HolidayIQ | Reviewer of the Month February 2008

At 10,000 feet above mean sea level, Auli is considered to have the best slopes for skiing across Asia. This place has also hosted international skiing and winter sports competitions.

The ski slopes at Auli are nestled in the majestic Nanda Devi (the second highest in India), Brahmkamal (this is where Lord Hanuman is said to have got the Sanjeevani booti from), Trishul and Hathi Ghoda peaks.

Sight-seeing and shopping:

The Cliff Top Club is the best option for food and stay. You can stay at the GMVN resort if you are on a budget. The food is priced just a wee bit on the higher side but given the hardship in getting the stuff there, one does not mind. There are one or two small shacks which serve noodles, biscuits and tea at double the price. While there is an option of North Indian, Chinese and South Indian fare at the Cliff Top Club– stick to the North Indian fare. The food is good and veg & non-veg options are offered. Apart from this, if one is staying at the resort, there is a fully equipped kitchen where you can cook. This means you either get the groceries to the resort or purchase it at the grocery store in the resort for double the price.

A morning view of the sun breaking over the proud snow covered peaks is a must watch.The only things one can buy at Joshimath are pictures of the Valley of Flowers and the mountains, temples etc. Be sure to stock up on your Duracells in the plains – they have not been heard of a lot in these areas). At Auli there is no place to shop except the grocery shop in the resort. No souvenirs – just lovely memories.

Opinion on activities

Skiing in Auli

Skiing, skiing and skiing in winters and trekking in others. Try your hand (or should we say legs) at skiing - both the resorts offer instructors and skiing equipment on hire at a daily basis. The trick is to enjoy falling as much as you do sliding down the slopes.

In winters one does not have much to do if you do not want to ski. You can play with snow or walk around (which can take some time to get used to but is great fun). The flurry of flakes and cold notwithstanding, a snow fall is a great time to walk about.

In other seasons the Cliff Top Club Resort offers guided treks to places nearby like Gorsons Meadow, Gorsons Peak, Chitrakund Pond, and many other places depending on how much one wants to walk. Apart from this, for people mesmerized by huge mountains, their history and just soaking into the serenity one can just sit and relax all day. There is a chair car ride from near the Cliff Top Club and goes all the way down to the GMVN resort and takes about 20 mins for the round trip. It is great fun with a scenic view of the snow and ski slopes throughout.

How to reach, travel tips & warnings etc

Auli is about 500 kms from Delhi by road through some of the most rugged, mighty and brown
mountains you will ever see. The roads are mostly good but downright non-existent at a few
places.

Companions in Solitude

Way to Auli

One can reach Haridwar by an overnight train from Delhi and hire a cab or take the State Transport bus from there to Joshimath. Joshimath to Auli is by the famous cable car – be sure to check the timings for the rides up and down.

A bus is not a good option for people looking for a comfortable drive and if they suffer from mountain sickness. If not this, one can drive all the way from Delhi to Joshimath through Haridwar Rishikesh-Devprayag-Srinagar-Rudraprayag-Karnaprayag Nandaprayag-Chamoli and Pipalkoti. You can stop at any of these towns for a roadside meal or a hot cup of spiced tea.

After Rishikesh the entire drive is in the mountains with views along the way to die for. You will find a number of mesmerizing photo-ops on the way. Huge mountains with the Alaknanda giving you company all the way are a feast for the eyes. Devprayag where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi meet and form the Ganges is a good place to stop. Be sure to walk down to the Sangam and behold this mightiest of Indian rivers.

The entire drive can take around 13 to 16 hrs depending on number of stops and speed. You will need to break journey as driving in the hills is prohibited from 8 pm to 5:30 am.

Warning: Watch out for Land slides! Carry heavy duty woolens during winters – the locals are used to the cold, you are not. Carry a strip of Avomine if prone to mountain sickness.