Things to do in Auli and Places to stay

A polar bear or sloth bear will enjoy all that snow in Auli to roll around or simply hibernate! The Homo Sapien can do more! Having scaled up those Himalayan heights, you would not want to snuggle underneath fleece blankets, the whole day! The majestic peaks would taunt you. The resounding cheer of spectators and participants at the ski resort would spring you up! It is not just about skiing here! The many things to do in Auli is just these listicles away! We have drawn out a few. If you venture out on the snowy trails and bump into something mysterious- (a fossil of a woolly mammoth, probably), earmark the place and let the world know about it!

• ·Of highs and heights -Trekking: The trails may not be even. Rocky paths diffusing into slippery ground, then a stretch of level ground, would make you traverse a mix of terrains! While gaining altitude, you will see the valleys, the meadows, shrinking under a bird’s eye view. The great Himalayan peaks would not seem that far or beyond reach!
• Auli is a perfect gateway for many trekking trails. The one-day treks that can be done from Auli are:
• Auli to Garson b) Garson to Tali c) Khulara to Tapovan d) Valley of flowers e) Nandadevi biosphere reserve. Multi-day trails from Auli, like the ones to Kuari pass attract seasoned as well as novice trekkers.

•  Camping & homing in the Himalayas: Amidst the alpine forests, on the dew-kissed meadows, pitch your tent in the Bugyans of Auli. Watch the night sky twinkle with the many stars (on clear nights that is), be the wide-eyed dreamer, while the Himalayan peaks glisten like a jewel under the moonlight. Huddle in front a bonfire, figure out ways of survival in the wild, with bare necessities. When you camp in the Himalayas, the spirit only surges, to reach higher and go farther.

•  ·        Forest-walks: The alpine forests may look frozen in time, under sheets of snow.  But as you step into the woods, you will discover ‘the breath of wilderness’. Pugmarks of snow leopards, bear scrapings on tree barks or even sight a marmot scampering by. How about discovering dormant buds of wild orchids, some of which are exclusive to the Himalayan region? Somewhere in those hides, in the apparent stillness, there would be a bristle of activity. You just have to keep your eyes peeled and ears perked up. We would suggest that you hire a local forest guide, while taking a walk through the forests.

•   ·        Skiing:   Of the many things to do in Auli, the first that would come to your mind on seeing the snowy slopes, is skiing. Auli’s ski resort has four different ski slopes of varying lengths (900m, 400m, 800m, 3.1 km) designed for beginners, intermediaries and professionals. With customized training programs, provided by the GMVN, there are opportunities galore to learn different snow sports as well.

•  ·        River rafting: The mighty Alaknanda that gushes down the ravine would take you for a toss and tumble. Experience as to how a seemingly placid river rages down with intensity down a rocky landscape. Feel the thrill with your fellow riders, and grip the oars with ferocity to make it safe to the banks! With team spirit, fun and adventure in the making, rafting is one of the top things to do in Auli

•  Kayaking:  Feel the aura of calmness, while you go Kayaking in the placid waters of Alaknanda. Enjoy the panoramic views of the mighty Himalayan peaks. Capture the beauty of the verdant cover as meadows diffuse into alpine forests and vice versa. Before the mists pull down the curtains, try to create your own series of snapshots, that may become every bit worthy of a cover shot?

• Spike your rigour up for Hiking: Would those trails rocky, muddy or slippery stall you? Not, when the roads take you through an off-beaten path, unfolding a quaint settlement, or a cave, a hide, or a temple with unique rituals. A hike along the hamlets from Joshimath would also give you a sneak peek into the lifestyle of the Garhwalis. Into the labyrinths of the Himalayas, believed to be the abode of Gods, you may even come upon a sacred grove, an ancient holy-man, as timeless as the mountains themselves

Places to stay in Auli

A popular ski destination drawing tourists in numbers, Auli offers niche places to stay. But the considerable elevation, limits the number of accommodations in Auli. At a slightly lower elevation, about 14 km from Auli, Joshimath, covers a wide gamut of stays – in terms of budget, amenities, activities for different holiday groups. The stays in Auli though,  offer panoramic views of the Himalayan peaks and the deep gorges, and Alpine forests. We would recommend a booking well in advance for a stay in Auli that offer the following types of accommodation.

•    Boutique resorts:  Perched on precipices, overlooking the deep ravines, the boutique resorts in Auli offer the best of natural grandeur and world-class amenities. You can unwind in the luxury of the ambience, while enjoying the picture windows to the Himalayan wonder. That apart, you get to indulge in authentic Garhwal cuisine, served at the in-house restaurants. A host of activities such as sightseeing, skiing packages etc. can be facilitated by such resorts. 

•   Eco-lodges: At close proximity to the Nanda Devi biosphere, and the Valley of flowers, which is a UNESCO world-heritage site, Auli is on the fringes of an eco-sensitive zone.  Some stays in Auli have been designed to be eco-friendly, with practices that ensure to preserve the ecological balance of the region. By choosing to stay in eco lodges in Auli, you too can get insights about conservation measures that help to maintain the frail ecosystem of the region.

•      Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam lodges/Uttarakhand government lodges: Budget-friendly offering no-frills comfort, the lodges are ideal for backpackers and trekkers, who use Auli as a base camp. Auli is also a gateway for numerous trekking trails to the Himalayan peaks such as the Nandadevi, Dronagiri, Kamet, Mana Parvat etc.