Rishikesh to Auli by Bike
- Distance
- ~250 km to Joshimath, ~16 km more to Auli
- Riding time
- 8 hours to Joshimath
- Days needed
- 3 minimum, 4 comfortable
- Joshimath
- ~1,875 m
- Auli
- ~2,800–3,000 m
- Season
- Year-round to Joshimath. Auli road can close with snow, Jan–Mar
- Difficulty
- Moderate. Rough past Chamoli, steep and possibly icy to Auli
- Bike we'd recommend
- Himalayan 450
- Rough cost, 4 days, per person sharing
- ₹7,000–10,000
The one big Uttarakhand ride that’s better in winter than in summer.
Auli sits above Joshimath at around 2,800–3,000 m, on a meadow that looks straight at Nanda Devi. In summer it’s green and pleasant. From January to March it’s under snow with the whole range in front of you, and it’s the only high-altitude destination in the state you can realistically ride a motorcycle to in the middle of winter.
The Itinerary
Day 1 — Rishikesh to Joshimath (~250 km, 8 hours)
Identical to the Badrinath route as far as Joshimath: Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Chamoli. Leave by 5:30, fuel before you go, and treat the Chamoli–Joshimath stretch as slower than the numbers suggest.
Sleep at Joshimath, 1,875 m. Full town facilities. This is also the right altitude to sleep before going up.
Day 2 — Joshimath to Auli
Two ways up.
Ride it — roughly 16 km of steep switchbacks. Fine in summer and autumn. In January and February the top section can be snowbound or icy, and the authorities close it when it is. Ask at your hotel before you set out, and if there’s ice on shaded bends, don’t.
The ropeway — the cable car from Joshimath to Auli is one of the longest in Asia and, in deep winter, the sensible option. Leave the bike at Joshimath and ride the cable car up.
Spend the day at Auli. Chairlift, the artificial lake, and Nanda Devi, Trishul, Dronagiri and Kamet in front of you. If there’s snow, there’s skiing and equipment hire.
Day 3–4 — Back to Rishikesh
Break at Rudraprayag or Srinagar. Don’t do 250 km straight after a day at 3,000 m.
Winter Riding — Read This
This is the one route on our site where the season creates a genuine hazard rather than an inconvenience.
Black ice. Shaded hairpins above Chamoli and on the Auli road never see sun in December through February. Ice forms overnight and doesn’t clear until mid-morning, and on a motorcycle you cannot see it and cannot recover from it. Don’t ride before 10 AM in winter above Chamoli. Let the sun get on the road first.
Cold. Joshimath is 0–10°C in January. Auli is below freezing. Riding at 60 km/h in that is a different proposition from standing in it — you need real gloves, a windproof layer and something covering your neck. Cold hands lose fine control of a clutch and a front brake, which is exactly what you need on a switchback.
Daylight. Sunset is early and the temperature falls off a cliff with it. Plan to be off the bike by 4:30 PM in winter.
Ask us. Whether the Auli road is open today is a question we can answer from Rishikesh. Message us the morning you leave.
Fuel
Same as the Badrinath route. Joshimath is the last dependable pump — fill there before going up to Auli, and fill there again before heading back down.
Which Bike
Himalayan 450 — ₹2,000/day. The 250 km highway day is where the sixth gear pays, and the 16 km climb to Auli is steep enough that the extra power matters two-up.
Himalayan 411 — ₹1,400/day. Perfectly capable and ₹600/day cheaper. Slower on the transit, fine on the climb.
Nothing else, in winter. In summer a Classic 350 will make it. On a cold, possibly icy Auli road we’d rather you had dual-purpose tyres and long suspension under you.
What It Costs
Four days, two riders sharing a Himalayan 450:
| Bike, 4 days at the 3+ rate | ₹7,600 |
| Fuel, ~530 km at ~28 kmpl | ~₹1,900 |
| Accommodation, 3 nights twin | ₹3,600–9,000 |
| Food | ₹3,000–4,500 |
| Ropeway / chairlift / ski hire | ₹1,000–3,000 |
| Per person | ~₹8,500–13,000 |
Auli accommodation is the variable — Joshimath is much cheaper than staying at the top. Rate card →
When to Go
January–February: deep snow, skiing, and the reason most people come. Highest chance of the Auli road being closed to vehicles — use the ropeway.
March: snow still present, roads more reliable, fewer people. Arguably the best compromise.
April–June: green, mild, easy riding. No snow. Combine with Badrinath, which is 45 km further from the same base.
July–August: monsoon. The Chamoli–Joshimath stretch closes for landslides. Avoid.
September–November: clear, cold, spectacular mountain visibility, and the best pure riding conditions of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride a bike to Auli in winter?
Is Auli worth it without snow?
How far is Auli from Joshimath?
Can I combine Auli with Badrinath?
Do I need a permit?
Is it safe to ride there in January?
· Rates · Badrinath route