AULI - THE SKI COUNTY

Auli, (alt. 2915 mts-3049 mts ) is an important ski destination in the Himalayan mountains of Uttarakhand, India. Auli is known as 'Bugyal' in the regional language which means meadow. Auli is comparable to the best ski resorts in the world. Auli is blessed with a breathtaking panoramic view of the lofty peaks of the greatest mountain range in the world, the Himalayas and lies on the way to Badrinath.

Auli also has the Asia's longest cable car (Gondola) a 4 km long cable car. It also has a Chair Lift and a Ski-Lift.

Best time to visit is last week of Jan to first week of March for skiing.

A survey by the Alpine Tourism Promotion Council (ATPC) has equated the slopes of Auli (second largest in Asia) to the best in the world. The ATPC is a pioneering governing body for winter sports in the world, based at Saas Grund, near Zurich, Switzerland.

How to Reach Auli?
By Road : The best option is to travel from Delhi by road. Delhi to Haridwar is 229 kms. on National Highway no. NH-47. Then climb from Haridwar to Joshimath is 257 kms. (Full journey from Delhi to Joshimath takes about 13 to 15 hours). Route to Auli is in parallel to most of the times rivers like Ganga, Bhagirati, Alaknanda, Mandakini, Pindar etc

The road from Joshimath to Clifftop Club (17 Km) is a steep climb from about 5000 feet to 10,000 feet above sea level. The steep gradient coupled with ice on the road makes it unfit for vehicles other than a sturdy four-wheel drive.

In winters (from December end till mid March) the motor road from Joshimath to Auli is not operational due to heavy snowfall. Cable car is the only mode of transportation from Joshimath to Auli.

The last trip of the cable car leaves from Joshimath to the Resort at 4:00 pm (July-April) and 6:30 pm (May & June). Tourists must reach Joshimath before the last trip of cable car. Tourists reaching late may have to stay in Joshimath overnight

Haridwar to  Joshimath

En route you would be covering 5 Prayags (Confluence of two rivers)

1. Dev Prayag: Alakhnanda (starts from Badrinath) and Bhagirathi (starts from Gangotri) merges to make the sacred Ganges.

2. Rudra Prayag: River Mandakini comes down from Chorabali Tal behind Kedarnath to meet river Alkananda here.

3. Karn Prayag :The river Pindar also known as Karna Ganga comes down from Pindari Glacier to meet the Alkananda here.

4. Nanda Prayag : The river Nandakini comes from Mt. Nanda Ghunti to meet the Alkananda at Nanda Prayag.

5. Vishnu Prayag : The river Dhauli Ganga comes from Mt. Dhaulagiri to meet the Alkananda here.
 

By Train : Nearest Railway Station is Rishikesh / Haridwar which is connected from Delhi by Shatabdi Exp., from Bombay by Bandra-Dehradun Exp. and from Calcutta by Howrah-Doon Exp. and from Lucknow by Gorakhanath/Doon Exp. Rishikesh to Joshimath by road. Road from Joshimath to Badrinath opens Mid May-mid November subjected to normal snowfall.

By Air : Nearest Airport is Jolly Grant near Dehradun (280 Km). Very soon a new airport at Gauchar (92 Km.) will be operational.

Places around Auli

Joshimath - derives from the word ‘Jyotirmath’ the place of Jyotirlinga of Shiva. Sri Adi hankracharya founded one of the four piths which acts as a transit for various pilgrimage Badrinath, Kedarnath, Hemkund, Auli etc. It is the resting place for the pilgrims going to Badrinath. The is sacred place for the believers of Badrinath or the God Vishnu. Joshimath has a temple of Narshimsha, an incarnation of Vishnu.

Badrinath- One of the four Dhaams. Very important for Hindus who worships God Vishnu. Its closed in winter.

Rajasthan Holiday Packages

Royal Rajasthan (14 days)	Forts and Palaces tour (21 days)
Rajasthan with Golden triangle (16 days)	Rajasthan Cultural Tours (16 days)
Pushkar Fair Tours (19 days)	Rural Rajasthan Tour (12 days)