When to visit›Uttarakhand›Auli›December
Auli in December: mostly shut — here's what's open
Closed in December.
Auli is shut in December; this page is for planning the trip around when it reopens. Cold days around 8°C, nights near -5°C, almost no rain. Nights drop to -5°C — pack properly for them. Stays run about 30% below the usual rate this month.
The next season opens in January, next month. It reopens in January, next month. The rains usually arrive in July, 7 months away. The cold months usually begin in May, 5 months away. The next mild, dry spell usually starts in June, 6 months away.
Auli is closed in December
Auli is best for skiing January–March. The Joshimath–Auli ropeway has been closed since the 2023 land subsidence: the road from Joshimath is the way up.
What the weather actually does
10-year average · AuliCold days around 8°C, nights near -5°C, almost no rain. Nights drop to -5°C — pack properly for them.
What a day in Auli looks like
The things most people actually do here, by time of day.
Morning
- Gurso Bugyal alpine meadow trek3h · strenuous
Afternoon
- Kwani Bugyal meadow & Chattrakund lake3h · strenuous
About 6h of activity in total — the planner spreads this across your days and fits travel time around it.
What a December trip costs · 2 days, total for two
Budget
₹5,842 for two
- Stay · 1n₹1,617
- Food₹2,600
- Local + entry₹1,200
- Buffer₹425
Mid-range
₹14,186 for two
- Stay · 1n₹4,043
- Food₹6,000
- Local + entry₹3,100
- Buffer₹1,043
Luxury
₹34,189 for two
- Stay · 1n₹11,564
- Food₹14,000
- Local + entry₹6,100
- Buffer₹2,525
December multiplier already applied (0.70× on stays). Covers stay with GST, food, local transport, entry & activities, 8% buffer for two people sharing one room — the same figures the planner opens on. Excludes travel to Auli. How we price this
Getting to Auli
Usually the biggest line in the budget — and the one the estimate above leaves out.
Rishikesh → Auli
cab · 9h
₹8,500
1 way / person
Rishikesh → Joshimath
bus · 10h
₹800
1 way / person
Cheapest listed route is Rishikesh → Joshimath by bus. Return for two works out to about ₹3,200 — so a whole trip lands near ₹9,042 for two, travel included.
Fares are typical one-way estimates per person from Auli's common gateways, not live prices — book early and expect festival months to run higher.
Every month, scored
What you’ll actually do in Auli
Worth knowing for when you do go — several of these are unavailable in December.
- Nanda Devi & Trishul panorama
- Gurso Bugyal meadow trek
- Artificial snow lake
- Kwani Bugyal alpine meadow trek
- Chattrakund lake hike
- Joshimath town base camp
- Tapovan hot springs
- Badrinath day trip (40km)
- Chenab Lake trek (21km)
Not in December: Auli ski slopes (Jan–Mar).
Within reach: Auli Slopes · Joshimath · Gurso Bugyal · Chattrakund Lake · Nanda Devi viewpoint.
Packing for December
- Thermals, a down jacket, gloves and a cap — nights drop below freezing.
- Sunglasses and strong sunscreen: the sun is harsh at altitude even when it is cold.
- Walking shoes with grip and a power bank — charging points and signal are patchy on hill roads.
December questions, answered
Is December a good time to visit Auli?
No — Auli is closed in December. Auli is best for skiing January–March. The Joshimath–Auli ropeway has been closed since the 2023 land subsidence: the road from Joshimath is the way up.
How much does a trip to Auli cost in December?
A typical 2-day trip for two costs from ₹5,842 (budget) to ₹34,189 (luxury), excluding travel to Auli. Seasonally adjusted for December.
When is the best time to visit Auli?
The best months are May, June, April. From December: The next season opens in January, next month. It reopens in January, next month. The rains usually arrive in July, 7 months away. The cold months usually begin in May, 5 months away. The next mild, dry spell usually starts in June, 6 months away.
What is there to do in Auli?
Nanda Devi & Trishul panorama. Gurso Bugyal meadow trek. Artificial snow lake. Kwani Bugyal alpine meadow trek. Chattrakund lake hike. Joshimath town base camp. Rishikesh is the nearest railhead, 270 km away.
Is Auli open in December?
Auli is best for skiing January–March. The Joshimath–Auli ropeway has been closed since the 2023 land subsidence: the road from Joshimath is the way up.
Nearby, same trip
Elsewhere in India in December
Instead in season this month, from Tourisma's ranking of all 238 destinations for December.
- North Goa Beaches · Goa · from ₹16,618 for two, 4 days
- Rann of Kutch · Gujarat · from ₹5,335 for two, 2 days
- Konark Sun Temple · Odisha · from ₹4,708 for two, 2 days
- Kohima · Nagaland · from ₹5,530 for two, 2 days
- South Goa Beaches · Goa · from ₹11,734 for two, 4 days
- Pelling · Sikkim · from ₹4,514 for two, 2 days
- Gangtok · Sikkim · from ₹9,916 for two, 3 days
- Kisama (Hornbill Festival) · Nagaland · from ₹7,593 for two, 2 days
Want this as a real plan?
Auli in December, priced for your group, dawn-starts built in — about 40 seconds.