Travel Tool · 2026 Season
Char Dham Helicopter Guide 2026
All 10 helipads with elevations and distances, aerial route map, full circuit and shuttle costs, 8 DGCA-licensed operators, and step-by-step booking guide.
All 10 helipads with elevations and distances, aerial route map, full circuit and shuttle costs, 8 DGCA-licensed operators, and step-by-step booking guide.
All 10 active helipads serving Char Dham routes — elevations, temple distances, and route classifications.
All Char Dham helicopter circuits depart from here
6 km trek to Yamunotri Temple from this helipad
25 km road drive to Gangotri Temple from Harsil
Most popular Kedarnath shuttle base — highest frequency flights
Alternate Kedarnath shuttle base with multiple operators
Via Narayankoti helipad — longer route from town centre
Shortest shuttle route — 7 km before Gaurikund on NH107
Near Rudraprayag–Kedarnath highway at lower elevation
Summit arrival helipad — short walk to the shrine
Main arrival helipad for the Badrinath Dham
Complete all four dhams by helicopter in 5-6 days departing from Dehradun. Total aerial distance approximately 490 km.
Sahastradhara Helipad → Kharsali Helipad
Kharsali Helipad → Harsil / Jhala Helipad
Harsil Helipad → Kedarnath Helipad
Kedarnath Helipad → Badrinath Helipad
Badrinath Helipad → Sahastradhara Helipad (return)
Circuit Summary
Short shuttle flights from nearby helipads to Kedarnath. Book exclusively through the official IRCTC Heli Yatra portal.
Operators: Pawan Hans, Thumby Aviation, Global Vectra, Trans Bharat
Alternate Kedarnath shuttle
Operators: Arrow Aircraft, Himalayan Heli Services, Kestrel Aviation
Via Narayankoti helipad
Operators: Aryan Aviation, Trans Bharat Aviation
Shortest shuttle route
Near Rudraprayag highway
Direct charter flight
Availability varies — book well in advance
Booking Kedarnath Shuttle Tickets
All Kedarnath shuttle helicopter tickets for 2026 are booked exclusively through the IRCTC Heli Yatra portal. Char Dham registration (YRC) is mandatory before booking. Maximum 12 passengers per User ID across two tickets.
Crow-fly aerial distances for all Char Dham helicopter legs.
| Route | Aerial Distance |
|---|---|
| Full Circuit Legs | |
| Sahastradhara (Dehradun) → Kharsali (Yamunotri) | ~90 km |
| Kharsali (Yamunotri) → Harsil (Gangotri) | ~90 km |
| Harsil (Gangotri) → Kedarnath | ~85 km |
| Kedarnath → Badrinath | ~50 km |
| Badrinath → Sahastradhara (return) | ~175 km |
| Kedarnath Shuttle Bases | |
| Phata → Kedarnath | ~12 km |
| Sersi → Kedarnath | ~15 km |
| Guptkashi → Kedarnath | ~22 km |
| Sitapur → Kedarnath | ~8 km |
| Augustmuni → Kedarnath | ~30 km |
Aerial distances are approximate crow-fly estimates. Actual flight paths vary with terrain and air traffic control routing.
Indicative pricing for full circuit packages, Kedarnath shuttles, and direct charters.
All prices are per person unless otherwise stated. Prices subject to DGCA regulation and operator.
| Package / Route | Indicative Price |
|---|---|
| Full Circuit Packages (Per Person) | |
| Economy — shared helicopter, budget hotels | Rs 1,50,000 |
| Standard — 3–4 star hotels, VIP darshan | Rs 1,80,000 – Rs 2,00,000 |
| Premium — luxury hotels, dedicated helicopter | Rs 2,50,000+ |
| Kedarnath Shuttle (Round Trip Per Person) | |
| Phata → Kedarnath | ~Rs 8,800 |
| Sersi → Kedarnath | ~Rs 8,800 |
| Guptkashi → Kedarnath | ~Rs 12,400 |
| Sitapur / Augustmuni → Kedarnath | Contact operator |
| Direct Charter | |
| Dehradun → Badrinath (per seat) | Rs 5,500 – Rs 8,000 |
All operators serving Char Dham helicopter routes are licensed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
All operators are DGCA-licensed. Availability and pricing change by season. Contact operators directly or book via IRCTC for official allocations.
