Auli, India: travel guide
A Garhwal ski slope reached by cable car, with Nanda Devi on the skyline
India's premier ski destination at 2,519m — pristine slopes with views of Nanda Devi and the Garhwal Himalayas, accessible by India's longest cable car.
About Auli
Auli is a high meadow resort above Joshimath in Uttarakhand, set at about 2,500 metres in the Garhwal Himalaya. It is known as India's best-known ski destination, though its appeal reaches well beyond snow sports.
A ropeway climbs from Joshimath to the slopes, and from the top you look across to Nanda Devi and other peaks. In winter the meadows turn to ski runs and snow walks, and in summer they open into green walking country, with Gorson Bugyal a popular trek. An artificial lake and quiet forest paths make for easy exploring.
Auli travel suits beginner skiers, couples and families, as well as hikers in the warmer months. Snow is generally reliable in the depths of winter, and clear spring and autumn days give the best mountain views.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
Last updated
Top places to visit in Auli
Auli Ski Slopes
Viewpoint · 4.7 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
India's premier ski destination — broad, gentle snow slopes at ~2,800-3,000 m framed by Himalayan giants, with ski lifts, a chair lift and a winter snow blanket.
Auli Ropeway (Cable Car)
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · entry ₹1,000
One of Asia's highest and longest cable cars, climbing ~4 km from Joshimath to Auli with sweeping views of Nanda Devi and the snow-clad Garhwal Himalaya.
Gorson Bugyal
Nature · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A high alpine meadow above Auli, a gentle trek through oak and conifer to rolling grassland with grandstand views of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Dronagiri.
Auli Artificial Lake
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the world's highest man-made lakes, built to make snow for the slopes, a serene blue-green tarn with a short walk and superb peak reflections.
Joshimath (Jyotirmath)
Heritage · 4.1 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The gateway town to Auli and Badrinath, one of the four cardinal maths founded by Adi Shankaracharya and the winter seat of the Badrinath deity.
Nanda Devi Viewpoint
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A panoramic spot on the Auli slopes facing Nanda Devi — India's second-highest peak — and a sweep of Garhwal summits, magical at sunrise.
Narsingh Temple
temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
An ancient temple in Joshimath dedicated to Lord Narasimha, the winter abode of Badrinath's worship and a revered Char Dham stop.
Chenab Lake
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
A pristine high-altitude lake reached by a forest trek beyond Gorson, a tranquil camping spot ringed by meadows and peaks.
Adi Shankaracharya Math
Heritage · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The Jyotirmath monastery founded by Adi Shankara in the 8th century, with the sacred Kalpavriksha mulberry tree and the Amar Kalpa cave.
Kwani Bugyal
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
A less-visited high meadow beyond Gorson, a rewarding longer trek through pristine alpine grassland with uninterrupted Himalayan panoramas.
Things to do
- Skiing in Auli Adventure · 4 h · from INR 2,500 per person
- Auli Ropeway Ride Nature · 1 h · from INR 1,000 per person
- Gorson Bugyal Trek Adventure · 5 h · from INR 1,200 per person
- Auli Cable-Car & Lake Walk Nature · 2 h · from INR 600 per person
Day trips and tours
- Auli Snow & Ropeway Day 8 h · from INR 2,500
- Gorson Bugyal Trek Day 7 h · from INR 1,500
- Joshimath Heritage & Auli Tour 8 h · from INR 2,000
Where to stay in Auli
- Ski Resort Area about INR 5,000 per night
Snow sports destination with luxury resorts
Hotels
- Cliff Top Club Auli 4-star · INR 7,000 to INR 14,000 per night
- Auli Hill Homestay 2-star · INR 1,500 to INR 3,200 per night
- Blue Poppy Resort Auli 3-star · INR 5,000 to INR 9,500 per night
- The Tattva Resort Auli 3-star · INR 4,500 to INR 8,500 per night
- Hotel Snow Crest Joshimath 3-star · INR 2,500 to INR 5,000 per night
- Auli Resort & Spa 3-star · INR 4,000 to INR 7,500 per night
Where to eat
- The Cliff Top Cafe North Indian, Chinese, Garhwali · about INR 500 per person
- Hotel Snow Crest Restaurant North Indian, South Indian, Chinese · about INR 400 per person
- Auli Slope View Restaurant North Indian, Snacks, Garhwali · about INR 350 per person
- Kalpvriksha Restaurant North Indian, South Indian · about INR 250 per person
- Garhwali Kitchen Garhwali, North Indian · about INR 250 per person
- Hotel Dronagiri Restaurant North Indian, Chinese, Continental · about INR 400 per person
- Ropeway Base Cafe Cafe, Snacks · about INR 150 per person
- Apple Bakery & Cafe Cafe, Bakery, Continental · about INR 300 per person
Getting to Auli
Nearest airport: Rishikesh (via Dehradun) (DED), about 138 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Cable Car
- Taxi
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Auli
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Auli?
- The highest-rated places in our Auli guide are Auli Ski Slopes, Gorson Bugyal, Nanda Devi Viewpoint, Auli Ropeway (Cable Car), Auli Artificial Lake.
- Where should I stay in Auli?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Auli: Ski Resort Area.
- How do I get around Auli?
- Ways to get around Auli covered in our guide: Cable car, Taxi, Walking.