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