Auli is one of the prime skiing destinations in the country. Auli’s natural beauty is in its coniferous and oak forests and Nanda Devi and Nar Parvat mountains. Visiting Joshimath is mandatory on your way to Auli. One without the other is just incomplete! Visit Auli Uttarakhand from Delhi or Haridwar to have a peaceful yet fulfilling weekend trip!

Day 01) Delhi/Haridwar to Joshimath/Auli

Delhi has several getaway options for weekends. And one such is Auli Uttarakhand from Delhi. Renowned as a skiing destination, Auli and Joshimath has loads to offer to its visitors. Check out Auli Uttarakhand tour packages and select the best suited for you. 

One can reach Auli and Joshimath from Haridwar/ Delhi by following the given route-

Delhi – Hardiwar – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Srinagar – Rudraprayag – Karnprayag – Gopeshwar – Pipalkoti – Joshimath – Auli

The distance between Delhi to Auli Uttarakhand is 518kms. 

For Delhi to Auli Uttarakhand, you need to make two journeys, from Delhi to Haridwar, and Haridwar to Joshimath. From Delhi, take the Delhi-Meerut highway (NE3) and then NH334 from Meerut to Haridwar. Opt for to take the journey from Haridwar to Auli Uttarakhand by cabs in the city. 

Reach Rishikesh from Haridwar by taking the NH 34 for a journey of 24kms taking 30mins. From Rishikesh, opt for NH 7 connecting Rishikesh to Karnaprayag for a journey of 172km taking 5 and half hours. The NH 107A starts at the junction with NH 7, connecting Karnaprayag to Pipalkoti. From Pipalkoti, take the NH7 route to Joshimath and cover a distance of 36km in 1 hour.  You can opt to take the journey for Rishikesh to Auli Uttarakhand by cab. 

As mentioned before, Auli is 11kms away from Joshimath via road. One can opt for cab services to reach Auli Uttarakhand from Delhi. Make the journey ahead from Haridwar to Auli Uttarakhand by cab services in the city. 

Cover the distance from Haridwar to Auli Uttarakhand by cab. The disrance to Auli Uttarakhand from Haridwar is 293kms. While the distance from Haridwar to Joshimath is 276kms. 

On your way to Auli Uttarakhand from Haridwar , several towns and cities shall fall on your journey which is a great sightseeing option. Some of these cities and towns are Rishikesh, Srinagar, and Rudraprayag. You can opt for travelling from Rishikesh to Auli Uttarakhand by cab. One can explore Adi Badri, Ukhimath, and Devariya Tal in the Rudraprayag district, and Dhari Devi Temple, Gola Bazaar, and Kamleshwar Mahadev Temple in Srinagar on the Auli Uttarakhand from Haridwar travel period.

By travelling on road to reach Auli, get to experience the natural beauty of the state. On your way from Delhi to Auli Uttarakhand, explore the towns and learn about its history.     

Courtesy- Pixabay via Shad Siddiqui

Rishikesh

Rishikesh is a great place to try adventure activities such Bungee Jumping, River Rafting, Rock Climbing, and Beach Camping. It also offers religious sites for visiting such as Ram Jhula, Parmarth Niketan, and Neelkanth Mahadev temple. Also the travel for Rishikesh to Auli Uttarakhand by cab is a great way to explore the city too. 

Courtesy- Pixabay via Jignesh Makwana

Devprayag

Another of panch prayag, Devprayag witnesses the confluence of rivers Alakananda and Bhagirathi. The river Ganga takes birth as a result of the confluence. Legend has it that Lord Rama meditated here after returning from Lanka. Saraswati, the mystical underground river is believed to be the third river which meets the two at Devprayag. By opting for Rishikesh to Auli Uttarakhand by cabs, you can explore the town of Devprayag.  

Rudraprayag

Named after Lord Shiva, Rudraprayag is one of the panch prayag of Alakananda River. The district witnesses the confluence of rivers Alakananda and Mandakini. Rudraprayg is home to the one and only Kedarnath temple. As per Hindu Mythology, Narad Muni prayed to Lord Shiva here to learn music from him. Pleased, Shivji then taught him music in his form of Lord of music, Rudra. Explore the town by opting for Haridwar to Auli Uttarakhand by cab so that you spend time accordingly. 

