List of Helipads for Char Dham Helicopter Services 2026

Every year, lakhs of devotees travel to Uttarakhand for the Char Dham Yatra — one of Hinduism’s most sacred pilgrimages. The four holy shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath sit deep in the Garhwal Himalayas, traditionally requiring 10–14 days of road travel and trekking. But for 2026, helicopter services have made this yatra accessible in as little as 4–6 days — comfortably, safely, and without the physical strain of mountain roads.

The key to planning Char Dham helicopter service correctly is understanding the helipads. Not every Dham has a helipad right at the temple gate. Some require a short drive after landing. Some need a trek. And for Kedarnath — the most popular — there are three separate base helipads to choose from.

This is the complete, updated list of helipads for Char Dham helicopter service in 2026, Dham by Dham.

Why Helipads Matter More Than Most People Think

When you book a helicopter package, your operator mentions names like “Phata,” “Kharsali,” or “Sahastradhara.” To first-timers, these are just random words. In reality, each helipad has its own location, elevation, road distance to the temple, and fleet availability — all of which directly affect your darshan timing and overall experience.

Choosing the wrong helipad (or not knowing what it means for your itinerary) leads to rushed darshan, missed slots, or unexpected transfers. So let’s break it down clearly.

Starting Point: Sahastradhara Helipad, Dehradun

Type: Main Departure Base | Location: Sahastradhara Road, Dehradun

For almost all Char Dham helicopter packages in 2026, the journey begins and ends here. Sahastradhara Helidrome in Dehradun is the primary operational base for all four-dham helicopter circuits.

All UCADA-approved operators — including Pawan Hans, Heritage Aviation, Himalayan Heli Services, Global Vectra Helicorp, and others — depart from this base. First flights typically leave between 6:00 AM and 7:30 AM depending on the operator’s schedule and weather clearance.

If you’re coming from Delhi or other cities, operators usually provide pickup from the railway station or airport to the helipad. The helipad is located near the Sahastradhara tourist area in Dehradun, easily accessible by road.

Pro tip: Reach at least 60–90 minutes before your scheduled departure, especially in peak season (May and October). The reporting gate and luggage check take time.

Yamunotri Helicopter Service — Kharsali Helipad

Helipad Name: Kharsali Helipad District: Uttarkashi Altitude: ~2,675 metres (approx. 8,775 ft) Distance to Temple: ~6 km one-way trek

Kharsali is the base helipad for Yamunotri Dham. From Dehradun’s Sahastradhara, the helicopter reaches Kharsali in roughly 45–50 minutes, depending on routing.

After landing at Kharsali, pilgrims proceed on a 6 km one-way trek to reach Yamunotri Temple — dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, the source of the holy Yamuna River. For elderly devotees or those with mobility issues, palki and pony services are available at an additional cost.

The total round-trip darshan from Kharsali (trek + temple time + return) takes approximately 5–6 hours. Most operators plan an overnight stay at Kharsali before proceeding to Gangotri the next morning.

Key sightseeing at Kharsali: Surya Kund (a natural hot spring near the temple), Divya Shila rock, and Yamuna Mata Mandir.

Gangotri Helicopter Service — Harsil / Jhalla Helipad

Helipad Name: Harsil Helipad (also referred to as Jhalla base by some operators) District: Uttarkashi Altitude: ~2,620 metres (approx. 8,600 ft) Distance to Temple: ~22–25 km by road (approx. 45–75 minutes)

Gangotri is the only dham where the helicopter doesn’t land near the temple directly. The terrain and topography around Gangotri make a nearby helipad operationally impractical, so helicopters land at Harsil — a peaceful valley settlement along the Bhagirathi River.

From Harsil, a road transfer of about 22–25 km takes pilgrims to Gangotri Temple, the origin point of the sacred River Ganga. The drive through pine forests and along the river is scenic and takes roughly 45 to 75 minutes depending on traffic.

Most 5-day Char Dham helicopter packages include an overnight stay at Harsil. The valley here is calm, cold, and beautiful — many pilgrims say it’s unexpectedly one of the highlights of the trip.

2026 Tip: Gangotri Temple is expected to open on April 19, 2026 (Akshaya Tritiya). Book your helicopter slot accordingly, as the first week sees extremely high demand.

Kedarnath Helicopter Service — Three Base Helipads

Kedarnath is the most popular Char Dham helicopter destination — and it has the most complex helipad structure. There are three government-approved base helipads from which shuttle helicopters fly to the Kedarnath Temple helipad.

All shuttle bookings for Kedarnath are handled through the IRCTC HeliYatra portal (heliservices.irctc.co.in), as directed by UCADA. For 2026, UCADA issued a fresh tender on March 11, 2026, and has confirmed operations from all three helipads with a total of 184 daily shuttle flights (reduced by 30% from earlier capacity as per DGCA guidelines).

