Kedarnath Helicopter Booking: Helipads, Fares, Rules and Refunds

By Teerthayan • October 2026

Kedarnath helicopter booking is done only on IRCTC's official HeliYatra website, heliyatra.irctc.co.in. You first need a Char Dham Yatra registration number from the Uttarakhand government. Seats are released in phases and sell out within minutes, especially for May and June. This guide covers the helipads, the 2026 fares, the step-by-step booking process, the weight and ID rules, the refund policy, and how to avoid fake booking websites.

Kedarnath helipads and 2026 fares

Helicopters fly to Kedarnath from three helipads in the Kedar valley. For the 2026 season, the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) picked eight operators: two at Guptkashi, four at Phata and two at Sersi. These were the reported one-way fares, before GST:

Helipad	Operators (2026)	One-way fare, excluding GST
Guptkashi	2	₹6,077
Phata	4	₹4,840
Sersi	2	₹3,043

Most pilgrims book a round trip. On top of the fare you pay GST and an IRCTC convenience fee. UCADA sets the fares for each season, so the 2027 fares will be announced before the yatra opens. The "Check Fare" page on the HeliYatra site always shows the current rates. The flight itself is short, about 10–15 minutes from Guptkashi and less from Phata and Sersi.

How to book a Kedarnath helicopter ticket

1. Register for the yatra first. Register every traveller on the Uttarakhand portal, registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, choose your Kedarnath date and note the registration number or group ID. You cannot book a helicopter ticket without it.
2. Create a HeliYatra account. Sign up on heliyatra.irctc.co.in and verify your mobile number and email by OTP. Your mobile number becomes your user ID.
3. Watch for the booking window. IRCTC opens bookings in phases and announces each one on the home page.
4. Book quickly. Log in a few minutes early. Enter the group ID or a single registration number, then choose the helipad, date, operator and time slot, and pay online.
5. Download the ticket. Print the full ticket. Screenshots and half-printed tickets are treated as invalid.

Limits on each account

One user ID can book at most two tickets, with up to six passengers per ticket. That covers a group of 12. A bigger group needs a second user ID. Each flight takes at most two children and two infants. Children aged two and above pay the full adult fare. Infants under two fly free on a lap.

Weight, ID and reporting rules

• Weight: every passenger is weighed before boarding. Anyone over 80 kg, counting an infant on the lap, pays ₹150 for each extra kg. Weights are not pooled across the group.
• ID: carry the original ID you entered at booking for every passenger. For infants, carry a birth certificate or Aadhaar.
• Reporting: reach the helipad at least one hour before your slot starts. IRCTC suggests reaching the entry point two hours early. If you miss the reporting time, you are a no-show and get no refund.
• Luggage: carry only a small bag. Leave the rest at your hotel in Guptkashi or Sitapur.

Dynamic pricing and late bookings

UCADA charges extra for tickets booked close to the flight date:

When you book	Extra charge on the fare
15 to 6 days before the journey	20%
5 to 1 day before the journey	40%
On the day, at the helipad counter	50%

Cancellation and refunds

Cancel online tickets on the HeliYatra website itself. If you cancel more than 5 days before your slot, you get 75% back. Between 5 days and 48 hours, you get 50%. Between 48 and 24 hours, you get 25%. Less than 24 hours before, or as a no-show, you get nothing. The convenience fee and payment gateway charges are never refunded.

If the flight is cancelled because of bad weather, a technical problem or a government order, you get a full refund, minus those same charges. Have your ticket stamped at the helipad counter straight away. Your booking does not move to the next slot. Refunds reach the original account in 5–7 working days.

Avoiding fake helicopter booking sites

Every season, fake websites, social media pages and phone numbers sell Kedarnath helicopter tickets that do not exist. The rule is simple: only heliyatra.irctc.co.in sells online tickets. Do not pay anyone who promises a "confirmed quota" or sends a payment link on WhatsApp. If a ticket looks doubtful, check it on the HeliYatra website before you travel.

Plan around the weather

Flights only operate in clear weather and stop when cloud rolls up the Mandakini valley. Morning slots are the most reliable. Keep a buffer day in your plan, and keep the trek as your backup. The walk from Gaurikund is about 16–18 km, and ponies, palkis and pithoos are available at registered counters. Our Kedarnath Yatra guide covers the trek, and the Char Dham registration guide explains the yatra registration in detail. For road distances to Guptkashi and Sitapur, see the Char Dham route map.

Kedarnath helicopter booking with a tour package

Our Char Dham Yatra from Delhi (11 Nights / 12 Days, ₹ 33,900) includes assistance for Kedarnath helicopter booking, subject to availability. The Do Dham Yatra from Haridwar (5 Nights / 6 Days, ₹ 21,900) and the Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar (9 Nights / 10 Days, ₹ 27,500) are planned around the trek. If you want to fly, book your own ticket on HeliYatra once your yatra registration is done. In every case, the helicopter fare is paid separately, and seats depend on what IRCTC releases.