Auli situated at a height of 3050 meters (9000 feet) above sea level in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand is a must visit place. The Himalayan snow slopes at Auli attracts skiers from across the world. Some of the best ski resorts are located here. Auli lies on the way to Badrinath.
Auli is also known as Bugyal meaning meadows and hence is a place not to be missed even in summer. I visited in summer and enjoyed every moment spent there.
During summer, you can see the distant peaks covered with snow and the slopes with alpine, oak, and deodar forests, green meadows dotted with wild flowers. There is magic and perfection in god’s paint brush!
Auli is surrounded by lofty peaks of Mana, Kamet and Nanda Devi.
The cable car that takes you to the top at Auli is Asia’s longest cable car stretching to 4 Km. It is known as Gondola in the Hills.
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam conducts training camps for both learners and experts here. Hence there are chair lift and ski lift for people taking part in skiing. The best time to visit for skiing is the last week of Jan to first week of March.
The highest manmade lake in the world is at Auli. There are many trekking trails around Auli for the Adventurous travelers.
Interesting places nearby are Joshimath, Vishnu Prayag, and Srinagar.
Legend:
There is a small temple dedicated to Hanuman here. It is believed that when Lakshman got injured while fighting the Demons in Lanka, the herb Sanjivani was prescribed to him. Hanuman flew all the way from Lanka to the Sanjivani Mountain and took rest in Auli before embarking on his journey. The temple is believed to have been constructed in the place, Lord Hanuman took rest.
Place Statistics:
Type of Place: Ski Destination
Situated: Chamoli district, Uttarakhand
Distance: 13 Km from Joshimath, 170 Km from Dehradun, 285 Km from Shimla, 299 Km from Haridwar
Transport: Well connected by road, cable car, and ski lifts. From Joshimath onwards, both bus and taxi services are available for Auli.
Facilities: Ski resorts, Hotel Clifftop club
