Auli Tour Package from Chhattisgarh
Auli Tour Package from Chhattisgarh: Itinerary, Travel Routes & Raipur–Bilaspur Traveller’s Guide
Planned and reviewed by Govind Bisht, Operations, SnazzyTrips | Last updated: 27 October 2026
For most families in Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg or Bhilai, a “hill trip” means Mainpat or a run to Pachmarhi. Auli is a different level: real Himalayan snow, ski slopes and an open view of Nanda Devi, India’s second-highest peak. Getting there is more practical than many people expect. The daily Kalinga Utkal Express runs from Bilaspur to Haridwar without a change, and Raipur’s airport has several one-stop connections to Dehradun every day.
This package is designed around how Chhattisgarh travellers actually arrive. Both the train and most connecting flights reach Uttarakhand in the evening, so Day 1 is a simple overnight in Haridwar. The climb is then split at Karnaprayag, where the Alaknanda meets the Pindar, so you reach Auli by lunchtime on Day 3 with the afternoon free for the slopes. After two nights in Auli, you return to Haridwar for an early departure. The return Kalinga Utkal Express passes Haridwar around dawn, and Jolly Grant Airport is about an hour away.
SnazzyTrips is a local Uttarakhand-based DMC operating since 2003, with teams in Haldwani and Dehradun. See our other Auli tour options for longer or shorter trips.
📋 Key Facts: Auli Trip from Chhattisgarh
The numbers that matter
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 Nights / 6 Days |
| Starting price | ₹26,999 per couple (Standard) |
| Night split | Haridwar 1, Karnaprayag 1, Auli 2, Haridwar 1 |
| Pickup and drop | Haridwar Jn or Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun) |
| Rail link | Kalinga Utkal Express (18477), daily via Bilaspur |
| Air link | One-stop flights Raipur–Dehradun, usually via Delhi |
| Haridwar to Karnaprayag | About 195 km, 6–7 hours |
| Karnaprayag to Auli | About 100 km, 3–4 hours |
| Auli to Haridwar | About 285 km, 9–10 hours |
| Auli altitude | Roughly 2,500–3,050 m |
| Joshimath–Auli ropeway | Closed since the Joshimath land-subsidence crisis; check status |
| Not included | Trains or flights from Chhattisgarh |
🗓️ Quick Itinerary
Day-by-day overview
| Day | Plan | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Haridwar (train) or Dehradun Airport (flight); rest | Haridwar |
| 2 | Haridwar to Karnaprayag via Rishikesh, Devprayag and Rudraprayag | Karnaprayag |
| 3 | Karnaprayag to Auli via Chamoli and Joshimath; afternoon on the slopes | Auli |
| 4 | Gorson Bugyal walk, artificial lake, skiing or chairlift if available | Auli |
| 5 | Auli to Haridwar; evening Ganga Aarti if time allows | Haridwar |
| 6 | Early drop at Haridwar Jn or Jolly Grant Airport | – |
🧭 How Does Each Day Look?
What each day involves
⚖️ Auli vs Mainpat: Which Should Chhattisgarh Travellers Choose?
Your home hill station or the Himalaya
| Factor | Auli | Mainpat |
|---|---|---|
| Altitude | Approx. 2,500–3,050 m | Approx. 1,085 m |
| Snow | Likely late December–February | No snowfall |
| Distance from Raipur | 1–2 days via train or flight | One long day by road |
| Main draw | Ski slopes, Nanda Devi, meadows | Tibetan settlement, monasteries, plateau views |
| Activities | Skiing, Gorson Bugyal, chairlift | Waterfalls, Jaljali “bouncing land,” sightseeing |
| Trip length | 5–7 days | 2–3 days |
| Budget | Higher | Low |
| Best for | First real snow experience | Weekend getaway |
🥾 How Difficult is the Auli Trip?
Effort, altitude and comfort
- Walking: Easy on the slopes; Gorson Bugyal is about 3 km each way on a forest path.
