Auli is a snow covered hill station, an ideal place for Skiing, covered with evergreen conifers and oak forest. The snow dressed slopes of Auli which once offered the training grounds for the Paramilitary forces was adjudged by the French and Austrian experts who compared it with the best skiing grounds of the world, and rated it as one of the best. In summer season, hikers may find numerous marked walks and there also are mountain bike trails. Skiing is one of the prime activities and top things to do in Auli.
One of the most exciting things to do in Auli is experiencing a cable car ride. The ride covers a distance of 3.96 kms and has 2 cable cars over 10 towers. The ropeway ride offers enchanting views of the valley below and the mountains above on the way. It starts at Joshimath and ends at Auli.
Perched at an elevation of 3,056m above sea level Gurson Bugyal is a picturesque location from where you can view imposing Himalayas like Nanda Devi, Trishul and Dron. 3 km trek from Auli will lead you to this scenic location. You can also trek towards Chattarkund which is just one km away. When in Auli, you absolutely have to visit the vantage point. It is one of the topmost things to do in Auli.
Situated 12 km from Gurso Bugyal at an elevation of 3380m above sea level Kwani Bugyal is a very popular destination with trekkers. It is best to visit Kawani Bugyal from June to September. The beautiful meadow is surrounded by snow capped peaks and offers stunning views of the mighty mountains in the backdrop. It is a haven for trekkers and you can also spot peaks like Nanda Devi, Dunagiri etc from here.
The three Himalayan mountain peaks of western Kumaun as a whole forms the Trishul peak. It is having a height of 7120m. The Trishul group forms the southwest corner of the ring of peaks which encloses the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. In 1907, the main peak, Trisul I, became the first peak over 7,000 m to have ever been climbed by someone. The peak can be best viewed from Kausani or during the Roopkund Trek. If you an adventure enthusiast, then climbing to this peak should be on your bucket list of things to do in Auli.
Camping is one of the sought after activity and among the top things to do in Auli. After spending a night of bonfire, fun and games, and delicious food, you would sleep under the stars and wake up to enticing sunrise views. Some of these camps also let you enjoy adventure activities like trekking, hiking and wandering the woods with the help of a professional guide.
The least discovered and not so visited Chenab Lake is worth a visit for the calm and serene atmosphere that it offers. The virginity of this place holds the sights of tourists and makes it an enchanting spot. The most interesting thing about the lake is that it is an artificial one and not natural. There are also several trekking options available near the lake. Be sure to include this in your list of things to do in Auli.
One of the prime things to do in Auli is trekking. Auli offers some of the finest slopes of the Himalayan range where you can trek. Peaks ranging from about 2500 to 3000 m, Auli has some well defined trekking routes for trekking enthusiasts. You can trek up to Himalayan peaks such as Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat, Dunagiri, and Joshimath from Auli. Other smaller trekking ranges are Gorson, Tali, Kuari Pass, Khulara and Tapovan.
In proximity to Nanda Devi, which is the second highest peak in India, lies the Nanda Devi National Park in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and is home to some of the rarest and unique high-altitude flora and fauna in the world. The breathtaking views, coupled with the richness of biosphere, set this national park aside from all others that are located in the country.
A prominent pilgrim center among the Hindus, Joshimath hosts several temples. Adi Guru Shankarcharya founded one of the four piths (Centers) for sanyasis here. Among all temples, Narasimha temple is the most popular one. Joshimath also serves as a gateway to the beautiful Valley of Flowers. It is the resting place for the pilgrims going to Badrinath.