Uttarakhand, India · Trip plan
4 days in Auli
India's best ski slopes, facing Nanda Devi.
- Best time
- Dec – Mar
- Ideal length
- 4 days
- A day, mid-range
- ₹6,000 per person
- Trip for two
- about ₹48,000
Planning a 4-day trip to Auli? Here's a day-by-day Auli itinerary with what it costs, where to stay and how to get there, ready to follow or make your own.
Why go now
Snow usually arrives by late December, and skiing runs from January to March with courses for complete beginners.
Auli is a high meadow above Joshimath in the Garhwal Himalaya, with India's best-known ski slopes and big views of Nanda Devi. Outside ski season it's a base for treks through oak forests and bugyals.
- Jan: a good time to go
- Feb: a good time to go
- Mar: a good time to go
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec: a good time to go
December to March: -5 to 8°C, with snow from late December.
Don't miss
Best things to do in Auli
- 01
Ski slopes
Learn to ski on 3 km of slopes with GMVN or private schools.
- 02
Nanda Devi views
India's second-highest peak, straight across the valley.
- 03
Gorson Bugyal
A snowy meadow walk through oak and conifer forest.
- 04
Artificial lake
One of the highest man-made lakes, built for snow-making.
Day by day
Auli itinerary for 4 days
- D1
Day 1: Up to Joshimath
- Morning
- Early start from Rishikesh or Dehradun; the drive follows the Ganga and Alaknanda through Devprayag and Rudraprayag.
- Afternoon
- Lunch stop at Karnaprayag, then the climb to Joshimath (about 10 hours in total).
- Evening
- Rest and acclimatise; a hot meal and early night.
Carry snacks and motion-sickness tablets for the mountain road.
- D2
Day 2: First day on skis
- Morning
- Drive or take the chairlift up to Auli; rent skis and gear at the slope.
- Afternoon
- Beginner lesson with a GMVN or private instructor on the gentle lower slopes.
- Evening
- Warm up by the fire with Garhwali food and watch the sunset on Nanda Devi.
Book a multi-day package for cheaper lessons.
- D3
Day 3: More slopes, or snowshoes
- Morning
- A second ski session, or snowshoe through oak forest to Gorson Bugyal meadow (about 3 km).
- Afternoon
- Lunch at the slopes; visit the artificial lake.
- Evening
- Quiet evening; stargazing on a clear night.
Sunglasses and sunscreen matter; snow glare burns.
- D4
Day 4: Sunrise and down
- Morning
- Sunrise over Nanda Devi and Trishul from your window or the slopes.
- Afternoon
- Start the long drive back.
- Evening
- Arrive in Rishikesh or Dehradun by night.
Check the road status after heavy snow before you start.
Shorter or longer
Auli in 3, 4 or 6 days
3 days in Auli
Follow days 1 to 3 above and leave out “Sunrise and down”. Start early each day and book the main sights ahead.
6 days in Auli
Slow down with a free day for a spa, a cooking class or simply wandering, then add 1 day in Chopta & Tungnath.
What it costs
Auli trip budget
| Style | Per person, a day | 4 days for two |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹2,500 | ₹20,000 |
| Mid-range | ₹6,000 | ₹48,000 |
| Luxury | ₹12,000+ | ₹96,000 |
Stay, food, local transport and entry fees; travel to Auli is extra. Rough guides from recent prices, so check before you book.
Where to stay
Best hotels in Auli for every budget
What to eat
Food to try in Auli
Garhwali thali
Mandua roti, chainsoo and jhangora kheer.
Maggi and chai
The mountain classic between ski runs.
Aloo ke gutke
Spiced hill potatoes.
Getting there
How to reach Auli
- Travel
- Dehradun airport or Rishikesh station, then about 280 km (10 hours) by road to Joshimath.
- Getting around
- Shared jeeps and taxis from Joshimath; walk between the slopes.
- Check whether the Joshimath–Auli ropeway is running; it has been closed at times.
- Rent ski gear at the slope; it's cheaper than bringing your own.
Before you go
What to pack for Auli
- Power bank and charging cables
- ID (Aadhaar or licence)
- Thermals, gloves and a woollen cap
- Waterproof boots
- Warm layers for the evenings
- Comfortable walking shoes
- A small first-aid kit
- A reusable water bottle
Good questions
Auli trip FAQs
How many days are enough for Auli?
4 days are enough to see the highlights: Ski slopes, Nanda Devi views, Gorson Bugyal. Add a day or two if you like a slower pace.
How much does a 4-day Auli trip cost?
Roughly ₹2,500 a day per person on a budget, ₹6,000 mid-range and ₹12,000+ for luxury, not counting travel to get there. For two people mid-range, that's about ₹48,000 for 4 days.
What is the best time to visit Auli?
Dec – Mar. Snow usually arrives by late December, and skiing runs from January to March with courses for complete beginners.
Where should I stay in Auli?
Budget: GMVN Tourist Rest House (Auli slopes), from about ₹3,000 a night. Mid-range: The Cliff Top Club (Auli), from about ₹9,000 a night. Luxury: Boutique lodges (Joshimath), from about ₹8,000 a night.
How do I reach Auli?
Dehradun airport or Rishikesh station, then about 280 km (10 hours) by road to Joshimath.
Is 3 days enough for Auli?
Yes, if you focus: follow days 1 to 3 of the itinerary above and skip "Sunrise and down". 4 days is the comfortable length.
What is the weather like in Auli?
December to March: -5 to 8°C, with snow from late December.
What food should I try in Auli?
Garhwali thali: Mandua roti, chainsoo and jhangora kheer. Maggi and chai: The mountain classic between ski runs. Aloo ke gutke: Spiced hill potatoes.
How do I get around Auli?
Shared jeeps and taxis from Joshimath; walk between the slopes.
You might also like
More trips like Auli
- UttarakhandChopta & Tungnath
The trek to the world's highest Shiva temple and the Chandrashila summit.
Oct – Dec, Mar – May4 days · from ₹1,500/day - Himachal PradeshTirthan Valley & Jibhi
Wooden homestays by a trout river, at the edge of a national park.
Oct – Dec, Mar – May4 days · from ₹1,500/day - Arunachal PradeshTawang
India's largest monastery, high passes and frozen lakes near the Bhutan border.
Oct – Nov, Mar – Apr6 days · from ₹2,500/day