- Terrain: Grassy in summer, snow and ice from late December.
- Altitude: Arriving in Auli by lunchtime gives you a full afternoon to adjust before your first night there.
- Crowds: Busy on snow weekends and around New Year.
- Weather: Chhattisgarh winters are mild; Auli January nights fall well below freezing.
- Safety: NH7 is landslide-prone in monsoon; we check road status every morning.
- Suitable for: Families, couples, seniors without serious health issues, children above about 4.
❄️ Best Time to Visit Auli from Chhattisgarh
Pick your season
| Months | Auli Conditions | Why Chhattisgarh Travellers Go |
|---|---|---|
| Dec – Feb | Snow likely, ski season | First snow experience, winter vacations |
| Mar – Apr | Snow melting, quieter | Shoulder-season deals |
| May – Jun | Green meadows, 15–20°C days | Escape from 40°C+ plains heat |
| Jul – Aug | Heavy rain | Avoid |
| Sep – Nov | Clear peaks, cold nights | Dussehra and Diwali holidays |
🚆 How to Reach Auli from Chhattisgarh
Train from Bilaspur, flights from Raipur
🚆 By Train from Bilaspur
The 18477 Kalinga Utkal Express runs daily from Puri and stops at Bilaspur in the afternoon (around 2:15–2:30 PM). It reaches Haridwar around 9 PM the next day and continues to Yog Nagari Rishikesh. The return 18478 leaves Yog Nagari Rishikesh around 5:35 AM and stops at Haridwar shortly after. Travellers from Raipur and Durg usually reach Bilaspur by road or local train.
✈️ By Flight from Raipur
Swami Vivekananda Airport in Raipur has no regular non-stop flight to Dehradun, but IndiGo and Air India offer one-stop connections every day. Most land at Jolly Grant Airport in the afternoon, which is why Day 1 is a rest night.
🔁 Via Delhi
Raipur and Durg have daily trains to Delhi. From New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin, connect to a Haridwar train the same day. This is a good backup when the Utkal is full. To spend extra time in the holy city, see our Haridwar stay and sightseeing options.
🚗 By Road
Driving from Raipur to Haridwar is roughly 1,300 km and not practical for a holiday. The only road leg we recommend is Haridwar to Auli with our driver.
🚆 Train vs Flight from Chhattisgarh
| Factor | Kalinga Utkal Express (from Bilaspur) | One-stop Flight (from Raipur) |
|---|---|---|
| Journey time | About 31 hrs | About 4–8 hrs |
| Frequency | Daily | Several daily |
| Approx. one-way fare per person | Sleeper ₹650–750; 3AC ₹1,700–1,900 | ₹6,200–12,000 |
| Arrival | Haridwar Jn, around 9 PM | Jolly Grant, usually afternoon |
| Changes | None | One connection |
| Best for | Budget, families with luggage | Short leave |
All fares approximate; check IRCTC and airline websites.
💰 Total Trip Cost from Chhattisgarh
Budget for two travellers
| Travel Option (2 people, return) | Package Tier | Approx. Total |
|---|---|---|
| Utkal Sleeper (₹2,600–3,000) | Standard ₹26,999 | ₹29,600–30,000 |
| Utkal 3AC (₹6,800–7,600) | Standard ₹26,999 | ₹34,000–34,600 |
| Utkal 3AC (₹6,800–7,600) | Premium ₹35,499 | ₹42,300–43,100 |
| Flight via Delhi (₹25,000–48,000) | Standard ₹26,999 | ₹52,000–75,000 |
| Flight via Delhi (₹25,000–48,000) | Luxury ₹49,999 | ₹75,000–98,000 |
Approximate; check IRCTC/airline for live fares. Excludes skiing, chairlift tickets and personal costs.
