Char Dham Yatra by Helicopter 5N/6D

• The tour Commences with pick up from Dehradun Airport or Railway station one day prior to the Chardham Yatra departure, followed by drop to the hotel.
•  The overnight stay at Dehradun with dinner awaits you.

06:00 - Departure Sahastradhara Helipad, Dehradun
06:30 - Arrival Kharsali Helipad, Yamunotri

• Upon arrival at Kharsali, passengers are welcomed by ground staff and transfer to Yamunotri temple which is 6 km far from Helipad. The drive will take half hour depending upon the traffic, we will offer you a car for this drive.
• You will then be carried by Palkis or Pony to the Yamunotri Temple. This trek from helipad to temple is 6 km and return trip by Pony or Palki takes about 5 hours. After Darshan return back to Helipad. You have an option of taking ponies or Palki for the trek.
• Overnight stay at Kharsali.

06:30 - Departure from Kharsali Helipad, Yamunotri
07:00 - Arrival Harsil Helipad

• After breakfast, Check out from Hotel and head towards helipad for Gangotri.
• Gangotri Temple is about 22 km from Harsil helipad and the drive by car takes 50 minutes.
• It is advisable that passengers leave straight for the temple from helipad. Our ground staff will assist the passengers with darshan at Gangotri temple.
• After return from temple passengers can take lunch in resort and thereafter relax and have campfire in the evening.
• It is recommended to visit the nearby village for an evening walk and buy pure wool stuff (sweaters, shawls n mufflers) made by local tribal womenfolk.

07:00 - Departure Harsil Helipad
07:30 - Arrival Phata/Gupkashi Helipad

• Post Breakfast, check out from the Hotel and head out to the helipad for our next flight to the Phata/Guptkashi.
• Once there we, as pr the guidelines of the state govt, change the helicopter and switch to the shuttle service.The helipad which is at a distance of 500 meters from the temple.
• It takes approx. 2 hours to do darshan at temple.
• After Darshan return back to hotel. Overnight stay will be at Phata/Sersi/Guptakashi.
• NOTE - There might be a waiting time of around 1 to 2 hours at phata to switch to shuttle service.

08:00 - Departure Phata/Guptkashi Helipad
08:30 - Arrival Badrinath Helipad 

• After breakfast, head to the Phata/Guptkashi helipad to catch flight to Badrinath Ji. Land at helipad close to Badrinath.
• Check in to Hotel.
• Later in the day, Visit the temple. It takes 1 to 2 hours in the darshan.
• If time permits, visit Mana Village.
• Completion of Chardham Yatra.
• Overnight Stay at Badrinath

08:30 - Departure Badrinath Helipad 
9:15 - Arrival Sahastradhara Helipad, Dehradun

• On arrival at Dehradun helipad, you will transfer to Airport or Railway station. Here Helicopter tour ends here with happy memories to be cherished forever.
• This is the end of Chardham Yatra.

• Please fill up the below Booking and Reservations Form. (Make sure to enter correct Email Id and Phone Number)
• Request you to go through Youtube Video as well to understand costing and other necessary details to make an informed decision.
• Please note that receiving the itinerary does not guarantee seat availability on the date filled in the booking form. We will need to confirm seat availability for that particular date with the aviation company.  

Cost of Chardham Package by Helicopter Per Person: ₹1,99,000 ₹1,95,000

• Dehradun - Marriot Hotel/Similar (Breakfast and Dinner)
• Kharsali, Yamunotri - Kabra Niketan/Similar (All Meal)
• Harsil, Gangotri - Harsil Cottage/Similar (All Meal)
• Phata, Kedarnath - Turiya Heli Resort/Similar (All Meal)
• Badrinath - Snow Crest/Similar (All Meal)

• Helicopter handling and landing charges.
• All Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Included except at Dehradun where only breakfast & dinner is included.
• Ground handling staff at all locations.
• VIP Darshan
• Shuttle Services
• Vehicle Cost
• Inclusive of Royalty & GST

