An Auli Chopta trip gives you two very different sides of the Garhwal Himalayas in one short holiday. In Chopta, you sleep in a camp in the forest and walk up to Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world. In Auli, you wake up to open snow slopes facing Nanda Devi, India's second-highest mountain. Put together, they make one of the best 5-day trips you can take from Haridwar.
We're a Haridwar-based travel company, and we run this route through every season. This guide puts everything in one place: how to get there, when to go, what to do, where to stay, what it costs and what to pack. Where a topic needs more detail, we link to a full guide on it.
If you'd rather have it all arranged, our Auli Chopta tour package covers the cab, stays and meals from Haridwar.
Auli and Chopta at a glance
| Chopta | Auli | |
|---|---|---|
| District | Rudraprayag | Chamoli |
| Altitude | About 2,680 m | About 2,800–3,000 m |
| Known for | Tungnath–Chandrashila trek, meadows, camping | Skiing, snow slopes, Nanda Devi views |
| Nearest town | Ukhimath (about 29 km) | Joshimath (about 14–16 km) |
| From Haridwar | About 225 km, 7–8 hours | About 270–280 km, 9–10 hours |
| Stay type | Camps and simple lodges | Hotels and resorts |
| Ideal time on a combined trip | 1–2 nights | 1–2 nights |
The two are linked by a forest road via Mandal and Gopeshwar, about 110–120 km apart. That's why most people do both in one trip.
Where are Auli and Chopta?
Both are in Uttarakhand's Garhwal region, north-east of Haridwar and Rishikesh.
Chopta is a small meadow settlement on the road between Ukhimath and Gopeshwar. It sits inside the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, which is why you won't find big hotels there. It's the starting point of the trek to Tungnath and Chandrashila. People often call it the "Mini Switzerland of India" because of its rolling meadows and forests ringed by snow peaks.
Auli is a ski area on the slopes above Joshimath, a town on the road to Badrinath. It faces a wall of big peaks, including Nanda Devi, Trishul and Dronagiri. In winter it becomes India's best-known ski destination. In summer and autumn, it's a quiet place for meadow walks and mountain views.
Not sure which one suits you? Read our honest comparison: Auli vs Chopta.
How to reach Auli and Chopta
Getting to Haridwar or Rishikesh first
Almost every Auli Chopta trip starts from Haridwar or Rishikesh.
- By train: Haridwar Junction and Rishikesh (Yog Nagari) have direct trains from Delhi and many other cities. Overnight trains from Delhi reach early morning, which is perfect for starting the drive.
- By air: Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport, about an hour from Haridwar or Rishikesh.
- By road: Delhi to Haridwar is about 210–220 km, 5–6 hours.
Haridwar to Chopta
The road follows the Ganga to Devprayag, where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet, then continues past Srinagar and Rudraprayag. After Rudraprayag, you turn off toward Kund and Ukhimath and climb through forest to Chopta. It's about 225 km and takes 7–8 hours with stops.
Chopta to Auli
From Chopta, the road drops through the forest to Mandal and Gopeshwar, joins the Badrinath highway at Chamoli, and continues to Joshimath. From Joshimath, a steep 14–16 km road climbs to Auli. The full drive is about 110–120 km and takes around 5 hours. Many online tools show 140–150 km because they send you the long way via Rudraprayag. Full details, stops and winter conditions are in our Chopta to Auli distance and route guide.
What about the Auli ropeway?
The Joshimath–Auli ropeway, once one of Asia's longest cable cars, has been closed since 5 January 2023. Land subsidence in Joshimath affected the ground near one of its towers, and it was shut for safety. As of October 2026, no reopening has been announced. Plenty of websites still list ticket prices, so don't plan around it. You'll reach Auli by road. We track the latest news on our Auli ropeway status page.
Public transport
Buses and shared jeeps run from Haridwar and Rishikesh to Rudraprayag, Ukhimath, Chamoli and Joshimath. But you'll change vehicles several times, there are few taxis waiting at Chopta, and timings are irregular. For a short trip, a private cab for the whole route saves at least a day.
Best time for an Auli Chopta trip
There's no single best month. It depends on what you want to see.
| If you want... | Go in |
|---|---|
| Snow and skiing | Mid-January to February |
| Rhododendrons in bloom | March to April |
| Easy weather, Tungnath temple open | May to June |
| The clearest mountain views | October to early November |
| Fewer people, lower prices | March and early October |
Winter (December to March): snow usually arrives in late December or January, though it varies every year. Auli's slopes are skiable from about mid-January. Roads can close for a few hours after heavy snow, so keep a spare day.
