If the thought of snow-capped mountains, cool wind, and dramatically low temperatures fancy you, you will definitely love Auli. A small cozy town; situated in the laps of the Himalayas has a reputation for being a ski resort and a perfect hill station for a getaway! Moreover, it is surrounded by coniferous and oak forests and offers a panoramic view of the majestic Himalayas. 

Meet Brijal, based in Ahmedabad; she is in an e-commerce business that runs a mandala essentials label, an organic store that believes in sustainability. Being a business school student and fashion designer she also has a crazy love for mountains. 

Not to mention, she strikes the perfect chord of balance between budget and luxury. Running on numbered days; she likes to explore the unknown and less travelled roads. Will she find her perfect destination in Auli? Let’s find out!

Day 1

Brijal reached Dehradun with her husband, and an unfortunate incident struck. Their luggage was somehow still stuck in Ahmedabad; where they flew from. Therefore the couple decided to stay in Rishikesh. To make the best of their situation, they went on a small trek to a nearby waterfall. Talking about waterfalls, treks, and Rishikesh; Rishikesh and its surroundings are popular destinations for trekkers and adventure seekers. 

The Rishikesh, a Himalayan retreat in North India. It is an ideal place to experience the beauty and tranquillity of the mountain; while being surrounded by an abundance of spirituality and adventure. There are many different ways to enjoy the area, including trekking, yoga, and meditation.

The significant mountains in the region for you to explore are: 

1. Mussoorie
2. Nanda Devi
3. Shivpuri
4. Shivling
5. Trishul
6. Annapurna

Day 2

On the search for unexplored places in Rishikesh, Brijal found her perfect abode. A village that was well hidden amidst the mountains and with barely any tents around. The couple called it a day; and spent their time in the lap of nature amidst the mountainous range and the valleys. A quiet and serene change from her regular hustle and bustle of life.

Day 3

With the unexpected stop in the start, Brijal started her trip and travelled from Rishikesh to Auli and halted at Joshimath. Not to mention, Joshimath is evident from the sheer size of the snow-capped mountains, lakes, and riverine streams. In the summer, the water is hot with trout fishing in the clear streams. Whereas during winter, it snows heavily, but it is peaceful. In the fall, the trees are ripe for picking.

Joshimath is the best place to travel in Uttarakhand for trekking, mountaineering, and skiing! Also known as the summer capital of Uttarakhand; it is a small hill station surrounded by majestic mountains. 

Day 4

For the day, the couple went trekking to Gorson Bugyal. The Gorson Bugyal trekking route passes through dense subalpine and montane vegetation forests. This gives place to incredible panoramas of snow-clad peaks and deep river gorges. People who walk to the Bugyal will see the beautiful and picturesque green alpine landscape lush forests, numerous waterfalls, and beautiful water streams.

Day 5 & 6

Their next destination on the list was Nainital. The couple spent two days amidst the picturesque and touristic Nainital. Known for the beauty and serenity of its landscape; it is a delightful resort town famous for its surroundings, and the health benefits associated with its pure air. 

Furthermore, a few famous places to visit in Nainital are Maha Shayari Temple, Chaurasi Devi Temple, Zoo, Lake, Nainital International Mount Batur Festival, and many more.

Day 7

Then the couple moved to Jim Corbett to stay at Solluna resort and did the infamous jungle safari. It is said that the landscape of Jim Corbett National Park is so diverse; you could spend an entire week enjoying its beauty without realizing that you had seen it all.

The Jim Corbett National Park is a wildlife sanctuary and tiger reserve in India. It lies in the eastern portion of the Kumaon hills. Not to mention, the park is famous as a nesting and calving area for one of the world’s largest herds of wild sambar; it is also a refuge for one of the world’s largest populations of Asiatic lions. 

Day 8 to Day 11

After an eventful week, the couple headed back to Rishikesh for further exploration and a calm stay before heading back to the storm of life.

So this was the Brijal’s (@brijals2510) eventful journey to Auli!

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