- Uttarakhand Tours
- Chandan_singh
You want snow, meadows and a view of Nanda Devi. But the first question is always the same: how far is Auli, and how long will it really take? One site says 500 km. Another says 520. One says the ropeway runs. Another says it has been closed for years. By the time you sort it out, you have lost an evening and still do not know when to leave. This guide gives you the numbers and the context. You get the Auli distance from Delhi, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Haridwar, Joshimath and Mussoorie, the road route, bus and train options, the truth about the ropeway, the best time to go and a plan for an Auli trip from Delhi.
Where sources disagree, you see the range.
Where Is Auli?
Auli is a high-altitude meadow and ski resort in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, at about 2,800 metres, according to one guide. The road to it climbs from Joshimath, which lies on the route to Badrinath. The setting is the main draw: open slopes, forest and a long view of snow peaks, including Nanda Devi. Auli is not on any rail line, and it is not directly reachable from Delhi by a single vehicle you can book as one ticket. You travel to the foothills first, then climb through the Alaknanda valley. The road ends at Joshimath before the short final climb to Auli.
That is why the distance to Auli always depends on where you start.
Auli Distance Chart: From Every Major City
Distances below combine several travel guides. They differ by a few kilometres between sources, so use them for planning and ask your driver for current road conditions.
| Starting Point | Road Distance to Auli | Approx. Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 500–530 km | 11–14 hours |
| Haridwar | 270–290 km | 8–10 hours |
| Rishikesh | 254–265 km | 7–9 hours |
| Dehradun | 293–300 km | 9–10 hours |
| Dehradun Airport (Jolly Grant) | About 271–300 km | 7–8 hours |
| Mussoorie | About 325 km | 9–11 hours |
| Joshimath | 12–16 km | 30–60 minutes |
| Badrinath | About 57 km | 1–2 hours |
Important: Hill roads add time that the distance alone does not show. Landslides, road work and traffic can stretch any of these journeys, especially during the monsoon.
Auli Distance from Delhi: Route and Travel Time
The route from Delhi to Auli runs through Meerut, Haridwar and Rishikesh, then follows the Ganga and Alaknanda rivers upstream.
One guide lists the stages as:
Delhi → Meerut → Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Joshimath → Auli
Another adds Srinagar and Chamoli along the way. In total, you are looking at roughly 500 to 520 km via Joshimath, and about 502 to 532 km depending on whether you go via Rishikesh, Haridwar or Dehradun. The first half is easy. Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh is about 230 to 250 km and takes around five to six hours. The second half is slower. From Rishikesh, the road climbs and winds for most of the day, and the last stretch from Joshimath to Auli is steep.
One guide suggests breaking the journey with a night in Rishikesh or Joshimath if you drive. That is good advice, because night driving in the hills is tiring and risky.
Delhi to Auli Travel by Car
If you are travelling by car, keep these points in mind:
Leave Delhi early, ideally before dawn, to clear the plains traffic before the heat and crowds.
Plan fuel stops before entering the hills.
Fill up in Joshimath, since one guide notes there are no petrol pumps in Auli.
In winter, a local taxi with a driver who knows the snow roads is safer than a visitor's own car.
One guide recommends a local 4x4 and tyre chains, with the final climb done in daylight.
Rishikesh to Auli Distance
The Rishikesh to Auli distance is about 254 to 265 km, with a drive of seven to nine hours. Rishikesh is a natural overnight stop, since it is the end of the plains and the start of the mountain road.
From here, the route runs through:
Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Chamoli → Joshimath → Auli
Shared taxis and buses run from Rishikesh to Joshimath. You change vehicles there for Auli.
Haridwar to Auli Distance by Road
Haridwar to Auli is about 270 to 290 km by road, with an eight to ten hour drive. The route joins the Rishikesh road, so the added distance is the short stretch between the two towns. Haridwar is also a railhead, and it makes a practical starting point if you arrive by train.
Dehradun to Auli Distance by Road
Dehradun to Auli is about 293 to 300 km, with a nine to ten hour drive. The road runs from Dehradun to Rishikesh, then follows the same mountain route described above. Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport. One guide gives about 273 km to Auli by road and another about 300 km, so confirm with your driver.
Flights from Delhi to Dehradun take about an hour, which makes the airport a useful way to save the plains drive.
Joshimath to Auli Distance: Road and Ropeway
Joshimath is the base for Auli, and the Joshimath to Auli distance is about 12 to 16 km by road. A taxi or shared jeep takes 30 to 60 minutes, and the road is steep and winding. Joshimath is about 250 km from Rishikesh, according to one guide.
What Is the Status of the Joshimath to Auli Ropeway?
This is the most contradictory detail in Auli travel advice.
