Joshimath

1 dayBest: Apr–Jun, Sep–NovPilgrimage#shrine#transit hub#views

Winter seat of Badrinath, road to Auli

Why this weekend?

Narsingh templeNanda Devi templeAuli cable car

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The high town
- Temple morning
- Matha visit
- Ropeway ride
- Peak views
- Town walk

Geography & terrain

Joshimath lies in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand at about 1,875 m, 40 km from Badrinath and 250 km from Rishikesh — the transit town of the high Garhwal, its Narsingh temple, the cable car and the valley views set on the Alaknanda's country above the river's gorge.

History & culture

The town's story runs with the Adi Shankaracharya's matha of the 8th century — one of the four cardinal seats of the Advaita tradition, with the town's Narsingh temple and the Shankaracharya's seat of the region; the town's role as the winter seat of the Badrinath deity and the transit hub of the pilgrimage and the trekking circuits, with the Auli ropeway and the Nanda Devi views, gives Joshimath its high-town character.

Where to stay

Budget

₹800–2,000/night

Mid-range

₹2,000–4,000/night

Comfort

₹4,000+/night

Things to do

Narsingh temple
Matha seat
Auli ropeway
Nanda Devi views
Alaknanda valley

Eat & drink

Kafuli (spinach curry)
Bhatt ki dal (black soybean)
Aloo ke gutke
Bal mithai (Almora sweet)

Getting there

Fly: Dehradun (DED)
Train: Haridwar, Kathgodam, Dehradun stations
Road from Delhi: 250–450 km depending on valley
Getting around: Shared taxis and buses on hill roads

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹2,500–6,500 (1 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹800–4,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹500–900
Per day · Activities: ₹400–800

Month by month

Jan · Snow: −5–8°C · Snow rain
Feb · Snow: −3–10°C · Snow rain
Mar · Good: 2–14°C · Light rain
Apr · Best: 7–20°C · None rain
May · Best: 12–25°C · None rain
Jun · Good: 16–30°C · Moderate rain
Jul · Monsoon: 18–28°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 17–27°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Best: 14–26°C · Moderate rain
Oct · Best: 8–20°C · None rain
Nov · Cold: 2–14°C · None rain
Dec · Snow: −2–9°C · Snow rain

Practical info

Language: Hindi (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
Connectivity: Patchy in high valleys — offline maps essential
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The season (Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov) holds the clear roads
The ropeway's tickets book the morning hours
Pairs with Auli and Badrinath for the high circuit

Frequently asked questions

What is Joshimath?

The high transit town of the Garhwal's pilgrimages.

What is there to do?

The temple, the ropeway and the peak views.

How long is the visit?

A full day.