• The expenses towards lodging & boarding shall be borne by the guests and paid directly at the hotel in case of overstaying at any Dham due to bad weather conditions or any other unavoidable reasons.
• Any donations, tips, pitthu & porter charges shall be borne by the guests only If stuck in a bad weather situation on any particular day out of the 5 days.
• Guests weight more than 75 kg shall be charged an overweight fee of Rs. 2000/ Kg for the total weight above 75 Kg. However, it should not exceed the total carrying capacity of the helicopter of 440 kg. In case it exceeds then the guests would be DE boarded & the heli yatra would be cancelled without any refund.
• Single Supplement @ Rs. 2000/- extra shall be chargeable in case any guest wishes to stay in single occupancy in hotels at all destinations
• If any guest requires a single occupancy room, it shall be extra chargeable @ INR 30,000 pr person (Tax Inclusive)

Q. In which month the Chardham Yatra typically opens for helicopter services?

A. The Chardham Yatra typically opens for helicopter services in late April or early May, depending on weather conditions and accessibility. The exact opening dates can vary each year.

Q. Which months Chardham Heli Yatra service operates?

A.  Summer Season (May, June) & Autumn Season (September, October)

Q. How do i book a helicopter package for the Yatra?

A. Fill up the below booking reservation form with right details. We shall share pricing and other details with you.

Q. What is the capacity of helicopter used in Chardham Heli Package?

A. Helicopters flying pilgrims in the Chardham sector are mainly single-engine machines and the maximum seating capacity is 06 passengers + 01 pilot.

Q. What are documents and details required to do Helicopter package booking?

A. Aadhar Card copy are to be shared by all Indian Passenger and passport copy in case of foreign nationals with below details 

Person Name:
Gender:
Age:
Body Weight:

Q. Do i need to share my availability or preference to fly?

A. Yes, we do need atleast three slots/dates of your preference to fly. We will check with aviation company which date is available to fly.

Q. Can I get a particular date only for my helicopter Yatra?

A. Yes, you can select your preferred date for the helicopter Yatra when booking your tickets. However, availability may vary based on demand, so it's best to book as early as possible to reserve the preferred date of journey.

Q. What is the complimentary stay in the package?

A. The tour Commences with pick up from Dehradun Airport or Railway station one day prior to the Chardham Yatra departure, followed by drop to the hotel. For example if your flying date is 10th May then you need to reach dehradun on 9th May.

Q. Do i get a pick up from the airport & railway station in this package?

A. Yes, our package includes complimentary pick-up services from both the airport and railway station.

Q. What is the overweight charge per person in Chardham Heli Package?

A. Guests weight more than 75 kg shall be charged an overweight fee of ₹ 2000/ Kg for the total weight above 75 Kg. However, it should not exceed the total carrying capacity of the helicopter of 440 kg.

Q. Is there any extra weight charge for the palki at Yamunotri?

A. Extra weight charges are also applicable for the palki at Yamunotri @ Rs. 100/- per extra kgs beyond 75 Kg body weight and to be paid at Yamunotri.

Q. Is Average weight considered while booking for more than one passenger?

A . Yes, Average weight is considered while making a booking for more than 1 passenger.

Q.  Why is it so important to tell the right body weight?

A. Proper weight distribution is essential for maintaining balance during flight. Incorrect weight information can lead to uneven loading.

Guests have to submit their correct weights at the time of booking. If any change in weight is found at the time of their travel from the submitted weights, which would exceed our aircraft's weight carrying capacity, then, the guest(s) would be Deboarded & the heli tour would be CANCELLED without any refund. & we reserve the right to shuffle passengers to manage the right weight for safe flying in the hills.

Q. Do children have to pay full charges for the Chardham Yatra?

A.  Children below the age of 2 years travel free of charge, but children aged 2 or above will be charged full price.

Q. Will there be crew assistance for my senior citizen parents?

A. Yes, your senior citizen parents can definitely undertake the Yatra without worry. The crew will be there to assist them at every moment, ensuring their comfort and safety throughout the journey.

