Auli
In the Northern Indian region, Auli, Uttarakhand is known as the skiing capital of India and is kid-friendly and picturesque. Auli was previously a paramilitary base and has become a popular tourist destination due to its slopes. If you want to have a unique winter experience, this is your best chance Auli offers several winter sports to try.
Auli is located at an elevation of 2800m amidst wide oak and coniferous forests making it an ideal location to view the majestic Nanda Devi mountain (India’s second highest) which is 7816m tall. Auli is a base for many popular trekking locations such as Gorson Bugyal, Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara, Nanda Devi, and Tapovan.
Attractions Near Auli
Gorson Bugyal
Gurso Bugyal or Gorson Bugyal is a picturesque meadow and it is located around 3 km from Auli and it is nestled in a thick forest of oaks and conifers. This grassland is located at an elevation of 3,056 meters, which is dominated by eye-catching green in the summer and looks mystical in the winter when covered by snow.
It’s an easy trek for the novices, with incredible views of the Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Dron Parvat mounts. This site is also approximately 1.5 km from the last station of the ropeway which is located in Auli.
Chattrakund
Chattrakund is situated one km farther than Gurson bugyal, thus it is around 4 km away from Auli. This small lake, which is 3,300 meters above sea level and is situated among lush green vegetation and offers a wide view of the mountains nearby. People have a soft spot for this place because of the natural beauty and calmness that it affords.
Auli Artificial Lake
It is the most elevated man-made lake on earth and it exudes a quiet and peaceful atmosphere. Set against the luxuriant green slopes, the flawless turquoise lake looks picture-perfect and can be reached by a cable car. In the middle of winter, when snow covers the grass, it looks like a white blanket with a sparkling lake situated in the center of it.
Trishul Peak
Trishul Peak is an amalgamation of three Alps mountains that are found in western Kumaun and runs at a height of 7,120 m. The particular group is over 7,000 m and is the first of its kind to have been climbed all the way back in 1907. Singularly, this peak is good to be observed from Kausani or the Roopkund Trek, while dwarfed slightly by the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, which it envelops, this peak sits firmly on the southwest hand of the sanctuary. As per Hindi and Sanskrit, it is called Trishula, which is both a three-prong shape and a holy tool of Lord Shiva. The broad addition of Trishul surrounds the uppermost triangle and encapsulates the sanctuary.
Rudra Prayag
That being said, I believe Mother Nature has fully blessed Rudraprayag once you take in the views the town has to offer, gaze into the glorious Panoramas, and embrace the true beauty. The particular town takes its origin from Lord Shiva, who is often referred to as Rudra which is in abundance throughout Rudraprayag.
Joshimath
Joshimath, alternatively spelled as Jyotirmath is a picturesque hill town in Chamoli district, up at an impressive altitude of 6150 feet in the Gharwal region of Uttarakhand. Joshimath happens to be one of the four ‘maths’ established during the 8th century by Adi Guru Shri Shankaracharya.
It became a religious hub for Hindu devotees and is also known to contain math dedicated to the Hindu scripture – The Atharva Veda. Located at the intersection of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga, Joshimath serves as a winter retreat for Lord Badri, wherein the idol moves from Badrinath to Joshimath.
View Points
Such views can be breathtaking in Auli due to its location as it is encircled by high towering mountains among them Nanda Devi (7817 m). Visitors can get a cable car ride and overlook the beautiful scenario.
The Hanuman Temple is believed to be the location where Hanuman rested when he was heading toward the Himalayas alongside the Sanjivani that was needed to save Rama’s younger sibling Laxman.
What To Do
Skiing, trekking, and Auli ropeway
The location of Auli is breath-taking to begin with, Auli has ideal 5 km slopes for both advanced and learner skiers. Auli also boasts of having one of the largest controlled jumps in India.
A ski lift that extends from Auli to Gornson which is located just above Auli making it easy to access. There are facilities available for renting skiing equipment and also classes to take up skiing.
Trekking
There are a variety of trekking options available at Auli, one can even trek to some of the high summits like Dunagiri, Mana Parvat, Kamat, and Nanda Devi.
The distance from Joshimath to Auli is around 14 km, traveling through untamed woodland with a mixture of meadows, auli is a nature lover’s perfect blend of beauty and serenity.
Another spectacular view available at Auli is the Gurson meadow sky, located just 3 km away from Auli, it also links up with Kuari Pass.
Auli Ropeway
Exactly opposite to Auli is Joshimath, and this is where all the excitement begins as you take the cable car ride towards Gursan over Auli which passes through astonishing viewing points like hilly patches and alluring traditional Indian forests.
The Nagaland mountains have never failed to impress and with the cable car that runs between Gursan and Auli over the Nagaland slopes- the experience is unforgettable.
best time to visit
Shifting our focus to the beautiful hill station of Auli, which is located in the Garhwal Region in Uttarakhand, India, it is famously known as Auli the “Skiing Resort of India”. Set within towering snow-capped mountains, Auli is beautifully set amidst stunning vistas, green meadows, and a plethora of options for outdoor activities. Depending on your preference, Auli can be visited at different times of the year whether you are an outdoor winter lover or just want to relax at the mountains. Further in this article, we describe the optimal time to visit Auli and the accompanying seasonal highlights.
