Panaromas from the trip...
Auli
Himalayan Roadscape
Himalayan Roadscape
Himalayan Roadscape
Mighty Ganga!
Route Map:
View Auli on motorcycle! in a larger map
Exploring the western Himalayas on motorcycle was always high on my list. Finally i got my maiden chance to explore the northern part of the India. It was Rohit's, my friend from Bengluru, marriage in Hissar that i had to attend. I had 3 days with me to squeeze in a motorcycle trip. After scouting for various options, i finally decided on Auli, a ski resort high up in Uttarakhand/Uttranchal. The plan was to take a night bus from ISBT, Delhi as soon as i land up there and then head to Rishikesh from where we were supposed to hire the motorcycles. Finished up with my work on friday and took a flight to Delhi at 1900 hrs and reached by 2100 hrs.
Met Sajal, another friend from Bengluru, at the airport and then we took the prepaid taxi to ISBT. It took us about 50 minutes to reach the ISBT.It's the place from where all the inter state buses leave from Delhi. Due to friday there was quite a bit of rush at the bus station. We somehow managed to get into a state transport bus for Rishikesh. we got the bus around 2300 hrs. It was really cold and we had to remove all our jackets and stuff to prevent the cold. It really gets cold out there in winter.The bus travels through Ghaziabad, Meerut, Roorkie, Hardwar before reaching Rishikesh. The bus reached early morning at 6:30. After having breakfast, we took a rickshaw to Laxman Zula, where the guy had his shop.
The Laxman Zula, Rishikesh
The mighty Ganga
After waiting for around 2 hours, this guy named Guddu came and got the motorcycles for us. One of the motorcycle was a year old Pulsar 180cc and other was new Pulsar 150. Both the motorcycles looked in real good condition. We settled for 400 Rs/Day for a single bike and brought down the deposit from 20k to 10k per bike.
Sajal on the red Pulsar 150
Me on the blue Pulsar 180
After tying up the bags to the motorcycles, we then started for Joshimath which was around 250 km from Rishikesh. As soon as we left Rishikesh at around 1100 hrs, we came across our first landslide. I had similar experiences in Sikkim and Bhutan so was well aware of these things and the delays it might cause but it was raining then and this time it wasn't so we had less chance of a major landslide blocking our way.
Rishikesh is quite popular with adventure sport freaks with Rafting, Trekking...
Stopped around for clicking snaps
Deep valleys with stunning views all throughout our journey
The mighty Ganga again
The route goes via Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Chamoli and then Joshimath
Some posing to do
The winding roads
Our first view of the snow capped mountains!
Typical BRO roadsigns!
Just love these kind of roads!
Just loved riding on these roads...The road condition is really good throughout and is mainly due to tourists coming for visiting the "Char Dhaams".
The switchbacks on the way
We were some 50 kms before Joshimath when it was getting dark so we decided to stay in Chamoli and then head to Joshimath early morning the next day. Chamoli is an important town before Joshimath. We got a hotel room for about 300.
Started early morning at 0630
Was dying to ride here!
Its so very much thrilling to ride on these tricky roads
Just before Joshimath. Its forms the base for places such as Badrinath, Valley of flowers trek, Hemkund & Auli.
Well said!
Aloo paratha!!
The view from Joshimath
There is a 17 km off road from Joshimath which takes you to Auli but we decided to take the Ropeway for joy ride to Auli. The Ropeway isnt very cheap but the sights from the ride are something not to be missed.
Our ropeway ticket
Ropeway information
Sajal enjoying the views
The road from Joshimath to Auli, the road is in good condition till the GMVN complex now mainly due to the planned south asian winter games at Auli in Jan.
The artifical lake atop Auli. They have build it to produce artifical snow for the games during winter
The ropeway reaching Auli
Snow!!
I hiked to place where i found more snow
Stunning views of Himalayas and the Nanda Devi Peak, second highest peak in India.
Amazing scenery!
That was our hotel at Auli
The roads!
The river snaking its way from the glaciers above
Its a treat not a ride!
Break time. Sajal needed them really badly as it was his first long motorcycle trip and that too on these roads!
Breathtaking view of Karnaprayag
Switching from motorcycles to this wasn't very easy. We took this to reach Haridwar, from where we took the bus back to Delhi
Haridwar ghats at Night. We missed the famous Aarti which is performed in the evening.
We turned foodies in Haridwar!
Aloo Tikki...too good!
