Quick answer: Kedarnath helicopter tickets are sold only on IRCTC HeliYatra (heliyatra.irctc.co.in). No agent, Facebook page or WhatsApp number can sell you an “official” ticket. First complete your free Char Dham registration, then book with your registration number. In 2026, flights ran from Guptkashi, Phata and Sersi helipads in two phases: from 22 April to mid-June, and again from mid-October to 9 November after the monsoon break. Seats sold out within hours. Dates and fares for 2027 are not announced yet.
For many families, especially those with elderly parents, the helicopter is the most comfortable way to reach Kedarnath. The flight is short, and it saves a long, steep trek.
But it is also where many pilgrims lose money to fake websites. This guide explains how the official booking works, what happened in the 2026 season, and how to keep yourself safe in 2027.
The only official booking website: IRCTC HeliYatra
Kedarnath helicopter services are managed by the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), and tickets are sold online through IRCTC. The official Uttarakhand registration portal also says heli services can be booked only through IRCTC.
The correct address is heliyatra.irctc.co.in. Type it yourself in the browser. Do not click on ads or links sent on WhatsApp.
The registration-first rule
You cannot book a helicopter ticket without first registering for the Char Dham Yatra on the Uttarakhand government portal. The HeliYatra site asks for:
- A Group ID if you are booking for several family members registered together, or
- A Unique Registration Number if you are booking for one person.
So step one is always registration. Our Char Dham registration guide explains it simply. When you fill the registration form, select helicopter as your travel mode for Kedarnath.
Helipads for Kedarnath: Guptkashi, Phata and Sersi
In 2026, the Kedarnath shuttle ran from three places in the Kedar valley. ETV Bharat reported that eight operators were chosen by UCADA tender for 2026, split across these routes.
| Helipad | Operators in 2026 (reported) | One-way base fare 2026 (reported) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guptkashi | 2 | Rs 6,077 | Highest fare of the three in 2026 |
| Phata | 4 | Rs 4,840 | Middle option, most operators in 2026 |
| Sersi (also written Sirsi) | 2 | Rs 3,043 | Lowest fare of the three in 2026 |
These are 2026 base fares as reported before the season. GST and a booking convenience fee were added on top. Fares for 2027 may be different, so please check the “Check Fare” option on HeliYatra when booking opens.
You pick the helipad at the time of booking. It makes sense to choose the one closest to where you are staying the night before, because you must reach the helipad early.
How booking worked in 2026: the phases
Helicopter seats are not sold for the whole season at once. In 2026 they were released in phases:
| What happened (2026) | Date |
|---|---|
| Char Dham online registration opened | 6 March 2026 |
| Kedarnath temple opened | 22 April 2026 |
| First phase of flights | 22 April to 15 June 2026 |
| Monsoon pause announced by UCADA | Late June 2026 |
| September booking plan | Announced for 7 September, but later put on hold |
| Second phase booking opened | 9 October 2026, 3:00 pm |
| Second phase flights | 16 October to 9 November 2026 |
News reports on the first booking date did not all agree, so we have left out the exact opening day for April 2026. What matters is the pattern: a short booking window opens online at a fixed time, and the best dates go very fast. UNI reported that the October 2026 tickets, covering 25 days of flights, sold out within a few hours.
The same report said that direct helicopter flights from Dehradun to Kedarnath and Badrinath did not run for the 2026 season.
How to book on IRCTC HeliYatra, step by step
- Register for the yatra first and note the Group ID or registration number of each person.
- Create a HeliYatra account a few days before booking opens. You verify your mobile number and email by OTP. Your mobile number becomes your user ID.
- Check the notice on the HeliYatra home page for the booking date and time.
- Log in early on booking day, with a good internet connection and a payment method ready.
- Choose Kedarnath, the helipad, the date and the time slot.
- Enter passenger details using the registration numbers. Names must match photo ID.
- Pay quickly, then download and print your ticket.
Booking limits per account
The official HeliYatra site states these limits:
- Up to 2 tickets per user ID.
- Up to 6 passengers per ticket.
- So up to 12 passengers per user ID. Bigger groups need a second user ID.
Baggage, weight and reporting time
The cabin is small, so operators are strict about weight. Passengers and bags are weighed at the helipad, and extra weight can be charged there. The HeliYatra FAQ has questions on the weight rule and on how much can be carried. Read the latest answer on the official site before you pack, because we could not confirm the exact 2027 limit from an official source. Plan to carry only a very small bag with medicines, a warm layer and your documents.
The official cancellation policy says you must report at the helipad at least one hour before your slot. If you are late, it counts as a no-show and you lose the refund.
What to carry to the helipad
- Printed helicopter ticket
- Yatra registration letter with QR code
- Original photo ID matching the name on the ticket
- Small bag only, with medicines and a jacket
Weather cancellations and refunds
Mountain weather changes quickly. Fog, rain and low cloud can stop flights for hours or a full day. This is normal and is done for your safety.