Q. What is the luggage limit for the helicopter Yatra for Char Dham Heli Package?

A. Maximum 5 kg luggage per passenger will be permitted to carry & we shall provide the duffel bag upon arrival at Dehradun. Excess baggage is to be stored at the hotel before proceeding to helipad, which can be collected later after completion of the tour. Guests would not be allowed to carry their suitcases/luggage in the aircraft.

Q. Can i get a single room?

A. If any guest requires a single occupancy room, it shall be extra chargeable @ 30 to 40 K pr person (Tax Inclusive)

Q. What kind of food is served in hotels during the Yatra?

A. The food served is pure vegetarian (No Onion, No Garlic) in all the hotels during the yatra.

Q. What kind of hotels are provided during the Yatra?

A. Hotels at all destinations except Dehradun are non-star category but are the best available as of date with all amenities including Western Commode, cozy mattresses & hot running water. 

Q. How do we cover land journey whenever required?

A. Land transfers at Dehradun & Gangotri are by Innova, whereas suitable local cabs are used in Sersi/Phata/Guptkashi (Helicopter bases of Kedarnath) & Badrinath.

Q. Is there any medical checkup requirement for my Senior Citizen Parents?

A. All temples in the Chardham sector are located at a high altitude of about 10,000 feet and thus the passengers are advised to consult their doctor before commencing the journey and not to forget to carry their personal medication as prescribed. However, the Government of Uttarakhand shall be operating local medical centers’ at Chardham Circuit to attend to any basic medical emergencies.

Q. Is there any guideline what to wear during dham yatra?

A. During the day, the temperatures can feel quite warm, creating a pleasant atmosphere. However, as evening falls, the chill sets in, and it can feel significantly colder. Bring warm clothes, including a jacket, gloves and a cap, especially if traveling to higher altitudes. 

A single rainfall can significantly dip the temperature in the mountain regions.

The perception of cold can vary greatly depending on where someone is coming from. Pack layered clothing to adjust to temperature changes and always check the weather forecast for the day and dress accordingly as per your need.

Q. Is there any other precaution that one should take care of?

• Stay Hydrated: Carry a water bottle and stay hydrated throughout your journey. Dehydration is common at higher altitudes.
• Local Contacts: Keep a list of contacts and the addresses of your accommodation. Have the contact details of local guides or tour operators handy.
• IDs : Carry copies of important documents like your ID, Confirmation letter, Hotel Vouchers, Passport/aadhar Card/travel tickets.
• Cash: Carry sufficient cash, as ATMs might be scarce in remote areas. Small denominations are useful for local purchases.
• Jewelry Precaution: For your safety, please avoid wearing gold jewelry or any valuable items during the pilgrimage to minimize the risk of loss or theft.
• Keep Phone Charged: Always keep your phone battery charged before leaving for your heli ride. This ensures you can stay connected and access important information.

Q. Can i keep my return flight the same day i come back from the heli tour?

A. We recommend adding an extra stay day in Dehradun to accommodate any potential delays in your tour due to unexpected weather conditions.

• The timing mentioned are approximate. The exact timings would be given by our staff one day prior to the journey. The timings may get affected by weather or VIP movement in the state, hence we always suggest to keep an extra at Day at Dehradun before.
• If your flying will be cancelled due to bad weather condition or any technical issue, you will get the refund OR Credit note for your next flying date, after deducting the hotel stay and transport charges. And refund will be proceeded between 20 days to 25 days.
• In Kedarnath shrine we have booked your stay at Phata/Sersi as per our trip schedule. Cause of bad weather condition, if you have to be stayed at Kedarnath near to temple, then charges will be extra for your stay at temple.
• If your given weight does not match at the time of boarding and is more than 450 kg. So, we will not take any responsibility whether the flight will be possible or not and no refund will be given in such a situation.

