Pack last-minute essentials and enjoy a relaxed breakfast in Lucknow — try a light kebab or kachori with chai at a trusted local spot (Tunday Kababi or Royal Café) before you leave. Use the morning to confirm tickets and luggage for your overnight train/bus and say goodbye to the city’s colonial lanes and Imambara views as you head to the station; aim to arrive 45-60 minutes early to avoid rush and manage boarding smoothly.
If you travel by day train/bus, spend the afternoon settling in: find a comfortable window seat, enjoy the shifting plains of Uttar Pradesh, and sample regional snacks (fruit chaat, samosas) from station vendors during quick stops. If you depart later, use the early afternoon for a final stroll around Hazratganj or a quick visit to Rumi Darwaza, then return to your accommodation to rest and prepare for the overnight journey toward Haridwar/Rishikesh.
Board your overnight service toward Haridwar/Rishikesh and get settled — layer up for cooler temperatures and keep travel documents and chargers handy. If time allows before lights-out, chat with fellow travelers, map out arrival plans (transport from Haridwar station or Dehradun airport to Rishikesh), and set alarms so you arrive refreshed and ready for day 2’s riverside adventures.
Wake gently by the Ganges and take a slow riverside walk from Parmarth Niketan toward Ram Jhula, pausing for masala chai and a stuffed parantha at a local café such as Little Buddha or Beatles Café. Visit the Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) for its graffiti-filled meditation cells and riverside views, then return to Ram Jhula to browse local shops selling malas, incense and yoga wear before a light lunch.
After lunch, choose your pace — relax with a restorative yoga session at an ashram like Sattva or at a boutique studio on Lower Road, or get your heart racing with afternoon white-water rafting from Shivpuri (Class II-III) if you’re feeling adventurous. If rafting isn’t on the cards, hire a SUP board or take a gentle boat ride near Triveni Ghat, and stop at the Ganga Beach for some sun and conversation with fellow travelers.
Return to Parmarth Niketan or Triveni Ghat in time for the Ganga Aarti at sunset, soaking in the chanting, diyas and priests on the riverbank—arrive early to secure a good spot and bring a small offering. After the aarti, enjoy dinner at a riverside restaurant like Ganga View Café or Pure Soul for vegetarian Himalayan cuisine, then stroll back across Ram Jhula under the starlit sky to your guesthouse, ready for the drive toward Auli the next day.
Rise early in Rishikesh and enjoy one last riverside chai and a light breakfast near Ram Jhula—pick up some snacks for the road from Little Buddha or a local bakery before you head out. Depart toward Auli via the scenic route (drive time ~10-11 hours with stops); plan a relaxed first stretch to Haridwar/Dehradun and a coffee break at a highway dhaba to stretch your legs and take in the changing foothill views.
Continue the ascent through winding Himalayan roads, stopping in scenic Srinagar (Uttarakhand) or Joshimath for lunch—try local Kumaoni dal, bhaang ki chutney and aloo ke gutke at a family-run eatery to taste the region. After Joshimath, take the Auli ropeway or drive up the final stretch toward Auli, pausing at viewpoints for sweeping vistas of Nanda Devi and the snow-dusted peaks as daylight softens.
Arrive in Auli before dusk, check into your hotel or guesthouse, and warm up with a hot soup or thali while watching the valley lights come on; if time permits, take a short sunset walk to the Auli meadow or the ropeway station for panoramic views. Settle in early to acclimatize and prepare layers for tomorrow’s snow activities, and enjoy a quiet night under clear mountain skies—perfect for stargazing if the weather holds.
Wake to crisp mountain air and a panoramic sunrise over Nanda Devi — grab a hearty alpine breakfast at your hotel or at The Auli Resort, then take the Auli ropeway from Joshimath for soaring views as you ascend to the meadows. Once at the top, wander the snow-dusted meadows on a short guided hike toward the Gurso Bugyal viewpoint, pausing to photograph the endless ridgelines and the cable car below.
After lunch at a local café or a packed picnic overlooking the slopes, join a beginner ski lesson with a certified instructor from the Auli Ski School or rent gear at one of the Joshimath-Auli rental counters for an introduction to gentle groomed runs. If you prefer a slower pace, explore the oak-and-rhododendron trails toward Chattrakund or visit the Auli artificial lake viewpoint, enjoying hot tea at a shepherd’s hut-style kiosk while taking in the winter silence.
As daylight softens, return via the ropeway to Joshimath for a relaxed evening — warm up with a traditional Kumaoni thali at a family-run restaurant like Hotel Auli Continental or Evergreen, and chat with locals about mountain life. Finish the night stargazing from your accommodation or the meadow edge if skies are clear, reflecting on the day’s high-altitude thrills and preparing layers for the descent toward Delhi the next day.
