boltQuick Facts10-sec scan
navigationHow I Did It
- check_circleTook an overnight bus from Delhi to Joshimath (~₹1,100, 12–13h) — the single cheapest way to get into the region.
- check_circleStayed one night in a cheap Joshimath guesthouse (~₹600), then rode the famous ropeway up to Auli (₹750–₹1,000 return, ~22 min).
- check_circleSlept 2 nights in the GMVN Auli dormitory (~₹400/night) — basic, warm, and unbeatable value at the top.
- check_circleWalked the slopes, did the Gurso Bugyal trail, watched sunrise over Nanda Devi. Skipped the ski course — next-trip thing.
- check_circleAte at dhabas and the GMVN canteen.
alt_routeMy Route
- 1Delhi~₹1,100overnight bus ~₹1,100
- 2Joshimath~₹6001 night, cheap guesthouse ~₹600
- 3Ropeway, Joshimath → Auli~₹800return ~₹800
- 4Auli~₹400GMVN dorm 2 nights ~₹400/night
- 5Return: ropeway + bus to Delhi
articleMy Experience
February in Auli is peak season — snow, crowds, and the highest prices of the year. I went anyway, because the ropeway ride over snow-loaded oak forests is the kind of thing you remember for years.
The overnight bus was the great equalizer: ~₹1,100 and I woke up in Joshimath with the Himalaya suddenly close. Day one there — Narsingh temple, the market, an early night. Day two I was at the ropeway counter by 8:30am, and this is the tip that matters: in February the queue builds fast. The 22-minute ride over 4 km of white slopes, Nanda Devi filling the window, was worth the entire trip.
The GMVN dorm at Auli is nothing fancy — bunk beds, shared bathrooms, hot water at fixed hours. But you step outside and the whole Garhwal range is right there. On day three I walked Gurso Bugyal (free, ~4h round trip through snow-dusted meadows) and spent the evening in the GMVN dining hall trading stories with skiers from Delhi and Pune.
Day four: sunrise over Trishul, ropeway down, overnight bus home. I never put on skis — and still felt like I got Auli’s best bits.
account_balance_walletWhat I Spent
| Expense | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|
| Delhi → Joshimath bus | ₹1,100 |
| Joshimath guesthouse (1 night) | ₹600 |
| Ropeway Joshimath → Auli (return) | ₹800 |
| GMVN Auli dorm (2 nights) | ₹800 |
| Return bus Joshimath → Delhi | ₹1,100 |
| Food (4 days, dhabas + canteen) | ₹1,400 |
| Local travel + misc | ₹300 |
Prices are approximate and may vary.
Travelled: February 2026
lightbulbMoney Saver
A Joshimath first night saved a full day of peak-season Auli rates — and the next morning’s ropeway doubles as sightseeing.
verified_userReality Check
The overnight bus and the GMVN dorm — together ~₹2,700 for transport and 2 nights at the top.
Nothing — I briefly considered a shared cab up instead of the ropeway. The ropeway IS the experience. Don’t skip it.
Not planning the ropeway for day two — I got lucky with a short queue; peak weekends mean hours of waiting.
The GMVN canteen — hot, cheap, exactly what you want at 9,000 ft.
Yes — next time late February for thinner crowds, plus a ski lesson.
tips_and_updatesWhat I Wish I Knew
- Ropeway tickets are counter-only, same day. Reach by 9am in peak season or lose half the day to queues.
- The ropeway closes around 4–5:30pm — plan your descent.
- GMVN dorms book out in February — reserve online.
- Everything costs more in Auli than Joshimath — stock snacks and water below.
personAbout the Traveler
Written by the Wayfare founder — travelling the Himalayas on a budget and writing down everything, so the next traveler spends less.
Founder stories · real trips, real costs.
forumDev
Is the ropeway scary for someone afraid of heights?
It’s 22 minutes and you’re standing the whole way. I kept my eyes on the horizon and it was fine. Worth it.
Can I do this trip if I don’t ski at all?
Absolutely — that’s what I did. The ropeway, the views, Gurso Bugyal… skiing is optional at Auli.
How cold does it actually get in February?
Around freezing by day, well below at night. Thermals + fleece + down jacket worked for me. Don’t skimp on gloves.
forum Traveler discussion (0)
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