Auli in December: Places to Visit, Things to Do, and the Weather

Located in the district of Chamoli, Uttarakhand, the small town of Auli is one spectacular destination that attracts tourists across the nation. Popularly known as the hiking and skiing destination, this picture-perfect town stands at an elevation of 9,200 ft above sea level. Although it’s a year-round destination, in winters, it turns out into a fairy tale destination. No wonder why there is a craze among tourists to explore Auli in December.

If you want to experience Auli in December, you may want to have an insight into the places to visit, things to do, and most importantly, the weather.

Places to Visit in and around Auli

Known for its scenic beauty, Auli promises you a vacationing experience that will not only stay with you forever but also compel you to relive those moments again and again. Although there are many places to visit in Uttarakhand, Auli, with its jaw-dropping panoramic views, has got a fair share of places for people to explore. Let’s take a glance at them:

Auli Artificial Lake

Also known as Chenab Lake, this made-made marvel is located in Dang village and is deemed as the face of Auli tourism. Sitting calmly amid great Himalayan Mountain ranges, this magnificent lake is one of the popular places to explore in Auli. Witnessing this lake during snowfall in Auli in December is a one-of-a-kind experience and provides travellers with great opportunities to capture the lovely stills of it. However, make sure you exercise caution when you visit this place as it has no proper, motorable road.

Gorson Bugyal

Settled at an altitude of 3519 metres, Gorson Bugyal is a popular skiing destination that is full of picturesque vistas. About 19 km from Joshimath, this Himalayan alpine meadow is one of the well-maintained trek routes. Except for the peak tourism season that is between December to February, the place is always soaked in lush greenery. During the spring season, the place is all over the lush green grass, making it ideal for camping as well. Trek to Gorson Bugyal passes through lush flora of apple orchards and deodar & oak forests.

Joshimath

Joshimath is one destination that is a part of most Auli tour packages. Settled at the height of 6150 ft, the place is considered as the entrance to various Himalayan Mountain climbing expeditions, trekking routes, and pilgrim centres such as Badrinath. Like several other spectacular places in Auli, Joshimath offers gorgeous views of snow-covered Himalayan peaks and serve as a prominent site for adventure junkies and travellers who are on their spiritual quest.

Rudraprayag

Located at the elevation of 2936 ft, Rudraprayag is a beautiful destination that holds great importance among Hindu pilgrims. Being one of the five confluences of Alaknanda, Rudraprayag serves as a point of confluence of rivers Mandakini and Alaknanda. Besides, it’s a place where Jim Corbett hunted a man-eating leopard. For its captivating ambience and religious significance, Rudraprayag makes for an important destination near Auli that should be a part of your itinerary.

Nanda Devi Peak

One of the most difficult places to visit in Auli in December is Nanda Devi Peak. It is the 23rd highest peak in the world and the 2nd highest in India after Kangchenjunga. Standing at the elevation of 25,643 ft, Nanda Devi Peak presents great views of the Indian Himalayas. The peak, Nanda Devi, translates to ‘Bliss-Giving Goddess’ who is worshipped as the patron goddess of Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayas. The place also has a national park of the same name that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. So, for nature lovers, it is a must-go place as here you can get the chance to spot snow leopard (if you are lucky), Asiatic black bear, bharal, Himalayan brown bear, and more.

Chattrakund Lake

Encircled with green deodar, oak, and pine trees which get covered in a thick, long blanket of snow during winters, Chaatrakund Lake is one of the most scenic places to visit in Auli in December. Being a high-altitude lake, tourists can reach here via trek from Auli. Although it’s an easy trek that doesn’t require strong endurance, exercising caution would be wise, especially keeping in mind the Auli weather in December. The place is a large alpine meadow that is spread over acres of land and presents breath-taking scenic vistas at every nook and corner that are worth capturing.

The list of places to visit in Auli is long and what places you want to cover in your itinerary depends on your preferences, budget, and the time you can dedicate.

