{"id":10658,"date":"2025-08-04T08:23:46","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T08:23:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.namasteindiatrip.com\/blog\/?p=10658"},"modified":"2026-04-30T05:39:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T05:39:38","slug":"helipads-in-uttarakhand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.namasteindiatrip.com\/blog\/helipads-in-uttarakhand\/","title":{"rendered":"List of Helipads in Uttarakhand"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2026, Chardham Yatra<\/a> opens on 19 April \u2013 the earliest start in years. Helicopter demand is expected to be the highest ever. Kedarnath Dham alone recorded over 16.56 lakh pilgrims in 2025<\/strong><\/a>, setting a new all-time high and surpassing previous years, and with the 2026 season starting weeks earlier, early booking is not optional \u2013 it is the only way to get your preferred slot.<\/p>\n

This guide covers every major helipad in Uttarakhand<\/a>: location, altitude, distance from shrine, 2026 UCADA official<\/a> fares (revised from 2025), step-by-step IRCTC booking process, and what to expect on the ground at each helipad.<\/p>\n

Chardham Helipad Overview<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Category<\/strong><\/th>\nDetails<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Overview<\/strong><\/td>\n2026 Chardham helicopter packages<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Starting & Ending Point<\/strong><\/td>\nSahastradhara Heliport, Dehradun<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Yamunotri Helipad<\/strong><\/td>\nKharsali<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gangotri Helipad<\/strong><\/td>\nHarsil (25 km road journey to temple)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kedarnath Base Helipads<\/strong><\/td>\nPhata, Sirsi, Guptkashi<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kedarnath Main Helipad<\/strong><\/td>\nNear Kedarnath Temple<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Badrinath Helipad<\/strong><\/td>\nBadrinath<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kedarnath Ticket Booking<\/strong><\/td>\nOnly via heliyatra.irctc.co.in<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Booking Opening Date (2026)<\/strong><\/td>\n15 April 2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

Helipad vs Heliport: Key Difference<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Helipad<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A designated landing area for helicopters \u2013 typically a cleared flat surface with an H-marking. No terminal, no ATC, no refueling. Pilgrims land, walk to the shrine, complete darshan, and return to the same spot. All mountain helipads in Uttarakhand \u2013 Kharsali, Harsil, Phata, Sirsi, Guptkashi, Kedarnath, Badrinath \u2013 are helipads.<\/p>\n

Heliport<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A full helicopter facility with passenger check-in, ATC, refueling, maintenance, and multi-helicopter capacity. Only Sahastradhara in Dehradun qualifies as a heliport in Uttarakhand. This is where all Chardham packages begin.<\/p>\n

Practical point: <\/strong>Your Chardham journey starts and ends at Sahastradhara Heliport. Everything in between \u2013 Kharsali, Harsil, Kedarnath \u2013 is a helipad. Understanding this helps you plan ground transfers, especially for Gangotri where 25 km taxi is needed after landing.<\/p>\n

\"Helipads<\/p>\n

Complete List of Helipads in Uttarakhand 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Helipad \/ Heliport<\/strong><\/td>\nNearest Shrine<\/strong><\/td>\nAltitude<\/strong><\/td>\nKey Role<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sahastradhara Heliport, Dehradun<\/td>\nDeparture hub for all Dhams<\/td>\n~700 m<\/td>\nOnly full heliport; check-in, ATC, refueling, baggage screening<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kharsali Helipad<\/td>\nYamunotri Temple<\/a><\/td>\n~2,675 m<\/td>\n~1 km walk from Yamunotri Temple; also winter seat of Yamunotri deity<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Harsil (Harshil) Helipad<\/td>\nGangotri Temple<\/a><\/td>\n~2,620 m<\/td>\n~25 km road from Gangotri temple; taxi 45\u201360 min required<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sersi (Sirsi) Helipad<\/td>\nKedarnath Temple<\/a><\/td>\n~1,900 m<\/td>\nShortest flight to Kedarnath (5\u20137 min); cheapest 2026 fare; 2 operators<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Phata Helipad<\/td>\nKedarnath<\/td>\n~2,650 m<\/td>\nHighest traffic base; 4 operators; 8\u201310 min flight to Kedarnath<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Guptkashi Helipad<\/td>\nKedarnath<\/td>\n~1,320 m<\/td>\nLowest altitude base; 15 min flight; 2 operators; good for pilgrims staying in Guptkashi<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Kedarnath Helipad<\/td>\nKedarnath Temple<\/td>\n~3,500 m<\/td>\n~500 m stone path walk to temple; highest helipad on standard circuit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Badrinath Helipad<\/td>\nBadrinath Temple<\/a><\/td>\n~3,100 m<\/td>\n500 m\u20131 km from temple; also used for emergency medical evacuations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Joshimath Helipad<\/td>\nBadrinath (backup)<\/td>\n~1,875 m<\/td>\nStaging base when Badrinath weather<\/a> prevents direct landings; main emergency evacuation hub for corridor<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Govind Dham (Ghangaria)<\/td>\nHemkund Sahib<\/td>\n~3,050 m<\/td>\nHemkund Sahib route only; 6 km further trek to shrine; booked via IRCTC separately<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

2026 UCADA Official Helicopter Fares \u2013 Kedarnath<\/strong><\/h2>\n

UCADA revised Kedarnath fares for 2026. The Sersi sector saw a significant \u20b92,753 reduction vs 2025. Phata increased slightly. All fares exclude 18% GST and \u20b9300 IRCTC convenience fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Helipad<\/strong><\/td>\n2025 Fare (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td>\n2026 Fare (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td>\nChange (\u20b9)<\/strong><\/td>\nOperators<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Sersi (Sirsi)<\/td>\n\u20b98,839<\/td>\n\u20b96,086<\/td>\n\u2013 \u20b92,753 \u2193<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Phata<\/td>\n\u20b98,842<\/td>\n\u20b99,680<\/td>\n+ \u20b9838 \u2191<\/td>\n4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Guptkashi<\/td>\n\u20b912,444<\/td>\n\u20b912,154<\/td>\n\u2013 \u20b9290 \u2193<\/td>\n2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Add to above: <\/strong>18% GST + \u20b9300 IRCTC convenience fee per booking. Final ticket price shown at time of payment on heliyatra.irctc.co.in<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Best value in 2026: <\/strong>Sersi helipad at \u20b96,086 return is now the most affordable option, with the shortest flight time (5\u20137 min). If a Sersi slot is available, it is the smart choice for budget-conscious pilgrims.<\/p>\n

Each Helipad in Detail<\/strong><\/h2>\n

1. Sahastradhara Heliport, Dehradun<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The operational center of all Chardham heli ops. During peak season, 80\u2013100+ helicopter movements per day happen here. In 2026, with the season opening 10 days earlier, April volume is expected to be unprecedented.<\/p>\n