The ropeway is about 4 km long and was described as a 20 to 25 minute ride, with services running roughly from 9 AM to 4 PM. Some guides still describe it as operating. Two others report that it has been closed since January 2023 after subsidence damage to the towers. One adds that it was still not running in 2026 and that a replacement gondola exists only as a project report. Given the conflict, assume the ropeway may be closed, plan your trip around the road, and ask your hotel or the local administration before you travel. If it is running, treat it as a bonus.
A Note on Joshimath
Joshimath made national news for land subsidence in January 2023. One guide says the affected zone was mainly lower Joshimath town, not the Auli side, and that the road to Auli remains functional. However, scientists still describe the town as a monitored subsidence zone, with movement slower but not fully stopped, especially during heavy monsoon rain.
Check current advisories before you go.
Mussoorie to Auli Distance
Mussoorie to Auli is about 325 km, with a drive of nine to eleven hours, according to one guide. Most travellers do not combine the two on a short trip, because Mussoorie sits on a separate road and adds roughly the same distance as going from Dehradun.
If you want to visit both, plan a separate day.
Bus from Delhi to Auli: What Actually Works
There is no direct bus from Delhi to Auli. Guides agree on the approach: take a bus from Delhi to Dehradun, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar or Joshimath. Delhi's Kashmiri Gate ISBT is named as a common departure point. Several government buses run daily from Uttarakhand cities to Joshimath, though direct Delhi to Joshimath services are less common, so check the current schedule.
The practical route is:
Take an overnight bus from Delhi to Rishikesh.
Take a bus or shared cab from Rishikesh to Joshimath. This journey takes around eight to ten hours.
From Joshimath, take a shared jeep or private taxi for the last climb to Auli.
One guide mentions shared jeeps and private taxis as the options. Fares change, so ask before you board. A Delhi to Auli bus ticket as one booking does not exist, so book each leg separately.
By Train
The nearest railheads are:
Rishikesh: About 254 to 265 km from Auli.
Haridwar: About 270 to 290 km from Auli.
Dehradun: About 293 to 300 km from Auli.
One guide suggests the Shatabdi Express, the NDLS-Doon Express and the overnight Mussoorie Express from Delhi. From the station, take a taxi, shared jeep or bus to Joshimath, then continue to Auli.
By Air
Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun is the nearest airport. Fly from Delhi in about an hour, then drive 273 to 300 km to Auli, or hire a taxi for the whole route.
Best Time to Visit Auli
The best time to visit Auli depends on what you want to experience: snow, skiing, trekking or clear mountain views.
| Season | Months | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | November to February | Snow. Skiing season runs January to March, with January the peak. |
| Spring and early summer | March to June | Pleasant weather, about 10–15°C, good for trekking. |
| Monsoon | July to August | Landslides and slippery roads. Avoid. |
| Post-monsoon | September to October | Rain eases and views clear. |
Winter gives you the snow, but roads can ice over after dark, so complete the climb in daylight.
Summer is greener and easier on the road, and it opens trails such as Gorson Bugyal and Kuari Pass.
Things to Do Around Auli
Auli offers different experiences in winter and summer.
Skiing: The headline activity in winter, with instructors and gear available.
Seasonal chair lift: Auli also has a seasonal chair lift, which is separate from the ropeway.
Artificial snow-making lake: A notable attraction in the area.
Hanuman Temple: A temple worth including in your visit.
Gorson Bugyal: A popular trekking destination during the warmer months.
Kuari Pass: Another trekking option for visitors looking for mountain trails.
Badrinath: Located about 57 km away, it can be added to some itineraries for darshan.
There is no ATM in Auli, so carry cash from Joshimath. One guide also says no permit is required for Indian nationals.
Travel Tips for Auli
Keep these practical tips in mind before starting your journey:
Start early: Leave with enough time to reach the hill roads during daylight.
Avoid night driving: The mountain route can be tiring and risky after dark.
Pack warm clothes: Carry warm layers even in summer, since nights are cold at this altitude.
Fill your tank in Joshimath: One guide notes there are no petrol pumps in Auli.
Carry cash: There is no ATM in Auli, according to one guide.
Arrange local transport: Book ropeway tickets or a taxi early in peak season, but confirm ropeway operation first.
Check the weather: Look at road conditions and the IMD forecast before leaving.
Follow local advisories: Check Uttarakhand Tourism advisories during the monsoon and winter.
Prepare for winding roads: If you are not used to hill roads, carry motion-sickness medicine.
Final Thoughts
Auli is further than it looks on a map, but the effort pays off. Plan around the road, not the ropeway. Leave Delhi early, break your journey in Rishikesh or Joshimath and give the trip four days. Do that, and the long approach becomes part of the story.
Ready to plan your Auli trip from Delhi?