Our Team

The People Behind Your Char Dham Yatra

Helicopter Yatras are made by people, not aircraft. Behind every Saffron Chariot booking is a small, intentional team of tourism veterans, certified travel professionals, and Uttarakhand specialists - each personally accountable for the trips we run.

In short: Saffron Chariot operates from Dehradun under the leadership of Shri Rajkumar (Founder, 20+ years in Indian tourism), with an operations team led by IATA-certified travel professional Swati Kumari, sustainability advisor Dr. Pankaj Singh Chandel (PhD Tourism), and Dehradun-based travel consultant Rashmita Sharma.

Founder of Uttaranchal Holidays and a veteran of the Indian tourism industry. Two decades of B2B travel excellence and an encyclopedic knowledge of Uttarakhand built from firsthand exploration.

The Journey of an Avid Explorer

Shri Rajkumar's relationship with the Indian landscape began long before his professional venture. An avid traveller since 1990, he has traversed the length and breadth of the country, developing an encyclopedic knowledge of its diverse terrains.

This wanderlust eventually narrowed its focus toward the mystical "Land of the Gods", Uttarakhand (formerly Uttaranchal). In 2004, he channelled this expertise into the founding of Uttaranchal Holidays, a company built on the foundation of firsthand experience and authentic discovery.

Professional Milestones & Academic Background

Shri Rajkumar's leadership is backed by a blend of academic rigor and diverse administrative experience.

  • Academic Excellence: M.B.A. in Marketing (1997-1999) from the prestigious Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, providing him with the strategic mindset to build a renowned brand.
  • Administrative Leadership: Served as a District Extension Officer for the Uttaranchal Poultry Development Project (2002-2006), demonstrating his ability to manage large-scale regional initiatives.
  • Industry Renown: Within the travel fraternity he is celebrated as a highly respected B2B seller, known for his integrity, reliability, and deep-rooted industry connections.

The "Personal Touch" Philosophy

What sets Shri Rajkumar apart is his meticulous approach to quality control. Unlike traditional operators, he has personally visited almost every property and destination where Uttaranchal Holidays accommodates its clients.

His hobby isn't just travelling; it's understanding the soul of a place. This ensures that every client doesn't just visit a destination, they experience it through the eyes of a local expert.

By merging his marketing acumen with his extensive field knowledge, he has positioned Uttaranchal Holidays as a trusted partner for travel agents across the country - a clear-visioned leader who believes that successful travel management is rooted in the perfect harmony of professional logistics and personal passion.

Tourism and travel professional with over a decade of industry experience in operations, reservations, and IATA-certified ticketing across global distribution systems.

Experience & Expertise

Swati Kumari is a highly accomplished tourism and travel professional with over 10 years of industry experience in travel operations, reservations, and ticketing. She holds a strong academic foundation with a B.A. and M.B.A. in Tourism and Travel Management, and has built her career on practical expertise, professionalism, and customer-focused service.

Her profile is further strengthened by industry-recognised certifications in IATA GDS and ticketing, reflecting her technical competence in global distribution systems and airline reservation processes.

Certifications & Training

She has successfully completed professional training in Computerised Reservation System and Ticketing with distinction, along with IATA Global Distribution Systems Fares and Ticketing - Amadeus, demonstrating both theoretical knowledge and applied skill in airline booking, fare construction, and travel documentation.

These certifications highlight her ability to work with modern travel technology and deliver accurate, efficient, and reliable services to every pilgrim Saffron Chariot serves.

PhD in Tourism with a decade of academic teaching, Scopus-indexed research on sustainable homestays, and active membership in the Travel Agents Association of Uttarakhand and ATOAI.

Academic Foundations

Dr. Pankaj Singh Chandel holds a PhD in Tourism from Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya. Over a decade teaching tourism at Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya (2014-2025) and AAFT University of Media and Arts (2025-present), where he heads Hospitality & Tourism Management, he has authored Scopus-indexed publications on homestays and sustainability and earned recognition as a keynote speaker.

Entrepreneurial Shift

Specialising in homestay tourism and rural entrepreneurship, Dr. Chandel bridges research with industry through memberships in the Travel Agents Association of Uttarakhand and ATOAI, fostering sustainable travel models. His work empowers local communities via nature-based wellness and agro-tourism ventures - a perspective that shapes how Saffron Chariot designs ground experiences around its helicopter Yatras.

Dehradun-based travel and tourism professional with three years at Uttaranchal Holidays specialising in customised itineraries, vendor coordination, and end-to-end pilgrim support.

Role at Saffron Chariot

Rashmita Sharma is an accomplished travel and tourism professional based in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, with over three years of experience in the industry. Currently associated with Uttaranchal Holidays, she specialises in designing customised travel itineraries, managing tours, and fostering strong partnerships across the hospitality network.

With a background in commerce and a sharp understanding of business operations, Rashmita expertly bridges travel planning and client satisfaction. Her work encompasses itinerary development, vendor and client relations, accounting coordination, and customer support, ensuring a seamless travel experience from start to finish.

A Pilgrim Advocate at Heart

Passionate about promoting her home region's natural and cultural beauty, Rashmita takes pride in curating travel experiences that connect visitors deeply with Uttarakhand's landscapes, heritage, and spirituality. Known for her interpersonal warmth, leadership skills, and professional integrity, she continues to inspire travellers to explore both familiar and offbeat destinations with confidence.

Our Pilgrims Trust Saffron Chariot

★★★★★
4.9 / 5
215+ reviews
★★★★★
4.9 / 5
180+ reviews
4,000+Pilgrims served
6Seasons operating
82Oldest pilgrim
DGCACompliant flights

Our Base

Head Office: Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001
Helipad: Sahastradhara Helipad, Dehradun
Operations: Yamunotri · Gangotri · Kedarnath · Badrinath

Customer Support

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We answer all booking queries within 30 minutes.
WhatsApp Us  ·  +91 86799 66676
bookings@saffronchariot.com

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Operating Hours

Mon - Sun: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM IST
Season: April - November
Response time: Under 30 minutes on WhatsApp

Recognized by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India  ·  DGCA-Compliant Aviation Partners  ·  6 Seasons · 4,000+ Pilgrims Served

Ministry of Tourism, India
DGCA Compliant
IATA Member
4.9★ Google
4.9★ TripAdvisor
UK Tourism