Himalayan High, Auli, By Himalayan Eco Lodges — Hotel in Uttarakhand

GIO Adventures- Do not Trust – Never & Ever

Basic Ski course starting from Himalayan Eco lodge, owned and operated by GIO adventures. GIO adventures, just to get some business, completely misrepresented facts and cheated us into taking a basic skiing course in Auli, starting on Feb 26th,2016, knowing fully well that there was absolutely no snow at all on the slopes, nor any chance of fresh snow falling. Just to see some snow and try some basic skiing, we were forced to trek up 4 kms up the hills, taking us 2. 5 hrs one way,, at that altitude in thin air, and made to trek down again. Where in the world a basic ski course forces you to trek 4 kms one way, just to ski for less than an hour and no proper instructors to teach us . If this is not cheating, what do you call it? We were promised mules to take us up the slopes, to avoid trekking, but that also was not provided, in the interests of saving the mule costs. By the time we reached the upper slopes, the excitement and strength visibly ebbed, I skied on a small slope of 15 mts, and trudged up and down, with the equipment, panting and out of breath. My 6 days 5 Night ski course was reduced to just less than 2hrs in two days, and on the second day, we had no instructors. The official itinerary said ski would be from the morning of Feb 27th to the afternoon of March 2nd, but I skied for less than an hour on 27th and 28th Feb, after which I just gave up, as the whole point of the trip was wasted. GIO already knew from weeks back that was not a cm of snow on ski slopes, but still booked us, knowing fully well that this would be a disaster, but no mention was made of that. Why in the world would a travel operator book a ski trip with no snow around at all, beats me, if not just to cheat customers for money. All ten of us agreed that we would never ever book with GIO, and I am shocked and disappointed that a company liked GIO, played such a fraud, like a small time crooked travel operator. Plus knowing all this, not once did I receive a call from the operator, asking if things were all right. The lodging and boarding at Himalayan Eco lodge , and other arrangements were okay, but we had gone to learn skiing, and it was not a trekking course. Details: Basic Ski course booked for 5 nights 6 days. Starting from 26th Feb, 2016, I was part of a group of 10 people, all from Mumbai. We were supposed to be picked up at 7.00 am on 26th at Haridwar, to proceed to Auli. I get a call on 25th, at 6.30 pm, once I as almost in Haridwar , the pick up point, saying that there is a problem, as there is no snow at all in Auli and we will need to go up higher in search of snow, and that we need not worry as they will take us on mules. (This was after someone from the group calls and asks if it was true that there is no snow) I talked with Mr. Bharat and Mr. Amit, and said let me cancel the trip in that case, and will use the money paid for some other trip, though I will make a loss, as all flight, train and hotel arrangements made and paid. I was assured that we would get to ski and asked to continue with the trip. How naïve of me to trust GIO, but I promise to never book GIO, and certainly spread the word as to how I...

Firstly beware that Auli is not a city, it is just a small village of Uttrakhand. Please do not compare it with Himachal Pradesh where government is concerned about tourism. You can feel that Uttrakhand's govt has no interest in tourism. All roads are damaged and not a sinle road is good to drive. Also you will find not a restaurant or Dhaba in Auli. You have to eat what your hotel/homestay provide you. To have a proper meal at average price you have to go to nearest town Joshimath.

Now regarding Himalyan Eco Lodges, their property at Auli is good as compared to below averge lodges of Auli. Do not compare price and hotel as you would be disappointed. Accept a fact that hotel staff tries their best to provide comfort to travellers. Its just resources which are not provided by Hotel owner. Afterall providing one or two extra blanket is not a big deal but providing blanket where there is need of quilt clearly shows how much hotel owner is serious for its property.

I will rate as follows: Hotel location: 3 Hotel Staff: 4.5 (Staff has only one person) Hotel amenities: 1 (No TV, Wifi) Cleanliness: 2 Hotel Food: 3 Cost compared...

Location - Great Food - Great Room - Good Service - Good Behaviour of Staff - Very Bad They don’t know how to greet guests: during checkin they argued saying that 1.5 hrs early checkin is done for you and breakfast cannot be arranged as if they are doing a favour. I had to call their Dehradun office and after support from main office their behaviour changed for the entire stay. Luggage was not picked till the time the balance advance and checkin formalities were completed and my parents and wife were standing in cold outside the resort. Inhuman treatment with Drivers: my driver was given paratha which was having piece of plastic in it, half drank tea was given to my driver along with the policy of washing their own plates. False allegation: they asked the other guests next to our rooms to keep their voice down and we had complained about them the last night which was absolutely false. People come here to enjoy.

There are better hotels/resorts in Auli with exactly equivalent views and are crowded by guests.

I do not recommend this hotel after...