Here is a summary of the official HeliYatra cancellation policy as we read it in October 2026:
| If you cancel | Refund |
|---|---|
| More than 5 days before the slot | 75% of booking amount |
| 48 hours to 5 days before | 50% |
| 24 to 48 hours before | 25% |
| Less than 24 hours before, or no-show | No refund |
| Flight cancelled due to weather, technical reasons or government order | Full refund, minus convenience fee and gateway charges |
Some points to remember:
- Cancellation is only possible online, by the passenger.
- If your slot is cancelled, you are not moved to the next slot automatically.
- For a weather cancellation, get your ticket stamped at the helipad counter.
- Refunds go to the original account. If it has not come within 5 to 7 working days, email heliyatra@irctc.co.in within 15 days of the journey date.
Because of weather, always keep a spare day in your plan. Many yatris also keep the trek or a pony as a backup option.
Fake helicopter websites: how the scam works
Every season, fraudsters target Kedarnath pilgrims. In July 2026, Khaleej Times reported that Delhi and Uttarakhand police had busted a racket that ran fake websites and social media accounts selling Kedarnath helicopter rides. Some victims received e-tickets on WhatsApp or email, only to be turned away at the helipad.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has also warned about fake booking sites, fake social media pages and paid search ads that lead to fraud.
Warning signs of a fake site
- The web address is anything other than heliyatra.irctc.co.in.
- It appears as a “sponsored” result above the real site.
- You are asked to pay by UPI to a personal name or phone number.
- They say “no registration needed” or offer to skip the IRCTC process.
- They promise “confirmed tickets” when IRCTC shows sold out.
- The ticket arrives as a WhatsApp image, not from your own IRCTC account.
- They pressure you to pay within minutes to “hold” a seat.
If you have been cheated
Report it at once on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) or call the helpline 1930. Quick reporting gives the best chance of freezing the money.
What to do if tickets are sold out
Sold-out dates are very common. Do not panic and do not turn to unofficial sellers. Instead:
- Watch for the next phase. In 2026, seats were released again for the post-monsoon period.
- Check again later. Cancelled seats may show up on the site, though there is no guarantee.
- Try a different helipad or date. If your dates are flexible, you may find seats.
- Plan the trek with support. The walk from Gaurikund can be done with a pony, palki or pithu. Book these only at official counters.
- Look at a package. Our Kedarnath Yatra works by road and trek. For a helicopter-based tour, see the Char Dham Yatra by helicopter.
If you are doing the full yatra by road, the Char Dham Yatra from Haridwar can include a Kedarnath helicopter if you manage to book one on IRCTC.
Frequently asked questions
Can a travel agent book my Kedarnath helicopter ticket?
Tickets are only issued through IRCTC HeliYatra. A genuine agent can help you register and guide you through IRCTC, but cannot sell a seat from any other source. Be wary of anyone who says otherwise.
When will Kedarnath helicopter booking for 2027 open?
Not announced yet. Booking usually opens shortly before the temple opens, after Char Dham registration starts. Keep checking the HeliYatra home page and the Uttarakhand registration portal.
Do I need to register before booking a helicopter?
Yes. HeliYatra says Char Dham registration is compulsory before booking. You need a Group ID or individual registration number.
Which helipad should I choose?
Choose based on where you are staying and on availability. In 2026, Sersi had the lowest fare and Guptkashi the highest, with Phata in between.
What happens if my flight is cancelled due to weather?
According to the official policy, you get a full refund minus the convenience fee and gateway charges. You are not shifted to another slot automatically.
How many people can I book in one go?
Up to 6 per ticket and 2 tickets per user ID, so 12 people in total.
Do helicopters fly during monsoon?
In 2026, services were stopped from late June for the monsoon and restarted in October. Expect a similar break, but check each season.
Plan your Kedarnath trip with us
We cannot sell IRCTC helicopter seats, and we will never pretend to. What we can do is register your family correctly, help you get ready for the booking window, and plan hotels, taxis and a backup trek so your yatra goes ahead even if the weather does not cooperate. Send us an enquiry online (the form is on our Contact page and every yatra page) and our team will call you back.
Last checked: October 2026 — rules change every season. Always confirm on heliyatra.irctc.co.in before you pay.
Sources
- IRCTC HeliYatra (official booking site)
- IRCTC HeliYatra cancellation policy
- Uttarakhand Tourism: Registration and Tourist Care portal
- ETV Bharat: 8 helicopter companies to operate to Kedarnath, fares (1 April 2026)
- Awaaz24x7: Kedarnath heli bookings, first phase 22 April to 15 June (April 2026)
- Amar Ujala: Kedarnath heli services suspended until 30 June (26 June 2026)
- UNI: Kedarnath heli tickets sold out within hours (9 October 2026)
- Khaleej Times: Police bust Kedarnath helicopter ticket scam (July 2026)
- News On AIR: I4C alert on online booking frauds targeting pilgrims
[…] at the official counters; those charges are paid separately. If you would rather fly, read our Kedarnath helicopter booking guide, and for the bigger picture see the complete Kedarnath Yatra guide or our Hindi page, […]
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