Kedarnath Yatra 2026
Kedarnath Helicopter Booking 2026 – IRCTC Process, Prices & Helipads
Kedarnath helicopter booking is essential for pilgrims who want to skip the 18 km trek from Gaurikund, especially seniors and time-pressed travellers. For 2026, slots open in the first week of April through the official IRCTC heliyatra portal after mandatory Char Dham registration. Prices are government-regulated and stable.
The 4-step Kedarnath helicopter booking process
- Char Dham registration first. Visit registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in or download the Tourist Care Uttarakhand app. Complete individual or group registration and download your registration ID. Helicopter booking will not work without this.
- Sign up on the IRCTC heliyatra portal. Go to heliyatra.irctc.co.in, create an account with name, mobile, email and password, then verify via OTP. This is the only authorised online booking portal for Kedarnath helicopter shuttles.
- Book your slot. Enter your Char Dham registration ID, select your preferred helipad, operator and time slot (e.g. 6-9 AM for same-day return), enter passenger details and ID proofs, then pay securely. Tickets download immediately after payment.
- Reach the helipad early. Arrive 1-2 hours before your slot for check-in, mandatory weighing and security clearance. Carry printed ticket plus original photo ID.
Kedarnath helicopter ticket prices (2026)
Round-trip shuttle fares are government-regulated by UCADA and stable for the 2026 season:
| Route | Distance | Flight Time | Price (Adult) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sirsi – Kedarnath – Sirsi | 23 km | 11 min | ₹8,839 |
| Phata – Kedarnath – Phata | 31 km | 9 min | ₹8,842 |
| Guptkashi – Kedarnath – Guptkashi | 46 km | 15 min | ₹12,444 |
Children aged 2 and above pay full fare. Infants under 2 are free but get no separate seat (their weight is added to the adult). Excess weight beyond 80 kg per passenger costs ₹150 per kg. Convenience and payment-gateway fees are extra.
Helipad guide – Sirsi, Phata, Guptkashi
- Sirsi – Closest to Kedarnath at 23 km. Altitude ~6,500 ft. About 7 km from Phata. Operators include Himalayan Heli (the Sirsi pioneer since 2010) and Arrow. Budget and deluxe stays nearby. Best value, shortest flight.
- Phata – Busy hub, 31 km from Kedarnath. Altitude ~4,921 ft. 14 km from Guptkashi. Operators: Pawan Hans, Thumby. Good accommodation and food options.
- Guptkashi (Narayankoti) – Farthest shuttle at 46 km. Altitude ~4,800 ft. Best medical facilities and connectivity. Operators: Aryan, Trans Bharat. Best for families, seniors, anyone with health considerations.
- Other helipads: Sitapur (22 km, 5-7 min), Augustmuni (70 km), and luxury charters from Dehradun (₹1-2 lakh per person).
UCADA-approved operators (2026)
Nine operators are authorised via the IRCTC tender (tender date: 11 March 2026):
- Pawan Hans
- Himalayan Heli (Sersi pioneer since 2010)
- Trans Bharat (Guptkashi/Phata)
- Arrow Aircraft
- Thumby Aviation
- Aryan Aviation
- Castle Aviation
- Aero Hawk
- Global Vectra
No direct operator sales. All bookings go through IRCTC heliyatra to prevent fraud. Anyone selling Kedarnath tickets outside IRCTC – including quoting prices on WhatsApp – is unauthorised. Report scams to IRCTC support: 1800-110-139 / 0755-6698100.
Pre-flight checklist
- Printed IRCTC ticket + original photo ID (Aadhaar / Voter ID / Passport)
- Char Dham Yatra registration ID
- Medical fitness certificate (recommended for seniors)
- Maximum 2 kg luggage per person – soft duffel only, no suitcases
- Warm layers (Kedarnath is at 3,583m, temperatures drop sharply)
- Prescription medication, basic first-aid, ORS sachets
- Water, light snacks, dry fruits
- Reach the helipad 1-2 hours before your slot
Cancellation policy & refunds
| Time before slot | Refund |
|---|---|
| More than 5 days | 75% |
| 48 hours – 5 days | 50% |
| 24-48 hours | 25% |
| Less than 24 hours / no-show | No refund |
| Weather or technical cancellation | Full refund (minus minor fees), 5-7 days |
Cancellations are processed online only via the IRCTC portal: Login > Booking tab > Select ID > Cancel passengers > Confirm.
Tips for booking smoothly
- Book early. May-June and the post-monsoon September window sell out within hours of release.
- Avoid the monsoon. July and August see frequent weather cancellations. Plan around them.
- Walk distance from helipad to temple. About 500m / 15 minutes from the Kedarnath helipad to the temple. Palki (palanquin) service is available for those who cannot walk.
- Maximum 6 passengers per ticket; 12 per user ID.
- VIP darshan at Kedarnath is bought separately at the temple counter, or bundled into a full Char Dham helicopter package – see our VIP Darshan guide.
Want a fully managed Char Dham experience instead?
The IRCTC shuttle is the cheapest way to reach Kedarnath by air, but it only gets you to one dham. If you are planning the full Char Dham circuit – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath – with VIP darshan at every temple, accommodation, meals and ground transport included, look at our 5N/6D Char Dham helicopter package. For families travelling with elderly parents, see Char Dham helicopter yatra for seniors. Talk to our team on WhatsApp or call +91 86799 66676.
