Rudraprayag: The highly revered Kedarnath Yatra 2025 is going to open tomorrow, on May 2. Along with this, the helicopter services by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has also started operating today from Sonprayag.
Aiming to make the sacred pilgrimage more accessible and convenient for devotees, the helicopter services, starting from Sonprayag, officially commence from May 2, 2025. These services are expected to revolutionize the yatra experience by significantly reducing travel time.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand | Helicopter services for the 2025 Shri Kedarnath Dham yatra have started from Sonprayag pic.twitter.com/A7XCy4uBRW
— ANI (@ANI) May 1, 2025
Launch and operations
Bookings for the helicopter service began on April 8, 2025, with services scheduled to operate daily until May 31, 2025. With this initiative, pilgrims can now complete their journey to Kedarnath Dham in mere hours, compared to the several days typically required. The helicopter services, operating on a shuttle basis, facilitate 20-30 flights daily, accommodating over 150 pilgrims per day, according to the information given by operation executive Pawan Rana to ANI.
Rana further explained that online tickets are available through the IRCTC Heli Yatra Portal (heliyatra.irctc.co.in), while offline tickets can be obtained through District Magistrates or sector magistrates. “If the weather is favorable, up to 30 flights can operate per day. In unfavorable conditions, cancellations are inevitable, but security and passenger briefings are always prioritized,” he assured.
Mandatory registration and booking process
To ensure a smooth and lawful pilgrimage, all pilgrims must first register on the Uttarakhand Tourism Portal (registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in) before booking helicopter tickets. The registration includes creating an account, providing travel details, and downloading the Yatra Registration Letter, which is essential for booking on the IRCTC Heli Yatra platform.
Once registered, pilgrims can proceed to book their helicopter tickets online. The process involves signing up on the IRCTC Heli Yatra Portal, entering the Char Dham registration number, selecting travel dates and helipads, and providing passenger details. A maximum of six passengers per ID are allowed, with options for group bookings of up to 12. Tickets can be printed after payment confirmation, and passengers are required to carry valid government-issued ID proof for verification.
Updated helicopter fares
The 2025 season has seen a 5% fare increase for helicopter services, reflecting adjustments by aviation operators in collaboration with the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA). The revised one-way ticket prices are as follows:
Phata to Kedarnath: Rs 6,074
Sersi to Kedarnath: Rs 6,072
Guptkashi to Kedarnath: Rs 8,426
Cancellation and refund policy
Refunds for canceled tickets will be processed within 5-7 working days, after deducting applicable charges. However, no refunds will be issued for cancellations made within 24 hours of the scheduled departure. Passengers are advised to check weather conditions and keep buffer days for potential delays, as helicopter operations are weather-dependent.
Pilgrims’ safety and convenience
Comprehensive safety measures have been implemented to ensure the well-being of passengers. Security checks, passenger briefings, and regulated schedules are in place to maintain smooth operations. Pilgrims are advised to arrive at the helipads at least an hour before departure.
The helicopter services, alongside traditional trekking routes, provide a transformative yatra experience. As the Kedarnath temple doors open for the pilgrimage season on May 2, the IRCTC’s initiative is expected to draw a significant number of devotees, making the spiritual journey seamless and memorable.
