Auli, also known as Auli Bugyal, which means "meadow", is located at an elevation of 8,200 ft (2,500 metres) to 10,010 ft (3,050 metres) above sea level.
Day-1
From Delhi, by-road, the journey for snowcovered Auli started at the stroke of midnight. After an eight hour drive, Devprayag was the town where I decided to take a halt. Devprayag is one of the Panch Prayag (five confluences) of Alaknanda River where Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet and take the name, Ganga.
It was a breathtaking feeling to see the sun coming out from the back of the mountains here with patches of clouds kissing the peaks.
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After spending a night, it was time to head for Auli.
Day-2
From Devaprayag, it took almost six hours to reach Joshimath town in Chamoli district (from where Auli is just 20 km). Joshimath is a launchpad for Auli, if you don't want to go there directly or if you don't want to stay there overnight. Hotels in Joshimath are also comparatively cheaper and in abundance.
So many tourists prefer to stay in Joshimath. They enjoy their day in Auli and visit back to Joshimath in evening. (However, I preferred the otherwise)
From Joshimath, one can reach Auli in two ways-one by car/taxi or other my ropeway. The later is a much better option. Auli ropeway is a major attraction and offers a majestic view of Himalayas. Covering a distance of 4km, it is said to be longest in Asia and takes around 22 minutes to reach Auli from Joshimath.
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By the time I checked-in in a hotel in Joshimath it was late afternoon.
After having food and a quick nap, it was time to explore the town in the evening. It's a small place so there aren't many spots to go. Market and Narasimha temple are the major ones. So the idea was to start with the market and end up in the temple. When Badrinath temple remains closed during winter every year, one idol of Lord Badri is brought to Narsinh temple and worshiped for six months.
Day-3
It was time to finally witness the snow. I took cable-car (rope-way) and reached Auli to celebrate my New Year's Eve.
Trekking in Auli is also a major attraction so how that can be missed. As I reached the place around 11 am so trekking was a good idea to witness even more snow. After a trek of 3.5 km, I was in a paradise called Gurson Bugyal. The feeling can't be converted into writing. For experiencing it, one has to be there.
The pupil of my eye muscles stretched to the full as it was the first time when I was experiencing the snow.
By the time, trekking was over, it was evening. The day was full of activity so it was a good idea to stay at the hotel and celebrate New Year.
Day-4
After spending New Year night in Auli, coming back to Joshimath was the plan. At the outskirts of Joshimath (25 km), there is a place called Tapovan, know for geothermal geysers, so how that can be missed?
While returning back from Tapovan, almighty blessed me with snowfall. Cheers!
All good things come to an end and so was it.
Next day, it was time to wrap up the trip and head back for Delhi.
Best mode of travel for Joshimath-Auli: By road
Travelling time: 15 hours (nonstop)
Days required for trip: 5-7 days
Expenditure (depends on your pocket): From Rs 25-40 thousand for couple
Safety level: 5/5
Places to visit in Joshimath-Auli: Tapovan, Narsinh temple, Gurson Bugyal
Activities: Trekking, skiing.