Auli is a hiking and ski destination in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand. Surrounded by the Lower Himalayan Mountain ranges, it is the most non-commercial hilly getaway you can find in the state. If you love the mountains, snow, or just the pristine beauty of nature, it is indeed a paradise. Tourists throng into Auli during the skiing season from Dehradun by renting a chauffeur driven cab.
Things to do in Auli
Auli tourism is more than its beauty. Apart from the standard sightseeing, you can enjoy fun adventures on your tour.
Auli is a popular ski destination and is also known for other snow sports. You can stay by booking an Auli ski resort and skiing across the snowy slopes for a few days. This is only available if there is snowfall during the winter months. You can also try snow camping here.
Don’t miss the Auli ropeway. The ropeway or cable car is a local transportation and fun tourist activity. The trip spans 4 km and lasts for about half an hour. It starts at Joshimath and ends at Auli, riding over 9875ft. with bird-eye views of the Himalayan peaks and valleys.
Try a homestay. While there are plenty of resorts and hotels, a local stay here will expose you to daily life and the native people and give you the real flavor of this sleepy little Himalayan hamlet.
Shop for local goods, handcrafted souvenirs, and more at the Auli market. Although the market is not very prominent, it is a small community of skilled artisans and native Garhwalis and Nepalese where you can learn about local art and culture.
Places to visit in Auli
Artificial Lake
A pristine artificial lake perched atop a hill. It is one of the world’s highest artificial lakes, made to provide artificial snow on the ski slopes during scanty rainfall. The lake and its surrounding areas offer tourists pristine views and fun lakeside activities.
Joshimath
The nearest central town, Joshimath, is a significant religious site and pilgrimage destination for Hindus. The Badri idol of Badrinath is moved to Joshimath every winter for pilgrims to visit. It sits at a height of 6150ft, on the confluence of Alaknanda and Dhauliganga Rivers, and offers stunning views of mountains and valleys.
Gorson Bugyal
Sitting at an elevation of 9000 ft, Gurson Bugyal is a picturesque locale with alpine grasslands, lush meadows, pine forests, and trekking trails. It is a famous trek route from Auli. From here, you can get panoramic views of the Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Dron peaks.
Chattrakund
This small glacial lake sits at an elevation of 10000ft. and is surrounded by dense pine, oak, and cedar forests. The lake area lies between Auli and Gurso Bugyal and is also great for virgin hiking trails.
Kwani Bugyal
Located 12 km further from Gurso Bugyal is the grassland of Kwani Bugyal. It is also a popular trekking destination and offers mesmerizing views of the snow-capped peaks of Nanda Devi and Dunagiri. You can also camp in the grasslands. The grassland area has pine forests and breathtaking views of the Upper Himalayas.
Chenab Lake
This small, artificial lake has caught tourist attention for years. The crystalline waterbody in the middle of grasslands, overlooking towering peaks, makes for a magical view.
Places to visit nearby
To make the most of your trip, explore these equally scenic places –
Kalsi, 108KM
Sitting atop 2560Ft, this small mountain village is the meeting point of the Yamuna and the Tons Rivers. Kalsi is known for ancient monuments and sites of historic significance. Visit the Ashoka Rock Edicts, the original rock inscriptions by Emperor Ashoka when he submitted himself to Buddhism.
Kedarnath, 52KM
Kedarnath is known as one of the Char Dhams of Hindu pilgrimage and an excellent destination for mountain adventures. Visit the Kedarnath Temple, Vasuki Tal, Bhairavnath Temple, Gandhi Sarovar, Deoria Tal, Guptkashi, Ukshimath, and Sonprayag.
Chakrata, 100 KM
This erstwhile cantonment town sits on the westernmost border of Uttarakhand and Himachal, atop 7000ft. It became a cozy mountain retreat for nature lovers. Visit the Kanasar Deodar Forest and the lush alpine meadows nearby, or hike to the Tiger Falls for great views of mountains and valleys.
Chopal, 45KM
The tiny Himalayan hamlet of Chopal is a charming settlement dotted with pine and deodar forests in the Upper Shimla region. With all-natural beauty, it is known for endless outdoor activities and gives you the ultimate Himalayan experience. But the apple orchards are the highlights of Chopal. You can visit during the harvest season (August-November) and visit orchards for fruit picking and sampling the fresh produce.
Geography
The location of Auli makes for spellbinding views of the landscape. The district’s highest point rises to 9200ft and is home to some of the iconic mountain ranges like the Nanda Devi, Mana Parvat, and Kamat Kamet. Because of such high altitude, there’s occasional snow in Auli.