• Guidelines

• Carrying a Proper Photo ID card is mandatory for all Indian travelers.
  Aadhar Card, Driving License, Voter ID, are acceptable Photo ID cards for Indians.
  For foreign nationals, a passport is required.
• All the hotels at Chardham are non-star categories. we provide the best option available.
• The food served is pure vegetarian
• Hotels are subject to change due to unavoidable circumstances.
• Maximum 5 kg luggage per passenger will be permitted to carry & we shall provide the duffel bag upon arrival at Dehradun. Excess baggage is to be stored at the hotel before proceeding to helipad, which can be collected later after completion of the tour.
• All temples in Chardham sector are located in high altitudes & passengers are advised to carry their own medication. At these locations, it becomes cold in the evening, so passengers are advised to carry woolen clothing with them
• Weighing at the time of boarding the helicopter is must since the pilot will not allow boarding in case the weight exceeds the weight conveyed at the time of booking & we reserve the right to shuffle passengers to manage the right weight for safe flying in the hills.
• Our company shall not be liable for any medical emergency on the ground. So, it is highly suggested that the clients get their medical fitness certificate from doctor before starting the journey and carry their prescribed and emergency Medicines.
• No, or delayed flying is subject to many factors like delayed clearance from Airforce & Civil aviation, VVIP movements, valley flying by Indian Air Force (NOTAM), bad weather conditions, sudden development of technical snag in helicopter, illness of flying crew & delayed positioning of the guests at the helipads.
• In case guests are not even able to take the first flight from Dehradun to yamunotri due bad weather then we will try to accommodate them the next day.
  However, if the weather doesn't permit that the next day as well then the trip will cancelled and refund of the trip would be given in 15 days after deducting accommodation, meals & transport charges at Dehradun and flight planning charges of INR 15000 per person.
  we shall try to finish two dhams on the next day & maintain the further schedule.
• Full refund shall be applicable in case we are unable to commence the journey from Dehradun due to any reason beyond our control after deducting accommodation, meals & transport charges at Dehradun and flight planning/ preparation charges of INR 2000/- per person
• Guests have to MANDATORILY submit their correct weights at the time of booking. If any change in weight is found at the time of their travel from the submitted weights, which would exceed our aircraft's weight carrying capacity,
  then, the guest(s) would be DE boarded & the heli tour would be CANCELLED without any refund.
• We recommend to keep at least one additional day at hand at Dehradun when planning your trip.
• Guests would not be allowed to carry their suitcases/luggage in the aircraft.
• Duffle bags would be provided by our crew on the day of arrival, in which guests will be allowed to carry up to 05 kg of luggage during the tour.
• Damages of any kind caused to the party due to natural causes during the tour shall NOT be compensated by us and all legal disputes are to be settled within the jurisdiction of Delhi.
• Hotels & Rooms are subject to sudden change at time due to unavoidable circumstance.
  Rooms are booked on double/triple sharing basis only.
• Flying in hills are subject to many Force Majeure factors like delayed Air Traffic Clearances/Permissions, VVIP movements, valley flying by Indian Air Force (NOTAM), bad weather, sudden occurrence of technical snag in aircraft, illness of
  flying crew or late reporting of the guests at the helipads, among others.
• Our company shall not be liable for any medical emergency on the ground to the party. Therefore, in your own interest, guests are hereby advised to kindly consult a doctor and get medical check-up done before commencing the yatra. Medical check-up is mainly required if a guest has any medical ailment/condition.
• Passengers travelling together may not travel in the same helicopter flight, as we may have to shuffle passengers in different helicopter flights to manage the total weight of the aircraft.
• OTA Expert reserves the right to cancel passengers, who are unruly, abusive, intoxicated, sick, mentally unfit, or anyone else whom we deem to be unsafe to fly. No refund shall be done to such passenger‘(s).
• Guests are required to pay 100% of the booking amount before the beginning of the trip, else the boarding would be denied.
• Only one handbag weighing a maximum of 5 kg is allowed per passenger.
• Infant below 2 years/12 kg are carried free of charge. In case of verification of age, ID proof/birth certificate of the child shall be checked. 

Flight Timings

This is a daily fixed departure helicopter tour and all departure timings for each destination are pre-planned. Therefore, passengers must ensure to leave the hotel as per the scheduled estimated time of departure each day of the tour, or else the
delayed or No show shall be treated as cancelled without any refund. 