Things to Do in Auli

The hill station of Auli tempts travellers of all sorts. It doesn’t matter if you are a nature lover, adventure enthusiast, foodie, shopaholic, photographer, or wanderer, Auli has something in store for you and that is for sure. So, there is literally no dearth of things to do in Auli in December. Let’s take a glance at them:

Skiing

Being a high-altitude place, the hill station of Auli is one of the world’s best skiing and hiking destinations. Speaking of skiing in particular, the best time to enjoy it is during the months from December to February. During this time, you get to enjoy the thrill of skiing on expansive snow blankets with high and low slopes and strong chilling winds that take the excitement quotient to a whole new level. On your Auli trip in December, make sure you do not miss out on this adventure.

Camping

Imagine waking up to the magnificent views of majestic mountains and rich greenery covered in snow blankets? This is exactly what camping at Auli offers. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, get soaked in surroundings and spend some quality time amid nature’s marvels. Breathe in the fresh air and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul. Since Auli’s temperature in December to March can be bone-chilling, the ideal conditions for camping in Auli are during summers when meadows of snow transform into lush green lands. Start your day by indulging in adventurous activities and call your day off by setting up camp in the lap of nature. Have a delicious dinner by a bonfire and retire in your tents under the twinkling sky.

Hiking & Trekking

When it comes to hiking & trekking, you have options like the Auli-Gorson trek, Kuari Pass Trek, and a hike to Kwani Bugyal. Talking about the Auli-Gorson trek, it is one of the most delightful and adventurous treks from Auli to Gorson Bugyal as the route is filled with charming views that enhance the trekking experience. The famous Kuari Pass has been attracting backpackers and trekkers from far and wide for decades. The trek starts in Joshimath and offers a brief stopover at Devaprayag and is full of adventures and picturesque landscapes, comprising alpine meadows and mighty mountains laden with snow. Speaking of the hike to Kwani Bugyal, it isn’t that challenging for first-timers, and the route is filled with mesmerising views of green pastures and tall oak trees that are a true feast to eyes and soul.

Ropeway Ride

Other than skiing and hiking, get the extra dose of thrill with a ropeway ride. It is one of the thrilling activities to do in Auli. Enjoy the astonishing views of Sanjivani Parvat and Nanda Devi Peak with the cable car ride from Auli GMVN Clifftop to Joshimath. When you are in Auli, make sure you don’t miss out on a ropeway ride as it is a thing to experience.

Shopping at the Local Market

Since Auli is a skiing destination, choices for shopping other than ski equipment are modest. So, if you want to go on a shopping spree, you can head to the market of Joshimath. It is just 11 km away from Auli but has many shops selling a wide variety of products including shawls, artefacts, woollens, and souvenirs.

Enjoy Authentic Garhwali Cuisine

Auli is known for its delectable Garhwali cuisine. So, when you are here, do explore the food culture of Garhwal. At local restaurants, you will find a variety of leafy vegetables, dals, and rice that dominate the menu. In case you want to relish the traditional meat, try Kachmouli, a smoked, goat delicacy that is made by marinating and roasting the meat over green twigs. In desserts, you can try Bal Mithai, which is a famous local sweet, Singhori, and more.

Weather in Auli

Speaking of the best season to visit Auli, it’s from December to February. It is the time when the beauty of this hill station is at its peak. The weather in Auli in December is absolutely chilling. The average low temperature in Auli in the months of December, January, and February fall below zero degrees Celsius and the average high temperature remains under ten degrees Celsius.

If you plan a trip to Auli in December, you will get the best experience of this heavenly place. The panoramic views of dark blue sky, snow-capped mountains, and oak, pine, and deodar trees covered with thick snow blankets, will leave you speechless with its spellbinding beauty. Since the temperature of Auli in December would be chilling, make sure you pack winter clothes to endure the climate.