A Great Journey to Auli from Delhi: Ski Slopes & Himalayan Peaks

Assemble by 07:00 AM at your pickup point in Delhi/NCR. Cruise along the Delhi–Meerut Expressway and NH-334 through Muzaffarnagar and Roorkee into Haridwar.

Arrival in Rishikesh (1,120 ft): Ascend the Shivalik foothills to reach the yoga capital of Rishikesh by early afternoon. Check into your river resort or boutique hotel along the Ganges, unpack, and freshen up.

Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat: In the late afternoon, explore the suspension bridges of Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula. At 05:30 PM, attend the synchronized maha-aarti ceremony at Triveni Ghat, where rhythmic chanting, brass lamps, and floating leaf diyas illuminate the sacred river. Dinner and overnight stay in Rishikesh.

Mountain Ascent (06:30 AM): Depart early after breakfast along NH-07, following the turquoise waters of the Ganga and Alaknanda into the heart of the Garhwal Himalayas.

The Confluences of the Gods: Stop at spectacular river viewpoints:

Devprayag: Witness the confluence of the turquoise Bhagirathi and muddy Alaknanda, where the holy river officially takes the name "Ganga."

Rudraprayag: View the meeting of the Alaknanda and the glacial Mandakini River originating from Kedarnath.

Karnaprayag & Nandaprayag: The junctions of the Pindar and Nandakini rivers with the Alaknanda.

Arrival in Joshimath / Auli (6,200–9,500 ft): Ascend past Chamoli and Pipalkoti to reach the ancient cantonment of Joshimath by late afternoon. Board the Joshimath–Auli Cable Car (or take the winding 14 km mountain road / local 4x4 snow shuttle) to reach your ski resort or alpine cottage in Auli.

Evening: Settle in by a heater with hot tea as the alpenglow illuminates the western face of Nanda Devi (25,643 ft)—India's second-highest peak. Dinner and overnight stay in Auli (or Joshimath).

08:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Ski Slopes & Chairlift): Step out onto the expansive snowfields of Auli (9,500–10,500 ft). Take the open chairlift up to Slope No. 10. Rent ski gear and hire a certified local GMVN ski instructor for beginner lessons in skiing or snowboarding (seasonal: Jan–March). In spring and summer, the slopes transform into emerald green meadows covered with wildflowers.

01:30 PM – 04:30 PM (Auli Artificial Lake & Gorson Bugyal Trek): Walk to the Auli Artificial Lake, built by the government to feed snow guns; its mirror-like waters reflect Nanda Devi, Mana Parbat, Kamet, and Dunagiri. For active travelers, embark on an easy, scenic 3 km guided trek through oak and rhododendron forests to the sprawling high-altitude pasture of Gorson Bugyal (11,100 ft) for unobstructed 360-degree Himalayan views.

Joshimath Spiritual Heritage (Late Afternoon Option): For spiritual travelers, take the cable car down to Joshimath to visit the 8th-century Narasimha Temple (winter seat of Lord Badrinath) and the ancient Shankaracharya Math with its 2,500-year-old Kalpavriksha tree. Return to Auli for dinner by a bonfire (seasonal). Overnight stay in Auli.

Sunrise over Nanda Devi: Wake early to witness the sun cast golden hues across the snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

Descent to Foothills: Savor breakfast and check out from your hotel by 07:30 AM. Descend through the Alaknanda valley past Pipalkoti, Chamoli, and Srinagar Garhwal. Stop for lunch at a riverside highway restaurant near Kirtinagar.

Rishikesh Arrival: Arrive in Rishikesh / Haridwar by late afternoon (04:30 PM – 05:30 PM). Check into your hotel. Spend a relaxed evening walking along the riverfront or exploring the local cafes of Tapovan. Dinner and overnight stay in Rishikesh.