How to reach Auli by road, with fares
Auli is about 265 km from Rishikesh by road: up the Alaknanda valley to Jyotirmath, then a 16 km climb of hairpins to the slopes, typically 9 to 10 hours in total. A chauffeur-driven sedan costs Rs 9,540 Pay Now to Reserve one way and an Innova Crysta Rs 15,110 Pay Now to Reserve, before 5% GST, tolls and parking.
Say "snow holiday in India" to a Delhi family and Auli comes up sooner or later. The slopes run from roughly 2,500 to over 3,000 metres on a shoulder above Jyotirmath, covered in oak and deodar lower down and open meadow above, with an uninterrupted view of Nanda Devi, Kamet, Mana Parvat, Dronagiri and the Hathi-Ghoda pair. In winter those meadows carry some of the country's best-known ski runs; in spring and early summer they turn into grassy bugyals full of wildflowers and grazing sheep.
Getting there is half the adventure. The drive follows the Badrinath highway through the river confluences of Garhwal and then swings off at Jyotirmath for the steep final ascent, which in January and February can mean snow on the road. That last stretch is why most people book a car with a driver who knows it. RutzIndia.com runs Auli trips from Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun and Delhi, with SUVs on request for the snow months.
Things to do in Auli through the year
Winter: snow and skiing (roughly January to March)
- Beginner ski courses. Government-run and private ski schools rent skis, boots and poles and run short courses for novices on the gentler lower runs. Book in advance for February weekends.
- Chairlift and ski lift. The slope chairlift links the lower and upper parts of the resort area when it is operating. Check on arrival; operations depend on snow and maintenance.
- Snow play. Families without ski plans simply sledge, build snowmen and walk the powder around the artificial lake, which was built to feed snow-making on the main slope.
Spring and summer: meadows and treks
- Gorson Bugyal. A gentle walk of about 3 km from the upper slopes through oak and rhododendron forest to a wide alpine meadow with Himalayan views. It is the most popular half-day outing.
- Kuari Pass trail. The multi-day trek often called the Curzon Trail starts from villages near Auli and Tapovan and needs a registered trekking operator.
- Sunrise on Nanda Devi. Clear mornings from April to June and again from October give the best views of India's second-highest peak lighting up pink and gold.
In Jyotirmath below
- Narsingh temple, the winter seat of Badrinath, and Jyotirmath itself, one of the four mathas associated with Adi Shankaracharya.
- Kalpavriksha, an ancient mulberry tree revered near the math.
A note on the ropeway: the Jyotirmath to Auli cable car, one of the longest in Asia, has seen long closures since the 2023 land subsidence in Jyotirmath. Assume the road is your way up unless the official Uttarakhand Tourism Auli page or local notices say otherwise.
The drive from Rishikesh to Auli
For the first 250 km you are on the Badrinath highway, and the rhythm of the day is set by its towns: Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Chamoli and Pipalkoti. The widened road makes good time in dry weather. Beyond Chamoli the valley tightens and the Alaknanda turns into a milky torrent far below.
At Jyotirmath the car leaves the highway and takes the Auli road, around 16 km of tight switchbacks through forest. It is well surfaced but narrow, with a steep drop on one side and very few places to pass a bus. In winter, road crews clear it after snowfall, but for a day or two after a heavy spell only four-wheel-drive vehicles, or cars fitted with snow chains, may be allowed through, and sometimes nobody goes up until the blades have done their work. Your driver carries chains in the snow months and will stop at the last safe point if conditions are poor; resorts can arrange a transfer from there.
Most families break the journey for a night at Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag or Pipalkoti, arriving in Auli by early afternoon on day two, when the light on Nanda Devi is still good. From Delhi, add roughly 240 km to Rishikesh, which our Rishikesh taxi service and Delhi pickups cover. Jolly Grant airport, served by our Dehradun taxi service, is the nearest airport.
Best time to visit Auli and weather warnings
- Late December to early March: snow season. The heaviest falls usually come in January and February. Days are bright but temperatures sit below freezing at night. Book hotels early for Christmas, New Year and the Republic Day weekend.
- April to June: the snow retreats, the bugyals turn green and the peaks are often clear in the mornings. Pleasant for families who want mountain air rather than snow.
- July to mid-September: monsoon. The highway below Jyotirmath is prone to landslides, and clouds hide the peaks for days. Not the time for a short trip.
- October and November: clear, cold and quiet, with superb views and the first dusting of snow on the upper slopes by late November.
