Best of Auli

Prime Day & Hours: Weekends, sunrise and sunsetSuggested Duration: 4-5 hoursTickets: freeNearest Railway Station: Rishikesh New Railway Station, about 255 km awayNearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 271 km awayNearest Bus Stop: Joshimath bus stand, about 11 km awayAuli Artificial Lake, about 3,000 meters high and near the Cliff Top Club, is one of the highest man-made lakes in the world, and a must addition to your Auli tour packages. It was built to provide snow guns and extend skiing carvings when there is less snow, and it also attracts tourists looking for a peaceful place to visit.You can either trek 1-2 km from the GMVN rest-house or take the chairlift to the edge of the lake. You will be surrounded by Himalayan giants like Nanda Devi, Kamet, and Neelgiri. In the winter, the lake freezes into a beautiful ice mirror surrounded by snowy slopes. In the summer, its clear blue waters reflect the mountains all around it, making for great photos.Visitors can relax on benches by the lake, enjoy the peacefulness of the mountains. They can also combine their visit with skiing, ropeway rides, and hikes in the meadows at Gurso Bugyal, Chattrakund, and Joshimath.

Opening Hours: Daily: 06:00 AM - 06:00 PM (Daylight trek hours only)Prime Day & Hours: Weekends; 06:00 AM - 09:00 AMSuggested Duration: 3-4 hours (including trek from Auli)Tickets: Free EntryNearest Railway Station: Rishikesh Railway Station, about 260 KM awayNearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, about 272 KM awayNearest Bus Stop: Joshimath Bus Stand, about 13 KM awayThe high-elevation meadow of Gurson Bugyal stands as an underappreciated destination in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district along the trail that leads to Dayara Bugyal. The alpine meadow situated at about 3,200 meters reveals an extensive green landscape with cattle grazing and pine forests, and faraway snow-capped mountains, making it one of the best places to visit in Uttarakhand..The less crowded nature of Gurson Bugyal provides trekkers with an opportunity to experience the Himalayan environment in its most authentic and unspoiled form. The journey from this location allows visitors to enjoy breathtaking views of Draupadi ka Danda and Bandarpunch peaks. The trek from Raithal village, which lies 40 kilometres away from Uttarkashi town, leads to this destination.The meadow transforms into a field of blooming wildflowers during spring and early summer, while winter brings a snowy landscape, which serves as an excellent spot for snow treks. Gurson Bugyal remains an undiscovered treasure of Garhwal because of its pristine environment combined with peaceful isolation and abundant natural beauty.

A majestic peak nestled in the quaint hill station of Auli, Nanda Devi is renowned as the Goddess of Himalayas. Counted among the many popular UNESCO sites, it is the second tallest peak in India flaunting the surreal backdrops of Garhwal. It stands at an altitude of 7817 meters above the sea level and lures the visitors with its awe-inspiring views.The peak is surrounded by Nanda Devi National Park where one can bask in nature’s glory and catch the bewitching sight of exotic flora and fauna. Nanda Devi mountain range has two peaks including Western and Eastern peaks. While the eastern peak is named after Goddess Nanda, the western peak is popularly known as Sunanda Peak.Apart from its natural splendour, the place has also gained massive popularity for its religious significance. Nandadevi is hailed as the Goddess of Uttarakhand and abode of Lord Shiva, which is why it is frequented by a large number of devotees.This Himalayan beauty is equally popular among adventure enthusiasts and travel buffs for its enthralling trekking routes and serene villages which provide the much-needed relaxation after a hectic day of sightseeing. The 55 Km trek to Nanda Devi flags off from the beautiful town of Lata, takes you through Dharansi Pass, Debrugheta, and Hitoli, and ends at Joshimath.During the trek, you will get an opportunity to interact with the natives of Himalayas and learn about their lifestyle and culture. You will also get to see the confluence of sacred rivers Nandaprayag, Rudraprayag, and Devprayag.