Tour to Auli

In April '05, a four-bunk dorm-cabin was fine. No stinking carpets. The wash-basin is/was in the room though.

Hi everyone,

What would a taxi from Haridwar to Joshimath cost? I am thinking about going alone, how easy will it be for me to find people I can share a taxi with? It 'll be half february I plan to go.

Depends on your skills to bargin but a tata sumo should cost roughly around 4k approx one way. You need to leave early from haridwar to make it in one day to Joshimath.

Thank you.

My train (from Dehli) would arrive a little bit before 6am.

Three more questions:


1) So it's about 4k one way, but the taxi has to go back as well, do I have to pay for his return trip?

2) And 4k alone is rather expensive, but if I could share it, it would be fine. Do you think I can find people to share it with?

3) A tata sumo: Will there be plenty of them waiting at the train station? And how will these cars be able to deal with a snowy road? Or do you think there will be no snow on the way to Joshimath?

(1) That's right. Sumo/jeep type vehicles going from Haridwar to Joshimath may ask for 4000 in full one-way. and you have to pay separately for your return trip. Taxies rarely return empty, they take share seat arrangement for passengers.

2. You can bargain/deal with driver/taxi owner for sharing.

3. There may not be many tata sumo/jeep waiting for Joshimath route at Haridwar Station.

But If you can travel upto Rishikesh (20 KM north of Haridwar, a lot and lot of buses/autos available to Rishikesh), your options available for Joshimath would multiply many times.

Share cost of Sumo/Jeep from Rishikesh would be around 220-250 per seat and in early morning (0500 to 0800 hours), you can get a lot of them from Rishikesh. Even if they ask for higher amount, this is the current running rate.

These cars/sumos are able to handle snowy road. There is very little possiblity of snow over the road, since this is busy route (NH-58).

Additional information about this route : Since it takes around 8-10 hours by road to Joshimath and night travel is not allowed on high hill areas in Uttranchal(after 9.00 PM - barriers on the main roads are closed), you may not find any jeep/taxi available starting in the afternoon (from haridwar/rishikesh or Joshimath for return), as they would have to halt somewhere in the route for night.

Happy Journey !
rk

There's no point high enough on the road to Joshimath for there to be snow lying around.

Thank you guys! Anyone here that will be there around half february?

Snow will be very doubtfull but one can not discount landslides. Please keep time on hand. One can be stuck for few hours to a day at times due to landslides. One option then would be to junk the vehical and cross the landslide on foot and opt for another vehical on the other end. Have a good trip !

Dear Amar, Have been to Joshimath many times. Landslides are mostly in monsoon season(June-August) on NH-58. In fact, one would be surprised if crosses the complete NH-58 without halt due to landslide during that period.

During winter, it is very rare possibility of landslide. And Yes, if the landslide is more (during any season), it is wise to junk the vehicle, cross landslide on foot and take another vehicle from other side. Or rather, negotiate with the driver to workout to have a 'PALTI' (transfer all passenger of one vehicle with the passenger of similar vehicles other side of landslide).

This system has saved me many days on this route.

True but due to regular road widing and bombing activity by the BRO one can face landslides any time. My visit to Joshimath in Feb'07 i got delayed by a day due to the landside on my way.

The purpose of mentioning it was just to be ready incase if you stuck in one. The mistake we made was we waited for it to be cleared instead of crossing it on foot.

I'm a College student in Delhi University and been planing to go Auli first week of February,,If my schedule will chang,we can share one way Taxi for Joshimath I'll informed You,Keep in Touch,

Thanks

Prince Ali