Winter Wonderland (December – February)
Auli is best known for its skiing resorts and the snow sports that they offer which makes their winter season from December to February a blend of enchantment alongside charm. The entire national park turns into a thick blanket of snow which gives respite to the blistering heat and creates the perfect environment for adventurists. It is safe to state that if you love winter sports, the ideal time period to book your trip to Auli is during the winter season.
Key Highlights:
Skiing: Renowned across Asia for its skiing slopes, Auli offers resorts and tracks suitable for ski lovers whether you are an import, intermediate or professional skier. The hills offer excellent skiing slopes ranging from 2500 to 3050 meters above sea level which are in good condition and draw many winter sport enthusiasts from around the world.
Snowfall: One of the best views that Auli has to offer is its snowfall which can only be seen during the winter season. The snowfall is sure to appeal to many photographers for its magnificent visuals and a winter fan if you just love playing in the snow.
Auli Skiing Festival: The event takes place on an annual basis and has trained skiers and non-skiers coming over to partake and enjoy the skiing tournament along with cultural events.
Temperature: The seasons and temperature for Auli range from -2 to even 10 degrees which requires heavy woolens and snow boots to be a must in your packing.
Spring Perfect weather (March to April)
Starting end of June Auli starts shedding the winters coat and Auli Is welcoming the new sets of session spring starting from March to April. This session is ideal for anyone who wants to see breathtaking glaciers turning into green fields.
Attractions:
Weather: The snow starts to melt combined with warm weather the temperature ranges from 7 -15 degrees which is suitable for short hikes.
Flora Fauna: The stunning meadows that are present in Auli begin their transitioning into blooming flowers with snow caps and gigantic Himalayan peaks forming the backdrop pillar of these meadows.
Trishul Peak: Trishul peak is among one of the few spots that has a clear view during the season which combined with no cloud cover allows for easy viewing of other portions of the Himalayan range.
Other Activities: Along with exploring and having a bird watching experience spring also allows for easy coverage of the Auli region alongside areas like Joshimath and Chenab Lake.
Summer season (May to August)
Auli sees summers as a time of calm which allows people the chance to escape the scorching heat that the rest of the lower region tends to receive.May-August is the most ideal time to visit Auli as the weather is mildly cool and there are various activities to take part in. Here we mentioned some top things to do in Auli:
Highlights
Temperature: Day temperatures stay between 10 to 20°C which is suitable for those wanting a break from the high temperatures in the plains, while at night it might drop to round 5-10°C.
While in Auli, the summer months offer breathtaking views of the Nanda Devi, Kamet, and Dunagiri mountains, which alongside the stunning greenery around the snow-capped peaks offer an excellent view.
Auli to Gorson Bugyal: This moderate trek allows one to appreciate rolling meadows alongside thick oak forests as well as alpine flowers, giving a stunning view all around.
Chattrakund Trek: Offering scenic views of a calm lake that is located in a beautiful setting, this trek is one of the most ideal moderate treks you can partake in.
Kuari Pass Trek: Also referred to as the Lord Curzon’s Curse this trek offers amazing views of the surrounding mountains and is said to be among the better trekking locations in Uttarakhand.
For those looking to ride a cable car, Auli holds the longest cable car in Asia, located in Auli, it provides riders with stunning views of the mountains as well as the valleys.
Mountain Biking: The terrain of Auli is more suited for mountain biking thanks to the trails which provide
Monsoon season (July to September):
July to September is known as the monsoon season in Auli, where it experiences a moderate amount of rain to heavy rain that expands the green cover across the region. Sadly this cover comes with not being recommended to everyone due to the nature and possibility of blocked roads or landslides.
Attraction Overview:
Lush Scenery: The rain does indeed add a degree of life to the flora in the region which makes the meadows and forest of Auli seem vibrant.
Peaceful Escape: Due to Auli being off the radar for many tourists in this period, it is the perfect place for people wishing to get away from nature.
Adventure Risks: Little outdoor activities and trekking are possible in the region during the monsoon season, but the geography and landscape is beautiful enough for the intrepid explorer to enjoy.
Temperature: As previously mentioned, the temperature can be expected to be between 10 degrees to 15. The weather is quite thick, though mildly cold, with humid conditions prevailing.
Autumn Serenity (October to November)
In Auli, autumn is more of a shoulder season, which means the weather is still nice, but the number of tourists is reduced. This means that this is an excellent time for trekking and exploring the land.
Area of interest:
Clean Upper Limits: This period is post-monsoon and thus basks in the warm sun, and hence the angle of vision soars due to sun rays radiating off mountains and valleys.
Best Period For Trekking: The time best suited for treks like Gorson Bugyal Trek and Nanda Devi National Park Trek is now.
Average Hampered Conditions: Autumn is relatively comfortable, with temperatures reaching 5 degrees to 15 degrees, and suitable for many outdoor activities and sports.
Photo Opportunities: The dark golden shade of the autumn leaves against white capped mountains is great for pictures.