Kedarnath: book only on IRCTC Heliyatra
Shuttle helicopter tickets for Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib are sold on IRCTC Heliyatra, which describes itself as the only official online booking site for these services. Uttarakhand yatra registration is needed first. Fake booking sites and social media sellers appear every season, so do not pay anywhere else.
Vaishno Devi
Helicopter services between Katra and Sanjichhat are booked through the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. Again, use only the official site.
What changed after the 2025 crashes
The 2025 Char Dham season saw several helicopter accidents. On 15 June 2025 a Bell 407 crashed between Gaurikund and Trijuginarayan, killing all seven people on board. The Ministry of Civil Aviation paused services for two days, suspended the operator’s Char Dham flights, placed DGCA officers in the Kedarnath valley and asked Uttarakhand’s aviation authority, UCADA, to review every operator and pilot before flights resumed (All India Radio). Four Char Dham accidents were under investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, and DGCA increased surveillance and safety audits (The Tribune).
Weather decides, not the schedule
Mountain helicopter flights depend on visibility, cloud and wind. Flights are held or cancelled when conditions are not safe, and that is the right call. Keep a buffer day in your plan, carry warm clothing and follow ground staff instructions at the helipad.
When a private charter makes sense
Shuttle seats suit most pilgrims. Families, elderly travellers or groups visiting several shrines sometimes prefer a private charter from a gateway city, flown by a DGCA-permitted operator. Charter is a separate service from the government shuttle and does not include shuttle tickets. Read how charter works, or see BookAir’s pilgrimage charters.
A short safety checklist
- Book only on official sites, and never pay an agent who cannot give an official ticket.
- Check any charter operator in the DGCA list.
- Declare your real weight and baggage. Helicopters have strict load limits.
- Accept weather delays. Do not pressure crews to fly.
Common questions
Where can I book a Kedarnath helicopter ticket?
On IRCTC Heliyatra (heliyatra.irctc.co.in), the official online booking site for Kedarnath and Hemkund Sahib helicopter services. Uttarakhand yatra registration is required first.
What did the government do after the June 2025 Kedarnath crash?
It paused services for two days, suspended the operator involved, posted DGCA officers in the valley and had UCADA review all operators and pilots before flights resumed.
Can I charter a private helicopter for Char Dham?
Private charters from gateway cities are flown by DGCA-permitted operators. They are separate from the government shuttle and do not include shuttle tickets.
Sources
- IRCTC Heliyatra
- Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
- All India Radio: Civil Aviation Ministry orders strict safety protocols (June 2025)
- The Tribune: Probe on in 4 Char Dham chopper crashes (22 Jul 2025)
General information, checked against the sources above on the date published. It is not legal, regulatory or medical advice. Rules change, so confirm with DGCA or the relevant authority before acting.