Auli vs Roopkund (Skeleton Lake)
Pick Auli for
snow, family trips, first-timers, an easier walk, fewer days
Pick Roopkund (Skeleton Lake) for
nature, camping, adventure
| Auli | Roopkund (Skeleton Lake) | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Uttarakhand, Joshimath, Chamoli | Uttarakhand, Lohajung, Chamoli |
| Highest point | 3,050 m | 5,029 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | Difficult |
| Trek distance | No trek needed | about 53 km |
| Days on the ground | 4–5 | 8–9 |
| Best months | Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov | Jun, Sep |
| Snow likely | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | May, Jun, Oct |
| Crowds in season | Moderate | Moderate |
| Daily spend | about ₹3,500 | about ₹3,000 |
| Gateway | Dehradun / Rishikesh | Kathgodam |
| With kids | Great | Not advised |
| With seniors | Good | Not advised |
| Permits | None. | Forest permit; confirm current Nanda Devi Biosphere restrictions before booking. |
Auli: when to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
BestPossibleNot recommended❄︎Snow likely
Roopkund (Skeleton Lake): when to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- ❄︎May
- ❄︎Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- ❄︎Oct
- Nov
- Dec
BestPossibleNot recommended❄︎Snow likely