Helicopter & VIP Restrictions

• Helicopters flying pilgrims in the Chardham sector are mainly single-engine machines and the maximum seating capacity is 06 passengers + 01 pilot.

Helicopter Weight Limitation 

The maximum weight capacity of the helicopter is 450 kg (excluding baggage weight). Passengers are taken on board depending upon the load, weather, temperature conditions, etc and the pilot's call shall be final. The total weight of all passengers on board must be within this limit. Hence, passengers are required to provide us with their exact weights with heavy clothes at the time of booking in order to shuffle passengers between helicopters to maintain the right weight of the helicopter for safe flying. 

Baggage Allowance

Only one baggage weighing a maximum of 5 kg is allowed per passenger. Guests are not permitted to carry suitcases or any other bags in the helicopter due to size constraints of boot space in a helicopter. Therefore, only duffle/handbags are to be carried on the tour. In view of helicopters’ limited weight-carrying capacity, operators reserve the right to shuffle passengers
between helicopters to manage the right weight for safe flying in the hills. Therefore, passengers traveling together may not be accommodated in the same helicopter flight at times on way to the same destination. 

Extra Weight

• Perfect load factor is always maintained by helicopters while flying over mountains for safety reasons and is more adhered to commercial flying. 75 kg /- per passenger is the prescribed average body weight of a passenger along with their handbags while flying within a group or alone. Although any passenger beyond 75 kg can be flown by paying extra weight charges and taking up the tour.
• Rs. 2000/- per kg for Chardham Trip shall be charged for any extra body weight beyond 75 kg per person and to be paid at Dehradun before the flight.
• NOTE: When making reservations for groups or families, we will be considering the average weight per person for seating arrangements.
• Extra weight charges are also applicable for the palki at Yamunotri @ Rs. 100/- per extra kgs beyond 75 Kg body weight and to be paid at Yamunotri.
• We shall enforce de-boarding of passenger/s without any refund if actual weight exceeds much beyond the weights conveyed during booking or shall be allowed boarding after paying applicable extra weight charges. In such excess weight scenarios, the final call shall be of the helicopter pilot.

Note:- Guests are strongly advised to disclose the accurate body weight with clothes/shoes/ handbags on at the time of booking and any major variation might lead to the unfortunate deboarding of such passenger without any refund. The Pilot & the operation crew of the aviation crew shall have the final call on the same. 

Single Person Supplement

The pilgrims are charged per seat basis on a double/twin accommodation sharing basis at all destinations and the separate single occupancy room if any, shall be chargeable @ INR 2000/- per person for Chardham 5 Nights / 6 Days (Tax Inclusive). Over & above the package cost.

Infant/Sr Citizen Policy

Children below 02 years are treated as infants and are accommodated free of charge along with guardians. For verification of the age of the child, ID proof/birth certificate shall be checked before boarding. Children above 02 years flying by helicopters are considered adults as per DGCA SOP and are thus charged at par with an adult. Moreover, there are no provisions for any discount for senior citizens. 

Hotel/Charges

Hotels at all destinations except Dehradun are non-star category but are the best available as of date with all amenities including Western Commode, cozy mattresses & hot running water. The package includes the accommodation in twin/double sharing & meals (Non-Onion Non-Garlic) only for the nights mentioned in the final itinerary and any extension beyond the same due to any reason whatsoever, shall be chargeable to the guests on an actual/ direct basis by the hotel. 

Land Transfers

Land transfers at Dehradun & Gangotri are by Innova, whereas suitable local cabs are used in Sersi/Phata/Guptkashi (Helicopter bases of Kedarnath) & Badrinath. 

Mobile Network

Network connectivity at Harshil & Badrinath is poor and BSNL & Jio are the main telecom services active in the region. 

Medication

All temples in the Chardham sector are located at a high altitude of about 10,000 feet and thus the passengers are advised to consult their doctor before commencing the journey and not to forget to carry their personal medication as prescribed. However, the Government of Uttarakhand shall be operating local medical centers’ at Chardham Circuit to attend to any medical emergencies.

