Auli vs Valley of Flowers
Pick Auli for
snow, family trips, first-timers, an easier walk, fewer days
Pick Valley of Flowers for
nature, photography, a spiritual journey, a smaller budget
| Auli | Valley of Flowers | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Uttarakhand, Joshimath, Chamoli | Uttarakhand, Ghangaria, Chamoli |
| Highest point | 3,050 m | 3,658 m |
| Difficulty | Easy | Easy–moderate |
| Trek distance | No trek needed | about 38 km |
| Days on the ground | 4–5 | 6–7 |
| Best months | Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Nov | Jul, Aug |
| Snow likely | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar | Rarely |
| Crowds in season | Moderate | Moderate |
| Daily spend | about ₹3,500 | about ₹2,500 |
| Gateway | Dehradun / Rishikesh | Dehradun / Rishikesh |
| With kids | Great | Possible |
| With seniors | Good | Possible |
| Permits | None. | Entry permit at the forest check post in Ghangaria; day visits only, no camping inside. |
Auli: when to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
BestPossibleNot recommended❄︎Snow likely
Valley of Flowers: when to go
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
BestPossibleNot recommended❄︎Snow likely