Check the Chamoli district website and our driver's morning road report before setting off from Rishikesh. Note that Auli is not a Char Dham shrine, so the pilgrim registration does not apply unless you are also visiting Badrinath.
Cabs, SUVs and Auli fares
All prices are before 5% GST. Tolls, parking and state charges are billed at actual cost, and the driver night allowance is Rs 1,500 per night. Round trips are billed on actual kilometres or 250 km per calendar day, whichever is higher.
| Auli trip | Compact sedan | Ertiga | Innova Crysta | Fortuner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh to Auli one way (about 265 km) | Rs 9,540 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 11,130 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 15,110 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 22,260 Pay Now to Reserve |
| Delhi to Auli one way (about 505 km) | Rs 18,180 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 21,210 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 28,790 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 42,420 Pay Now to Reserve |
| 5-day snow trip from Delhi (1,250 km billed) | Rs 45,000 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 52,500 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 71,250 Pay Now to Reserve | Rs 1,05,000 Pay Now to Reserve |
Which vehicle for which season:
- April to November: a sedan or Ertiga is perfectly adequate for two to five travellers.
- December to March: book an Innova Crysta or, better, a Fortuner on rent with snow chains. The extra ground clearance and traction matter on the Jyotirmath climb.
- School ski groups and big families: a Tempo Traveller on rent carries 12 to 26 people and costs Rs 78 per km, Rs 20,670 one way from Rishikesh. In heavy snow, larger vehicles may need to stop lower and shuttle up.
Every car is within four model years. Cancellation is free more than 72 hours before pickup; 10% applies within 72 hours, 50% within 48 hours and 100% within 24 hours or for a no-show. Snow closures are handled case by case; read our cancellation policy.
A 4-day Auli itinerary from Rishikesh
Day 1: Rishikesh to Pipalkoti or Karnaprayag (about 170 to 225 km). Morning start, tea at Devprayag, lunch at Rudraprayag. Overnight by the river.
Day 2: To Auli (about 40 to 95 km). A short morning run to Jyotirmath and up the hairpins. Check in, rent jackets or ski kit, and spend the afternoon on the slopes or walking to the lake.
Day 3: Auli (local driving only). Gorson Bugyal in summer or a morning ski lesson in winter. Afternoon visit to the Narsingh temple in Jyotirmath, or a 45 km drive to Badrinath darshan in the yatra season. Our Badrinath by road guide explains that leg.
Day 4: Auli to Rishikesh (about 265 km). Leave after an early breakfast to reach Rishikesh by evening, or stop a night at Srinagar.
Short on days? Chopta offers similar snow views with a shorter drive; see our Chopta by road guide.
Staying in Auli versus Jyotirmath
Where you sleep shapes the whole trip, so decide it before you book the car.
On the slopes at Auli you wake up to Nanda Devi from the window and can walk straight onto the snow. Accommodation here is limited: a government tourist complex, a handful of resorts and some cottages spread along the road. In January and February they fill with ski-course students and weekend crowds from Delhi, and prices climb accordingly. The upside is that once you arrive the car can rest; nobody needs to drive the hairpins again until checkout.
In Jyotirmath town you get more choice, lower prices, restaurants, pharmacies and ATMs, and nights that are a few degrees warmer, which matters for elders and small children. The catch is the daily climb: about 16 km each way, 45 minutes or more in snow. Some families choose Jyotirmath for the first night to adjust to the altitude and move up to Auli for the second.
Lower down at Pipalkoti or Chamoli you trade the views for a shorter first day and a gentler altitude gain. This makes sense if you are arriving late from Delhi.
Whatever you choose, tell us at booking time. The driver plans fuel, start times and the chain-fitting stop around your hotel, and if a snowfall closes the upper road overnight he will know which local transfer the resort uses. Groups booking a Tempo Traveller for the full stay should also mention it, because a big vehicle may be parked in Jyotirmath while a smaller one shuttles up. For a family car for the whole week, our Innova Crysta on rent page lists what is included.
Practical tips for Auli by car
- Rent snow gear in Jyotirmath or Auli. Boots, jackets and gloves are available; you do not need to carry heavy kit from Delhi.
- Protect your eyes and skin. Snow glare at 3,000 metres is fierce. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential.
- Keep medicines for altitude. Headaches and breathlessness are common on day one. Walk slowly.
- Fuel up at Jyotirmath. There is no fuel station on the Auli road.
- Mind the cold start. In January the car may sit overnight at minus temperatures; so drivers warm the engine up well before departure.
- Respect the meadows. Carry your litter back down. The bugyals recover slowly.
