Kedarnath Helicopter Booking Guide 2025

Part of the Chhota Dham circuit, Kedarnath is one of the holiest sites in all of Hinduism. And its pristine beauty also makes this holy shrine one of the most popular tourist attractions in entire Northern India. Traditionally, the pilgrimage was done via trekking, which was a physically exhausting (16 km). Now, however, you can opt for Kedarnath Dham Yatra by Helicopters, which promises a smoother and faster trip to the abode of Lord Shiva. To help you with the special charter service, we present you with a comprehensive Kedarnath helicopter booking guide.

Here, we’ll discuss it all – from booking to essential tips to its main USP! Read on…

Why Choose a Helicopter Pilgrimage to Kedarnath Dham?

Now that we have understood the gist, let us turn our heads back to the main subject of this blog – Helicopter Yatra to Kedarnath. And the first question when one hears this term is – WHY? So let us answer that. And to do that, we will look into the benefits that come with it.

• Accessibility– The trek to the Kedarnath temple is quite a physical challenge. This is something that makes it nearly impossible for the elderly and those with medical conditions to take part in the journey. However, a helicopter Yatra to Kedarnath helps people reach the temple without undergoing the physically challenging trek.
• Time Saving– A swift trip comes naturally with the Helicopter Yatra. You can reach the temple within a few minutes. Trekking, on the other hand, would have taken a whole day!
• Comfort– A helicopter Yatra to Kedarnath Dham allows travellers to reach the holy site in comfort, saving them from the physical strain of the trek. Moreover, there’s a luxurious touch to it!
• Flexibility– Due to the time-saving nature of the helicopter Yatra and the comfort factor, you will have the flexibility to do more sightseeing at your convenience. The Kedarnath temple is just one of the many spiritually significant sites in the area, and by traveling through the helicopter, you would have the time and luxury to explore more.
• The Magnificent Views– With the charter service, you get to enjoy the alluring views of the Himalayan landscapes. The Garhwal Himalayas are filled with breathtaking sights of snowy peaks, lush valleys, and forested mountains. This unique bird’s eye view of this scenery is just not possible with the traditional trekking route.

Planning your Kedarnath Yatra by Helicopter

With the benefits of Kedarnath Yatra by Helicopter out of the way – and with most of the readers already on board with us (our gut feeling!) – it is time to help you with the planning aspect of the journey. Now, this can get a bit tricky as there are multiple aspects of the journey that must be taken into account. So, let’s go through them one by one.

The Best Time to Visit

Naturally, the first question that you should be asking (after deciding to go with the helicopter Yatra) is when? And the answer to that is between the months of May & June, and then from September & October. During these months, the weather is the most pleasant, ensuring that you can take flight without any issue.

When to Avoid

Don’t make your bookings in the monsoon months, regardless of how great the package you are getting. This is because, during these months, the region sees heavy rainfall, and there is also the risk of landslides. All of these will make your journey even more challenging.

Official Helicopter Operators

Now, when it comes to booking a Kedarnath Yatra by Helicopter, you have two UCADA-approved options. And they are (drum roll please):

1. Government-Approved Operators (IRCTC)
2. Private Operators

Government-Approved Operators (IRCTC)

Yes, this is the same IRCTC we are talking about that handles catering and tourism in Indian Railways. They also offer helicopter services to the Kedarnath temple, and you can easily book them through the IRCTC website.

Private Operators

If you are looking for more options and flexibility, then there are several private players in the market that you can consider. Make sure that you have selected a reputable service provider – who has a good safety record. Also, compare prices and offerings before confirming any bookings. Some popular tour operators include Udan Aviation, Pawan Hans, YatraByHelicopter, and Kestrel Aviation

Useful Tip: Always book your ticket in advance. Kedarnath Yatra by Helicopter is quite a popular option for many pilgrims, and with limited seats available, the slots quickly fill up. So, make sure you have an advance booking, especially during the peak season.