Spring (March to April): the Chopta forest turns red and pink with rhododendron flowers. It's quiet and cheaper.
Summer (May to June): comfortable days, the Tungnath temple is open, and it's the easiest time for families. Weekends are busy.
Monsoon (July to August): we don't recommend it. Landslides are common on the highways and the peaks hide behind cloud.
Autumn (September to November): after the rains clear the air, October gives the sharpest mountain views of the year.
Our month-by-month table is in the best time to visit Auli Chopta.
Things to do in Chopta
Tungnath and Chandrashila trek
This is the main reason people come to Chopta. A stone-paved trail climbs about 3.5 km from Chopta to Tungnath temple (about 3,680 m), the highest Shiva temple in the world and one of the five Panch Kedar shrines. From there, a steeper 1.5 km path leads to Chandrashila peak (about 4,000 m), with a 360° view of Chaukhamba, Kedar Dome, Trishul and Nanda Devi.
The full round trip is about 10 km and takes 5–6 hours. It's easy to moderate, and first-time trekkers manage it well if they walk slowly. Start by 6–7 AM, before clouds roll in. The temple is open from about late April or early May to early November; in winter, the trail becomes a beautiful snow trek. Everything you need is in our Tungnath Chandrashila trek guide.
Deoria Tal
Deoria Tal is a forest lake near Sari village, about 30 km from Chopta. An easy 2.5–3 km walk takes you up to it. On a still morning, the Chaukhamba peaks reflect perfectly in the water. It's the perfect add-on if you have one extra day. See our Deoria Tal trek guide.
Birdwatching and stargazing
The forest around Chopta and Mandal is home to the Himalayan monal, Uttarakhand's colourful state bird, along with many smaller species. At night, with no town lights and little power at the camps, the sky is full of stars.
Things to do in Auli
Skiing
When there's enough snow, usually from mid-January to early March, Auli's slopes are open for skiing. You don't need any gear or experience. A local instructor can teach you the basics in a day, and skis, boots and poles are available to rent. Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), the state tourism corporation, also runs 7-day and 14-day courses. Read skiing in Auli for beginners before you go.
Gurson Bugyal and Chattrakund
An easy 3 km walk through oak and conifer forest leads from the Auli slopes to Gurson Bugyal, a wide meadow with big mountain views. Chattrakund, a small lake, is about 1 km further. It's a lovely half-day walk in any season.
Auli artificial lake and the slopes
The artificial lake near the top of the slopes was built to make snow for skiing. In summer and autumn, the open slopes around it are great for photos and short walks, with Nanda Devi straight ahead.
Joshimath
Joshimath is home to Narsingh temple and the Jyotirmath, one of the four monasteries founded by Adi Shankaracharya. It's also where you'll find ATMs, pharmacies and shops before you head up.
Badrinath (May to early November)
Badrinath is about 45 km beyond Joshimath. If the temple is open during your trip, you can add it with one extra day.
Sample itineraries
5 days (most popular)
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Haridwar to Chopta via Devprayag and Rudraprayag; night in Chopta camp |
| 2 | Tungnath–Chandrashila trek; night in Chopta |
| 3 | Chopta to Auli via Gopeshwar and Joshimath; night in Auli or Joshimath |
| 4 | Auli slopes, Gurson Bugyal, optional skiing; night in Auli or Joshimath |
| 5 | Drive back to Haridwar |
This is our standard Auli Chopta trip from Haridwar.
6 days (with Deoria Tal)
Add a night in Sari village on Day 1, walk to Deoria Tal at sunrise on Day 2, then follow the 5-day plan. The last day's drive is also easier. This is our 6-day Auli Chopta package.
4 days (summer only)
It's possible from April to June, when days are long, by doing the trek early on Day 2 and driving to Auli the same afternoon. In winter, we don't recommend squeezing it into four days.
Why Chopta first? It's lower than Auli, so you adjust to the altitude gradually, and you do the big trek while you're fresh. Full day-by-day plans are in our Auli Chopta itinerary.
Where to stay
In Chopta, you'll mostly stay in camps. Because Chopta is inside a wildlife sanctuary, permanent buildings are restricted. Camps have tents with mattresses, sleeping bags and heavy quilts; some have attached toilets, many have shared ones. There's no grid electricity, so power runs for a few hours from solar panels or generators. For more comfort, stay a few kilometres away in Duggalbitta or Baniyakund, or in Sari or Ukhimath.