Courtesy- Namaste India Trip

Karnprayag

Karnaprayag is yet another panch prayag of Alaknanda. It is witness to the confluence of rivers Alaknanda and Pindar. This small town has great mythical connotations. It is believed that Lord Krishna cremated Karna at Karnaprayag after he was hit by Arjuna’s arrow during the Mahabharata war.

Through the scenic route you will reach Joshimath by evening only to mesmerize the beauty this place has to offer- 

Joshimath

Joshimath is one of the sacred pilgrim places for devotees and the place record millions of footfalls each year. And if you are planning to visit Joshimath and confused when to plan the trip, then the best time to visit Joshimath is from April- June or October- Novemer. December and February are generally avoided as the place is susceptible to extreme cold weather. The months of July- Sepetember is also not recommended because of monsoon and landslides.

Day 02) Joshimath local sightseeing

Joshimath is one of the sacred pilgrim places in the state of Uttarakhand and houses several hidden gems one can explore. It is advisable to opt for an Auli Uttarakhand tour package which shall cover as many places as possible for you to travel and explore. 

Courtesy- Official Facebook Page 

Narsingh Temple

Joshimath is known for its Narsingh temple. We all have heard the tale of Narsimha (Vishnu’s 4th Avatar killing Hiranyakashyap) it is said that Narsimha resided at the Narsingh Temple to calm himself; hence the idol of Narsimha is placed inside the temple and devotees. The temple is a highlight of the Auli Uttarakhand tour package. 

It is said that each year the Narsimha idol’s left hand is shrinking and the day it falls off the idol, then that day Jai and Vijay parvat will see a landslide and the entrance for Badrinath will be closed forever. The temple is open for visitation from 07:00 am to 06:00 pm.

Badrinath

Badrinath is located just 44km from Joshimath. The best time to visit Badrinath is in months of May to October.

Courtesy- Unsplash via Lay Naik 

Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Shahib

The Valley of Flowers is 7km from Joshimath and is accessible to tourists only from May to September. Joshimath acts as one of the three bases for treks to Valley of Flowers.

The distance between Joshimath and Hemkund Sahib is just 3km. And the route which needs to be taken goes as Joshimath-Govindghat-Ghangaria-Hemkund Sahib. This religious place is open only from May to September. The valley and Hemkund Shahib are one of the prime attractions in the Auli Uttarakhand tour package. 

Shankarcharya Math

The Jyotir Math located in Joshimath is one of the four maths constructed by Saint Adi Shankaracharya.  It is the Northern Āmnāya Pītham of the four.  The tradition of Hinduism in the math is carried out in the form of education, support studies, and culture.

Jyotir Math

The Jyotir Math located in Joshimath is one of the four maths constructed by Saint Adi Shankaracharya.  It is the Northern Āmnāya Pītham of the four.  The tradition of Hinduism in the math is carried out in the form of education, support studies, and culture.

Tapovan

Tapovan is located just 14km from Joshimath. You can opt for bus, jeep, or cabs to take the 35 min journey. Tapovan is widely known for its natural hot spring, with many believing it to have healing factors.

Gari Bhawani Temple

The Gari Bhavani temple is 6km from Joshimath located on the highway towards Rishikesh. It can be easily reached by availing taxi services here. The temple is well-known for its architectural elements.

Kalpeshwar

This Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is also the fifth temple of Panch Kedar. The temple has a history linked to the legend of Pandavas. It is believed that disheartened with the war, Lord Shiva avoided the Pandavas who came seeking for his blessings. He hid in the form of a bull and on its discovery by Bheema, the bull disappeared and resurfaced in different locations in parts. The hair appeared at Kalpeshwar. The temple is 28km from Joshimath and can be easily reached by cabs or taxis.

Day 03) Joshimath to Auli

Finally make your journey to the skiing destination of Auli. As recommended, opt for auli uttarakhand tour package which covers as many places to explore as possible. 

Gurso Bugyal

Gurso Bugyal is just 1km trek away from Auli.  The best time to visit Gurso Bugyal is in summers and it is recommended to start the early morning and return before evening. There are no accomodations available at Gurson Bugyal, but travellors can stay at Auli which is so near to Gurson Bugyal. There are cottages, homestays and hotels in Auli which you can easily book online.

