Kedarnath Shuttle Helicopters Ran Until the 11 Nov 2026 Closing

Update, 11 November 2026: The 2026 season has ended. Kedarnath closed at 8:30 am on 11 November 2026. Helicopter booking dates for 2027 are not announced yet.

This page is part of our Kedarnath Yatra Guide. Planning the yatra? See our Kedarnath yatra packages.

What is the latest on Kedarnath helicopters?

When charter operators stopped their Char Dham flights from the Sahastradhara helipad on 2 November over the new DGCA two-pilot rule, many yatris asked whether the short Kedarnath shuttle flights had stopped too. They have not. ETV Bharat reported on 2 November that the regular shuttle services from the Kedar valley continue as normal, quoting District Tourism Officer Rahul Chaubey, who said the Sersi, Phata and Guptkashi services are running and only the long-distance charters were halted by their operators. The flight from these helipads to Kedarnath takes about seven minutes, and an air traffic control unit at the Sersi sector gives pilots weather updates.

How many days are left in the Kedarnath season?

• The doors of Kedarnath close for winter on the morning of 11 November 2026, on Bhai Dooj.
• The final shuttle ticket phase on IRCTC HeliYatra covers flights from 16 October to 9 November 2026, as UCADA chief executive Pratik Jain announced in October (ETV Bharat, 8 October).
• About 18.95 lakh pilgrims had darshan this season by 4 November, and the flow of yatris is still steady (ETV Bharat, 4 November).
• After the closing, Baba Kedar’s doli goes to the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath for winter worship.

What should yatris do now?

• Book only on heliyatra.irctc.co.in. Shuttle seats are sold there; do not pay agents or websites that claim to sell seats outside it.
• Keep a spare day. Flights depend on the weather, so plan to fly by 9 November, the last flight date in the final booking phase, and avoid leaving darshan for the closing morning.
• Dress for cold. Rudraprayag District Magistrate Vishal Mishra asked yatris to check the weather before setting out and follow official guidelines. Rudraprayag Police advised carrying warm clothes and essential medicines, and walking within your capacity on the foot route.
• If you hold a charter booking from Sahastradhara: ask your operator in writing about the status and refund terms, as covered in our earlier update on the charter helicopter halt.

For how shuttle booking works, read our Kedarnath helicopter booking guide. You can also see our Kedarnath yatra packages, or plan winter darshan at Ukhimath with Winter Char Dham Darshan 2026-27.

Related guides and yatras

• Kedarnath closes on 11 November 2026 – closing time and the doli’s journey
• Kedarnath helicopter safety – rules and tips before you fly
• Kedarnath helicopter fare – fares from Sersi, Phata and Guptkashi
• Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath – where Baba Kedar is worshipped in winter
• Snow at Kedarnath and the IMD forecast – weather for the final days

Frequently asked questions

Are Kedarnath helicopters still flying after the charter halt?

Yes. ETV Bharat reported on 2 November 2026 that shuttle flights from Sersi, Phata and Guptkashi continue as normal. Only the long-distance charter flights from Sahastradhara were stopped by their operators.

What is the last date I can fly to Kedarnath this season?

The final booking phase on IRCTC HeliYatra covers flights up to 9 November 2026. Flights depend on the weather, so keep a spare day and do not leave your darshan for the closing morning.

Where can I book a shuttle ticket?

Only on heliyatra.irctc.co.in. UCADA released this last booking slot of the season on 9 October 2026, ETV Bharat reported. Do not pay agents or websites that claim to sell seats outside the IRCTC portal.

What time does Kedarnath close on 11 November?

At 8:30 am on 11 November 2026, Bhai Dooj, according to the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, as reported by PTI on 27 October. Plan your flight by 9 November and do not leave darshan for the closing morning.

Where can I have darshan after the closing?

Baba Kedar’s doli leaves the dham on 11 November and is to reach the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath on 13 November (PTI, 27 October). Winter worship continues there, and Ukhimath is reached by road.