Chardham helicopter yatra from Delhi: getting to Dehradun
Every helicopter yatra starts in Dehradun, not Delhi. How to get there, how early to arrive, and how to plan the days on either side.
Most pilgrims planning a helicopter yatra start from Delhi. The flights themselves do not: every Chardham, Do Dham, Kedarnath and Badrinath helicopter package begins in Dehradun, about 250 kilometres to the north. Getting there smoothly, and on time, is the first part of the yatra.
Where does a helicopter yatra from Delhi actually begin?
In Dehradun, from one of two places. Most yatra flights leave from Sahastradhara Helipad on the edge of the city; some, including the same-day Do Dham, leave from Jolly Grant Airport. Your confirmation names the departure point. See helicopter service in Dehradun for everything that flies from there.
How do you get from Delhi to Dehradun?
By air. The quickest way: flights from Delhi to Jolly Grant Airport take about an hour, and several run every day. It is also convenient for packages that collect you from the airport.
By train. Day trains from Delhi reach Dehradun station in roughly five to six hours, and there are overnight trains as well. A comfortable, reliable choice, especially for families and older pilgrims.
By road. About 250 kilometres, usually five to seven hours by car or taxi depending on traffic. It suits groups travelling together, but leave plenty of margin: a road delay cannot be made up once the flights have left.
When should you arrive in Dehradun?
The day before you fly. The multi-day packages, such as the Chardham Yatra by Helicopter and the Do Dham Yatra by Helicopter, begin with arrival in Dehradun and a transfer to the hotel, and the first flight leaves the next morning. Give your arrival details when you book, so the transfer can be arranged.
The same-day trips leave early in the morning, because mornings give the clearest flying. For the same-day Do Dham and the Kedarnath same-day yatra, you report at the departure point yourself, so arriving in Dehradun the evening before is the only safe plan.
How should you plan the return to Delhi?
Keep the return flexible. Mountain weather can delay the last flight back to Dehradun by hours, sometimes to the next day. Book the onward journey to Delhi for the following day where you can, or choose a refundable ticket. A spare day at the end costs little and removes the worst kind of stress from the trip.
A sample plan from Delhi
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day before | Travel Delhi to Dehradun by air, train or road; hotel in Dehradun |
| Yatra days | Helicopter yatra from Dehradun, as per your package |
| Last day | Return flight to Dehradun |
| Day after | Spare day for weather, then Dehradun to Delhi |
What to sort out before leaving Delhi
- Yatra registration for every pilgrim, and the IRCTC shuttle ticket if your package uses the Kedarnath shuttle: see registration and documents.
- Each passenger's accurate weight and a small soft bag: see weight and baggage rules.
- Warm layers and regular medicines in the hand luggage.
Tell us your dates and how you are travelling from Delhi when you send an enquiry, and we will suggest the package and the timings that fit.