The best Auli Chopta itinerary for most people is five days. Day 1: drive Haridwar to Chopta. Day 2: Tungnath–Chandrashila trek. Day 3: drive to Auli. Day 4: explore Auli. Day 5: drive back to Haridwar. Four days works in summer if you're short on leave; six days lets you add Deoria Tal and a gentler drive home.
This Auli Chopta itinerary is built around real drive times on these mountain roads, not the quick estimates map apps show. We run this route from Haridwar every season, so each day is planned around what actually works: when to start the trek, where to stop for lunch, and how to avoid the longest drives after dark.
If you're just starting to plan, read our Auli Chopta travel guide first.
Which itinerary should you pick?
| Plan | Best for | Trek days | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 days | Short leave, April–June only | 1 | Fast, with long drive days |
| 5 days | First-timers and most groups | 1 | Balanced |
| 6 days | Families, photographers, Deoria Tal | 2 | Relaxed |
The 5-day plan is our standard Auli Chopta tour package. The 6-day plan is our 6-day Auli Chopta package.
5-day Auli Chopta itinerary (most popular)
Day 1: Haridwar to Chopta (about 225 km, 7–8 hours)
We pick you up early from Haridwar Railway Station, Rishikesh or Dehradun airport. The road follows the Ganga into the hills. Your first big stop is Devprayag, where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet to become the Ganga. Further on, you pass Dhari Devi temple, set on a platform in the river near Srinagar.
After Rudraprayag, you leave the main highway and climb toward Kund and Ukhimath. The last stretch winds through oak and rhododendron forest to Chopta. Check into your camp, have tea, and rest. You'll want an early night.
Tip: sit on the left side of the car for the best river views up to Rudraprayag.
Day 2: Tungnath and Chandrashila trek
This is the big day. After an early breakfast, start walking by 6–7 AM, before the clouds come in.
- Chopta to Tungnath: about 3.5 km on a stone-paved path, through forest and then open meadows. Most people take 2–3 hours.
- Tungnath to Chandrashila: about 1.5 km more, steeper and rockier. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.
- Round trip: about 10 km, 5–6 hours with stops.
Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world. From Chandrashila, at about 4,000 m, you get a 360° view of Chaukhamba, Kedar Dome, Trishul and Nanda Devi. You'll be back at camp by mid-afternoon. Everything you need to know is in our Tungnath Chandrashila trek guide.
Day 3: Chopta to Auli (about 110–120 km, around 5 hours)
The road drops through the forest to Mandal and Gopeshwar, where you can visit the old Gopinath temple. At Chamoli, you join the Badrinath highway and follow the Alaknanda to Joshimath. From there, a steep 14–16 km road climbs to Auli.
The Joshimath–Auli ropeway has been closed since January 2023, so the last stretch is by road (latest status). Route details and stops are in our Chopta to Auli route guide.
Day 4: Auli sightseeing
Spend the day on the slopes:
- Walk 3 km through forest to Gurson Bugyal, a wide meadow facing Nanda Devi. Chattrakund lake is about 1 km beyond.
- Visit the artificial lake near the top of the slopes.
- In January–February, try a half-day skiing lesson. See our skiing in Auli guide.
- In the evening, watch the light change on Nanda Devi.
Day 5: Auli to Haridwar (about 270–280 km, 9–10 hours)
After breakfast, visit Narsingh temple in Joshimath. Then it's a long drive down past the confluences at Nandprayag, Karnaprayag and Rudraprayag. You'll reach Haridwar by evening.
Honest note: Day 5 is long. It suits an evening train back. If you're flying out of Dehradun early the next morning, the 6-day plan is more comfortable.
4-day Auli Chopta itinerary (summer only)
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Haridwar to Chopta |
| 2 | Tungnath–Chandrashila trek at dawn, then afternoon drive to Auli or Joshimath |
| 3 | Auli sightseeing and Gurson Bugyal |
| 4 | Drive back to Haridwar |
This works from April to June, when days are long and roads are clear. You'll need to start the trek by 5:30–6 AM to leave Chopta by early afternoon. In winter, don't try to fit the trek and the Auli drive into one day: daylight is short and roads can ice over after dark.
6-day Auli Chopta itinerary (with Deoria Tal)
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Haridwar to Sari village, near Ukhimath |
| 2 | Sunrise walk to Deoria Tal (about 2.5–3 km each way), then a short drive to Chopta |
| 3 | Tungnath–Chandrashila trek |
| 4 | Chopta to Auli |
| 5 | Auli sightseeing, Gurson Bugyal, optional skiing |
| 6 | Auli to Haridwar, or stop overnight at Rudraprayag or Srinagar to split the drive |
Deoria Tal is a forest lake where, on a still morning, the Chaukhamba peaks reflect perfectly in the water. It also gives you an easy warm-up walk before the bigger Tungnath trek. Read our Deoria Tal trek guide.
Chopta first or Auli first?
We always go to Chopta first. Here's why:
- Gradual altitude. Chopta (about 2,680 m) is lower than Auli, and the trek goes up to about 4,000 m. Going up in steps is easier on your body.
- Fresh legs for the trek. On Day 2 you've had one drive day. Leave it to the end, and you're tired from three.
- An easier drive home. The long return starts from Joshimath on the main Badrinath highway, with more fuel stations, dhabas and wider roads.
Winter changes (December to March)
Winter is beautiful, but the plan needs a few changes:
- Road to Chopta: heavy snow can block the road between Duggalbitta and Chopta. Camps may move you a few kilometres lower, adding a short walk to the trailhead.
- The trek: the Tungnath trail becomes a snow trek. Carry micro-spikes and start at first light.
- The temple: Tungnath temple is closed in winter (usually from early November to late April or early May). You can still walk up to it and to Chandrashila.
- The Auli drive: if the forest road via Mandal is snowed in, the drive goes the long way via Ukhimath and Rudraprayag, which adds 3–4 hours.
- Spare day: keep one extra day in January and February.
For a month-by-month view, read the best time to visit Auli Chopta. Make sure you pack right with our Auli Chopta packing list.
Starting from Delhi
Add a day at each end. Take an overnight train or an early bus to Haridwar (about 210–220 km), and start Day 1 there. On the way back, evening trains from Haridwar reach Delhi late at night. A Delhi-to-Delhi trip is usually 6–7 days.
Book this itinerary
Want this plan adjusted for your dates or group? Book the Auli Chopta tour or call/WhatsApp +91-90459-16770, +91-78307-18687. For prices, see the full Auli Chopta trip cost.
