoint you, rather it might surprise you with its views.
Auli is a city located in Chamoli district. Nestled in the lap of Himalayas, Auli is a gorgeous hill-station in Garhwal. It is also called Auli Bugyal, because in Garhwali, Bugyal means mountain covered with mountain grass. It is a small ski-resort spread over 5-7 kilometers and is at an altitude of 10,000 feet.
Auli, also known as Auli Bugyal is a hill station in the Chamoli district of the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand and is a winter wonderland! The perfect spot for skiing and camping! Here the snow-clad peaks look very beautiful, whose height is about 20,000 feet. Deodar trees are found here in abundance here whose smell can be felt in the cool and fresh winds here.
Auli is a popular Himalayan skiing resort and sloping hill station in the north Indian territory of Uttarakhand. It's encompassed by the tall coniferous and oak wood trees, in addition to the Nanda Devi range and Nar Parvat mountain range. A ropeway joins Auli to the town of Joshimath.
In the North of Auli is Badrinath, a popular pilgrimage site, and the Valley of Flowers National Park as well. Its lush greenery and untamed snow leopards and red foxes attract everyone.
Get ready for some adventure in Auli this winter. Auli is a stunning hill station in Uttarakhand and an ideal weekend getaway. If the words camping in the wild, trekking and skiing makes you feel thrilled and excited, you need to head towards this fabulous little town of Auli on a weekend. It is amidst the snowcapped hills and mountains that will take over all your stress, anxiety about travel and tiredness from those long working hours.
Auli is one of the best places to visit in India during winter and summer. This place is extremely cold in winter, and is considered ideal for enjoying the natural beauty and for adventurous activities. One can experience snowfall several times between November and February. It is a wonderful destination for those who like to enjoy skiing, camping, trekking and plan their holiday in a cool place.
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Keep scrolling down the page to know about the top things to do in Auli so that this holiday would remain etched in your memory for many years.
1. Skiing around Auli Lake
This beautiful hill station is bestowed with snow-clad mountains that provide you an opportunity to gaze at the mesmerizing views of the magnificent Mana Parbat, Hathi Parbat, Neelkanth, Bethartoli, Mt. Nanda Devi Kamet, Nar Parbat, and Ghori Parbat. Skiing in Auli is one of the best activities to take part in December when the evergreen oak trees and conifers get covered with thick sheets of snow.
Although the best time to participate in this exciting and enthralling activity is during the winter months but to provide the thrilling experience to the travelers throughout the year, an artificial lake has been constructed here. This nicely constructed artificial lake is the only source to feed the snow guns. Namaste India Trip offers you great deals on Auli skiing tour package so go and grab the deal to live your dream life into reality.
Go to Auli and try skating. There is no arrangement of snow carts and sleds etc. Only skiing and snowboarding can be done here.
Best Time to Visit: Between December and February
Approximate Price: The total cost of accommodation in ski lodges and equipment’s needed for skiing ranges between INR 6000 and INR 22,000.
2. Trek to Gorson Bugyal
You can embark on Gorson Bugyal trek which is a 3 kms trek from Auli, a land of green pastures and panoramic views of coniferous trees and oak trees. One of the most enthralling trekking trails, Auli Gorson Trek that commences from Auli and continues till Gorson Bugyal. The tall alpine trees, lush green meadows, the colorful wild flowers, and the picturesque surroundings double up the fun and excitement of your trekking experience.
At 10,000 feet altitude, 3 km from tower 10, the last one for the ropeway originating from Joshimath lies the Gorson Bugyal amidst the tall ranges of Garhwal Himalayas. Quite popular for the trekkers since this is on the way to Kuari Pass a popular trekking destination. This amazing meadow is covered with snow during the winter.
The captivating and the eye treating views of the Nanda Devi Peak happens to be the key attraction that you get to witness during this physical taxing adventure activity. In simple words, we can conclude that one doesn’t need to give a second thought to their trip to Auli as there is no dearth of reasons to witness the glory of this pictorial wonderland.
The dense pine forest on the way to Gorson is a bonus on this route. A beautiful temple in the solitary pine woods is always there to welcome the tourists. The adventure freak crowd loves Auli only in winter but believe it or not this amazing hill station has so much to offer even in summer especially for someone who loves greenery on the hills and enjoys silence.
You can also trek to Chattarkund, 1 km from Gurso Bugyal known for its sweet water in the middle of a dense forest! Go on a trek to Nanda Devi Peak, the second highest peak in the country through the not-so-wide pathways and catching the amazing sight of the Himalayan ranges. At night, spend quality time with your group around a campfire. Every corner of this amazing place is blissful and charming for an onlooker.
