Auli Chopta Tour Package: Itinerary, Cost and Best Time (2026)
The Auli Chopta tour package brings together two of Uttarakhand’s most rewarding Himalayan destinations in one well-paced circuit. Auli sits at 2,800 metres above sea level and is India’s most popular ski destination, known for its long ropeway, wide snow slopes, and unobstructed views of Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba. Chopta, at 2,680 metres in the Rudraprayag district, is the base for the Tungnath-Chandrashila trek and one of the quietest forested meadows you can reach by road in the entire Garhwal region.
Covering both in one trip takes 4 to 6 days and gives you snow, trekking, a centuries-old Shiva temple, and the kind of Himalayan scenery most travellers come to Uttarakhand for.
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Duration
4N/5D, 5N/6D, or 7N/8D
Best Time
Dec to Mar (snow) / Apr to Jun (trek)
Pickup Point
Haridwar or Rishikesh
Trek Difficulty
Easy to Moderate
Highest Point
Chandrashila Peak, 4,000 metres
Main Trek
Tungnath Temple + Chandrashila Summit
About Auli and Chopta Tour Package: Two Destinations, One Complete Trip
Auli and Chopta sit about 106 km apart by road in the Garhwal Himalayas. Auli is for open snow slopes, a long cable car ride, and wide Himalayan views. Chopta leads you to Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world at 3,680 metres, and to Chandrashila Peak at 4,000 metres, where you get a full 360-degree view of the surrounding Himalayan ranges on clear days. Most travellers who visit one end up wishing they had seen the other. Covering both in one trip solves that.
About Auli: India's Top Ski Destination
Auli is in the Chamoli district at approximately 2,800 metres (9,200 feet). Its north-facing slopes stay snow-covered consistently from December through March, which is why it became India’s preferred skiing location. The Auli Ropeway connects Joshimath to Auli in about 20 minutes. The ride itself is worth doing even if skiing is not on your list. On a clear morning, Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, Trishul, and Dunagiri stretch out across the horizon from the cable car.
In summer, the slopes turn green and trekkers head to Gorson Bugyal, a wide alpine meadow about 3 km above Auli by trail. The mountain views are identical to winter, just without the snow. Chattrakund, a small lake below the main ski slope, sits inside oak and rhododendron forest and sees very few visitors despite being an easy walk from the main area.
One practical note for photographers: the best light on the Auli slopes falls between 6:30 and 8:30 AM. If you want the peaks with the first morning light, step outside before breakfast.
About Chopta: The Base for the Tungnath-Chandrashila Trek
Chopta sits at 2,680 metres inside the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary. Dense deodar and oak forests surround the meadow, and the trail above the treeline gives some of the clearest views of the Garhwal peaks you will find anywhere in this region.
If you wake before sunrise in Chopta, you will hear almost nothing except birds and the wind moving through the deodar trees. By the time you reach Chandrashila, the first light begins catching the snow on Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba. There are very few places in Uttarakhand where a 4,000-metre summit is accessible without a multi-day trek.
Tungnath Temple at 3,680 metres is part of the Panch Kedar circuit, five sacred Shiva temples spread across the Garhwal Himalayas. If you plan to explore the full Panch Kedar yatra including Tungnath, this route works as an excellent starting point.
The Deoria Tal trek from Sari village, about 30 minutes by car from Chopta, is worth adding if you have an extra day. The 2.5 km trail leads to a lake at 2,438 metres where the reflection of Chaukhamba on still mornings is one of the most photographed scenes in the Garhwal region.
Auli Chopta Tour Packages: Choose Your Duration
YatraKey offers three package formats for the Auli Chopta circuit. Each is built around a realistic daily pace. We do not overload the itinerary.
