Badrinath helicopter from Dehradun: one seat or the whole helicopter?

There are two ways to fly to Badrinath and back from Dehradun in a single day: buy a seat on a fixed departure, or charter the whole helicopter. The day at the shrine is the same either way. What changes is the price, who chooses the date, and who else is on board.

How does the day run?

Both options follow the same tentative schedule from Sahastradhara Helipad in Dehradun:

• 07:00: report at Sahastradhara Helipad for boarding and the pre-flight briefing.
• 08:00 to 09:00: fly to Badrinath. On arrival you are escorted to Badrinath Ji temple for a puja arranged for you, with car service and a priority puja pass.
• 13:00 to 14:00: fly back to Sahastradhara, where the services end.

The exact timings are confirmed a day before departure and can change at the last moment because of weather or operations.

The fixed departure: one seat

On the Badrinath Yatra Fixed Departure you buy a seat, not the helicopter, on a scheduled flight shared with other pilgrims. The price is on request: you get a written quote for your date and group size, inclusive of taxes and the State Government royalty, before anything is paid. The flight needs six passengers to run, and the dates are the operator's, not yours.

It is the economical choice for one or two pilgrims. Because the dates are fixed and seats fill up, book early in the season.

The private charter: the whole helicopter

The Badrinath Yatra by Helicopter charter is a Bell 407 or AS 350 B3 that flies only your group of up to six. You choose the date, and the price for the whole helicopter is on request, quoted in writing, inclusive of taxes and the State Government royalty, before anything is paid.

Because the charter price is for the aircraft, the cost per person falls as the group grows. For a family or group, ask for both quotes, seats and charter, and compare them for your date.

What is the same on both?

• Weight: the total passenger weight must not exceed 300 kg per helicopter, so give accurate weights when you book.
• Baggage: up to 5 kg per person, with only one small pack of up to 2 kg in the cabin. Bulky bags are not allowed.
• Included: car service at Badrinath with a priority puja pass, arrival and departure assistance, transport with a driver, fuel, tolls, parking and taxes.
• Not included: travel to Dehradun, meals not listed, tips and personal expenses.
• Payment: the full tour cost secures the reservation, and changes must be requested in writing at least 21 days before the tour.
• Cancellation: 10% of the tour cost 30 days or more before, 25% at 29 to 22 days, 60% at 21 to 16 days, and 100% at 15 days or less.

Which one should you book?

• One or two pilgrims, flexible on the date: the fixed departure.
• A family or group of up to six that needs a particular date, for an anniversary, a puja muhurat or a fixed holiday: the charter.
• A larger group that can travel on the operator's date: ask for both quotes and compare them, if enough seats are free on one flight.

Badrinath can also be combined with Kedarnath, in a single day or over three nights. For the shrine itself, the altitude and the season, read Badrinath by helicopter: the gentlest of the four Dhams.

Common questions

How much is a Badrinath helicopter from Dehradun? Both a seat on the fixed departure and a private helicopter for up to six are priced on request: you get a written quote for your date and group size, inclusive of taxes, before anything is paid.

How long does the Badrinath helicopter day take? You report at Sahastradhara Helipad at 07:00, fly to Badrinath between 08:00 and 09:00, and fly back between 13:00 and 14:00. Exact timings are confirmed a day before and can change with the weather.

How much baggage can I take? Up to 5 kg per person, with one small pack of up to 2 kg in the cabin. Total passenger weight must not exceed 300 kg per helicopter.

What are the cancellation charges? 10% of the tour cost 30 days or more before, 25% at 29 to 22 days, 60% at 21 to 16 days, and 100% at 15 days or less.

To check fixed departure dates or charter availability, call +91-9634801801 or send an enquiry.