🤝 Package vs Planning It Yourself
Where the package saves you effort
| Factor | SnazzyTrips Package | Planning It Yourself |
|---|---|---|
| Late-night train arrival | ✔ Station pickup and nearby hotel | Searching at 9 PM |
| Early-morning return train | ✔ Hotel near station, early drop | Arranging a pre-dawn taxi |
| Mountain halt | ✔ Karnaprayag pre-booked | One very long drive day |
| Vehicle | ✔ One car and driver throughout | Separate taxis |
| Snow-season rooms | ✔ Blocked in advance | Often full |
| Support | ✔ 24x7 phone line | None |
⭐ What is the SnazzyTrips Experience Like?
What to expect on tour
- Stay: Checked hotels in Haridwar, Karnaprayag and Auli; Auli rooms come with heaters in winter.
- Food: Breakfast and dinner daily. Rice, dal, roti and simple vegetarian meals are easy to get; Haridwar is a vegetarian town.
- Transport: One private vehicle (sedan, SUV or Tempo Traveller) with a driver familiar with the Badrinath highway.
- Support: Our Dehradun team tracks your train on arrival day and confirms road status before every drive.
We are a DMC in Uttarakhand operating since 2003, with teams in Haldwani and Dehradun, 50+ destinations, 150+ verified local partners and 20,000+ families hosted. Our average rating is 4.6/5 from verified traveller reviews.
🏨 Stay Options and Package Cost
Choose what suits you
| Tier | Price (per couple) | Stay Type |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ₹26,999 | Mid-range hotels throughout |
| Premium | ₹35,499 | Cottage-style rooms; slope or river views where available |
| Luxury | ₹49,999 | Boutique properties, candlelight dinner included |
👨👩👧 Who Should Book This Package?
Good fit and not ideal
- Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg and Bhilai families planning their first snow trip
- Budget travellers who prefer the direct Utkal train
- Couples looking to escape the summer heat in May–June
- Small groups of friends trying beginner skiing
- Travellers who have done Mainpat and want a proper Himalayan trip
- ⚠️ Not ideal for: travellers wanting more than two days in Auli (ask about our longer versions), anyone expecting guaranteed snow, or those with serious heart or lung conditions.
🏡 Where to Stay: Auli vs Joshimath
Choosing your base
| Factor | Staying in Auli | Staying in Joshimath |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to slopes | On or near the slopes | About 14 km by road |
| Snow access | Step out into snow in season | Drive up each day |
| Room rates | Higher | Lower |
| Town facilities | Limited shops and cafés | Markets, ATMs, pharmacies |
| Views | Open Himalayan views | Valley views; peaks from some hotels |
| Winter road risk | You’re already up there | Road can close after heavy snow |
| Best for | Snow lovers, couples | Budget groups, Badrinath pilgrims |
This package uses Auli as the base. A Joshimath-based version can be arranged on request.
🎒 Packing List
From central India’s heat to Himalayan cold
- Thermals (2 sets) and a heavy jacket for December–February
- Light jacket and fleece for May–June
- Waterproof shoes with good grip
- Woollen cap, gloves and warm socks
- Sunglasses and SPF 50 sunscreen
- Moisturiser and lip balm
- Personal medicines and motion-sickness tablets
- Power bank
- Light bag for the train with snacks and a water bottle
- Small torch for early-morning station transfers
🩺 How to Prepare for the Auli Trip
Before you leave Chhattisgarh
- Fitness: Two weeks of regular walking helps on the slopes and the Gorson Bugyal trail.
- Health: Travellers with BP, heart or breathing issues should consult a doctor before going above 2,500 m.
- Documents: Carry Aadhaar or another government ID for trains, flights and hotels.
- Train bookings: The Utkal Express fills quickly during school holidays; book as soon as your dates are fixed.