Standard
- 4 Nights / 5 Days
- Couples, working professionals, first-timers
- Auli ropeway, Gorson Bugyal, Tungnath-Chandrashila trek
Extended
- 5 Nights / 6 Days
- Families, relaxed travellers, photographers
- All of above + Deoria Tal trek
Complete
- 7 Nights / 8 Days
- All of above + Deoria Tal trek
- Full circuit + Rishikesh add-on with river rafting
4 Nights / 5 Days Auli Chopta Package
This is the most booked format. Two nights in Joshimath for Auli, two nights in Chopta for the Tungnath-Chandrashila trek. You also get the Auli ropeway experience, a walk to Gorson Bugyal, and stops at Shankaracharya Math and Narsingh Temple in Joshimath. It works well for couples, first-time Himalayan visitors, and anyone with limited leave.
5 Nights / 6 Days and 7 Nights / 8 Days Packages for Auli Chopta
The 5-night version adds a third night in Chopta, giving you time for the Deoria Tal trek without rushing. This is the better choice for families with older children and for photographers who want to catch a proper sunrise from Chandrashila on one day and explore Deoria Tal on the next.
The 7-night version extends to Rishikesh, with river rafting on the Ganga as a final activity before heading back to Haridwar or Delhi. Some travellers use this format to begin with a night in Haridwar for Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, which adds a strong sense of occasion to the start of the trip.
Family, Honeymoon and Group Packages for Auli Chopta
Families
The 5N/6D package works best. Children above 8 years can do the Tungnath summer trek. In winter, the snow trek requires good footwear and better physical preparation, so families with young children should travel in the April to June window. The Auli ropeway is accessible for all ages without any walking involved.
Couples and Honeymooners
The 4N/5D package with a private cab is the right call. Chopta camp stays are atmospheric in winter, particularly when the meadow is covered in snow and the bonfire is the only light source in the dark. Early mornings at Chandrashila, before group departures arrive, are extremely quiet.
Groups
YatraKey runs fixed departure dates for this circuit for shared group travel, which brings the per-person cost down. Groups of 6 or more can also request a fully customized private departure.
Day-Wise Itinerary: 4 Nights / 5 Days Auli Chopta Tour
This itinerary starts from Haridwar or Rishikesh. If you travel from Delhi, allow an extra day for the Delhi to Haridwar drive (210 km, 5 to 6 hours).
Start no later than 6 AM. The drive passes through Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers come together at a sharp bend below the town — worth a 10-minute stop for photos. Then Rudraprayag, Chamoli, and finally Joshimath by evening. There is a good tea stall at Karnaprayag that most drivers on this route know. Take a proper break here because the road after Karnaprayag gets narrower. Check in and rest. Dinner and overnight stay in Joshimath.
Take the ropeway up to Auli in the morning. Buy tickets early at the base station in Joshimath — the queue builds after 9 AM in peak season. In summer, the Gorson Bugyal trail starts from the top of the ropeway. The walk to the meadow takes 45 to 60 minutes and the views of the Garhwal peaks from the flat meadow are wide and unobstructed. In winter, skiing lessons and snowboarding rentals are available at the slope. Parking near the ropeway base is tight during winter weekends, so arriving before 8 AM helps. Return to Joshimath by late afternoon. Evening visit to Shankaracharya Math and Narsingh Temple if energy permits. Dinner and overnight stay in Joshimath.
Drive via Gopeshwar and Ukhimath. The road from Ukhimath to Chopta passes through dense forest. In spring, the rhododendrons along this stretch are in full colour. Check in to your camp in Chopta in the early afternoon. Take a short walk in the meadow in the evening. The best photography light in Chopta falls between 4 and 6 PM when the western light hits the forest and meadow together. Bonfire and dinner at camp. Overnight in Chopta.
Start at 7 AM at the latest. The trail from Chopta to Tungnath Temple (3.5 km) takes 2 to 3 hours at a comfortable pace. The trail is well-marked and passes through a short stretch of alpine meadow before reaching the rocky section below the temple. After the darshan at Tungnath, push 1 km further uphill to Chandrashila Peak at 4,000 metres. Allow 45 to 60 minutes for this final section. The view from the top takes in Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kedar Dome, Bandarpunch, and Chaukhamba. Return to Chopta by early afternoon. Rest, dinner, and overnight at camp.
After breakfast, drive back via Ukhimath, Rudraprayag, Srinagar, and Devprayag to Haridwar or Rishikesh. Tour ends on arrival.
