Auli -> Rishikesh -> Corbett National Park -> Varanasi -> Agra
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I spent six good days in Auli – skiing, trekking or just having fun indoors. It was time to head back. Getting in and out of Auli is always a painful experience. The long distance to Rishikesh that needs to be covered in the hilly roads is not the most pleasing experience. I was planning to catch a bus from Joshimath, but I met a few people from Bombay who were kind enough to offer to take me with them in their cab. It made things much better than taking a bus.
Reflecting back at the days I spent in Auli, I felt they were well worth the back-breaking journey. I was pretty unhappy to see the lack of snow this year, but the activities that you could do in summer like conditions in Auli are equally interesting.
THINGS TO DO: AULI IN SUMMER
In fact more people visit Auli in summer than winter, taking a short detour on their way to Badrinath temple. Hotel prices in Joshimath increase and you pay 50% more to access the cable car.
The cable car ride offers great views
If you are a day visitor, take the cable car up and enjoy the majestic views of the valley and the mountains on the other side. You get good views of Mt. Nanda Devi from Auli, and go a little higher to have a look at the peaks of Chhang Bhang, Trishul and Dronagiri.
Mt. Nanda Devi, just before sunset
Hire a guide to take you up to Gorsau top or the lake to the right of it. These are the places that get buried in snow in the winter and can’t be accessed. For those looking for a more difficult trek or adventure, Auli is the starting point to trek up to Kuari Pass. The views on the trek are known to be great, but I haven’t been there. Spending a day or two in Auli is worth it if you are here in summer. Early mornings are obviously best time to have a great look at the distant mountains.
See my Auli photo gallery for images from my this year’s trip. Read through the previous posts to know about my trekking and skiing experiences in Auli.
THINGS TO DO: AULI IN WINTER
In winter every thing looks different in Auli. Every inch of ground is covered in snow, and walking in most of the areas is impossible. You can’t climb up beyond the heights which can be reached by cable car. But a casual visitor can still enjoy the abundant snow, and frequent snowfalls. If you love to see snow, it is a worthy trip here even if you don’t intend to ski. Read about my experiences of skiing in Auli last year. Also see the last year’s image gallery when there was a lot of snow.
Auli is full of snow in winter
Of course, it is skiing that attracts many people to Auli. Auli has excellent slopes and you can come here to learn skiing. GMVN conducts introductory courses for seven days and certificate courses that run for 14 days. Instructors are good and the course is worth it.
Also see more about Auli in paintedstork.com
Visit to Auli in 2005
* Images from Auli(plenty of snow)
* Trip report
Visit to Auli in 2006
* Images from Auli(little snow)
* A back-breaking journey: from Rishikesh to Auli
* First Day at Auli
* The days of Skiing
* Spending time in Auli
* Trekking and walking around
* About Auli
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Arun…
Your blogsite is amazing! I love the pictures and your narration. Thanks for all your hard work. Your blogs are going to help many future travellers.
Kudos again
V
Your blogs are going to help many future travellers.
Thank you. That is the intention
Great blog, Arun! I plan my trip to Auli for Feb’2007, and your notes are quite useful. Thank you, and Keep on!
Great Arun, infact I have a plan to visit in end-April 2007 with my big family comprising from 82 yrs father to 3 years old son..any idea will i get a chance to play in snow (i know it is april!!)
April hmm.. Only those who are fit may get to play in snow. You may have to go pretty high up, but I would not really count on it.
..and hard snow, if at all.
hi arun.. read yur reviews about auli.im really impressd dat in such a busy life u make it possible..im student of tourism mangement..u provided me such precious information..once again thank u very much n keep it up..
Arun,
planning to visit Auli, inspired by your blog posting. I planning to visit with my family during mid October’2007. Can I find snow anywhere nereby? Can you tell me where can I find abundant snow during this period of the year?
kchatterjee@nalcoindia.co.in
can you tell me anything at all about sikkim in late january. i have surfed the web extensively and not happy with what i found.Planning a trip late jan 2009
thanks.
Hi Arun,
It’s an amazing blog buddy.. Hey, i am planing to visit auli in may first week….can u please tell em is it a gud time there and how much time will it take to reach auli from rishikesh. I am planing to get a cab from there.
Thanks buddy.
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Hi Arun,
Thanks for the very informative blog. I’m goint to Auli in Feb last week for the 7 day course. Wanted your advice on what to buy and what to rent. Is it sufficient if I carry a heavy sweater and loads of layered clothing from Bangalore? Can I rent out the rest – snow jacket, gloves, gum boots, etc. in Auli?
Regards,
Karthik
Karthik, a very good jacket along with your sweater is best carried from Bangalore. Carry your sneakers, lots and lots of socks (at least 5 pairs, more if possible). You won’t require gum boots in the lodge area and skiing area. Gloves, carry at least a pair of woolen gloves. You will also need a waterproof gloves which you can rent there. Sunglasses are also a must, without which you cant survive the snow. Do let us know on the snow conditions once you are back from Auli.