Do you want to plan an excellent trip for this winter? Then make sure to include Auli in your travel destination. It is the perfect destination for a winter trip. The snow, the spectacular surrounding view, and the pleasant weather in winter make Auli the ideal destination for a winter trip.
Especially in winter, you can enjoy Auli at its best. Besides, the delicious Garhwali cuisine will make your journey more memorable. So without delay, plan your trip and head to Auli this winter.
How to Reach Auli:
By Air
Nearest Airport: The nearest airport to Auli is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 286 kilometers away. From the airport, you can hire a taxi to Joshimath. From Joshimath, Auli is just 16 kilometers away and can be reached via road or cable car.
By Train
Nearest Railway Station: The nearest railway station is at Haridwar, which is approximately 273 kilometers from Auli. From Haridwar, you can take a bus or taxi to reach Joshimath, and thereafter proceed to Auli as mentioned above.
By Road
Self-Drive/Taxi: You can drive or hire a taxi to Joshimath. The drive to Joshimath is scenic and goes through several hill stations.
Bus: There are regular bus services from Delhi to Joshimath. From major cities in Uttarakhand like Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Haridwar, state transport and private buses are available to Joshimath.
From Joshimath to Auli
Once you reach Joshimath, there are two ways to reach Auli:
By Road: Auli is accessible by a motorable road from Joshimath. During the winter months, the road may be blanketed with snow, making travel by road contingent upon prevailing weather conditions. It’s advisable to use vehicles with good ground clearance and possibly chains on tires for better grip on snow-laden roads.
By Cable Car: The cable car from Joshimath to Auli offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks and is one of the longest and highest trolley services in Asia. The ride takes about 15-25 minutes. It’s a popular option because it combines transport with the thrill of unparalleled views. However, the operation of the cable car is subject to weather conditions.
Best Places to Visit in Auli in December:
1. Chattrakund Lake
This beautiful lake is surrounded by trees of pine, oak, and deodar. In winter, these trees get covered with snow. For the fantastic, spectacular beauty, this lake is one of the best places to visit in Auli. Chattrakund Lake is the subrange of Garhwal Himalayas.
When you visit this lake, make sure to visit the surrounding beauties and the local villages. This lake is situated at a high altitude, and you need to reach this lake by trekking. Also, the Chattrakund Lake trek is one of the best winter treks in Uttarakhand.
Location: Just about 1 km from Auli, Chattrakund is a small sweet water lake.
Accessibility: The lake is accessible by a small trek from Auli. In December, the trek can be covered with snow, so proper trekking shoes and guidance from a local guide are recommended.
Special Note: The lake might be frozen depending on the temperature and weather conditions.
2. Auli Artificial Lake
The Auli Artificial Lake is one of the best attractions of Auli. It is the highest man-made lake in the world. This scenic and transcendent lake will surely mesmerize you. In winter, the view of this lake is genuinely worthy of exploring. The Auli Artificial Lake is situated right next to the private hotel, Clifftop Club.
Here you will explore artificial snow on the new ski slopes in winter especially. Also, this lake is one of the best spots for skiing as well. The water of this lake is used to feed the snow guns of the ski slopes. Thus the skiing surface becomes smoother and gives the best skiing experience.
Location: It is one of the world’s highest man-made lakes and is located right beside the Auli ski slopes.
Accessibility: Easily accessible as it is near the main skiing area of Auli. You can walk or take a cable car depending on where you are staying.
Special Note: The lake is used to produce artificial snow on the ski slopes during the winter season.
3. Gorson Bugyal
It is one of the best winter trek routes in Auli. If you want to attempt an easy trek this winter, then Gorson Bugyal will be your perfect trekking destination. Except for the winter, the trekking trails are covered with lush greenery. In December, the meadows get wrapped in crystal-white snow.
So, you can imagine how incredible this journey will be. Once you reach the summit through trekking or a pony ride, you can explore the jaw-dropping Garhwal Himalayan Peaks like Dronagiri, Nanda Devi, and Nanda Ghunti.
Location: A picturesque meadow located around 3 km from Auli.
Accessibility: In December, the meadow is covered in snow and is reached by a trek from Auli. The route is popular for skiing and snowboarding.
Special Note: The meadow offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding peaks such as Nanda Devi and Dronagiri.
4. Narsingh Temple
This temple is a sacred place of Auli as Narsingh Temple is among the 108 Divya Desams. This temple is dedicated to the fierce avatar of Lord Vishnu- Lord Narsingh. This temple is situated within walking distance of the Joshimath bus stand.
In Garhwal, Lord Narsingh is strongly worshipped as he is the evil destroyer and brings calamity to this region. According to the Narsingh Temple legends, Kedarnath God comes here every winter. In 820 A.D. Adi Shankaracharya established the deity idol. Specifically, in December, a visit to this temple will surely be worthwhile.
Location: This temple is in Joshimath and is one of the prominent religious sites in the area.
Accessibility: Joshimath is about 16 km from Auli and can be reached by road. The temple is located in the town and is easily accessible.
Special Note: It is a sacred place for worship and also a part of the Sapt Badri pilgrimage.
