Badrinath helicopter from Dehradun: a seat at INR 39,000 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, INR 39,000

On the Badrinath Yatra Fixed Departure you buy a seat, not the helicopter: INR 39,000 per person, inclusive of taxes, on a scheduled flight shared with other pilgrims. 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 or a small family. Because the dates are fixed and seats fill up, book early in the season.

The private charter: the whole helicopter, INR 3,75,000

The Badrinath Yatra by Helicopter charter is a Bell 407 or AS 350 B3 that flies only your group of up to six. The price is INR 3,75,000 for the whole helicopter, inclusive of taxes, and you choose the date.

For a full group of six, the charter works out to INR 62,500 per person, against INR 39,000 per seat on the fixed departure. You pay more for your own date and your own aircraft.

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 to four 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 group of six that can travel on the operator's date: compare both. Six fixed departure seats cost less than the charter, if six 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.

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