Landmarks in Auli
- 01
Auli Bugyal
An extensive alpine meadow at 2,500–3,000 metres on the Kuari Pass ridge, carpeted with wildflowers in spring and used for grazing in summer.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours for a partial walk; full day if exploring extensively
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Late April to May for wildflower bloom; mid-September to October for clear skies and mild weather
- Tickets
- No entry fee. The bugyal is open grazing land used by local shepherds. Respect their animals and camps if you encounter them.
- 02
Auli Dam
A high-altitude reservoir on the Alaknanda river system, notable as an engineering structure in the Himalayas and a spot for views of the surrounding mountains and water.
- Time needed
- 20-30 minutes as a viewpoint stop
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Year-round; October to March for clear skies; summer months bring greener slopes
- Tickets
- No entry fee; the dam is a public viewing point.
- 03
Auli Lake
A small, high-altitude lake near the Auli ridge, fed by snowmelt and popular with trekkers as a water source and resting point.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours including the walk to and from Auli Base
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Late April to October, when the lake is unfrozen and trails are clear
- Tickets
- No entry fee. The lake is in open country. Trekking guides can help locate it if you are unfamiliar with the route.
- 04
Auli Ropeway
A cable car that climbs from Auli Base Station to the ridge at Auli Top, rising roughly 500 metres and offering views of Nanda Devi and distant Tibet on clear days.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes including the cable car round trip; add time to walk and rest at the top
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Clear days in March, September and October, when visibility is best; winter is dramatic but weather-dependent
- Tickets
- Ticketed for the cable car ride. Rates differ for Indian and foreign visitors. Check current prices and operating hours on the GMVN website before visiting. The cable car may close in bad weather or high winds.
- 05
Tapovan
A pilgrimage site with natural hot sulphur springs in a gorge near Joshimath, said to be where sage Veda Vyasa meditated. Traditional bathing pools offer warmth and mineral water.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours including the walk, bathing and return
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- September to November and March to May; October is ideal for warm springs and cool air
- Tickets
- Entry is free. Small monetary offerings are made at the spring site. The springs are run communally by pilgrims and villagers.
Day trips in Auli
- 06
Chitrakantha Summit
A scenic high-altitude viewpoint near Chopta, roughly 30-40 km south of Auli, offering panoramic Himalayan views and meadow walks in an easily accessible location.
- Time needed
- 4-6 hours for a day trip from Auli including drive and trek
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- June to September for clear views and open trails; October to May bring cloud and occasional snow
- Tickets
- No entry fees; the area is open for trekking. Inform your lodge of your plan.
- 07
Govindghat
A small pilgrimage settlement at the foot of the Ghangaria trail, where the Alaknanda River flows and trekkers rest before going to the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib.
- Time needed
- Half day if stopping briefly; overnight if trekking onward
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- June to September for trekking accessibility; July–August for full Valley of Flowers bloom (but crowded)
- Tickets
- No entry fee to the settlement. Accommodation and food are basic. Guides for onward treks are available. The Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib may have separate entry requirements; check before visiting.
- 08
Kuari Pass
A high mountain pass offering panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks including Nanda Devi, accessible by a trek or drive from the Auli plateau or from the Chopta-Tungnath route.
- Time needed
- 4-6 hours for trekking; 2-3 hours if accessed by vehicle from a higher road junction
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- June to September for clear views and open trails; October to May snow and cloud are frequent
- Tickets
- No entry fee. The area is open trekking; inform your lodge of your plan and ensure you have a basic map or hire a local guide.
- 09
Nanda Devi
India's second-highest mountain, an icon of Himalayan geology, best viewed from Auli plateau or nearby high passes where Nanda Devi dominates the eastern skyline.
- Time needed
- Viewing: 30 minutes to 2 hours from multiple Auli viewpoints. Climbing: a serious multi-week expedition
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- June to September for clear mountain air and visibility; October to May cloud, snow and haze are frequent
- Tickets
- No fee to view the mountain from Auli plateau. Climbing the peak requires permits (issued in the region but in limited numbers), guides, and substantial planning with an expedition company.
- 10
Sundardunga Glacier Trek
A multi-day alpine trek to a glacier in the Chopta-Tungnath region, involving high-altitude walking across meadows and ridges to reach glacial features, for experienced trekkers only.
- Time needed
- 3-5 days for a complete trek and return from Auli, including travel to the road head
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- July to September for snow to melt and trails to be passable; June may have late snow; October brings early snow
- Tickets
- No formal permits required, but inform local authorities (Chopta guesthouse or forest office) of your plan. A guide is mandatory.
Experiences in Auli
- 11
Auli Ski Resort
India's only winter sports resort on the slopes of the Kuari Pass, with a ski season from December to March and a cable car to the peak.
- Time needed
- Half day for cable car and simple slopes; full day if skiing or doing trails
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- December to February for skiing; March to May for wildflowers and trekking
- Tickets
- Ticketed for cable car and ski lift access. Ski rental, lessons and equipment hire are available seasonally. Check the GMVN website (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) or contact the resort before visiting to confirm current rates, opening dates and conditions.
- 12
Kailas Hot Springs
A natural geothermal spring in the Joshimath area, accessible by a short walk from town, where warm mineral water pools and streams meet mountain terrain.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on how long you soak
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Year-round; water temperature is constant. October to March bring clearer skies; July-August monsoon can make access muddy
- Tickets
- No entry fee. The springs are largely free-access, though some sections may be privately managed or part of local ashrams that invite donations.
Temples in Auli
- 13
Auli Temple
A small, high-altitude temple on the Auli ridge, dedicated to local deities, with sparse but significant snow coverage in winter and a simple shelter structure.
- Time needed
- 10–15 minutes to visit
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- March to May and September to October, when the mountain is clear and accessible; winter is dramatic but the temple may be snow-covered
- Tickets
- No entry fee. The temple is open to all visitors and managed by locals. Footwear customs may vary; ask before entering.
- 14
Narsingh Temple
An ancient temple in Joshimath dedicated to Narsingh (Narasimha), the lion avatar of Vishnu, housing a revered wooden idol and associated with Adi Shankara's lineage.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes including queue time and darshan
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Early morning (6–8 am) for a quieter visit; Monday is a traditional day but crowds peak mid-morning
- Tickets
- Entry to the temple is free. Monetary offerings go to the shrine. Photography inside the temple is generally not allowed.
Neighbourhoods in Auli
- 15
Chamoli
The administrative headquarters of Chamoli district, a small Himalayan town in a valley roughly 40-50 km south-west of Auli, serving as a base for exploring the region and accessing nearby pilgrimage sites.
- Time needed
- 2-4 hours for a town walk and local meals; overnighting depends on whether it is a base or a transit stop
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Year-round; less crowded than pilgrimage sites, and good for experiencing real mountain-town life
- Tickets
- No entry fees; the town is a working administrative and trading centre.
- 16
Joshimath
A pilgrimage town where the Alaknanda and Niti rivers meet, serving as the gateway to Auli, Badrinath and mountain routes. Known for its temple connections to Adi Shankara and as a trade crossroads.
- Time needed
- A few hours to walk the bazaar and visit key temples; overnight stay recommended before going to Auli
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- September to November and March to May. December to February can be cold and snowy. June to August brings monsoon rain.
- Tickets
- No entry fee to the town. Temples are free to visit; some have donation boxes.
Close enough to combine