Badrinath and Kedarnath in One Day by Helicopter – 2026 Yatra Guide
Visiting both Kedarnath and Badrinath in a single day costs ₹1,30,000 per person, starts and ends at Sahastradhara helipad in Dehradun, and is the fastest legitimate way to complete the Do Dham circuit. Here is exactly how the day unfolds, what is included, and who this trip is genuinely suitable for.
Why pick a same-day Do Dham over a multi-day trip?
- Time. Working professionals, NRI visitors on short trips, or anyone who cannot block a week can complete two of the four dhams in a single day.
- Comfort. No road travel, no trekking, no overnight stays at altitude. You leave Dehradun in the morning and you sleep at home that night.
- Aerial views. The flight path crosses snow peaks, glaciers and the upper Mandakini and Alaknanda valleys – a once-in-a-lifetime view.
- Stress-free pilgrimage. VIP darshan is bundled at both temples, so you are not standing in a 3-hour queue at 3,583m.
The same-day itinerary at a glance
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Sahastradhara to Kedarnath helipad (via Sersi shuttle) |
| 12:00 – 14:00 | Kedarnath darshan (VIP entry) |
| 14:00 – 14:30 | Sersi to Badrinath by helicopter |
| 14:30 – 15:00 | Lunch at Badrinath |
| 15:00 – 16:30 | Badrinath darshan (VIP entry) |
| 16:30 – 17:30 | Badrinath to Sahastradhara helipad |
Timings are flexible and subject to weather and fleet movement.
How the day actually unfolds
Morning – Dehradun to Kedarnath
Our representative meets you at Sahastradhara helipad in the morning. After a brief pre-flight safety check and weighing, you board the helicopter and lift off towards the Kedarnath valley. The flight takes you over rolling hills, the Mandakini river and snow-line ridges. After landing at Sersi, you transfer to a shuttle helicopter for the final leg into Kedarnath. From the Kedarnath helipad it is a short 500m walk (or palki ride) to the temple. With VIP darshan arranged, you are inside the sanctum within minutes.
Midday – Kedarnath to Badrinath
After 90-120 minutes at Kedarnath – enough time for darshan, photos, and some quiet at the temple complex – you fly back to Sersi and then onward to Badrinath. The Badrinath flight crosses the Garhwal range and lands you within walking distance of the Badrinath temple complex. A pre-arranged hot lunch is served at a Badrinath restaurant before you head to the temple for VIP darshan.
Afternoon – Badrinath darshan and return
Badrinath sits at 3,133m – noticeably more comfortable than Kedarnath. Spend 60-90 minutes inside the temple, do the Tapt Kund visit if time permits, then return to the helipad. The flight back to Sahastradhara takes about 50-60 minutes. You land in Dehradun by early evening.
What is included
- Round-trip helicopter charter from Sahastradhara helipad
- VIP darshan assistance at Kedarnath and Badrinath
- Sersi-to-Kedarnath shuttle (Shri Kedarnath Ji service)
- Hot lunch at Badrinath
- Local sightseeing transport at Badrinath (if time permits)
- All applicable taxes
Passenger guidelines and restrictions
- Maximum 6 passengers per helicopter
- Total passenger weight cannot exceed 420 kg (~80 kg per person average)
- Luggage limit: 5 kg per person, soft duffel only – no suitcases
- Children above 2 years are charged as full passengers
- No concession for senior citizens on helicopter tickets
- Carry warm woollen clothing – Kedarnath at 3,583m is cold even in summer
- Carry a basic medical kit – both temples are at high altitude
Cost
₹1,30,000 per person for the same-day Do Dham helicopter tour from Dehradun. A 50% deposit secures the booking; full payment is due 15 days before the journey date.
Cancellation policy
| Time before journey | Cancellation charge |
|---|---|
| 30+ days before journey | 30% of amount |
| 15-30 days before journey | 70% of amount |
| 0-15 days before journey | No refund |
Rescheduling within 15 days of the journey date is treated as a cancellation. Beyond 15 days, rescheduling is allowed subject to availability with a 25% rescheduling fee.
Best season
- May to mid-June: Clear weather, peak season, book 4-6 weeks ahead.
- September to October: Post-monsoon clarity, fewer crowds, excellent visibility.
- Avoid July-August: Monsoon disrupts flights and triggers landslides on the road network.
Is same-day Do Dham right for you?
Same-day Do Dham is ideal for healthy adults under 65, time-constrained professionals, NRI visitors and couples on a short pilgrimage. It is not suitable for:
- Children under 5 (high AMS risk with rapid altitude exposure – see our family guide)
- Pilgrims with uncontrolled hypertension, recent cardiac events, or respiratory conditions
- Anyone who has not had at least one night of acclimatisation in Dehradun (1,000m+) before flying
If you are travelling with elderly parents or you want to do all four dhams, consider the 5N/6D Char Dham helicopter package or the 2-day Do Dham package instead. For altitude considerations, read helicopter Char Dham for seniors and altitude sickness during Char Dham.
