Fri Apr 11 11:51:40 UTC 2025: ## Kedarnath Helicopter Bookings Open for 2025 Pilgrimage Season
**Dehradun, Uttarakhand –** Bookings for helicopter services to the revered Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand have opened, marking the start of the 2025 pilgrimage season. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website is the sole platform for booking these services, which commence on May 2nd, 2025, the official opening date of the Kedarnath Dham. Helicopter services will operate between Kedarnath and Sirsi, Phata, and Guptkashi until May 31st, 2025.
Mandatory registration for the Char Dham Yatra is required before booking helicopter tickets. A maximum of six seats can be booked per ID, with a limit of twelve seats for group bookings. Pilgrims should note a 5% fare increase for this year’s helicopter services. Nine aviation companies, including Pawan Hans and Himalayan Heli, have been contracted to operate the services under a three-year agreement with the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority.
The Char Dham Yatra, encompassing Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, attracts thousands of religious tourists annually. While road travel is also an option, helicopter services provide a quicker and often more convenient alternative, especially given the high-altitude locations of these sacred sites. The shrines typically open in April or May and close in October or November due to harsh winter conditions.
First Piper 