In Auli, you'll find hotels, cottages and resorts with heaters and hot water, many with Nanda Devi views. Joshimath, 14–16 km below, has cheaper hotels and proper shops. In snow season, staying in Auli itself is better, because snow can close the road from Joshimath for a few hours.
We explain each area in detail in where to stay in Chopta and Auli.
How much does an Auli Chopta trip cost?
A 5-day Auli Chopta trip from Haridwar costs ₹9,800 to ₹17,500 per person on a package, based on six people sharing a cab and rooms.
| Category | 5 days per person | 6 days per person |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ₹9,800 | ₹13,000 |
| Deluxe | ₹13,000 | ₹16,500 |
| Luxury | ₹17,500 | ₹22,000 |
On top of that, budget for 5% GST, lunches (₹200–₹400 a day), tea stops, and skiing if you want it (roughly ₹1,500–₹3,000 for a beginner day with gear). Couples pay more per person than groups of six, because the cab cost is split fewer ways. Solo travellers can join our Auli Chopta group tour.
For a full breakdown and money-saving tips, see the Auli Chopta trip cost guide.
What to pack
The golden rule is layers. Nights are cold even in May, and in winter it can drop to around –5°C to –10°C at Tungnath.
- Clothes: thermal innerwear, a fleece or sweater, a down or padded jacket, a waterproof jacket, trek trousers (not jeans), a woollen cap, gloves and woollen socks.
- Shoes: trekking shoes with a good grip. In winter, add micro-spikes for the icy Tungnath trail; you can rent them locally.
- Gear: a small daypack, a headlamp, sunglasses, a refillable water bottle.
- Power: a 20,000 mAh power bank, because Chopta camps have power only a few hours a day.
- Money: at least ₹3,000 in cash per person. ATMs are few after Ukhimath and Joshimath, and UPI fails when there's no network.
- Health: your regular medicines, motion-sickness tablets for the winding roads, sunscreen and lip balm.
Get the full season-by-season checklist in our Auli Chopta packing list.
Safety, altitude and network
- Altitude: Chandrashila is about 4,000 m high. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water, and turn back if you get a strong headache, dizziness or nausea. These symptoms usually ease once you go lower. If you have a heart or lung condition, speak to your doctor before travelling.
- Roads: hill roads are narrow and winding. Travel with an experienced mountain driver, avoid driving after dark, and keep a spare day in January and February.
- Mobile network: patchy at Chopta and on the upper Auli slopes. Share your plan with family before you leave Ukhimath or Joshimath.
- Weather: mountain weather changes fast. If it turns bad on the trek, skip Chandrashila and come back down from Tungnath.
- Respect the place: Chopta is a wildlife sanctuary and Tungnath is a working temple. Carry your waste back, avoid plastic, and dress modestly at temples.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Planning around the ropeway. It has been closed since January 2023. Plan for the road.
- Trusting map-app drive times. Hill roads take longer than they look. Add 20–30% to any app estimate.
- Expecting hotels in Chopta. Chopta is mostly camps. If you need hotel comfort, stay in Duggalbitta, Ukhimath or Sari.
- Visiting in December only for snow. Early December can be dry. Mid-January to February is far more reliable.
- Starting the trek late. After 10–11 AM, clouds often hide the peaks. Start by 6–7 AM.
- Carrying no cash. Card and UPI payments fail without network.
- Packing jeans and sneakers. Both are a poor choice on cold, icy trails.
Plan your trip: all our Auli Chopta guides
- Auli ropeway status: is it open, and how to reach Auli now
- Auli Chopta trip cost: full per-person budget
- Auli Chopta itinerary: 4, 5 and 6-day plans
- Chopta to Auli distance and route: stages, stops and winter detours
- Auli vs Chopta: which one suits you
- Tungnath Chandrashila trek guide: trail, timing and temple dates
- Best time to visit Auli Chopta: month by month
- Skiing in Auli for beginners: season, costs and courses
- Deoria Tal trek: the lake walk near Chopta
- Where to stay in Chopta and Auli: camps vs hotels
- Auli Chopta packing list: what to carry in each season
Book your Auli Chopta trip
We're based in Haridwar and run this route all year. Our Auli Chopta tour package includes a private cab from Haridwar, stays in Chopta and Auli, breakfast and dinner, and an experienced mountain driver. Want all five Shiva temples instead? See our Panch Kedar tour.
Call or WhatsApp +91-90459-16770, +91-78307-18687 with your dates and group size for a quote.
