Auli, Uttarakhand — when to visit, costs & photo guide

Best time to visit

Dec – Mar, Apr – Jun

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best shoulder not ideal

How long

2–3 days

Physical effort

Moderate

Access

Some travel needed

Altitude

~2,800 m

Permits

None noted

Is it right for you?

Couple — scenic, unhurried places
Solo — straightforward to reach on your own
Friends — activities and road trips
Adventure — treks, high passes or active pursuits

Mountains Snow Trekking Adventure

Before you go

The Joshimath–Auli ropeway has had long closures — check whether it is running.
Snow depends on the season; it is not guaranteed.
Snow: usually Jan – Mar — never guaranteed.
Snow cover varies a lot from year to year — check recent conditions before planning a ski or snow trip.

Information reviewed October 2026. Rules, timings and road conditions change — confirm with official sources before you travel.

Plan

Getting there

Directions in Google Maps →

By air

Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (~280 km)

By train

Yog Nagari Rishikesh (~255 km)

By road

About 16 km above Joshimath (Jyotirmath); Joshimath is a long day's drive from Rishikesh

What will it cost?

Estimated by bus, train and plane — ranges, not quotes.

312 km from Delhi in a straight line

Bus

Fare per person, one way: ₹600–₹1,200
Journey time: ~15 h
Trip total for 2: ₹9,700–₹18,900
Per person: ₹4,800–₹9,500

Train

Cheapest

Fare per person, one way: ₹500–₹1,200
Journey time: ~13 h
Trip total for 2: ₹9,300–₹18,800
Per person: ₹4,700–₹9,400

Includes ~255 km by road from the station

Plane

Fastest

Fare per person, one way: ₹4,600–₹10,600
Journey time: ~13 h
Trip total for 2: ₹25,800–₹56,400
Per person: ₹12,900–₹28,200

Includes ~280 km by road from the airport

Where the money goes — cheapest option (train)
Transport (return, cheapest option)	₹2,000–₹4,600	Train, 2 people
Accommodation	₹2,500–₹5,000	1 night, 1 room, comfort
Food	₹3,200–₹5,600	2 days
Local transport	₹1,600–₹3,600	taxis, autos, buses
Entry tickets & activities	Not included	varies by place and season
Estimated total	₹9,300–₹18,800	₹4,700–₹9,400 per person

How we estimate

Fares are per person, one way, from typical per-km rates — not live prices or quotes.
Road and rail distances are estimated from straight-line distance with a detour allowance.
Rooms are shared by two people. Food and local transport are per person per day.
Entry tickets, activities, guides and permits are not included — they vary by place and season.
Rate model last reviewed October 2026.

Check live fares and timetables: IRCTC (trains) · redBus · Google Flights

Make a plan

Suggested itineraries

Suggested outline. Distances are straight-line — check real travel times in a maps app before you go.

Day 1 — arrive and settle in
- Get there via Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
- Short walk to get your bearings; check tomorrow's sunrise time
Day 2 — Auli
- Early: Sunrise on Nanda Devi from the upper slopes
- Photograph: Nanda Devi rising above the snowfields
- Photograph: Skiers on the long Auli slope
- Photograph: Gorson Bugyal meadows with peaks behind (summer)
Day 3 — slow day
- Revisit your favourite spot in different light
- Keep in mind: The Joshimath–Auli ropeway has had long closures — check whether it is running.

Snow cover varies a lot from year to year — check recent conditions before planning a ski or snow trip.

Photos

Photography guide

Golden hour

Sunrise on Nanda Devi from the upper slopes

Shot list

Nanda Devi rising above the snowfields
Skiers on the long Auli slope
Gorson Bugyal meadows with peaks behind (summer)

Tick shots off on location — saved in this browser. Views, light and weather are never guaranteed.

Shoot responsibly

Flying a drone in India needs registration under the Drone Rules, and many areas — including most monuments and borders — are no-fly zones.

Gallery

10 photos from Wikimedia Commons · tap a photo to view it full screen and comment

Where it is

Map and nearby

Open in OpenStreetMap →

Nearby places

Valley of Flowers~23 km straight line · Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Temple~53 km straight line · Uttarakhand
Nainital~127 km straight line · Uttarakhand
Rishikesh~131 km straight line · Uttarakhand
Key Monastery~246 km straight line · Himachal Pradesh

Distances are straight-line between coordinates, not road distances.

Pack and prepare

Practical checklist

Warm layers even in summer — nights at altitude are cold
Sunscreen and sunglasses: UV is strong up high
Waterproof boots and gloves if you go in snow season (Jan – Mar)
Broken-in shoes with good grip, a rain jacket and a daypack with water and snacks
Check the weather forecast and any road or closure updates before you leave