Ski slopes in winter, green meadows in summer and a front-row view of Nanda Devi all year: a short road holiday to Auli above Joshimath, starting and ending in Delhi.
Auli is a ridge of open slopes and oak forest a short climb above Joshimath (Jyotirmath) in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It sits roughly between 2,500 m and 3,000 m, faces some of the highest peaks in India, including Nanda Devi, and has long been the state's best-known ski area. Unlike crowded hill towns, Auli is quiet: a handful of hotels, resorts and camps, wide meadows and very little traffic.
Delhi travellers usually come for one of two reasons. Between late December and February, Auli is often under snow and draws families who want their first real snowfall, plus beginner skiers. From April to June and again in autumn, the snow melts into grassy bugyals that make easy walks with big views. Because Joshimath is the gateway to Badrinath, summer visitors can also fold a Badrinath darshan into the same trip.
Duration3 nights / 4 days
Start & endDelhi (pick-up from home or station)
DistanceAbout 500 km each way
AltitudeRoughly 2,500–3,000 m
Snow monthsUsually late Dec – Feb
Green monthsApr – Jun, mid-Sep – Nov
Auli tour package price from Delhi
Prices are per person for a group of four sharing a private car and two rooms. They cover the whole trip from Delhi and back; ski lessons, equipment and lift tickets are paid locally.
Package
Duration
Per person (group of 4, budget hotels)
Auli tour from Delhi
3N / 4D
₹12,500
Badrinath yatra from Delhi (via Joshimath, for comparison)
4N / 5D
₹10,500
Estimated 2027 prices. Deluxe and resort stays, an SUV for snow roads or a smaller group change the quote. If you want Auli and Badrinath on one trip, we quote the combined plan for your dates.
Delhi to Auli is a long road, so the plan splits the journey at Haridwar on the way up and at Srinagar Garhwal on the way down. That keeps the hill driving in daylight, which matters a great deal on snowy winter roads.
Day 1
Delhi to Haridwar
230 km6–7 hoursNight: Haridwar / Rishikesh
We collect you from your Delhi home, hotel or railway station in the morning and head north on the expressway. You reach Haridwar by afternoon with time to rest. In the evening, walk to Har Ki Pauri for the Ganga aarti, when hundreds of lamps float down the river.
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Day 2
Haridwar to Auli via Devprayag and Joshimath
about 290 km9–10 hoursNight: Auli / Joshimath
Leave at dawn: this is the longest day. The road climbs along the Alaknanda through Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag and Nandprayag, four of the five Panch Prayag confluences. From Joshimath a winding road of about 13 km leads up to Auli. Check in, have a hot dinner and watch the last light on the peaks.
Day 3
Auli slopes, meadows and Joshimath
LocalFull dayNight: Rudraprayag / Srinagar
Spend the morning on the slopes: in winter that means snow play, sledging or a beginner ski lesson with a local instructor; in summer, an easy walk to the Gorson meadow above Auli. Visit the artificial lake area and the viewpoints facing Nanda Devi, then drive down past Joshimath, where Adi Shankaracharya's math stands. Continue down the valley to Rudraprayag or Srinagar for the night.
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Day 4
Srinagar Garhwal to Delhi
about 330 km9–10 hoursNight: Tour ends
Start after breakfast and follow the river back to Rishikesh and Haridwar, with a lunch stop on the way. The highway stretch beyond Haridwar is fast, though traffic thickens near Delhi in the evening. We drop you at your home, hotel, airport or station in Delhi by late evening.
The Joshimath–Auli ropeway has had long closures in recent years. We plan the trip by road and use the ropeway or chair lift only if it is running on your dates.
What's included
Included
3 nights' hotel stay on twin or triple sharing
Breakfast and dinner daily
Private car with a hill driver from Delhi to Delhi
Fuel, tolls, parking, state permits and driver allowance
Pick-up and drop in Delhi
Phone and WhatsApp support
Not included
Ski lessons, equipment hire and lift or ropeway tickets
Snow chains or a 4x4 if roads need them (quoted on request)
Lunch and entry fees
Extra nights caused by snow or landslides
Insurance and personal expenses
Where you stay
In Auli itself the options are a few hotels, resorts and camps, most with views across the valley. When Auli rooms are full, or in deep winter when the top road is icy, we use a hotel in Joshimath, a 30–40 minute drive below. The night stops at Haridwar and Srinagar are comfortable town hotels. Ask for a deluxe or resort upgrade if you want a heated room with a view.
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Tips for an Auli trip
Choosing your month
Late December to February: best chance of snow; very cold nights, occasional road closures after heavy snowfall.
March: snow is patchy; quieter and cheaper.
April to June: green slopes, clear mornings; combine with the Badrinath yatra once the temple opens.
July and August: monsoon; landslides on the highway, cloudy views. Not recommended.
Mid-September to November: crisp air and the clearest mountain views of the year.
Snow driving
Our drivers know the Joshimath road well, but after fresh snow the last stretch to Auli can close for hours. An SUV such as an Innova Crysta handles winter roads better than a small car. Keep a day of slack in your plans if you are travelling around New Year.
What to pack
Thermal inner layers, a down or padded jacket, woollen cap, gloves, waterproof shoes and sunglasses are essential in winter; snow glare is strong. Carry basic medicines and a power bank, as power cuts happen. Our general packing list is a good starting point.
Auli is also a popular rest stop on longer pilgrimages. After a Badrinath yatra from Haridwar, many families spend a night on the slopes before heading home, and trekkers bound for Ghangaria use it to acclimatise before the Valley of Flowers.
Book your Auli trip
Tell us your dates and group. Call or WhatsApp +91-99111 77951.
Pick a plan. Snow holiday, summer meadows, or Auli with Badrinath darshan.
Get a written quote with hotel options, vehicle type and price.
Confirm with an advance to hold rooms and the car.
Travel. Your driver meets you at your Delhi address on day 1.
About 500 km by road via Haridwar, Rishikesh and Joshimath. The drive takes two long days each way in practice, which is why the package breaks the journey at Haridwar and Srinagar.
When will I see snow in Auli?
Snow usually falls between late December and February, though it varies from year to year. March often has leftover patches on the upper slopes.
Can beginners ski in Auli?
Yes. Local instructors run beginner lessons and rent equipment on the slopes. Costs are paid on the spot and are not part of the package.
What is the Auli tour package price from Delhi?
From about ₹12,500 per person for four people on budget hotels for 3 nights and 4 days. Resort stays, an SUV or a smaller group raise the price.
Is the Auli ropeway working?
The Joshimath–Auli ropeway has been shut for long spells in recent years. We plan by road and tell you its status closer to your dates.
Can I combine Auli with Badrinath?
Yes, between late April and November when the temple is open. Badrinath is about 45 km from Joshimath; add one day. See the Badrinath package from Delhi.
Is Auli suitable for elderly parents?
Yes, if they are comfortable with long drives and cold weather. Most sightseeing is by car or short walks; avoid deep winter if anyone has breathing or heart issues.