Baggage Allowance

You can carry a maximum of 5 kg on the flight. As the space on the chopper is limited, heavy luggage and big suitcases are not allowed on the helicopters. However, you can carry soft stacks, like duffel bags on the charter service.

In case, you have any extra luggage, it can be stored at the base helipad cloakrooms.

Helicopter Timings

The helicopter flights start operation early in the morning, at about 6:30 AM. And considering the weather in the hilly regions, the last flight is concluded at 2:30 PM. The flight duration ranges from 7 to 10 minutes and drops you at Kedarnath helipad, which is just about 500 metres away from the shrine.

Helicopter Fare 2025

You can board a flight for Kedarnath from any of the three helipads. Sersi falls closest to the Kedarnath shrine and offers the lowest prices out of all the helipads. On the other hand, Guptkashi is farthest from the Kedarnath shrine and therefore offers the most pricey tickets.

Here’s a quick price summary for both one way and round trip:

Required Documents at Helipad

Keep the following documents ready, as they will be checked before you board the flight:

• Printed Helicopter Ticket
• Valid Photo ID (such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, etc.)
• Char Dham Registration Slip
• Medical fitness certificate (for senior citizens aged 65+)

How to Book Helicopter Tickets?

The IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation) is the official platform via which you can book helicopter tickets for the Kedarnath Yatra. Here’s how to do that:

• Visit the official IRCTC portal.
• Create an account using your phone number. An OTP based verification will be done.
• Once your account is created, sign in with the same phone number that you registered with.
• Now, upload your government-approved ID proof, such as Aadhaar, Passport, and Voter ID.
• Select your helipad for departure (Phata, Sersi, or Guptkashi). You can also check live availability for the same, and even timings.
• You can book tickets for up to 6 passengers with one account. Put in name, gender, ID number for the passenger(s).
• Next is payment. You can do so by a variety of modes: UPI, Credit/Debit Cards, or Net Banking.
• Once the payment is successfully processed, an e-ticket will be generated with the boarding pass.
• Download them. Also, take a printout, as these will be verified at the time of boarding.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

The IRCTC exercises the following policy when it comes to refunds and cancellations:

• If the flight gets cancelled due to technical glitches or bad weather, then a full refund is made. The passengers don’t need to apply for it manually, as it’s transferred automatically within 7-10 working days. Your respective helicopter operator will be in charge of processing the refund.
• If the passenger doesn’t arrive at the helipad for any reason, then it’s considered a case of NO SHOW. No refund is made in such situations. Rescheduling is also not permitted.
• If a passenger cancels because of any personal reasons, then again, no refund is made. Also, partial cancellation is not allowed either.

Essential Tips for Pilgrims

Here are some useful tips that will come in handy before and during your trip:

• Book your helicopter seats in advance (at least a month or two) as they quickly fill up.
• Reach the helipad at least an hour before departure. There are multiple procedures that still needs to be taken care of, and therefore, a timely arrival will save you last-minute hassles.
• Keep your documents like Aadhaar Card and registration slip handy at the helipads, as these are thoroughly checked here.
• Acclimatize at lower altitudes before a day or two of your flight. For these, Guptkashi and Phata serve as excellent options.
• Carry only light luggage as this will help you travel comfortably.
• Don’t postpone anything to the last minute, as the weather in the Himalayas is unpredictable. It can cause delays or alter your plans unexpectedly and undesirably.
• Keep tabs on weather alerts. Also, keep checking the official website of IRCTC to get real-time updates.
• In case you are stuck or need help otherwise, you can call these numbers: UCADA Helpline (+91-135-2741600) and IRCTC Customer Care (1800-110-139).

Kedarnath journey by helicopter brings you a much-needed comfort and luxury on an otherwise strenuous hilly terrain. The journey is time-saving and completely eliminates the physical exertion from your tour. With such ease and hassle-free trip, you get to focus completely on the spiritual aspect of your trip, without exhausting yourself physically. A helicopter journey is truly a godsend!