Rescheduling

Request for replacing passenger or rescheduling the booking shall be entertained subject to suitability of body weight and the availability of seats but only after payment of 20% extra of the tour cost. No refund shall be applicable if the request for rescheduling/replacing is not processed owing to different reasons within 24 Hrs from its first official notification and the
pilgrims don't wish to fly on previously reserved dates with original passengers. 

Cancellation - COVID-19 / National — State Emergency 

In case passenger(s) test COVID positive or the yatra gets terminated by the government or any National or State emergency is imposed, there shall be no refunds applicable beyond the refund policies mentioned above. However, passengers shall be provided with a credit voucher against the amount (Applicable refund minus service and flight management charges @ 5% of total cost, which shall remain valid for one year from its issuance, and can be utilized against any other helicopter tours or charter services by the passengers or any of their friends/relatives.

Bad Weather & Force Majeure Disclaimer 

• Safe flying in hills is subject to many Force Majeure factors like bad weather, delayed Air Traffic Clearances / Permissions, VVIP movements, valley flying by Indian Air Force (NOTAM), a sudden occurrence of technical snag in aircraft, illness to flying crew or even delayed reporting by the passengers at the helipads. Therefore, passengers must be prepared to face any eventuality in such scenarios and cooperate with the crew & operator.
• In case of postponement or cancellation of flight owing to factors mentioned above, the operator & crew shall reserve the sole right to plan a new itinerary keeping in mind the safety of the machine & passengers. The guests shall be applicable for a due refund for the unutilized services as per the refund/cancellation policy in such circumstances.
• The new arrivals at Dehradun shall have priority over the layover passengers and they shall fly as scheduled, however, the layover passengers shall have options either to continue with the original tour on the next available date, shift to any other tour being operated or cancel the tour completely adhering cancellation/ refund policy.
• In case guests cannot visit any Dham due to bad weather, the company shall refund proportionate money considering the missed services and helicopter journey. The applicable amount would be refunded through the banking network and that would take some time.
• Disputes- Disputes as to legality, interpretation, application, or performance of service or any of its terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of Delhi NCR Jurisdiction.

Clothing

Guests are advised to carry heavy woolen because the temperature drops drastically during the night. There are no set guidelines for clothing to be worn within temple premises but the formal clothing should be comfortable & trekking-friendly. 

COVID Travel Guidelines 

COVID-19 protocols shall be followed by the passengers and the operator as well as per prevailing government guidelines. Boarding can be denied to the passengers without refund if found not adhering to the same. 

Payment Terms 

• 30 % of the tour package shall be paid in advance to get confirmation of the booking by official mail and Appx 70% is to be paid 30 days prior to the yatra date.
• The full payment must be made 15 days before the date of yatra ex-Dehradun (or any other helicopter base). Any delay in payment on the due date shall invite the cancellation of the booking without any refund. Passengers shall not be permitted to board or commence the tour unless full & final payment of the tour is made on the due dates. 

Cancellation and Refund Policy 

Any moment after booking with an advance -30 % cancellation and 70% refund of total tour cost.
- 30 days or fewer prior to travel date - 70% Cancellation and 30%refund of total tour cost.
-15 days or fewer prior to the travel date - 100% cancellation and No refund of total tour cost.
-No show or after commencement of the tour - 100% cancellation and No refund of total tour cost.

Note:-The cancellation and refund policies are drafted after having carefully catered to the different policies of all aviation companies operating Chardham helicopter tours within Uttarakhand.

The cancellation fee is charged to compensate for the lost/ forced low-priced seats, flight planning efforts, Services/flight management charges, and crew positioning costs at all destinations on the entire tour due to Force Majeure reasons (Beyond our control due to any reason).

A full refund minus 5% of the tour cost shall only be applicable if the entire tour gets cancelled due to the above-cited reasons or bad weather/International/ National / State emergencies due to force majeure reasons.