Auli: From an altitude of nearly 3000 meter from the sea level, with a vertical drop of 529 meter, the snowy slopes of Auli can bring the best - or alternately, the worst - in you. For, sliding down the beaten snow on skis at a speed of 20-40 km per hour can be
a thrilling or harrowing experience, as the case may be. While coming down, perched on two precarious all your attention is nailed on the view in front of you, the way it is during a video game.
Only, the thrill this time is not vicarious; a single error of judgment can cost you a precious limb. This may be
hard to digest for the buffs of Hindi movies, where seemingly all one needs to do for skiing is to slip into the ski boots,
tilt one's body a little forward, and keep pushing yourself with a pair of clubs.
But reality can bite worse than frost! It requires hours of disciplined training,
months of practice, and years of experience before one can actually enact the valiant hero on a ski, chasing the light-of-his-life on thin ice, with a song on his lips.
For the ski enthusiasts, Auli is an active destination.
The Garhwal Mandal
Vikas Nigam (GMVN) offers a fortnight-long skiing course for the amateurs. There is also a weeklong course for the tourists.
The charges are Rs 3,500 per head; students may avail of a discount.
The skiing equipment is also available at an affordable dent on your purse. But all the time and money is worth spending for one single downhill journey that is made on the skis.
But ski slopes are not all. Nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas,
Auli has many more highs. Look around, and there is a 180-degree view of snow-clad peaks - prominent being Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, and Panch Chuli. The splurge of white is half-surrounded on one side by oak forests. Besides, the frequent thrashing that the slopes receive from
imported snow beaters, make them a sight for sore eyes. The visitors can sit for hours on end, relaxing in God's own resort.
All the basic necessities are at hand, sans the phone beeps. But most visitors find the absence of phone
connections here a welcome change from other destinations. There is nothing in their world that cannot wait for 24 hours. But this is not to undermine the utility of scientific devices at Auli. The upper slopes of Auli host the longest ropeway in Asia.
This ropeway has ten towers of self-supporting steel structures, complete with saddles and shoes. Besides, Auli also offers the luxury of an 800-meter chair lift linking the lower slopes with the upper region. Remote-controlled hydraulic and pneumatic braking system makes it safe to travel in this
chair, which also has a storm-warning device attached to it. Another comfortable scientific contribution to this highland is a state-of-the-art ski lift.
Accessibility
For those heading for Auli, the best possible way is to
catch the Dehradun Shatabdi Express to reach Rishikesh early in the morning. One must reach Joshimath, some 250 km from Rishikesh on the Badrinath route, before the sunset.
Things start taking shape for the Auli visitors in Kaudiyala, some 200 km before the destination, on the Badrinath route.
If you happen to stop at one of the many GMVN rest houses for a quick bite, the rear window of your vehicle may earn an “Auli” sticker as a souvenir. En route, one comes across confluences
(called prayags) of various tributaries into the river Ganga. Infact, it is at Deoprayag where Bhagirathi and
Alaknanda merge to be named the Ganga. Brief stopovers to these prayags - Deoprayaga, Rudraprayaga, Karnapryaga, and Nandprayaga - are an absolute must. The scenic views of the Alaknanda valley, through out the uphill road are only aperitifs.
The culmination point waits you at Auli. Auli is 16 kilometer from Joshimath. The chair-lift is the best way to move up the slopes, though you can spot the brave taking to trekking, often going knee deep on the virgin snow. As you may realize, the journey upward was merely a building up of the final thrill.
And the coming down to find your feet, is a tribute to the heavenly forces that carve such spots on earth.
How to reach
Nearest railhead is Raiwala near Rishikesh (250 km approx); from here one can take a bus/tourist cars early morning to reach
Joshimath/Auli by evening. Nearest airport is Dehradun (300 km approx). It is advisable to reach Joshimath by 4 pm, from where the ropeway chair can take you to Auli. Road to Auli is closed after dusk.
Where to stay
At Auli, there is only Garhwal Mandal
Vikas Nigam tourist bungalow with deluxe huts, and a regular vegetarian fare for menu. Charges are upward Rs 700 per night. If the occupancy is full, one can travel down to Joshimath before sunset, where private accommodation is easily available. The entire hilly route from Rishikesh to
Auli has a string of GMVN guest houses at strategic points, with reasonable tariff rates for lodging and boarding. Private accommodation and campsites are also available.
Get in
Best Way: The best way to travel will be
to take overnight train from Delhi and have a cab pick you up from Haridwar in the morning for onward journey to Auli.
By plane: For those travelling by air, the nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehradun, 273 km from Joshimath, 17
km from Rishikesh.
By rail: Coming from any part of India, the nearest rail head is Haridwar 299 km from Auli. Catch a train to New Delhi Station. From New Delhi one can catch a train for Haridwar. It takes more than 7 hours to reach Haridwar (Shatabdi / JanShatabdi takes 6 hours).
By road: Auli is only 13 km drive from Joshimath. State transport and Union buses play regularly between Joshimath and Rishikesh (253 km). Local Transport Union Buses and State Transport buses operate between Joshimath and Rishikesh (253 km), Haridwar (277 km),
Dehradun (298 km) and Delhi (500 km). From Joshimath onwards, both bus and taxi services are available for Auli.
When to Go
Auli can be traveled round the year. but its better to plan your tour between, December to March as this is the most ideal time for all visitors.
.jpg "Chail - Queen of Hills")
Cricket Ground (3 km) : Built in 1893, after levelling the top of a hill, this stands at 2444m and is the highest cricket pitch and polo ground in the world.
Machan-like sighting posts have been built near Blossom and at Khariun.
.jpg "People having fun during winters in Kufri")
with breathtaking view.
Trails Iead upto the Choor Peak and to Shimla. Skiing can be done at Narkanda during winters. There is fishing on the Giri river at Gaura , 29km away.
drop below freezing point when heavy woollens are required. In summer the climate is mild and light woollens/cottons are recommended.
fascinating in autumn when the fields and the forests are covered with a cloak of russet and gold and, of course, in winter it is nothing less than paradise. Everything about this place is as perfect as perfection can possibly be. The air here is crisp, invigorating and there is some kind of warmth in the snow.
.jpg "Tourist Playing @ Auli")
.jpg "Snow Valley - Auli")