As the temperature rises the field is slowly unleashed, nature then stitches it with green grass and then it is perfectly ready to offer you a green carpet welcome. This place is easily accessible by foot if you stay at Upper Auli or reach the last tower by cable car. Else one can hire a horse for INR 1000 (to and fro charges).
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year but try avoiding the monsoon months (July and August).
Approximate Price: The overall trekking tour costs you between 9000 and 10,000.
3. Camping around Valley of Flowers National Park
Auli is an ideal place for camping. Camping in Auli under the starry sky is another exciting activity to enjoy as this adds extra fun and excitement to your holiday in Auli. Savoring the scrumptious food, participating in fun-filled games, and spending a night of the bonfire are the star attractions of camping in Auli. The mesmerizing views of the sunrise and the cool gentle breeze touching your face take the charm of your holiday notch higher.
If you’re an outdoor enthusiast you shouldn’t miss the opportunity of camping in Auli. Nestled in the hills these camps offer surrounding views of mountains.
Best Time to Visit: March to June is considered to be the most preferred time for camping.
Approximate Price: Camping costs between INR 8000 and 9000.
4. Cable Car Ride to Joshimath
One of the major attractions in Auli is the cable car ride that is popularly called as Gondola by the locals. This happens to be the second highest cable car ride in Asia after Gulmarg and it takes a total of 24 minutes to cover this 4 km long distance. Capturing the mesmerizing views of the majestic Himalayan peaks in the backdrops and the lush green valleys.
Also, the sparkling and the captivating views of the surroundings are a vision to behold. There is a limited sitting capacity and only 25 passengers can accommodate at a time, hence one has to wait for his/her turn.
Tourists can also stay in Joshimath. Hotel fares are less in Joshimath than in Auli. Joshimath to Auli can also be accessed by ropeway cable car. Currently, the fare for the round trip to is INR 1000 and takes 10-12 minutes to reach Auli by cable car. During winter there is extreme cold in high altitude places in Uttarakhand like Auli so keep heavy warm clothes, shawls, thermal wear with you. Enter a hotel or lodge before dusk. The temperature often drops below zero.
Time Required: Approx. 3 hours
Approximate Price: The price of chair lift is around INR 300 per person and it costs you INR 750 for cable car ride.
5. Bird Watching in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve
Another joyful and exciting thing to do in Auli is bird watching as the destination is bestowed with thick alpine forests and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. The other neighboring areas like Govindghat, Joshimath, Pandukeshwar, etc. are surrounded with thick dense forests and hence serve as a habitat to several species of birds.
On your bird watch tour in Auli you get to spot several Himalayan birds like woodpeckers, spotted nutcrackers, eagles, jays, tits, and doves and some other exotic species of birds including Grey Bushchat, Thrush, Himalayan Griffon, Redstart, Finch, and many others.
Apart from this, the beautiful nature can also be enjoyed here. Seeing the sunrise behind Nanda Devi is a very pleasant experience. Nanda Devi National Park is 41 km from here. Apart from this, falling snow and looking at the open sky at night makes the mind happy. Auli is a great tourist destination away from the running life of the city.
Best Time to Visit: It is best to plan your bird watching trip between March and June.
6. Strolling around the Chattrakund Lake
Established at a distance of almost 4 km from Auli and amidst thick dense forest, Chattrakund Lake is a naturally formed sweet water lake that reflects the beauty of blue sky especially on the sunny days. The best thing about this glimmering lake is that it is easily accessible by road and a traveler can spend some really relaxing and mood refreshing moments at this place.
Also, if you are an adventure enthusiast and striving to get enthralled then you must try covering the trekking trail that takes you to this beautiful and crystal clear lake. Get allured by the spectacular sunrise.
7. Hiking to Chenab Lake
Another exciting activity to get enthralled and be spellbound on your holiday in Auli is to go for hiking especially when you are an adventure enthusiast. However, Auli is usually famous as a skiing destination but it offers ample opportunities to enjoy several kinds of fun-filled activities. At an elevation of almost 3380 meters above the sea level, this beautiful hill station is a globally known trekking destination in India.
The best thing is that it is a perfect platform to haunt your trekking skill if you are an intermediate or the first timer as the trekking trail is very easy. The tall oak trees and the lush green meadows are true feast to both eyes and soul.
And if you're not an adventure person, utilize this opportunity to visit Vishnuprayag. It is one of the Panch Prayag named after Vishnu. There is a beautiful Vishnu temple there which you can visit and take blessings. It is 20 km from Auli and can be reached by cab. Come back to Joshimath on the same day for overnight stay.
Best time to go for hiking: June to September
The list of fun-filled activities in Auli doesn't end here as the destination provides ample opportunity to almost every traveler to enjoy their trip to the fullest. If you find this article helpful for your future holidays then do like and share the post with your family, friends, relatives, and other known ones. We would also love to hear your feedback and suggestions so do write them down in the comment box below.