Day 1
Dehradun → Barkot
180 km, 6-7 hrs
Overnight: Barkot
8 Nights / 9 Days · Ex-Haridwar · Road + Kedarnath Helicopter
Char Dham Yatra 8N / 9D - Ex-Haridwar
Cover all four Dhams in nine days without a Kedarnath trek. Same itinerary for Yamunotri, Gangotri, and Badrinath, but Kedarnath is done same-day by helicopter from Guptkashi. Starts from Haridwar Railway Station or Dehradun Airport.
TL;DR · The heli-assisted road yatra. One day shorter than the 9N/10D road package, and notably easier - no 16 km trek up to Kedarnath. Instead, pilgrims drive to Guptkashi and take a same-day helicopter round-trip to Kedarnath. VIP darshan is mandatory for heli-darshan pilgrims (₹2,500-₹3,500 per person, collected by the temple committee). The helicopter ticket itself is ₹6,000-₹10,000 per person, booked via heliyatra.irctc.co.in. Ideal for senior pilgrims and families with children.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 2
Barkot → Yamunotri → Barkot
36 km drive + 6 km trek o/w
Yamunotri Surya Kund and Divya Shila darshan.
Overnight: Barkot
Day 3
Barkot → Uttarkashi
100 km, 4 hrs
Vishwanath Temple visit.
Overnight: Uttarkashi
Day 4
Uttarkashi → Gangotri → Uttarkashi
100 km each way, ~3 hrs o/w
Overnight: Uttarkashi
Day 5
Uttarkashi → Guptkashi
220 km, 9 hrs
Overnight: Guptkashi
Day 6
Guptkashi → Kedarnath (helicopter) → Guptkashi
Helipad transfers + round-trip chopper
Report helipad ~06:30. Same-day Kedarnath darshan via chopper. VIP darshan is mandatory for same-day heli pilgrims (₹2,500-₹3,500 per person, collected by temple committee).
Overnight: Guptkashi
Day 7
Guptkashi → Badrinath
185 km, 6-7 hrs
Overnight: Badrinath
Day 8
Badrinath → Rudraprayag
160 km, 6 hrs
Tapt Kund, Brahma Kamal, Mana Village, Vyas Gufa, Bhim Kund, Saraswati origin.
Overnight: Rudraprayag
Day 9
Rudraprayag → Haridwar / Dehradun
165 km, 6 hrs
Tour end.
Kedarnath helicopter - what to expect
Booking
Helicopter tickets for Kedarnath are sold via the government portal heliyatra.irctc.co.in, not by travel agents. We guide you through the portal during the pre-tour briefing. Tickets typically release in March for the full season.
Reporting
You report at the Guptkashi-area helipad by ~06:30 on Day 6. Our driver drops you at the helipad and coordinates pickup after your return chopper. Flight time per leg is ~10 minutes.
Weight limits
Helicopter pilgrim weight is capped at 80 kg including hand baggage. Anyone above 80 kg is charged at higher rates. Luggage is restricted - most non-essential items stay at the hotel in Guptkashi.
VIP darshan
Mandatory for same-day heli pilgrims - ₹2,500-₹3,500 per person, collected by the temple committee. Without it, queue times are incompatible with the return chopper slot.
For a deeper reference, see our Kedarnath helicopter booking guide.
Pricing matrix - per person (INR)
Same 4-tier hotel structure as the 9N/10D - Premium, Luxury, Deluxe, Standard. Slightly lower base prices reflect one fewer night and no on-trek Kedarnath stay. Helicopter ticket and VIP darshan are billed separately by the respective authorities.
