Auli - Skiing Paradise of Garhwal Uttarakhand
Auli is a hill station located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand state in India. It has derived its name from Auli – meaning grasslands, from the features of its topography. The hill station is situated on the slopes and has vast stretches of meadows which are a treat to the eyes. This place is lovingly known as a place where nature comes alive in all its splendor and magnificence.
It is rich in natural resources and offers stunning views of the surrounding hills. The small yet picture-perfect town of Auli is India’s premier ski resort. Originally developed as a paramilitary base, the skiing slopes of this place are popular among tourists and professionals alike. In winter, Auli hosts several snow adventure events. Situated at an altitude of about 2,800 meters, and surrounded by acres of oak and coniferous forests, this place offers panoramic views of some of India’s highest peaks, including Nanda Devi, the country’s second highest.
It is also the gateway to the Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks, including the Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara, and popular trekking destinations such as Gorson Bugyal, Pangarchulla Summit, and Tapovan can be accessed via this place. Apart from this place, there are many other skiing destinations in Uttarakhand like Dayara Bugyal, Munsiyari, and Mundali.
Brief About History
As far as history is concerned, it is believed that the great Guru Adi Shankaracharya first set foot on the land of Auli. He built a temple at Joshimath which exists to date. In the coming years, This place was inhabited by semi-nomadic tribes known as Bhotias. They were of Mongolian origin and established a prosperous trade with Tibet on their yaks. Later, This place became a training ground for the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force. After the formation of Uttarakhand from Uttar Pradesh, this place became a part of the state of Uttarakhand and was marketed as a tourist destination.
Auli is famous for?
As this place means meadows, this popular tourist destination in Uttarakhand is famous for its meadows surrounded by thick vegetation of oak and coniferous trees. It is popular for its natural attractions, panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, wildflowers, trees, and lush green vegetation. Apart from this, this place is also famous for being an adventure sports destination, especially during winter when one can enjoy skiing here.
The Skiing Destination of India
There is no dearth of natural beauty in Auli with apple orchards, old oak, and deodar trees. Apart from skiing, you can also go for several treks in the hills of the Garhwal Himalayas and enjoy the mesmerizing views of the snow-capped mountains. This place is a popular hill station in the Himalayan range that dates back to the 8th century AD.
The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (GMVL) runs a ski resort and a ski rental shop. Auli is a popular skiing destination in India because of its spectacular slopes and clean climate. Dotted with apple orchards, oaks, and deodar, this place is a popular hill town with several ski resorts situated amidst
Adventure Activities in Auli
Auli View Points
The panoramic views in Auli can be astonishing as it is surrounded by very high peaks including Nanda Devi (7817 m). The Hanuman temple is believed to be the place where Hanuman took some rest when he came to the Himalayas to bring Sanjeevani to save Lakshmana, the younger brother of Rama. Visitors can also enjoy a cable car here which can provide them with a beautiful view of the surroundings. This place also has an artificial lake which is the highest man-made lake in the world
Skiing
Skiing in Auli offers beautiful views of peaks like Mount Nanda Devi Kamet, Mana Parvat, Dunagiri, Bithartoli, Neelkanth, Hathi Parvat, Ghori Parvat, and Nar Parvat. The snow-clad hill station of this place covered with evergreen conifers and the oak forest is situated at an altitude of 2000 -3000 meters above sea level and is an ideal place for skiing in India.
Gurso Bugyal
Situated at an altitude of 3,056 meters, Gurso Bugyal is a picturesque broad meadow in Uttarakhand. Known for its lush green pastures, it is dotted with towering conifers and oak trees. This heavenly trespass provides an awesome view of all the nearby and important mountain ranges namely Nanda Devi, Drona, and Trishul.
Kwani Bugyal
Kwani Bugyal situated at an altitude of 3380 meters at a distance of 12 km from Gurso Bugyal is a very popular place among trekkers. Offering a breathtaking view of snow-capped mountains like Nanda Devi and Doonagiri, it is a favorite camping spot. The best time to visit Kavani Bugyal is from June to September.
Must Visit Place In Auli
Trishul Peak
The three Himalayan mountain peaks of western Kumaon form the Trishul peak. With a height of 7120 meters, the Trishul Group forms the southwest corner of the ring of peaks that surround the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. In 1907, the main peak – Trishul I – became the first peak over 7,000 meters ever climbed. The peak can be best viewed from Kausani or during the Roopkund trek.
Joshimath
Joshimath, a major pilgrimage center among Hindus, has several temples. Adi Guru Shankaracharya established one of the four Peethas (centers) for sanyasis here. The Narasimha temple is the most popular of all the temples. Joshimath also serves as the gateway to the beautiful Valley of Flowers. It is a resting place for pilgrims going to Badrinath.
Chenab Lake
Chenab Lake is an artificial lake that serves as a water reservoir for the people of this place, Uttarakhand. It is a small crystalline lake that is still less explored and in its purest state, which keeps the sight of tourists and makes it an attractive place.
The trek to Chenab Lake is for those who really want a raw and authentic trekking experience – through rocky passes surrounded by twigs and plants. Protected by the Garhwal Himalayan range, Chenab Lake still has crystal clear water that acts like a prism for the mountains.
Nandprayag
One of the Panchprayags, Nandprayag is the confluence of the Alaknanda and Nandakini rivers. It is a place of spirituality and devotion as well as beautiful landscapes. A special place of religious, natural, and spiritual importance, Nandprayag is one of the five meeting points of the Alaknanda River with other rivers flowing into it.
Must Visit Place In Auli
The best time to visit Auli for skiing is between December and March.
However, the best season to visit Auli is throughout the year. The summer months in this place extend from April to June are great to experience pleasant weather. May to November is fairly pleasant in Auli and are the right months for indulging in leisure outdoors.
How To Reach
By Air: Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport. You can travel to Josimath by private or shared taxi from the airport.
Then Josimath you can travel to Auli.
The nearest railway station to Joshimath are Dehradun and Rishikesh.
You can book private or shared taxis from the station to reach Joshimath.
There are no direct buses available from here so one has to travel from Rishikesh to Joshimath and then from there to this place.
Josimath is well-connected by road, with buses and taxis easily accessible from major Uttarakhand destinations like Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Haridwar.
NOTE:- In this article, we cover all the important details regarding Auli, Uttarakhand like the best time to visit and Activities you can do in Bhimtal, Still If you have any other queries you can visit the gov official website of Uttarakhand Tourism. And If you want to know the best places to visit in Uttarakhand then visit our website uttarakhandeyes.com.