5. Nanda Devi Peak
Nanda Devi Peak is one of the most challenging places to visit in Auli. But taking this challenge will be worth it. This peak is the 23rd highest peak in the Indian Himalayas. It is situated at an altitude of 7,817 meters from sea level. After Kanchenjunga, it is the second-highest mountain in India.
However, the trek to the Nanda Devi Peak remains closed. But you can explore the native Gadhwali locals who live around the valley. When you visit this place, make sure to visit the Nanda Devi National Park as well.
Location: The second-highest mountain in India, part of the Nanda Devi National Park, and visible from Auli.
Accessibility: The peak itself cannot be accessed as it is part of a restricted area, but the views from Auli, especially from Gorson Bugyal, are spectacular.
Special Note: December offers clear views of the peak with the surrounding area covered in snow, offering a majestic sight.
6. Joshimath
It is one of the best places to visit in Auli and the gateway to the shrines of Badrinath and Hemkund. Here you can treat your eyes to a mesmerizing glimpse of the snow-covered Himalayan peaks in Joshimath. In December, the view is worth exploring. This place is also the gateway to several Himalayan trails.
Therefore Joshimath is the gateway to the upper regions of the Himalayas. From Joshimath, you will get the cable car service to reach Auli. In December, here you can explore snowfall also. During this time, this place is truly a treat for travelers who want to witness snowfall along with the spectacular views of the Himalayas.
Location: A small town that is the gateway to several Himalayan mountain climbing expeditions, trekking trails, and pilgrim centers.
Accessibility: Joshimath is connected to Auli by road and cable car. The road might be slippery or blocked due to snow, so check the weather forecast and road conditions before traveling.
Special Note: This town is also the place where you would find accommodation, as Auli itself has limited options. It’s an important hub for travelers and pilgrims alike.
Plan your tour with 5 Nights 6 Days Auli Joshimath Tour from Delhi ( Delhi – Haridwar – Joshimath – Auli – Rishikesh – Delhi )
Things to do in Auli in December
1. Trekking
In December, trekking is one of the best attractions of Auli. The snow slopes are just perfect for trekking. In Auli, Gurson Bugyal is one of the best destinations for trekking. The snow-covered trekking trails will surely make your journey more exciting. Gurson Bugyal is the best trekking destination in Auli.
And this place is genuinely the meadow mistress. Make sure to carry your camera and capture the spectacular beauty of the Gurson Bugyal.
2. Skiing
A winter visit to Auli is incomplete without enjoying the super exciting skiing. Auli is one of the best destinations for skiing. The ski stretches are 400 meters to 4 kilometers. Here, you can attempt two types of skiing; Tandem and Professional.
If you are a beginner, you can go tandem skiing with local ski operators. The charges vary from 300 INR to 500 INR. Here you can get 15 days of ski training programs from the Govt. registered instructors.
3. Snow games and photography
If you are an adventure enthusiast, you must include snow games on your bucket list while visiting Auli. If you don’t want to ski, you can splash some snow at each other. Also, you can make ice sculptures or throw snowballs at your travel companions.
Surely, you will relive your childhood days in Auli. Also, here you can capture some excellent snaps. The surrounding beauty is worthy of capturing some extraordinary landscapes.
4. Chair car ride
In Auli, you will find the longest gondola ride in Asia. You have to sail approx 10,000 feet in the air for almost 5 kilometers over the white serenity. Besides the snow-covered landscapes, here you can explore the green patches here and there. This longest Asian ropeway ride will surely be worth it. You can attempt two different ropeway rides; the chair car ride from GMNV to Auli and the Joshimath-Auli Gondola ride.
The chair car is an airborne stack of chairs whether the gondola rides include closed boxes with glass windows. Surely, you can imagine the thrill of this journey. The top view from the gondola or chair car will be an unforgettable memory for a lifetime.
Also Read: Top 12 Luxury Hotels and Resorts in Auli
Delicious Food in Auli in December:
Last but not least, don’t miss exploring the foods of Auli. Especially, December is the perfect time to explore the amazingly delicious foods of this region. However, you won’t find so many eateries around the place, but you will find some good restaurants in Joshimath.
Here, you can explore the authentic Garhwali cuisine. Make sure to try Kachmauli, Singhori, Bal Mithai, and the local dal with vegetables. The simple cooking method and the delicious foods will treat your taste buds indeed.
Weather in Auli in December:
December is the peak time for visiting Auli. This time, you can explore the best view of Auli. The snow-covered oak, pine, and deodar make the scenery more picturesque. In December, the weather remains pretty cool and dry in Auli. But you can endure the cool breeze by wearing winter clothes.
In December, the highest temperature remains at 17 degrees Celsius. In the morning, the temperature falls to 6 degrees Celsius. So the average temperature ranges to 10 degrees Celsius in this place.
Read Also: How to Reach Auli by Air, Train, and Road
However, sometimes the temperature reaches 1 degree Celsius in some years. You can expect the temperature to vary up to 18 degrees Celcius in December. So make sure to carry proper winter clothes.
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