Auli Skiing

Auli is proudly marketed as a skiing destination in India. The Skiing experience is the top reason which attracts people to Auli Uttarakhand from Delhi. You can find skiing packages starting INR 2500 per person for training, while you can easily have a sort session at about INR 500. Charges for equipment may be additional. December to February is the best time to visit Auli for a skiing trip. 

Kwani Bugyal

12 kilometres from Gorson Bugyal, Kwani Bugyal spot is viewed as incredibly able for adventurers. It comes in the middle of the journeying course of Joshimath-Auli-Gurso Bugyal. It is additionally an extraordinary spot to camp and appreciates in the lap of nature. People wanting to travel over here can come to the nearest bus stands, railway stations and airports. Along with this, there are some amazing hotels and resorts equipped with all the facilities and beautiful views from the hills starting from INR 9,500. The best time to visit over here is between June to September.

Hanuman Temple

Visiting Auli and not coming to the star attraction called Hanuman Temple is not fair. It is accepted that Lord Hanuman rested at this spot while obtaining Sanjivani Buti for Lord Rama’s sibling Lakshman. The temple is one of the reasons which attract people to Auli Uttarakhand from Delhi.

Artifical Lake

The Auli Artificial Lake is Auli’s just man-made lake. It gives a tranquil air alongside a skiing track. Moreover, there is a ski track next to the lake for both newbie and experts. It produces snow during the long distances of summer and cloudburst when snowfall is an uncommon sight. The lake can be accessed through trolleys from Joshimath, which give a consistent perspective on the town of Auli. This artificial lake is a scenic reason why people Auli uttarakhand from Delhi too!

Chenab lake

Seeing lesser footfall, the delightful spot owes the brilliant excellence and serene environment to keep you in wonder. The delightful towns amid rich green trees and plants are appealing for vacationers. People wanting to travel over here can come to the nearest bus stands, railway stations and airports. Along with this, there are some amazing hotels and resorts equipped with all the facilities and beautiful views from the hills starting from INR 9,500. The best time to visit over here is between June to September.

Trishul Peak

One of the most famous Auli traveller places is Trishul Peak which is framed by three Himalayan mountain tops in the western Kumaun. It is arranged at a height of 7,120 meters from ocean level. People wanting to travel over here can come to the nearest bus stands, railway stations and airports. Along with this, there are some amazing hotels and resorts equipped with all the facilities and beautiful views from the hills starting from INR 9,500. The best time to visit over here is between June to September. Travel from Delhi to Auli Uttarakhand to experience this natural beauty. 

Courtesy- Unsplash via Lay Naik

Nanda Devi Peak

Nanda Devi is said to be the 23rd biggest peak worldwide and the second-biggest in India with a height of 7,816 meters. The name comes from the etymological comparable that signifies ‘Happiness giving God’. It is a famous travelling location and gives a 360 degree perspective on its delightful environmental elements. 

Kamet

Kamet is the 2^nd highest peak in Garhwal region and lies in Chamoli district. Its appearance is similar a giant pyramid topped by a flat summit area with two peaks.-

Mana Parbat

Mana Parbat is a 6,794 metre tall mountain, part of the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarakhand India.. Being the 34th highest located within the Uttrakhand, one of the important feature of this parvat is that it is all surrounded by glaciers and rivers. Manav parbat is also a source of activities as trekkers climb the parvat from Auli region.

Dunagiri

Dunagiri is considered as one of the highest peaks in Chamoli district. The peak finds its mention in the Hindu epic Ramayana.

Day 04) Auli/Joshimath to Haridwar/Delhi

We leave for Haridwar/ Delhi after breakfast around 10am. Your visit to Auli Uttarakhand from Delhi comes to an end once we reach Delhi. You can also wish to explore cities and towns on your journey back to Haridwar. 

FAQ’s

Paromita Gupta is a final year MA. Journalism student at the University of Delhi. She is an avid reader with her favourite authors being Khaled Hosseini and Chitra Divakaruni Banerjee. In the meantime and pre-covid days, she liked to play tennis and football. Also, she paints in her free time.