Dehradun: The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is all set to begin from April 30 this year. As part of the preparations, helicopter services to Kedarnath Dham will start operating from May 2 — the same day the temple’s portals are scheduled to open.
Pilgrims planning to travel to Kedarnath by helicopter can start booking their tickets online from 8 April. The online booking process will be facilitated through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) on the official website: heliyatra.irctc.co.in. The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) and IRCTC have coordinated to ensure a smooth booking experience for all devotees.
The heli services will operate from three key helipads located in Guptkashi, Sirsi and Phata, all in the Rudraprayag district. These services have become a popular choice for pilgrims looking for a quicker and more convenient route to the shrine.
This year, there has been a slight increase in fares — approximately 5% higher than last year. The updated round-trip charges are as follows:
Sirsi to Kedarnath: ₹6,061
Phata to Kedarnath: ₹6,063
Guptkashi to Kedarnath: ₹8,533
It is mandatory for all passengers to complete their Char Dham travel registration before booking heli tickets.
Last year, over 1.28 lakh devotees availed of the helicopter services to visit Kedarnath, generating revenue of more than ₹110 crore. With the demand expected to exceed 1.5 lakh pilgrims this year, authorities anticipate an even larger turnout. The government has assured that the enhanced online booking system will provide a seamless and hassle-free experience for all travelers.
