A ski slope and meadow above Joshimath with wide views of Nanda Devi and nearby peaks.
FamousSnowMeadowTrekAdventure
Auli is one of the few places in India with proper ski slopes, running from about 2,500 to 3,050 metres, and beginners can take short lessons here. Outside the snow months it is a quiet meadow with easy walks and views of Nanda Devi, Kamet and Dunagiri. It suits first-time skiers, families who want snow, and walkers who want a short Himalayan trek.
Trip planner
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| December to March | Snow season. Temperatures range from about 7 C down to minus 4 C or lower, with the most snow in January and February. Heavy snowfall can block the road up from Joshimath. |
| April to June | No snow on the slopes, about 10 to 15 C by day. Good for walking to the meadows and for clear mountain views. |
| July to September | Monsoon. Cloudy with rain, about 7 to 18 C in July. Landslides and road closures are common on the highway from Rishikesh, so this period is best avoided. |
| October to November | Rain eases and the roads are usually better. Cold and clear, before the main snowfall. |
The main slope drops about 500 metres over 3 km. An 800 metre chairlift links the lower and upper slopes in 5 to 10 minutes, and gear and instructors can be hired in season.
A man-made lake beside the ski slopes, built to supply water for snow-making. It is a good spot for sunrise and sunset views of the peaks.
A high meadow at about 3,050 metres, ringed by oak and conifer forest, with views of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Dunagiri. The walk up is easy and suits beginners.
A small lake in the forest, reached by carrying on along the trail past Gorson Bugyal.
A cable car of about 4 km that climbs more than 1,100 metres from Joshimath to Auli in 20 to 25 minutes. Its current running status is disputed, so check locally before planning around it.
The main temple of Joshimath, dedicated to Narasimha and linked to Adi Shankaracharya. It is counted among the 108 Divya Desam temples of Vishnu.
A village known for its hot springs and local village life, on the road beyond Joshimath.
Worth a stop on the drive from Rishikesh, the last stretch whether you arrive by train, bus or air. Stopping needs a taxi or your own vehicle; buses do not wait. Distances are by road.
Where the Bhagirathi and the Alaknanda meet and become the Ganga. It is the last of the Panch Prayag (five holy confluences). Steps lead down from the town to the sangam, with the old Raghunath temple above it.
Temple of Dhari Devi, worshipped as the guardian goddess of the Char Dham, set on the Alaknanda between Srinagar and Rudraprayag. The shrine was raised onto a platform above the river in 2013 because of the dam reservoir. A short walk down from the highway.
Confluence of the Alaknanda and the Mandakini, one of the Panch Prayag. The roads to Kedarnath and Chopta branch off the Badrinath highway here. Koteshwar Mahadev, a cave temple on the Alaknanda, is about 3 km away.
Confluence of the Alaknanda and the Pindar, one of the Panch Prayag, linked in legend with Karna of the Mahabharata. The Uma Devi temple stands near the sangam.
Confluence of the Alaknanda and the Nandakini, one of the Panch Prayag. A small town on the highway with ghats at the sangam and the Gopalji temple.
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Private operators run package tours to Auli from Delhi with road transport included, usually staying in Joshimath or a campsite and going up to Auli by ropeway or road. Short 3-day group departures were listed for October to March at about Rs 7,000 to Rs 7,500 per person on quad sharing, and a 5-day cab tour at about Rs 14,900. No government-run tour with transport to Auli was found; GMVN's winter skiing courses at Auli (January to March) appear to cover training and stay only.
| Operator | Trip | From | Length | Price from | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Go4Explore Private operator | Group tour to Joshimath and Auli with transport | Delhi | 3 days / 2 nights | ₹7,499 per person Delhi to Delhi, quad sharing, as listed on the operator's site on 2026-10-04. Triple and double sharing cost more. | Tempo traveller or cab from Delhi and back, 2 nights in a Joshimath hotel on sharing basis, 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners, trip captain. Batches listed for October to January. The Joshimath to Auli ropeway is in the itinerary. |
| Enlive Trips Private operator | Group tour to Auli and Joshimath with transport | Delhi | 3 days / 2 nights | ₹6,999 per person Delhi to Delhi, quad sharing, plus 5% GST, as listed on the operator's site on 2026-10-04. Triple sharing Rs 7,499 and double sharing Rs 7,999, each plus GST. | AC coach from Delhi and back, 2 nights in a campsite, 2 breakfasts and 2 dinners, tea and snacks, guide and coordinator. Dates shown on the page were for January to March and June. |
| Chardham Tour Private operator | Package tour by cab: Rishikesh, Joshimath and Auli | Delhi | 5 days / 4 nights | ₹14,900 per person Per person, twin sharing, shown as a discounted price (regular Rs 18,500), as listed on the operator's site on 2026-10-04. | AC cab with driver and hotel pick-up and drop in Delhi, hotels on twin sharing, breakfast, lunch and dinner, sightseeing in Rishikesh, Joshimath and Auli, Joshimath to Auli ropeway (as stated on the page). |
Checked online on 2026-10-04. A listing here is not a recommendation; we have no tie-up with these operators. Before you pay, check that the operator and its website are genuine, and confirm dates, price and what is included.
| Budget level | Type | Price per night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Homestays and simple hotels in Joshimath, basic rooms and camps in Auli | ₹1,200 to ₹2,500 |
| Mid-range | Hotels, eco lodges and resorts in Auli, usually with breakfast | ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 |
| Luxury | Top resorts in Auli with mountain views | ₹8,000 to ₹13,000 |
Auli has very few separate restaurants, so most visitors eat at their hotel or resort, often on a meal plan. Joshimath has more dhabas and restaurants, serving mostly North Indian food and Garhwali dal, greens and rice.
Vegetarian food is the norm at dhabas and hotels.
| Budget level | Stay per room | Food per person | Local transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹1,500 | ₹500 | ₹300 per person |
| Mid-range | ₹4,000 | ₹900 | ₹300 per vehicle |
| Luxury | ₹12,500 | ₹1,200 | ₹500 per vehicle |
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
| Budget level | What | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range | Taxi, Joshimath to Auli and back | about ₹4,000 |
| Luxury | Taxi, Joshimath to Auli and back | about ₹4,000 |
No permit is needed for Indian nationals to visit Auli. Carry a photo ID for hotel check-in.
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Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.
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