1. Phata Helipad

District: Rudraprayag | Distance from Kedarnath Temple: ~10 km (by air: ~10–12 min flight)

Phata is the most popular and busiest of the three base helipads. It handles the highest volume of daily flights to Kedarnath. Operators including Pawan Hans, Thumby Aviation, Global Vectra Helicorp, and Trans Bharat Aviation are assigned to Phata.

The helipad is easily accessible from Guptkashi (about 12 km ahead on the Kedarnath highway) and from Rudraprayag. Most operators recommend arriving here at least 2 hours before your slot during peak season.

2. Guptkashi Helipad

District: Rudraprayag | Distance from Phata: ~12 km

Guptkashi Helipad is ideal for travellers arriving from Rudraprayag or coming directly from Dehradun by road. Operators including Trans Bharat Aviation and Aryan Aviation fly from this helipad. Many Char Dham helicopter packages that include a Guptkashi overnight stay use this as the launch point for the Kedarnath shuttle the next morning.

The local market and accommodation options in Guptkashi town make it a comfortable overnight base.

3. Sirsi Helipad (also written as Sersi)

District: Rudraprayag | Nearest town: Augustmuni / Sersi

Sirsi (Sersi) Helipad is the third government-approved departure point for Kedarnath shuttle services. Operators including Arrow Aircraft, Himalayan Heli Services, and Kestrel Aviation are assigned here. For charter packages from Dehradun (not shuttle), Sersi is also commonly used as a halt point.

Travel Vaidya and other Dehradun-based operators often route luxury Char Dham packages through Sersi for the Kedarnath sector.

Kedarnath Temple Helipad (Arrival Helipad)

Altitude: ~3,586 metres (approx. 11,760 ft) Distance to Temple: ~500 metres (flat, 5–7 minute walk)

All shuttles from Phata, Guptkashi, and Sirsi land at the Kedarnath Base Helipad — located just 500 metres from the Kedarnath Temple on a flat path. Darshan time allotted is typically 1.5 to 2 hours for same-day return passengers.

Badrinath Helicopter Service — Badrinath Helipad

Helipad Name: Badrinath Helipad District: Chamoli Altitude: ~3,100 metres (approx. 10,170 ft) Distance to Temple: ~1 km (short vehicle transfer)

Badrinath is the easiest of the four dhams in terms of last-mile logistics. The helipad is located approximately 1 km from the Badrinath Temple, and operators provide a short vehicle transfer after landing.

This makes Badrinath particularly comfortable for elderly pilgrims and families. Darshan and a visit to the nearby Mana Village (the last Indian village before the Tibet border) can both be comfortably done within the planned window.

Badrinath Dham is expected to open on April 24, 2026 (tentative). Helicopter services will begin accordingly.

All Char Dham Helipads: Quick Reference Table

Authorized Helicopter Operators for 2026

UCADA has signed a three-year agreement with nine aviation companies for Kedarnath shuttle operations. For full Char Dham circuits, the major authorized operators include:

• Pawan Hans Limited (government-owned; flights from Phata and Sahastradhara)
• Global Vectra Helicorp (Phata)
• Thumby Aviation (Phata)
• Trans Bharat Aviation (Phata and Guptkashi)
• Aryan Aviation (Guptkashi)
• Arrow Aircraft (Sirsi)
• Himalayan Heli Services (Sirsi)
• Kestrel Aviation (Sirsi)
• Heritage Aviation (Full Char Dham circuit packages)

Always verify the operator’s current UCADA license before booking. The official UCADA website is ucada.uk.gov.in and Kedarnath shuttle tickets are booked at heliservices.irctc.co.in.

Weight Limit, Booking Rules & Practical Tips

• Weight limit: Maximum 80 kg per person including baggage (some operators set this at 75 kg; excess weight attracts a surcharge of ~₹2,500 per kg)
• Baggage allowance: 5 kg per person typically included
• Helicopter capacity: 5–6 passengers per flight (depending on aircraft type)
• First flight time: 6:00 AM–7:30 AM; last return generally by 3:00 PM
• Documents required: Aadhaar card or government-issued ID + Char Dham Yatra Registration
• Avoid booking through touts near Haridwar or Rishikesh — always use UCADA-registered operators or IRCTC for Kedarnath shuttles
• Weather cancellations are common. Keep one buffer day in your itinerary, especially in early May and during September
• Helicopter service closes on Ekadashi at Kedarnath and during some special puja days — check the temple calendar before travel

Char Dham 2026 Opening Dates

Knowing the helipads is the first step to planning a smooth, stress-free Char Dham Yatra by helicopter. Every landing point has a different terrain, different temple distance, and different crowd pattern. The more clearly you understand the route — from Sahastradhara to Kharsali, Harsil, Phata, and finally Badrinath — the better your yatra experience will be.

Blessings for a safe and divine journey.