Use the morning to finalise packing and pick up any last-minute cold-weather gear in Dehradun — pop into Rajpur Road for thermal layers or the Paltan Bazaar area for travel essentials and snacks for the journey. Check travel documents, confirm your bus/volvo or private cab booking to Joshimath, and enjoy a relaxed breakfast at a café like Ellora’s or Open Hand for a warm paratha and chai before you set off later in the day.
Spend the afternoon taking care of logistics so your evening departure is smooth: refuel the car if driving, top up mobile battery packs, and buy bottled water and energy bars from a supermarket near the ISBT. If you have extra time, take a short stroll in the Robber’s Cave (Guchhupani) area to stretch your legs and soak up the last lowland views before heading uphill — it’s an easy, scenic stop en route to the hills.
Depart Dehradun in the evening on your reserved night bus or private transfer toward Joshimath, enjoying the gradual climb and mountain-lit scenery as you ascend the Rishikesh-Joshimath route; expect a late-night arrival in Joshimath where you’ll check into a simple guesthouse or hotel for an overnight stay. Rest up and have a light dinner at the hotel or a nearby dhaba — conserve energy for the full day of snow adventures planned in Auli tomorrow.
Wake early in Joshimath, enjoy a hearty breakfast at your guesthouse, then take the 20-30 minute drive or the scenic Auli ropeway from Joshimath up to Garud/Auli, passing pine-clad slopes and panoramic views of Nanda Devi. On arrival, gear up at a local rental — collect skis, boots, helmets, and poles from an Auli equipment shop (ask for an instructor if needed) and spend the morning on a private beginner-friendly slope or with a short guided run to get comfortable on the snow.
After a hot dhal-chawal or soup lunch at Auli’s cafeteria or The Cottages, step up your thrills with supervised downhill skiing or a longer intermediate run toward the 4 km Auli slopes; alternatively try snowboarding lessons or join a guided snowshoe trek toward the Chaukhamba views for fresh photo ops. If you prefer a different adrenaline fix, book a paramotoring/tandem paragliding session (weather permitting) from the Joshimath takeoff, or arrange for a short heli-ride/sightseeing flight to see the Himalayan crest from above.
Return to Garud/Joshimath as daylight wanes via the ropeway, warming up with chai and momos at a riverside dhaba in Garud or the Joshimath market; stroll the market to buy woollens, local handicrafts, and map your next day’s ski or cliff-walk plan with your hotel. Rest early at your Joshimath hotel or guesthouse — recharge kit batteries and lay out gear for tomorrow’s final Auli outings and the drive back toward Dehradun, keeping an eye on weather and road updates for a smooth departure.
Rise early in Auli for a final crisp mountain sunrise over the Nanda Devi range — grab a hot breakfast at The Cottages or the Auli cafeteria, then head to the slopes for a couple of guided runs with your instructor to refine turns and enjoy the nearly empty morning pistes. If you prefer a gentler start, take the short cliff walk toward the Auli oak-and-pine ridgeline for panoramic photo stops and the famed view of Chaukhamba before returning to Garud via the ropeway.
After lunch in Joshimath (try a warming thali at a local dhaba near the market), squeeze in one last adventure: book a short ski clinic for an intermediate run on Auli’s longer slopes, or join a guided snowshoe trek to the nearby Jakholi ridge for quiet alpine scenery and wildlife tracks. Collect your bags from the hotel, confirm your transfer, and depart Joshimath in the mid-afternoon with scenic mountain views as you begin the drive back toward Dehradun.
Stop en route for tea and snacks at a roadside dhaba—good spots include the Saldhar or Helang stretch depending on road conditions—then continue the descent as daylight fades, arriving in Dehradun in the late evening; check into your city hotel or rest stop and enjoy a relaxed dinner at a recommended place like Ellora’s or Town Table to celebrate a successful Auli adventure. Use the evening to charge devices, sort photos, and double-check onward travel details for your buffer day toward Bathinda.
If you’re leaving Dehradun today, use the morning to have a relaxed breakfast at Ellora’s or Open Hand, finish packing warm layers, and double-check train or drive schedules and reservation confirmations for the onward journey to Bathinda. If you’re still in Dehradun recovering from the mountains, take a gentle stroll through the Rajpur Road area or visit Robber’s Cave for some fresh-air stretching before setting off later in the day.
For those en route: plan a midday stop at a reliable highway dhaba (Helang or Saldhar depending on your route) to refuel with a hot thali and chai, and use the break to stretch and swap photos from Auli with travel companions. If you stayed in Dehradun, spend the afternoon sorting gear and laundry, pick up any last-minute travel provisions in Paltan Bazaar, and optionally visit the Tapkeshwar Temple for a calm, local cultural pause before departure.
If you’re driving or on an evening train toward Bathinda, aim to depart in late afternoon to make steady progress while roads are good, breaking for tea at a trusted stop and arriving into Bathinda or a convenient overnight station before nightfall. If staying in Dehradun, enjoy a farewell dinner at Town Table or Ellora’s, charge devices and backpacks, and set alarms and travel documents ready for the final leg to Bathinda on December 15.