[phamilyman]

Please remember that Chopta-Delhi in a day needs alot of discipline and an early start. Even a platina can do it if the rider does the above two things.

[mobike008]

Iam soooo excited after reading the paper today morning. Manali is completely snowed out and terribly cold

I am also told it came in today/yesterday paper in Delhi that even nainital received snow and know for sure that Chopta received lot of snow during early december

Looks like i am in for a snowy affair

Originally Posted by mobike008

We decided to reach SyalSur and call Mayadeep Resort and if they have a room then will stay a night there on Dec 28th.

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

It's run by a local - if he says ''aa jao", he'll definitely keep a room for you. But the crux of the matter would be, which room?

Guy from Mayadeep called my BIL and says room is confirmed. Dont know what they spoke and which type of room. Iam happy if we get some chath on our head

Originally Posted by wanderernomad

Nainital - Joshimath would be tiring to say the least. Jmath-Auli very pleasant and very scenic and very very doable. Chopta-Rishikesh-Delhi would be pushing it very far. Suggest a halt at Rishikesh/Haridwar.

Nainital-Joshimath is what i am really concerned about. Is it tough to do it in a day? Can we reach Joshimath by 6pm if we leave Nainital by 8am?

Originally Posted by phamilyman

Please remember that Chopta-Delhi in a day needs alot of discipline and an early start. Even a platina can do it if the rider does the above two things.

Platina is a bike..right? Bajaj Platina? I know its a repeat question but, since lot of folks are jumping in and out of our plan we are unable to decide which car to take from Nainital onwards ( till Nainital an Innova is already confirmed)

My question is Nainital till we cover the above listed places, can a big car like Innova reach those places? I mean if narrow roads etc..it would be an issue right? Appreciate inputs on this one

Countdown begins...........

[SS-Traveller]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Looks like i am in for a snowy affair
Is it tough to do it in a day? Can we reach Joshimath by 6pm if we leave Nainital by 8am?
My question is Nainital till we cover the above listed places, can a big car like Innova reach those places? I mean if narrow roads etc..it would be an issue right? Appreciate inputs on this one

On the one hand, you are celebrating your chance to see snowfall - on the other hand, you're worried if an Innova can make it through.

Snow in that section can be heavy and shut down traffic between Nandprayag and Joshimath, if you are unlucky. An Innova is of course not the best vehicle to traverse uphill snowbound stretches, and 4wd vehicles have a tough time without chains, but then, you would enjoy the snow anyway, so I'd say keep your fingers crossed and take it as it comes.

And the roads are wide enough to take trucks, so it won't be a problem for an Innova - unless you have another truck approaching you and the driver miscalculates about where to stop and let him pass. But then, generally, drivers here are pretty patient and tolerant about such mistakes, and will not honk you off the mountains.

Do check if the driver of your Innova has experience about driving in the mountains.

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

On the one hand, you are celebrating your chance to see snowfall - on the other hand, you're worried if an Innova can make it through.

Yup, I know i am contradicting myself. Iam going to enjoy if we hit snow but, at the same time worried if roads are going to be jammed.

Iam following a few travelogues on BMCT and its great to know it snowed in that area already. Btw, on BMCT lot of folks seems to be heading to Chopta around the same time

[lordofgondor]

Folks, me's kinda riding a similar boat as mobike008. Planning a week long break in UK, from 22nd to 29th Dec and here're the two options I have in mind:

1. Noida - Khirsu - Auli (or Joshimath) - Chopta - Noida, or
2. Noida - Uttarkashi - Harsil - Noida

And the car would be a Maruti Esteem.

Going from the discussion, it looks like there might be chances of road blockages due to snow on the first route. What about the second? Would Uttarkashi be accessible?

Also, if the route to Joshimath is blocked in Chamoli, is there a route for Tehri without coming all the way back to Rishikesh for the Chamba route? I've heard there's one via Titwara near Rudraprayag, anyone familiar with it?

EDIT: Just checked on Accuweather and reports are for bright sunshine both in Joshimath & Uttarkashi till 31st at least! No reports of precipitation at both locations.

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by lordofgondor

Also, if the route to Joshimath is blocked in Chamoli, is there a route for Tehri without coming all the way back to Rishikesh for the Chamba route? I've heard there's one via Titwara near Rudraprayag, anyone familiar with it?

EDIT: Just checked on Accuweather and reports are for bright sunshine both in Joshimath & Uttarkashi till 31st at least! No reports of precipitation at both locations

Pretty disturbing news

How accurate is Accuweather in its forecast? Entire timeframe that i am in UK, seems like the lowest it can get is around 3C

This means no snow

Should I cancel my trip?

[lordofgondor]

^^

Going by all the websites, it does look sunny weather's gonna prevail but I am keeping fingers crossed! Though some reported sub zero temp. 28th Dec onward.

Somewhere there should be snow to play with, in the upper reaches of UK.

[Rajesh Rawal]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Pretty disturbing news

How accurate is Accuweather in its forecast? Entire timeframe that i am in UK, seems like the lowest it can get is around 3C

This means no snow

Should I cancel my trip?

Incase you dont find snow ,once back we'll take you to snow world in hyderabad. Guaranteed snow @ inr 350 for 45 mins.

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by lordofgondor

Though some reported sub zero temp. 28th Dec onward.

This news is a bit heartening

Originally Posted by Rajesh Rawal

Incase you dont find snow ,once back we'll take you to snow world in hyderabad. Guaranteed snow @ inr 350 for 45 mins.

