Things to do in Auli
Things to do in Auli
Auli, a pristine Himalayan ski resort in Uttarakhand at an altitude of 2,519 meters, is India's premier skiing destination, blessed with deep powder snow from December to March and some of the most dramatic views of Nanda Devi, Mana Parbat, and Dunagiri peaks. The Asia's highest and longest cable car (gondola) from Joshimath to Auli is a must-ride whether you visit in winter for skiing or in summer when the meadows bloom with wildflowers. Auli also serves as the base for the famous Gurso Bugyal trek, making it a year-round mountain destination in the Garhwal Himalayas.
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Full day or multi-day
Skiing and Snowboarding
Auli is India's premier ski resort and one of the best skiing destinations in Asia, with slopes ranging from gentle beginner runs to challenging black-diamond trails across 500 metres of vertical drop. The ski season from January to March offers consistent powdery snow against the most dramatic Himalayan backdrop you will find at any ski resort anywhere in the world — the Nanda Devi and Trishul peaks form an extraordinary natural panorama from every slope.
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3–4 hours (round trip)
Gorson Bugyal Trek
Gorson Bugyal (alpine meadow) is a vast rolling grassland at 3,056 metres, just a few kilometres from Auli, and one of the most beautiful high-altitude meadows in Uttarakhand. The 3-km trail from Auli winds through oak and rhododendron forests exploding with red and pink blooms in spring, emerging onto open meadows with unobstructed views of the Nanda Devi range. In winter the entire bugyal becomes a pristine snowfield.
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30–45 minutes (one way)
Auli Ropeway (Cable Car)
The Auli Ropeway is the longest and highest cable car in Asia at 4 km, connecting Joshimath to Auli and offering one of the most spectacular aerial rides in the Indian Himalayas. The gondola floats above dense deodar forests with a growing panorama of snow-capped peaks — Nanda Devi, Mana, Kamet, and Dronagiri — spread across the horizon. Even if you are not there for skiing, this ropeway ride is worth the trip to Auli alone.
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5–7 days
Kuari Pass Trek
The Kuari Pass trek is often called 'Lord Curzon's Trail' after the British Viceroy who made it famous and it is widely regarded as one of the most scenic treks in the Indian Himalayas. Starting from Auli or Joshimath, the 5–7 day trek crosses the Kuari Pass at 3,640 metres with continuous panoramic views of some of India's highest peaks including Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, Kamet, and Mana. It is the ideal introductory Himalayan high-altitude trek for fit beginners.
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Half to full day
Nanda Devi National Park Day Visit from Auli
Auli serves as one of the best base points for day excursions into the buffer zone of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most strictly protected wilderness areas in Asia. The awe-inspiring views of Nanda Devi (7,816 m), India's second highest peak and the highest peak entirely within India, from the meadows above Auli are among the finest mountain vistas on earth. Few places in India let you get this close — visually — to such extreme altitude.