Mountain Photographs
The high Himalaya at close range, above the clouds on a good day.
The Service
Helicopter ride in Auli
Auli is a ski slope at 2,500 to 3,050 m above Joshimath in Chamoli, and it faces some of the highest mountains in India. Nanda Devi, Kamet and Dunagiri stand across the valley, so a short flight here is less a view of distant snow and more a flight among the peaks.
The Himalaya Darshan ride flies from the Ravigram helipad in Joshimath, about 16 km below Auli. It has run as a flight of about 10 to 12 minutes for up to five passengers, from December to June, weather permitting, and lands back at the same helipad.
Tell us your date and how many are flying, and we will confirm what is running that season, the slots and the price in writing. The price is shared on request, as it changes with the operator and the season.
Big Peaks
Nanda Devi, Kamet and Dunagiri across the valley.
Snow Slopes
The Auli ski slopes and oak and deodar forest below.
Expert Pilots
Flown by commercial pilots of permit-holding operators.
Written Quote
The full price in writing before you book.
Great For
Why fly in Auli
Ski Holidays
A flight between days on the slopes in the January to March snow.
Badrinath Pilgrims
Joshimath is on the way to Badrinath; add a flight to the yatra.
What you see on an Auli Himalaya darshan flight
The flight climbs from Joshimath over the Auli slopes and their oak and deodar forest, towards the main range. Depending on the day you see Nanda Devi, at 7,816 m the highest mountain wholly in India, Kamet, Dunagiri and the peaks around them, with the Alaknanda valley running north towards Badrinath below.
The mountains make their own weather, and cloud can build over the peaks by late morning, so the earliest slot gives the best chance of a clear view.
Best time to fly
- December to March: snow on the slopes and often the clearest air; the ski season runs from January to March.
- April to June: green slopes, longer days and generally good flying weather in the mornings.
- July to September: monsoon. Rides usually stop, and the roads to Joshimath can be blocked by landslides.
Flights run in daylight and fair weather only, and the pilot has the final say on the day.
Reaching Joshimath and the helipad
Joshimath is about 300 km from Dehradun by road, a long day's drive through Rishikesh, Devprayag and Rudraprayag. The nearest airport is Jolly Grant at Dehradun and the nearest railway stations are Rishikesh and Haridwar. Seasonal helicopter services from Dehradun land at Gauchar or Pandukeshwar, from where the rest of the way is by road.
Reach the helipad before your slot with a photo ID for every passenger. Each passenger is weighed at check-in and the crew gives a short safety briefing before boarding. The roads in Chamoli are slow, so allow plenty of time.
What decides the price
- The route and minutes. The standard Himalaya darshan loop is short; a longer route costs more.
- Seats filled. The helicopter takes up to five, so a full group pays less per head.
- Private flights. A helicopter positioned from Dehradun for your group alone is a charter and is quoted separately.
Send your date and group size, and we reply with the price and slot in writing.
Auli with Badrinath and heli skiing
Joshimath is the last town before Badrinath, so the flight fits a Badrinath yatra; see Badrinath yatra by helicopter. For skiing from a helicopter in the high snow, see heli skiing, and for other places in the state, helicopter joy rides in Uttarakhand.
Book the Charter
Booking Enquiry
Share your date and group size, and our team replies with what is running, the slots and a clear quote.