Auli Travel guide – A serene meadows skiing destination

Auli Travel guide: Overview

Like many other hill stations in India Auli is situated in Uttarakhand. Auli is towards the north of the state and forms a part of the Garhwal mountain range. It is at a distance of 16 km from Joshimath on the Badrinath route. The slopes, which are as high as 9000 feet above sea level are covered with dense deodar and oak forests and this often reduces the velocity of the chilly winds to the minimum. The slopes offer a panoramic view of many famous Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat and Dunagiri. Auli is one of the less explore hill stations in India. It is located in the northern state of Uttarakhand which is a new entrant in the tourist map of India. Located in the cradle of snow-capped mountains, Auli is one of the very few places in India where skiing is a major pastime where Auli proves to be an ideal locale for the daring.

Why you must visit Auli?

Auli is the popular destination of Uttarakhand which is cool and vast place where all the tourists wishes to come and spend their precious moments of life in cool environment with adventure activities. Once the Skiing is over the best thing one can do in evening is to take chair out and get treated to great view of snow clad mountains as they keep changing colors every minute the sun goes down. The picturesque location and the lovable weather of Auli are perfect for all visitors.

Auli boasts the Asia's longest cable car and also has a Chair Lift and a Ski-Lift, There is a facility of long Ski-Lift connecting lower slopes to the Top. It is great to just stay in Clifftop Hotel and chill out watching skiers. Weather is very unpredictable at Auli where snow storms are common. Excursion of Skiing, Kwani Bugyal, and View Points, Iconic Trishul Peak, Chenab Lake, Trekking and Nandaprayag, Tibetan Buddhist Temple. Adventure like skiing and trekking, local markets, cuisines, shopping and take photography of majestic beauty is made this place must visit ones in life.

What is unique in Auli?

Auli is a stunning small town lying in the lofty Himalayan peaks. En route to Badrinath, this picturesque hill station in the Chamoli district is blessed with breathtaking natural vistas and is thus a favorite among nature lovers. Auli is a "bugyal" which means meadow in the regional language. Auli is often compared with best ski resorts of the worldly foreigners. Some unique factors of this place are:

• Asia’s Longest Gondola Ride, Chair Car Ride

• 10,000 feet of literal sailing in the air for around 5 km over the white serenity, and some green patches here and there – this is a glimpse into the longest Asian ropeway ride.

• Auli has two different ropeway rides — the Joshimath - Auli Gondola (the longest) and the chair car ride from GMNV to Auli (800 m).

• 360 degree view of the Himalayas, Nanda Devi in particular – all snow clad, white desert, Snow games and amazing photos – for the photograph lives forever

• Best of Sunsets and Sunrises – where Moon shares the sky with the Sun

How to reach Auli

By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 281 km from Auli. Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is a domestic airport located at about 20 km away from city center of Dehradun. Taxi cabs are available from Dehradun airport to Auli, which cost about Rs 4,000. The airport operates daily flights to Delhi. Nearest International airport is Delhi, which is about 500 km away.

By railways: Haridwar railway station is the nearest railhead situated at a distance of 273 km and numerous trains run from here on a regular basis connecting all the major towns and cities of India. From the railway station, taxis and buses are available which can be availed for reaching Auli at an economical cost.

By Road: You are required to catch a bus or taxi to Joshimath in order to reach Auli. Joshimath is well-connected from the major cities of Uttarakhand such as Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Haridwar. Buses are also available from Delhi to Joshimath. From Joshimath, Auli lies at a distance of 10 km and you need to cover this distance by ropeway or by road.

Best season to Visit Auli

The best time to visit Auli is throughout the year except monsoons. But if you want to enjoy the eternal bliss of snow then visit Auli from December end to March. If you are planning a visit to Auli in winters then tourists are advised to bring heavy woolens, caps, socks, gloves, mufflers, pullovers, trousers, wind proof jackets, sunglasses, snow boots, torch and a whistle for personal use.

November to February (below 0 °C): Weather is freezing with minimum temperatures. Snowfall is very common and this time is ideal for skiing. Auli becomes great place in winters.

March to June (around 15 °C):  summers are very pleasant in Auli with moderate climate around 15 °C and ideal for sightseeing.

 July to October (around 12 °C): Monsoons are rainy - temperature is around 12 °C but should be avoided.

July to November: This time offers cool and pleasant climate and the right period to spend relaxing moments in the outdoors.

Airports near Auli

Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (DED)    Domestic    281 km                                                                         

Gauchar Airport (GAD)    Domestic    90 km

Railway stations near Auli

Railway stations near Auli            Distance

Rishikesh railway station              Rishikesh    210 km

Dehradun railway station             Dehradun    260 km

Shopping in Auli

Auli is basically an adventure spot, so there are no signature shopping items and there aren't many shops to head out to and the town almost entirely lacks artisans and craftsmen. But if you must, head out to Joshimath and check out the local markets selling woolen shawls, Tibetan prayer wheels and Kullu caps. Alternatively you can pick up some wooden items and paintings from Dehradun.

Famous food in Auli

• There aren't too many places to head out to, so you’re best dining option would be in the resorts you stay in. GMVN Complex and Cliff Top Resort both have good in-house restaurants that serve Indian and continental cuisine.

• The restaurant at the Cliff Top Resort has an excellent choice of non-veg cuisine at reasonable rates. You can always try out the local eateries for a quick bite and a chance to try out local Garhwali delicacies.

• Pindari is a place that serves local cuisine, a must try are there delicious vegetarian thalis. The Garhwali cuisine consists of a large number of dals, green leafy vegetables and rice. The traditional meat dish available today is the kachmauli, which is stuffed goat seasoned with mustard oil, chilly, and turmeric. At Joshimath, there is an abundance of smaller eating joints.

• The Bhotiya concoction of green tea with butter can still be savored by special request at a few chai shops in Joshimath. For sweet lovers, head out to the local bakeries and confectionaries for a bite of the sweet kheer, Chocolate and Bal Mithai. Or if you can find, try some cone-shaped Singhori sweet.

Events & Festivals in Auli

January to March is attractive with Skiing festivals and National Championships of Snow Skiing.

September is attractive here with Mata Mruti Ka Mela, which is celebrated in nearby Badarinath with many rituals and festivities.

Auli flights

The Jolly Grant Airport located in Dehradun is the nearest airport to Auli. It is at a distance of around 279 km from the hill station. It connects the place with several cities of the country.

Flights from Delhi to Dehradun

Flights name: IndiGo (6E-964)

Timing: 11:20 to 12:05

Duration: 45m (Non Stop)

Flights name: Jet (9W-2829)

Timing: 10:30 to 11:30

Duration: 1h (Non Stop)

Flights from Mumbai to Dehradun

Flights name: Jet (9W-339)

Timing: 3:00 to 18:00

Duration: 15h (1 Stop)

Flights name: Jet (9W-701)

Timing: 11:50 to 14:10

Duration: 2h 20m (Non Stop)

Auli snowfall time

Winters (November to February) are chilly days with average minimum touching near 4°C. Minimum can touch sub zero levels (- 8°C). Snow falling seen very often during winters. These months are perfect for travelers liking chilly climates.

December to February is snow bound and chilly. Keep winter clothes to cover up the body for a visit during this period because this period is ideal for snow skiing.