Auli Tour Package from Madhya Pradesh
Auli Tour Package from Madhya Pradesh: Garhwal–Kumaon Loop, MP Train Guide & Itinerary
Planned and reviewed by Govind Bisht, Operations, SnazzyTrips | Last updated: 27 October 2026
Madhya Pradesh is well connected to the Garhwal Himalaya by rail. The Kalinga Utkal Express crosses the state every day through Katni, Damoh, Sagar, Bina and Gwalior on its way to Haridwar and Rishikesh. Indore, Dewas and Ujjain have their own direct trains four days a week. Most MP families reach Haridwar within a day, without changing trains.
This package uses that easy outbound journey and then does something no out-and-back trip can: it crosses from Garhwal into Kumaon. You go up the Alaknanda valley to Auli for the snow, then cross the hills through Gwaldam into Kumaon for Kausani’s Himalayan panorama and two nights in Nainital. The trip ends at Kathgodam, where our Haldwani team is based, with an afternoon Shatabdi to Delhi and onward overnight trains to most MP cities.
SnazzyTrips is a local Uttarakhand-based DMC operating since 2003, with teams in Haldwani and Dehradun. If you only want the snow, see our Auli-only packages.
📋 Route Card
The loop at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 7 Nights / 8 Days |
| Starting price | ₹41,999 per couple (Standard) |
| Night split | Rishikesh 1, Gopeshwar 1, Auli 2, Kausani 1, Nainital 2 |
| Start | Haridwar Jn or Yog Nagari Rishikesh |
| End | Kathgodam railway station (or Pantnagar Airport) |
| Regions covered | Garhwal (Auli) and Kumaon (Kausani, Nainital) |
| Longest drive | Auli to Kausani via Gwaldam, about 210 km, 8–9 hours |
| Auli altitude | Roughly 2,500–3,050 m |
| Ropeway status | Joshimath–Auli ropeway closed since the land-subsidence crisis; check status |
| Not included | Trains from MP and the return journey from Kathgodam |
🚆 MP Cities and Their Best Train
Getting to the starting point
| Your City | Best Direct Train | Runs | Reaches Haridwar | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gwalior | 18477 Kalinga Utkal Exp | Daily | ~8 PM same day (dep. ~7 AM) | Also Ujjaini/14317 at ~3 AM on set days |
| Sagar / Damoh / Bina | 18477 Kalinga Utkal Exp | Daily | Evening, next day | Check stop times on IRCTC |
| Katni (for Jabalpur) | 18477 Kalinga Utkal Exp | Daily | Evening, next day | Jabalpur is about 90 km from Katni |
| Indore / Dewas / Ujjain | 14309 Ujjaini / 14317 Express | Wed, Thu / Sat, Sun | ~4:10 PM next day | Continues to Rishikesh |
| Bhopal | Via Bina (Utkal) or via Delhi | Daily | Varies | Bina is about 140 km from Bhopal |
All timings approximate; confirm on IRCTC before booking.
🏠 Coming Home via Kathgodam
The return half of the loop
Because the trip ends in Kumaon, you leave from Kathgodam rather than Haridwar. There’s no direct train from Kathgodam to MP, so the usual return is a two-step journey.
| Step | Option | Timing (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Nainital to Kathgodam | Our vehicle | About 35 km, 1–1.5 hours |
| 2. Kathgodam to Delhi | Kathgodam–New Delhi Shatabdi | Departs mid-afternoon, reaches Delhi in the evening |
| 3. Delhi to MP | Overnight trains to Gwalior, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Indore | Depart late evening, arrive next morning |
| Alternative | Fly from Pantnagar Airport (about 70 km from Nainital) via Delhi | Check schedules |
🗺️ Route Map in Words
Eight days, two regions
| Day | Route | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive Haridwar / Rishikesh; check in | Rishikesh |
| 2 | Rishikesh to Gopeshwar via Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag | Gopeshwar |
| 3 | Gopeshwar to Auli via Chamoli and Joshimath; afternoon on the slopes | Auli |
| 4 | Gorson Bugyal walk; skiing or chairlift in season | Auli |
| 5 | Auli to Kausani via Karnaprayag, Gwaldam and Baijnath | Kausani |
| 6 | Kausani sunrise; drive to Nainital via Almora and Kainchi Dham | Nainital |
| 7 | Nainital: Naini Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Snow View Point | Nainital |
| 8 | Drive to Kathgodam; afternoon train to Delhi | – |
🧭 Day Guide
Logistics for each day
⚖️ Loop vs Out-and-Back: Which Should MP Travellers Choose?
