Auli is a winter destination first: from January to March there is usually enough snow to ski, and the government runs courses. In spring and autumn it becomes a quiet meadow with some of the best mountain views in Uttarakhand, and a stop on the way to Badrinath.
Highlights
- Skiing and ski courses in January to March
- The Joshimath-Auli ropeway
- Gorson Bugyal meadow walk
- Views of Nanda Devi, India’s second-highest peak
- The artificial lake used for snow-making
What to eat
- Garhwali home food
- Hot chocolate and Maggi on the slopes
Where to stay
GMVN resort and a few private hotels in Auli; more choice in Joshimath.
Getting there
Drive from Rishikesh to Joshimath (about 10 hours), then 15 km up to Auli by road or ropeway.
Tips
- Snow is not guaranteed; check conditions before booking a ski holiday.
- The ropeway sometimes shuts for maintenance or bad weather.
- Joshimath has had land subsidence; follow local advice on where to stay.
Best time to visit
Oct-Jun. See what else is good in October and our best time to visit India guide.
Temples and shrines near Auli
- Hemkund Sahib A high-altitude gurdwara by a glacial lake
- Kedarnath Shiva; one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and the Char Dham
- Badrinath Vishnu as Badrinarayan; one of the Char Dham
- Tungnath Shiva; one of the Panch Kedar
Places to see in and around Auli
24 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Valley of Flowers National Park World Heritage Site, 23 km
- Nanda Devi National Park World Heritage Site, 30 km
- Roopkund Lake, 34 km
- Badrinath Temple Temple, 25 km
- Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara, 19 km
- Tungnath Temple, 34 km
- Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks World Heritage Site, 23 km
- Rudranath Temple, 23 km
- Valley of Flowers trek Trek, 23 km
- Roopkund trek Trek, 34 km
- Hemkund Sahib trek Trek, 19 km
- Chandrashila and Tungnath trek Trek, 34 km
- Vasudhara Falls Waterfall, 31 km
- Kalpeshwar Temple, 12 km
- Madhyamaheshwar Temple, 36 km
- Sapta Badri Temple, 28 km
- Jyotir Math Temple, 2 km
- Gopinath Mandir Temple, 28 km
- Satopanth Tal Lake, 31 km
- Homkund Lake, 28 km
- Tapovan Vishnugad Hydropower Plant Landmark, 7 km
- Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary Wildlife sanctuary, 25 km
- Niti Valley Valley, 38 km
- Chopta Valley Valley, 35 km
Food to try in and around Auli
Uttarakhand favourites to look out for.
- Kapa
- Chudkani
- Dubuk
- Jholi
- Bal mithai
- Singodi
- Malai laddu
- Daarim ki khatai
- Munsyari Rajma GI: rice or grain
The full food passport, state by state.
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