Pack early after a leisurely alpine breakfast and catch the first Auli ropeway or drive down to Joshimath to watch the valley light up one last time; stop for chai and fresh buns at a local dhaba near the ropeway station before setting out. Complete any last-minute souvenir shopping in Joshimath—pick up locally woven shawls or organic jams—and settle into your vehicle for the long descent toward Rishikesh/Dehradun, enjoying one final view of Nanda Devi as the hills roll away.
Break the drive with a relaxed lunch in Srinagar (Uttarakhand) or Rudraprayag, sampling hearty Kumaoni dishes like kafuli or a simple rajma-chawal at a trusted highway café, and stretch your legs at a riverside spot to breathe the lower-altitude air. Use this quieter stretch to review onward connections to Delhi (train/bus/flight) and confirm overnight stop plans—if time allows, take a short walk along the Mandakini or Alaknanda confluence for a peaceful photo stop before continuing toward your planned overnight town.
Arrive at your overnight en-route accommodation—perhaps in Haridwar, Rishikesh or Dehradun—check in and warm up with a hot thali and steaming chai while recounting mountain memories with fellow travelers or hosts. Prepare luggage and travel documents for the final leg to Delhi, set alarms for an early departure the next day, and unwind with a brief riverside stroll (if in Haridwar/Rishikesh) or a calm night at the hotel, ready for the journey that brings you into Delhi by the morning of the 22nd.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tunday Kababi / Royal Café (Lucknow breakfast) | INR 150-400 per person |
| Station/boarding buffer (Lucknow) | Free (transport to station INR 50-300 depending on taxi/auto) |
| Overnight train/bus Lucknow → Haridwar/Rishikesh | Train: INR 300-1,200 (Sleeper/3A/2A); Bus: INR 500-1,500 (non-AC to Volvo) |
| Little Buddha / Beatles Café (Rishikesh breakfast/snack) | INR 150-350 per person |
| Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) | Entry: INR 0-200 (often INR 100-200 for foreigners; locals sometimes free/low fee); guide optional INR 200-500 |
| Ram Jhula / shopping (malas, incense, yoga wear) | INR 100-1,500 depending on purchases |
| Yoga session (drop-in at ashram/studio) | INR 250-1,000 per class |
| White-water rafting (Shivpuri, Rishikesh) | INR 800-1,800 per person (Class II-III); higher for longer stretches or private groups |
| SUP / gentle boat ride / Ganga Beach | INR 200-800 |
| Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan / Triveni Ghat | Free (small offering INR 20-200) |
| Riverside dinner (Ganga View Café / Pure Soul) | INR 250-700 per person |
| Road transfer Rishikesh → Haridwar/Dehradun (start of Uttarakhand drive) | INR 300-1,500 by taxi; public bus INR 50-200 |
| Rishikesh → Auli (drive via Srinagar (UK)/Joshimath) — point-to-point land travel | Private taxi: INR 6,000-10,000 one-way (Sedan/SUV); Shared jeep/tempo: INR 300-800 per person for segments; bus: INR 400-1,000 per person (if available) |
| Highway dhaba coffee/snack stops | INR 50-200 per person per stop |
| Lunch in Srinagar (Uttarakhand) / Joshimath (local Kumaoni meal) | INR 150-400 per person |
| Auli ropeway (Joshimath ↔ Auli) | INR 600-1,200 per person round trip (seasonal; varies) |
| Auli accommodation (hotel/guesthouse) | INR 1,200-6,000 per night (budget guesthouse to mid-range hotel/resort; high-season rates higher) |
| Sunset walk / viewpoint at Auli meadow | Free |
| Auli ropeway (morning ascent for sunrise) | Included above per ride (INR 300-600 one way if ticketed separately) |
| Guided short hike (Gurso Bugyal viewpoint) | Free to INR 1,000 if hiring a local guide (group walk often free or small tip) |
| Beginner ski lesson (Auli Ski School) | INR 1,200-3,000 per person per session (including instructor; gear rental extra) |
| Ski/snow gear rental (skis/boots/poles or winter clothing) | INR 400-1,200 per day for skis; INR 200-500 per day for jackets/pants; package deals possible INR 800-2,000/day |
| Chattrakund / oak-rhododendron trails | Free (small parking/entry fees unlikely) |
| Dinner in Joshimath / Auli (Kumaoni thali) | INR 200-500 per person |
| Return drive Joshimath → Rishikesh/Dehradun (start of descent) | Private taxi INR 6,000-10,000; bus INR 400-1,000; shared jeep variable |
| Overnight en-route stay (Haridwar / Rishikesh / Dehradun) | INR 800-3,000 per night (budget to mid-range) |
| Final leg to Delhi (train/bus/flight) — arrival by 2025-11-22 morning | Train: INR 200-1,500; Bus: INR 300-1,000; Flight: INR 1,500-5,000 (one-way, variable) |
| Souvenirs (shawls, jams, malas) | INR 200-2,000 depending on item |
| Estimated Total (per person) | INR 18,000 - 55,000 per person (approx.) |