- Hydration: Drink more water than usual in Auli; dry mountain air dehydrates quickly.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Questions from Raipur, Bilaspur and Durg travellers
1. What does the Auli tour package from Chhattisgarh cost?
It starts at ₹26,999 per couple for 5N/6D (Standard tier). Premium is ₹35,499 and Luxury is ₹49,999 per couple; trains or flights are extra.
2. How many days do I need for Auli from Chhattisgarh?
The package is 5N/6D from Haridwar. By train, add about a day and a half each way, so plan 8–9 days in total.
3. When is the best time to visit Auli from Chhattisgarh?
Late December to February for snow, May–June to escape summer heat, and September–November for clear views. Avoid July and August.
4. How do I reach Auli from Chhattisgarh?
Take the daily Kalinga Utkal Express from Bilaspur to Haridwar, or a one-stop flight from Raipur to Dehradun. Our vehicle takes you from there to Auli.
5. Is there a direct train from Chhattisgarh to Haridwar?
Yes. The 18477 Kalinga Utkal Express runs daily via Bilaspur to Haridwar and Yog Nagari Rishikesh, taking about 31 hours from Bilaspur.
6. Is there a direct flight from Raipur to Dehradun?
No regular non-stop flight operates. One-stop flights, usually via Delhi, run daily and take about 4–8 hours.
7. Which airport is nearest to Auli?
Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 285 km from Auli and about 40 km from Haridwar.
8. Is Auli better than Mainpat?
They suit different trips. Mainpat is a nearby weekend hill station without snow; Auli is a Himalayan snow destination with ski slopes and 7,000 m peak views.
9. Why does the package stop at Karnaprayag?
It splits the climb into two shorter drives, so you reach Auli by lunchtime with the afternoon free to adjust and explore.
10. Is the Joshimath–Auli ropeway working?
It has been closed since the Joshimath land-subsidence crisis. Check current status with GMVN; this package uses the road.
11. Will there be snow in Auli?
Snow is most likely from late December to February, but it is never guaranteed.
12. Is the trip suitable for seniors and children?
Yes, for most seniors and children above about 4. Anyone with heart or lung conditions should check with a doctor first.
13. What is included in the package?
Five nights’ stay, breakfast and dinner, a private vehicle from pickup to drop, tolls, parking and sightseeing. Trains, flights, ski lessons and chairlift or ropeway tickets are not included.
14. Should I stay in Auli or Joshimath?
This package uses Auli for direct snow access and views. Joshimath is cheaper and has more facilities; we can arrange a Joshimath-based version on request.
15. Can I add Rishikesh to this trip?
Yes. We can add a night in Rishikesh before or after the mountains; see how to add Rishikesh to your trip.
16. How do I book the Auli package from Chhattisgarh?
Call +91 79834 29120 or email care@snazzytrips.in with your train or flight dates and group size. We confirm the itinerary and hotels before payment.
📚 Sources
Official references
- IRCTC (train schedules and booking): https://www.irctc.co.in/
- Uttarakhand Tourism (destination information): https://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/
- Chamoli District Administration (local updates for Joshimath and Auli): https://chamoli.nic.in/
📞 Plan Your Trip with SnazzyTrips
Send your dates, we’ll plan the rest
Share your Utkal Express or flight dates, your starting city in Chhattisgarh and group size. We will match your pickup to your arrival, book hotels near the station and send a confirmed itinerary.
Request your Auli Tour Package from Chhattisgarh:
🌐 Website: www.snazzytrips.in
✉️ Email: care@snazzytrips.in
📞 Phone/WhatsApp: +91 79834 29120
⚠️ Travel Disclaimer and Cancellation Policy
Please read before booking
Travel disclaimer: Train timings, flight schedules, NH7 road conditions and ropeway or chairlift operations can change at short notice. SnazzyTrips may change the itinerary for safety reasons. Snowfall and mountain views cannot be guaranteed. Fares shown are approximate.
Cancellation: 30+ days before travel: 90% refund | 15–29 days: 50% refund | 7–14 days: 25% refund | Under 7 days: no refund.