Stay by the Ganga in Rishikesh, then let a short drive and a week of flights carry you to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Back on the riverbank in six days.
Rishikesh suits a helicopter yatra better than most people expect. It is closer to Jolly Grant airport than Dehradun city is, it has hotels and ashrams for every budget, and the evening aarti at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan makes a fitting start to a pilgrimage. From here your car reaches the Sahastradhara helipad on the far side of Dehradun in about an hour, depending on traffic.
Many guests use Rishikesh as the bookends of a longer holiday: a couple of quiet days of yoga or river walks before the flights, and a slow afternoon on the ghats after returning from Badrinath. The yatra itself follows the standard charter circuit with nights at Kharsali, Harsil, Guptkashi and Badrinath. The Char Dham package from Rishikesh covers the same shrines by road in 9 nights if you prefer to drive.
Image space images/rishikesh.jpg 800 × 600 pxRishikeshImage space images/gangotri.jpg 800 × 600 pxGangotriImage space images/kedarnath-helicopter.jpg 800 × 600 pxKedarnath flightImage space images/badrinath.jpg 800 × 600 pxBadrinath
Price from Rishikesh
Helicopter programme
Start and finish
Duration
Per person (from)
Char Dham, all four shrines
Rishikesh hotel
5N / 6D
₹2,17,000
Char Dham, all four shrines
Sahastradhara, Dehradun
5N / 6D
₹2,15,000
Teen Dham
Dehradun
4N / 5D
₹1,75,000
Do Dham, Kedarnath + Badrinath
Dehradun
1N / 2D
₹1,25,000
2027 estimates. Rishikesh transfers can be added to the shorter programmes. Final price depends on date, group size, hotel standard and the operator's seasonal charges.
The Rishikesh price is about ₹2,000 higher than the Dehradun start because it includes a private car to the helipad on day 1 and back to your Rishikesh hotel on day 6. Shorter flying trips are on the Teen Dham helicopter and Do Dham helicopter pages.
Your six days, starting at the riverbank
Day 1
Rishikesh to Sahastradhara, fly to Kharsali
About 1 hour by road + 40 minutes flyingNight: Kharsali
Your driver collects you after breakfast and heads up through the Doiwala side of Dehradun to Sahastradhara. Bags and passengers are weighed, and you board for the flight into the Yamuna valley. From Kharsali, a car runs you to Janki Chatti, and the afternoon is spent on the 6 km path to Yamunotri, on foot or by pony or palki.
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Day 2
Kharsali to Harsil, Gangotri darshan
Short flight + drive of about 25 kmNight: Harsil
You lift off from Kharsali and land a short while later at Harsil, in a wide bend of the Bhagirathi. The drive to Gangotri passes Bhairon Ghati before reaching the white temple of Goddess Ganga. After darshan you return to Harsil for a peaceful evening.
Day 3
Fly to Guptkashi
About 45 minutes flyingNight: Guptkashi
The flight to the Mandakini valley shows the Garhwal ranges at their most dramatic. You check in at Guptkashi and keep the day light, letting your body adjust before Kedarnath. Your coordinator shares the next morning's reporting time in the evening.
Day 4
Kedarnath
A few minutes each wayNight: Guptkashi
An early hop lands you below the Kedarnath temple. Take darshan, circle the shrine and see the Adi Shankaracharya Samadhi, and if there is time, look up at the Bhairavnath temple on the ridge. The return flight brings you back to Guptkashi before the afternoon cloud builds.
Day 5
Guptkashi to Badrinath
About 30 minutes flyingNight: Badrinath
Fly over the forested ridges to Badrinath and check in near the temple. Bathe in the Tapt Kund, take darshan of Badri Narayan and walk the market lanes. Mana village, India's last village before the Tibet border on this road, is 3 km away.
Day 6
Badrinath to Dehradun, drive to Rishikesh
About 1 hour flying + 1 hour by roadNight: Tour ends
Morning darshan is followed by the return flight to Sahastradhara. Your car drives you back to Rishikesh in time for lunch, and the evening Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat is a fitting close to the yatra.
Inclusions and exclusions
Included
Private car from your Rishikesh hotel to Sahastradhara and back
Shared charter helicopter seat on every leg
5 nights in hotels or cottages near the helipads
All meals during the yatra
Cars at each helipad for temple and hotel transfers
Yatra registration help and a coordinator on call
Not included
Travel to Rishikesh
Rishikesh hotel nights before or after
Pony, palki or pithoo at Yamunotri
Puja and special darshan fees
Extra nights caused by weather
Excess baggage, insurance and personal expenses
Weather, weight and luggage: the three things that matter
Weather
Helicopters in the Himalaya fly only in daylight and clear visibility. That is why reporting times are early and why afternoons are kept free. In May, June and from mid-September to October, most days have a good morning window. In the monsoon months, cloud and rain cause frequent delays. If a leg cannot be flown, the plan shifts by a day and the extra hotel night is charged separately. The best time to visit guide goes into the seasons in detail.
Passenger weight
Small helicopters have strict limits on total load, so the operator weighs every passenger and bag at check-in. Please share approximate body weights when you enquire; it helps us plan seating. The operator's exact limits are confirmed with your booking.
Luggage
Carry one soft bag per person with warm layers, medicines and a change of clothes. Leave suitcases at your Rishikesh hotel. Our packing list helps you choose what to take.
Do not book a flight home from Jolly Grant for the morning of day 6. Plan for the afternoon or the next day, in case the Badrinath leg is delayed.
Who chooses the Rishikesh helicopter yatra
Senior citizens who want darshan at all four shrines without long days in a car.
Working professionals with a week of leave, not two.
Families combining yoga or a retreat in Rishikesh with the yatra.
Overseas and NRI pilgrims flying into Jolly Grant, which is close to Rishikesh.
Anyone short of stamina for the Kedarnath trek who still wants to see Yamunotri, Gangotri and Badrinath.
Be ready at your Rishikesh hotel on the morning of day 1.
Char Dham helicopter from Rishikesh: FAQ
Does the Char Dham helicopter fly from Rishikesh?
The charter flights leave from Sahastradhara in Dehradun. This package includes the road transfer from your Rishikesh hotel, about an hour each way.
How much is the Rishikesh Char Dham helicopter package?
From about ₹2,17,000 per person for 5 nights and 6 days in 2027, with transfers, stays and meals. It is an estimate; the final quote depends on your date and group.
I am flying into Jolly Grant. Can you collect me from the airport?
Yes. Airport pick-up to your Rishikesh hotel can be added, or we can take you straight to the helipad if your flight lands the day before.
Can I stay extra nights in Rishikesh?
Of course. Many guests add a night or two before or after. Hotel nights outside the yatra are quoted separately.
Is Kedarnath included or do I book it on IRCTC?
Kedarnath is part of the charter programme on day 4. You need IRCTC HeliYatra only if you travel by road and want a shuttle seat. See online Kedarnath tickets.
Is there a weight limit for passengers?
Yes, the operator weighs passengers and bags. Share approximate weights when you enquire; exact limits are confirmed with your booking.
Can I do only Gangotri and Yamunotri by helicopter?