Why this package doesn’t return to Haridwar
| Factor | Garhwal–Kumaon Loop (This Package) | Out-and-Back via Haridwar |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 7N/8D | 5N/6D – 6N/7D |
| Destinations | Auli, Kausani, Nainital | Auli (plus Rishikesh/Haridwar) |
| Roads repeated | None | Same highway both ways |
| Return point | Kathgodam (Shatabdi to Delhi) | Haridwar (direct MP trains) |
| Return train to MP | Change in Delhi | Often direct |
| Snow-only focus | Snow plus lakes and hill towns | Snow only |
| Best for | First-timers wanting variety | Short leave, snow lovers |
🏞️ Kumaon Leg Highlights
What the second half adds
| Stop | Day | What It’s Known For | Time Spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gwaldam | 5 | Border town between Garhwal and Kumaon; Trishul views | Short stop |
| Baijnath | 5 | Ancient stone temple complex on the Gomti River | 30–45 min |
| Kausani | 5–6 | Wide Himalayan panorama, Anasakti Ashram, tea gardens | Overnight |
| Almora | 6 | Old hill town and bazaar | Drive-through or short stop |
| Kainchi Dham | 6 | Neem Karoli Baba ashram | 30–45 min |
| Nainital | 6–8 | Naini Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Mall Road | Two nights |
Times approximate. To stay longer in Kumaon, see our Kausani stays or spend more time in Nainital.
❄️ When MP Families Should Go
Seasons and school holidays
| Period | Auli | Kausani & Nainital | MP Holiday Fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late Dec – Feb | Snow likely, skiing | Cold, quiet; occasional snow in Nainital | Winter break |
| Mar – Apr | Thaw | Pleasant, rhododendrons | – |
| May – Jun | Green slopes | Busy, pleasant | Summer vacation |
| Jul – Aug | Heavy rain | Rainy | Avoid |
| Oct – early Nov | Clear skies | Best mountain views | Diwali vacation |
🥾 What’s Hard, What’s Easy
An honest effort check
- Easy: Auli slopes, Kausani viewpoints, Nainital lake walks and boating.
- Moderate: Gorson Bugyal (about 6 km round trip), the Naina Devi and Snow View Point areas.
- Hardest: Day 5 (Auli to Kausani, about 8–9 hours) and Day 2 (Rishikesh to Gopeshwar, about 7 hours).
- Altitude: Gopeshwar (~1,300 m) helps before Auli (~2,800 m); Kausani and Nainital are lower again.
- Health: Check with a doctor first if you have heart, lung or blood pressure conditions.
🏨 Package Tiers
Choose your comfort level
| Tier | Price (per couple) | Stay Style |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ₹41,999 | Mid-range hotels in all five towns |
| Premium | ₹54,499 | Lake-view in Nainital, valley-view in Kausani, slope-view in Auli where available |
| Luxury | ₹73,999 | Boutique properties, candlelight dinner included |
💰 Budget Builder
Add up your full trip, step by step
| Item (2 people) | Approx. Cost |
|---|---|
| Outbound train to Haridwar/Rishikesh, 3AC | ₹2,000–3,200 |
| Package, Standard tier | ₹41,999 |
| Kathgodam–Delhi Shatabdi, chair car | ₹1,600–2,200 |
| Delhi–MP overnight train, 3AC | ₹1,800–3,200 |
| Estimated total (Standard) | ₹47,400–50,600 |
| Optional: Delhi hotel night if needed | ₹2,500–5,000 |
| Upgrade to Premium | + ₹12,500 |
| Upgrade to Luxury | + ₹32,000 |
Approximate; check IRCTC for live fares. Gwalior travellers usually fall at the lower end, Indore and Jabalpur at the higher end.
🤝 Why a Local Team Matters on a Loop
What we handle across two regions
- Two regions, one driver: The same vehicle and driver from Rishikesh to Kathgodam, with no handover in the middle.
- The Gwaldam crossing: A quieter road that our drivers know well; we check its condition the evening before Day 5.
- Kumaon is home ground: Our Haldwani team handles Kausani, Nainital and Kathgodam directly.
- Weather swaps: If Day 4 is snowed in, we adjust the Kumaon days rather than lose them.
- Return timing: The Day 8 drive is planned around your train or flight from Kathgodam or Pantnagar.
⭐ Travelling with SnazzyTrips
How the trip runs
- Stay: Checked hotels in all five towns, with heaters in Auli and Kausani in winter.
- Food: Breakfast and dinner daily; vegetarian meals are easy throughout the route.
- Transport: One private vehicle (sedan, SUV or Tempo Traveller) with a driver familiar with both Garhwal and Kumaon roads.
- Support: Our Dehradun team covers the Garhwal half; our Haldwani team covers Kumaon and your departure.
