Sahastradhara Helipad – Gateway to the Chardham Yatra by Helicopter

Sahastradhara Helipad is one of the most important helicopter bases located in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Located just 10 km from the heart of Dehradun, it serves as a major hub for charter services and pilgrimage tours like Char Dham Yatra. It also aids in the regional connectivity. Besides providing the transport services, Sahastradhara in itself is quite a tourist hotspot – attracting travellers with its scenic beauty and therapeutic sulphur springs!

Location and Accessibility

Sahastradhara Helipad is located in Dehradun, about 10 km from the city centre. Reaching here is easy as well. There’s easy accessibility via road route, and there’s little to no congestion. The roads are well-maintained, too.

Get on the Sahastradhara Road from the Dehradun Railway Station, which is approximately 12 km from the helipad. The helipad is located very close to the Kulhan area and is situated at the foothills near the famous Sahasradhara springs. It’s also not very far from the Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport – just 36 km away. You can easily take a taxi from the airport and get to the helipad.

Address: Post Office, Sahastradhara Helidrome, Kulhan, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, India.

Flight Timings from Sahastradhara Helipad

The timing for the flights is not firmly fixed at the Sahastradhara Helipad. However, typically the Chardham helicopter tours begin from 7:00 AM. The passengers are instructed to report at least an hour before the flight takes off.

Facilities and Amenities at Sahastradhara Helipad

Once just a basic helipad handling minimal heli services, Sahastradhara Helipad evolved to become a full-fledged modern helidrome. Now it takes a major load of the chopper services flying to and from Dehradun. And with the great traffic of people, it was transformed to provide a greater range of services in order to meet passengers’ satisfaction. Here’s what you can expect at the Sahastradhara Helipad:

• Passenger Terminal Building: Inaugurated just in October 2024, this building was funded with a budget of over INR 24 crores! It has a seating capacity of over 400 passengers and is designed keeping in mind the comfort and luxury of the visiting passengers.
• Well-Maintained Infrastructure: The surrounding area and the helipad itself are well-maintained with regular upkeep. Tourists often claim they have a pleasant experience at the helipad.
• Special Facilities: The helipad provides you with a safe and ample parking space. In addition, for the elderly and differently abled tourists, wheelchair access is also provided at the entrance.
• Restrooms: There are restrooms and washroom facilities present at the helipad.
• Scenic Views: The helipad is surrounded by beautiful hills and stunning valleys – adding to the experience of the passengers.

Considering the amenities that are provided, the Sahastradhara Helipad is similar to a mini airport now!

Helicopter Services Offered

Here are some top services you can get at the Sahastradhara Helipad:

Char Dham Yatra by Helicopter

Pilgrimage tour on your mind? Then get to the Sahastradhara Helipad because it’s the de facto base for the Char Dham Yatra! The helipad serves as the primary starting point for the journey to the revered four shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.

Individual Dham Yatra Services

Not just the whole Char Dhams, you can also book a helicopter service to an individual Dham you want to visit. The helipad is ideal for Ek Dham Yatra as well.

Do Dham Yatra by Helicopter

Want to club two Dhams in your pilgrimage? Then the Sahastradhara Helipad is ideal for your Do Dham Yatra as well. Combine Kedarnath & Badrinath or Yamunotri & Gangotri trip and fly in utmost comfort and luxury. In addition, same-day tours are also available here, where you’ll be taken to the Do Dhams of your choice and will be returned, all in the span of a single day!

Helicopter Charter Services

Besides pilgrimage tours and flying you to sightseeing destinations, the helipads also offer services catering to completely different purposes. Whether it’s the thrilling joyrides in a helicopter you wish for or want to make a spectacular entrance at your wedding venue, the helipad provides it all. In addition, you can also book the helicopter from here for election purposes.

Regional Connectivity Services

Under UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) Scheme, the helipad provides high-speed regional connectivity to destinations like Gauchar, Chinyalisaur, and Almora.

VIP Darshan Services

Considering the unpredictable weather at the high altitudes, it’s often recommended for Char Dham pilgrims to complete their Darshan and other rituals inside the shrines as soon as possible and return to the helipad quickly. Therefore, the helicopter waits for them until they come back. Then they are flown back to the starting helipad or the next helipad in their itinerary. These services are often included in Chardham Yatra packages.

Booking and Operators

The official portals for booking the helicopter service from the Sahastradhara Helipad are UCADA  (Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority ) and IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation). You can book your heli services by the link: https://heliservices.uk.gov.in/.

UCADA has designated the “Aircopter FF Ground Handling Services Private Limited” as the authorized Helicopter Charter Agency. You can contact them at +91 84393 94170.

Chardham Yatra by Helicopter from Sahastradhara Helipad

Among all the services that are booked at the Sahastradhara Helipad, the Chardham Yatra by helicopter is by far the most popular one. With these helicopter services, you can complete the whole journey in just 1-2 days, as compared to the road route, which takes a full 10-12 days.

Chardham pilgrims often choose the heli ride as this provides them with a swift and comfortable trip. Moreover, they get to enjoy a scenic ride flying high amidst the mountains – watching lush valleys and snow-capped peaks. Although the heli ride costs way more than the traditional road route, devotees swear by the chopper services and think that the helicopter flight is worth the price.

Pro Tips for Pilgrims and Travellers

Booking your helicopter flight from the Sahastradhara Helipad? Then here are some things you should keep in mind:

• Book Early: Always book your helicopter services from the helipads in advance – at least 1-2 months prior to your actual travel date. The seats fill up fast, especially if you’re going on a Chardham Yatra in its peak season.
• Weight Limit: The weight limit per person is set to be 75–85 kg. If you weigh more than this, you might have to pay extra charges.
• Medical Fitness: If you’re flying in a helicopter, you must be physically fit. This is especially enforced if you’re going for a Kedarnath Yatra, which is located at a very high altitude of 11,755 ft. You’ll be required to produce a medical certificate.
• Travel Insurance: This is not compulsory, but highly recommended. The weather disruption and technical snags can cause problems in your trip.
• Refund Policy: As per the UCADA SOPs, all the helicopter operators provide 100% refund of the booking amount if you cancel because of weather or safety issues.
• Weather Dependence: Your flying duration can be increased because of factors like bad weather, technical issues, or government permissions.
• Weight Restrictions: A helicopter takes only 6 passengers at a time and has to satisfy the total weight limit of 445 kg.
• Rescheduling: The rescheduling facility is also available. However, it largely depends on availability. Some extra fee might also need to be paid for rescheduling.

Summary

Sahastradhara Helipad is a well-equipped aviation hub that offers comfortable pilgrimage services as well as regional connectivity. The helipad has a great infrastructure and offers quality amenities to the passengers. Whether you’re going for a religious Chardham Yatra or a fun joyride, this modern helipad provides all!