| Group size | Transport | Premium | Luxury | Deluxe | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 Pax | Mid Sedan Car | ₹50,300 | ₹42,677 | ₹38,750 | ₹33,611 |
| 02 Pax | Ertiga / Innova / Crysta | ₹63,294 | ₹55,671 | ₹51,744 | ₹46,604 |
| 04 Pax | Ertiga / Innova / Crysta | ₹47,702 | ₹40,079 | ₹36,152 | ₹31,012 |
| 06 Pax | Innova / Crysta | ₹42,504 | ₹34,881 | ₹30,954 | ₹25,814 |
| 06 Pax | Tempo | ₹46,835 | ₹39,212 | ₹35,285 | ₹30,146 |
| 08 Pax | Tempo | ₹43,154 | ₹35,531 | ₹31,604 | ₹26,464 |
| 10 Pax | Tempo | ₹40,945 | ₹33,322 | ₹29,395 | ₹24,255 |
| 12 Pax | Tempo | ₹39,472 | ₹31,849 | ₹27,922 | ₹22,782 |
| 14 Pax | Tempo + Dzire | ₹41,019 | ₹33,396 | ₹29,469 | ₹24,329 |
| 14 Pax | Tempo + Innova | ₹42,875 | ₹35,252 | ₹31,325 | ₹26,186 |
| 16 Pax | 2 x Tempo | ₹43,154 | ₹35,531 | ₹31,604 | ₹26,464 |
| 18 Pax | 2 x Tempo | ₹41,927 | ₹34,304 | ₹30,377 | ₹25,237 |
| 20 Pax | 2 x Tempo | ₹40,945 | ₹33,322 | ₹29,395 | ₹24,255 |
| 22 Pax | 2 x Tempo | ₹40,142 | ₹32,519 | ₹28,592 | ₹23,452 |
| 24 Pax | 2 x Tempo | ₹39,472 | ₹31,849 | ₹27,922 | ₹22,782 |
Supplements (INR)
| Item | Premium | Luxury | Deluxe | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra person | ₹19,205 | ₹14,950 | ₹11,730 | ₹10,580 |
| Child without bed | ₹14,375 | ₹11,040 | ₹9,200 | ₹4,600 |
| Single room supplement | ₹30,935 | ₹24,380 | ₹20,585 | ₹15,065 |
What's included
- Ex-Haridwar or Dehradun Airport transfers
- Accommodation for all 8 nights
- Daily breakfast and dinner at hotels
- All toll, parking, and driver allowance
- All applicable taxes
- Same-day Kedarnath darshan: road to Guptkashi, then helicopter round-trip
Not included
- Kedarnath helicopter ticket (₹6,000-₹10,000 per person, booked via heliyatra.irctc.co.in)
- VIP darshan charges at Kedarnath (₹2,500-₹3,500 per person, mandatory for same-day helicopter darshan)
- Air/train fare to Haridwar or Dehradun
- Lunch, tips, liquor, and personal expenses
- Porterage and entrance fees
- Travel insurance
- Any expense due to bad weather, road closures, or landslides
Compare options
10N / 11D - Ex-Delhi (Heli) Delhi pickup, two extra Haridwar nights, Kedarnath chopper. From ₹27,653 9N / 10D - Road Kedarnath on foot. Fullest traditional itinerary. From ₹26,488 8N / 9D - ex-Haridwar (Heli) Kedarnath by same-day chopper. Easier for seniors. From ₹22,782 5N / 6D - All Helicopter All 4 Dhams by chopper. VIP darshan at each. From ₹2,20,000
Important notes
- All ground vehicles in the hills are non-AC.
- Kedarnath helicopter operates weather permitting only. If your chopper slot is cancelled due to weather, we attempt to re-schedule within the tour window. If re-scheduling is not possible, helicopter refund is handled directly by IRCTC.
- VIP darshan at Kedarnath is mandatory for same-day heli pilgrims and is collected by the temple committee - not Saffron Chariot.
- Helicopter weight limit: 80 kg per person including hand baggage. Overweight charges apply above that.
- In case of a hike in hotel rates, the package cost will be amended accordingly.
- Budget hotels in India are basic - please set expectations accordingly.