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.
👨👩👧 Is This Your Trip?
A quick fit check
✅ Book it if you:
- Want snow in Auli plus Kausani and Nainital in one trip
- Have 9–10 days in total including train travel
- Don’t mind one change in Delhi on the way home
- Prefer seeing new roads over repeating the same highway
⚠️ Choose something else if you:
- Have only 5–6 days (an Auli-only trip suits you better)
- Want a direct train both ways
- Expect guaranteed snowfall
- Have serious heart or lung conditions
🎒 Pack and Prepare
Before you leave MP
- Thermals (2 sets) and a heavy jacket for winter; fleece and a light jacket for other months
- 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 (Day 2 and Day 5 are winding)
- A small bag for the Shatabdi and overnight train home
- Aadhaar or another government ID
Book your return Kathgodam–Delhi and Delhi–MP trains as early as you book the outbound train. If you have heart, lung or blood pressure conditions, check with a doctor before going above 2,500 m.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Madhya Pradesh travellers
1. What does the Auli tour package from Madhya Pradesh cost?
It starts at ₹41,999 per couple for 7N/8D (Standard tier). Premium is ₹54,499 and Luxury is ₹73,999 per couple; trains are extra.
2. How many days do I need for this trip from MP?
The package is 7N/8D. Add about one day for the outbound train and one night for the return via Delhi, so plan 9–10 days in total.
3. What is the best time to visit Auli from Madhya Pradesh?
Late December to February for snow, May–June for summer vacation, and October–early November for the clearest views. Avoid July and August.
4. Which MP cities have direct trains to Haridwar?
Gwalior, Bina, Sagar, Damoh and Katni have the daily Kalinga Utkal Express. Indore, Dewas and Ujjain have the Ujjaini Express (Wed/Thu) and the Indore–Rishikesh Express (Sat/Sun).
5. How long is the train from Gwalior to Haridwar?
About 13 hours on the daily Kalinga Utkal Express, leaving Gwalior around 7 AM and reaching Haridwar around 8 PM.
6. How do I return home from Kathgodam?
Take the afternoon Kathgodam–New Delhi Shatabdi, then an overnight train from Delhi to your MP city. Flying from Pantnagar via Delhi is another option.
7. Why does this package end in Kumaon instead of Haridwar?
It turns the trip into a loop, so you see Kausani and Nainital without repeating the same highway. It also ends close to our Haldwani team.
8. Is the loop better than a simple Auli trip?
It’s better if you want variety and have 9–10 days. If you only want snow or have less time, an Auli-only trip is simpler.
9. Does Nainital get snow?
Occasionally, in January, but not reliably. Auli is the snow stop on this trip.
10. Is the Joshimath–Auli ropeway working?
It has been closed since the Joshimath land-subsidence crisis. Check current status with GMVN; the package uses the road.
11. Is snow guaranteed in Auli?
No. Snow is most likely from late December to February, but it depends on each year’s weather.
12. Is this trip suitable for children and seniors?
Yes, for most children above about 4 and active seniors, though Day 2 and Day 5 are long drives. Anyone with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor.
13. What is included in the package?
Seven nights’ stay, breakfast and dinner, one private vehicle from pickup to Kathgodam drop, tolls, parking and sightseeing. Trains, ski lessons, boating, entry fees and ropeway or chairlift tickets are not included.
14. Can I visit Kainchi Dham on this trip?
Yes. Kainchi Dham is on the Day 6 route from Kausani to Nainital, with time for a short visit.
15. Can Bhopal and Jabalpur travellers do this trip?
Yes. Bhopal travellers usually join the Utkal at Bina, and Jabalpur travellers at Katni, or both can travel via Delhi.
16. How do I book the Auli package from Madhya Pradesh?
Call +91 79834 29120 or email care@snazzytrips.in with your city, train dates and group size. We confirm the itinerary, hotels and return timing before payment.
📚 Sources
Official references
- IRCTC (Kalinga Utkal, Ujjaini and Kathgodam Shatabdi schedules): https://www.irctc.co.in/
- Uttarakhand Tourism (destination information): https://uttarakhandtourism.gov.in/
- Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (Kumaon tourism and stays): https://www.kmvn.in/
📞 Plan Your Trip with SnazzyTrips
Share your city and dates
Tell us your MP city, the train you plan to take and your group size. We’ll match your pickup to the train, plan the Kathgodam drop around your return, and send a confirmed itinerary.
Request your Auli Tour Package from Madhya Pradesh:
🌐 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, road conditions on NH7 and the Gwaldam route, ropeway or chairlift operations, and Kainchi Dham visiting hours 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.