Thank you for your invaluable advice. Why didnt you tell me this before I planned this trip? I could have saved a fortune

[lordofgondor]

Guys, any update on the Rishikesh - Uttarkashi - Harsil route? It seems this side of Garhwal is more tranquil (and more chances of snow) so am getting more inclined to head north instead of east from Rishikesh. But still darn confused!

[saket77]

Hello everyone,

I am also planning a trip to north Uttarakhand in the last week of December. I am sure that Gangotri will be out of reach with closed roads, but can I reach upto Harsil? & will I find snow in Harsil? I plan to get to the closest to Harsil by train (I believe rishikesh it is??) & then take a taxi to Harsil. Please suggest any alternate plans better than this option for reaching Harsil. Suggestions on accommodation will be great.
Personally, I would love to drive my Zen upto there but as the distance is fairly long and me being the lone driving option, it may become too tiring.

Please suggest.

Regards,
Saket

[wanderernomad]

Mod Note : Please use the EDIT or MULTI-QUOTE buttons instead of typing one post after another on the SAME THREAD! To know how to multi-quote, click here.

Originally Posted by lordofgondor

Guys, any update on the Rishikesh - Uttarkashi - Harsil route? It seems this side of Garhwal is more tranquil (and more chances of snow) so am getting more inclined to head north instead of east from Rishikesh. But still darn confused!

LOG as things are, the above route should continue to be doable unless some freakish weather brings the heavens down. The winds would be bitterly cold but then it is the reason you are going there, right?

Originally Posted by saket77

Hello everyone,

I am also planning a trip to north Uttarakhand in the last week of December. I am sure that Gangotri will be out of reach with closed roads, but can I reach upto Harsil? & will I find snow in Harsil? I plan to get to the closest to Harsil by train (I believe rishikesh it is??) & then take a taxi to Harsil. Please suggest any alternate plans better than this option for reaching Harsil. Suggestions on accommodation will be great.
Personally, I would love to drive my Zen upto there but as the distance is fairly long and me being the lone driving option, it may become too tiring.

Please suggest.

Regards,
Saket

Saket from Ranchi why do you want to come to UK for the snow? Head East and North to sikkim. Trust me better vistas and much more snow than UK, unless of course you have some very specific reason to be here.

[saket77]

Originally Posted by wanderernomad

Saket from Ranchi why do you want to come to UK for the snow? Head East and North to sikkim. Trust me better vistas and much more snow than UK, unless of course you have some very specific reason to be here.

Thank you sir for your reply. Sikkim is my Plan B in case I don't have access to Uttarakhand & particularly Harsil. The main main reason going in favour of UK is that I want to see the Ganges there. Not for religious reasons, but just out of curiosity. Have seen the Ganges in Kolkata, Patna, Varanasi but wanted to have a look at its origin. I think it should be a great experience. What can be better if if I can see some snow in the process!

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by wanderernomad

LOG as things are, the above route should continue to be doable unless some freakish weather brings the heavens down. The winds would be bitterly cold but then it is the reason you are going there, right?

Thanks for coming to the rescue Vikram! Yeah, this time wanna experience the shrill, biting chill of winters in them mountains. Still not decided where to go though; towards Joshimath or Uttarkashi. Your input has settled one doubt I had in mind.

I guess I'll know when I'm on the road tomorrow!

[RM Motorsports]

Hello Friends

I visited Auli in February. Trip was purely to experience and learn Skiing. We were 6 of us. We took an evening flight to Delhi. Delhi to Haridwar was overnight train. Reached Haridwar at around 4.30 am. We has booked a Innvoa and the car was waiting outside the station. Delhi was pleasant but Haridwar was very cold. Soon we passed Rishikesh and on the way to Auli. Soon the sun was out, and we could enjoy the beautiful view. However after a few hours its started getting boring. The roads were very bad and scary. The road didn't seem to end. Hours and hours passed. We reached Joshimath around 3.30, almost 12 hours of driving.

That road is called NO CLAIM ROAD. After 6 pm, only military, press and ambulances are allowed to drive.There were many trucks and buses and you often get blocked behind them as roads are too narrow and dangerous to overtake.

We had booked Clifftop Club through Club Mahindra. However when we reached the cable car was not working and they promised to send a car to pick us up. However after 2 hours a person came and told us that car was broken down and we had to walk to the hotel. We were exhausted from that drive and now we had to climb 7km with all the luggage ?? We had a big fight over the phone with Club Mahindra people and finally they decided to refund the money. Later during the trip we met few tourists staying at Clifftop and we were shocked to hear their horror stories. Due to heavy snowfall at Auli, they were without power and water for 2 days.

It was a blessing in disguise for us that their car had broken down. Finally were reached GMVN guest house in Joshimath. The deluxe rooms were very good and decided to stay one night at Joshimath. Were were the only ones staying so food was served according to our choice.

After inquiring, we got to know that GMVN also has as hotel in Auli. They also have their car to ferry passengers to Auli. 2 of my friends went in their car to check out their property. After an hour we got a call them we should come up as soon as possible. Once we reached it was like heaven. Superb rooms with all the facilities, restaurant, bar etc.

I highly recommend GMVN to stay in Auli. Except the drive, everything was fine.

Do carry heavy woolen as it gets very very cold at night up to -4 degrees. Heaters in the room also hardly help.

Our destination


The never ending road


River Alaknanda


View from the room in Joshimath. Fluffy snow was falling.


Auli is on top of this hill. View from the hotel terrace.


Road to Auli




View from hotel in Auli. Beautiful !!


Around the hotel.







The playground


GMVN HOTEL


Another hotel nearby


A mountain to climb.


Nanda Devi Peak @ 30000 ft