Step-by-step guide to booking your Char Dham helicopter tickets for 2026.
Official step-by-step process for 2026
Complete Char Dham Yatra biometric registration
Registration on the official Uttarakhand government portal is a mandatory prerequisite. Visit registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in to register all pilgrims and obtain your YRC (Yatra Registration Certificate).
Visit the IRCTC Heli Yatra portal
Go to heliyatra.irctc.co.in — this is the only authorised platform for Kedarnath shuttle helicopter bookings. Log in with your IRCTC account or create one on the IRCTC website.
Select route, date, and number of passengers
Choose your shuttle base (Phata, Sersi, Guptkashi, etc.), preferred travel date, and number of passengers. Maximum 12 passengers per IRCTC User ID across two tickets.
Enter pilgrim details and YRC registration number
Provide each pilgrim's name, age, ID proof, and your Char Dham YRC registration number. Details must match your registration certificate exactly.
Pay online and receive e-ticket confirmation
Complete payment via net banking, UPI, or credit/debit card. Your e-ticket will be emailed immediately. Download and save it on your phone.
Arrive at helipad 30–45 minutes before departure
Carry a printed or digital copy of your e-ticket, valid government photo ID, and your YRC certificate. Passengers must be within the weight limit set by the operator (typically 85–90 kg).
Full circuit packages can be booked directly via DGCA-licensed tour operators. All eight authorised operators with DGCA registration details are listed in the operators section above.
Passengers must weigh under 85–90 kg (varies by operator). Only one small bag (5 kg) is allowed. Heavy luggage must be sent separately by road.
Biometric YRC registration on the official Uttarakhand government portal is mandatory for all pilgrims before booking helicopter tickets or starting the Yatra.
Flights are weather-dependent and may be delayed or cancelled at short notice. Most operators refund weather cancellations. Always keep at least 1 buffer day in your itinerary.
Helicopter services operate May–June and September–October. Services are suspended during the monsoon season (July–August). Early morning departures are typical.
Kedarnath shuttle slots fill extremely fast, often within hours of the booking window opening. Monitor the IRCTC portal and book as soon as tickets become available for your travel date.
Report to the helipad at least 30–45 minutes before your scheduled departure. Carry your e-ticket printout, government photo ID, and YRC certificate. Late arrivals may forfeit their seat.
Kedarnath shuttle helicopter tickets are available exclusively through the official IRCTC Heli Yatra portal at heliyatra.irctc.co.in. Bookings open before the season starts. You need a valid Char Dham YRC registration to book. See the How to Book section above for the full step-by-step process.
Full Char Dham helicopter packages cost Rs 1,50,000 to Rs 2,50,000+ per person for 2026, depending on the operator and inclusions. Economy packages use shared helicopters and budget hotels. Premium packages include luxury stays, VIP darshan, and dedicated helicopter arrangements. Prices are indicative and subject to operator pricing.
Yes. Shuttle helicopters from Phata, Sersi, Guptkashi, or Sitapur fly directly to the Kedarnath helipad near the temple. The flight takes 5–15 minutes depending on the base. This eliminates the 16 km trek from Gaurikund to the temple. You still need to walk approximately 500 metres from the helipad to the temple itself.
Weather-related cancellations are common in the Himalayas. Most operators provide a full refund or rebooking option for weather cancellations. Always keep 1–2 buffer days in your itinerary. Check the weather forecast on our Live Weather page before travelling to the helipad. If conditions clear, next-day rescheduling is often possible.
No. Helicopter travel is optional and not mandatory for Char Dham Yatra. Road travel and trekking are the traditional routes to all four dhams. Helicopter services are available as a convenience for pilgrims who prefer to avoid long road journeys or are unable to trek. The Kedarnath trek from Gaurikund remains one of the most undertaken pilgrim treks in India.
Most operators enforce a passenger weight limit of 85–90 kg (including clothing and any personal items carried on board). This varies slightly by operator and helicopter type. Passengers exceeding the weight limit may be denied boarding. Only one small carry-on bag of up to 5 kg is typically permitted. All other luggage must be sent by road.
Book as early as possible, ideally as soon as the IRCTC booking window opens for the season. Kedarnath shuttle slots for peak season dates (late May, early June, late September) typically sell out within hours. Set a reminder for the official booking opening date and be ready to book immediately. For the full circuit, most operators open package bookings 3–4 months before the season.