Auli, situated in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, is a famous ski destination. It is perched at a high altitude of 2,500 meters. The place is known as 'Bugyal' in the local language which can be understood as meadows. Auli is comparable to the best ski resorts of the world according to some French and Australian experts. Treks and nature walks in Auli are also some of the other exciting activities to try. There are a number of major attractions to check out for tourists as well. Below listed are some of the tourist places to see in the small and serene hill station, Auli.Tourist Attractions
Hanuman Temple : It is a small shrine dedicated to the Hindu Monkey God. According to legends, the temple has been constructed on the place where Hanuman took rest while flying all the way from Lanka to Dronagiri Mountain in Himalaya to bring Sanjivani (life-restoring herb) for Lakshman, brother of Lord Ram.
Natural Marvels
Artificial Lake :artificial-lake-auli Situated adjacent to Cliff top Club hotel in Auli, it is the highest manmade lake in the world. This artificial lake is developed by the government to create artificial snow on new ski slopes so that tourists can enjoy an extended skiing season.
Nanda Devi Peak : Named after Goddess Nanda (Bliss-Giving Goddess), Nanda Devi Peak is India’s second highest mountain. With an elevation of 7,817 meters, the mountain is indeed a visual treat. Nanda Devi Peak is a part of Garhwal Himalayan Range and is surrounded by Nanda Devi National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Trishul Peak : Located at an elevation of around 23,490 feet above sea level, Trishul Peak is the kind of natural marvel that leaves you enamoured and fumbling for your camera. It is one of the most famous spots to enjoy skiing in Auli. There is also a lake named, Roopkund, situated at the base of Trishul Peak. Roopkund Lake is known for its mysterious background as around 600 skeletal remains of humans and horses were discovered here.
Tourist Places around Auli
Gurso Bugyal : gurso-bugyalSituated at a distance of 3 km from Auli, Gurso Bugyal is a beautiful meadow that transforms into an eye-catching green beauty during spring and wears a white look during winters. The place offers imposing views of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Dron Parbat peaks. Tourists can also trek down this lovely picnic spot from Auli.
Chenab Lake : It is an off-beaten destination that lies close to Dang Village, the last rural settlement of Joshimath. There is no motorable way to access the lake and that’s what may have contributed towards Chenab Lake to be still deemed as a virgin territory with only few tourists heading to this picturesque waterbody.
Saildhar Tapovan : It is a small village located approximately 15 km from Auli on the way to Joshimath. The place is known for its hot-water springs.
Chattarkund : Among the various lakes located around Auli, Chattarkund is one of the most well-known sweet water lakes in the region. Enclosed by oak and coniferous forests, the lake offers picturesque settings to relax. Chattarkund is located 1 km ahead of Gurso Bugyal.
Nanda Devi National Park : Situated at a distance of around 36 km from Auli, Nanada Devi National Park is a must-see place for travelers visiting the hill station. Nanada Devi National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is spread over an area of 630 sq km. Tourists can see a large species of flora and fauna native to Himalayan region like bahral, snow leopards, chir pheasants and Himalayan black bears. One other way to access the park is by trekking (23 km) from Joshimath.
Vishnu Prayag : Positioned enroute Joshimath to Badrinath, Vishnuprayag is one of the five confluences (panch prayag) of River Alaknanda. Situated at the union of Dhauliganga and Alaknanda Rivers, it offers striking natural views. Auli is about 25 km from Vishnuprayag.
Joshimath :joshimath Situated about 15 km from Auli, Joshimath is the main stopover for tourists visiting Badrinath Dham. Joshimath is situated at an elevation of around 6,150 feet above sea level and is considered as the main gateway for various trekking trails and for mountain climbing expeditions in Garhwal Himalaya. Dotted with an array of temples, Joshimath also has a busy market place where travelers can shop for a number of items like woollen caps, blankets and shawls.
Badrinath : Travelers seeking for divine blessings can travel further to Badrinath, one of the four holy shrines of Char Dham Yatra. Located on National Highway 58 and around 60 km ahead of Joshimath, Badrinath is placed on the banks of Alaknanda River.
Activities in Auli
Besides the many attractions in and around Auli, it also offers travelers a number of exciting activities to indulge in, especially adventure activities. Most of the activities in Auli are full of excitement and can increase your heart beats. Some of the most famous activities to do in Auli are listed below:
Skiing :skiing-in-auli Enclosed by snow-clad mountains of Garhwal Himalyan Range, Auli is a paradise for skiing lovers. It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or an experienced skier, skiing in Auli is one activity that continues to fascinate tourists from all over the world. Glide down its gentle snowy slopes endowed with the beauty of dense coniferous and oak forests and feel the thrill in your veins. The skiing slopes in Auli are divided into four categories- Composite Slopes (3.1 km), Temple Track (red) (400 meters and meant for beginners), 8 No. Track (blue) (800 meters) and 10 No. Slope (white) (900 meters).
GMVN offers both certificate and non-certificate skiing courses of minimum 4 days and maximum 14 days. The courses include everything from accommodation to dining and from ski gears to guides.
Cable Car Rides : Experience the breathtaking views of valley on one side and snow peaks on the other while enjoying cable car rides in Auli. The hill station has Asia’s longest cable car of 4 km. Tourists can enjoy the dazzling beauty of Nanda Devi, Trishul, Dron Parvat and Chhang Bhang.
Trekking : It is not only skiing that attracts adventure seekers to this little paradise of Chamoli district. Auli provides excellent base for several trekking trails. Some of the popular trekking trails in Auli are Auli – Gorson (7 km), Gorson – Tali (6 km), Tali - Kuari Pass (11 km), Kuari Pass - Khulara (12 km), and Khulara - Tapovan (9 km).
Shopping : In the snowy wilderness of Auli, there is no place for shopping. But tourists can find a busy market area in Joshimath, at a distance of around 15 km away from Auli. Tourists can buy a wide array of goods like woolen caps, shawls, blankets, beautiful gift items and souvenirs.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport is Dehradun, about 298 km away. Rishikesh, about 235 km away, is the nearest railhead.
BY ROAD - Regular road services are available from Delhi, Dehradun, Rishikesh and Hardwar to Joshimath, 16 km away. From Joshimath one can hire jeeps to Auli. One can also trek the five kilometer between Joshimath and Auli. For further information, contact the GMVN office at Rajpur Road, Dehradun or the UP tourism offices located all over the country.
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