Frequently Asked Questions

The yatra season runs from late April / early May (when the temple doors open) to October–November (when they close for winter). The most pleasant months are May, June, September and the first half of October. July and August have heavy monsoon, frequent landslides and helicopter cancellations — we don't recommend those months for first-time pilgrims.

Helicopter packages: 60–90 days in advance. Slots are limited and peak season (May–June) sells out months ahead.

Road packages: 30–45 days in advance is ideal for hotel availability and lower fares. Last-minute bookings (within 7 days) are possible but with limited hotel choices.

1. Send us an enquiry via the website, WhatsApp or call. 2. We share a detailed quotation matching your group size, dates and tier. 3. You confirm — pay 30% advance via UPI / bank transfer. 4. We share a confirmation voucher, complete the mandatory Char Dham Yatra Registration on your behalf, and send you a pre-departure briefing. 5. Balance 70% to be paid 21 days before departure.

Helicopter slot prices are revised by DGCA-licensed operators every season and sometimes mid-season based on fuel and royalty changes. We share the live 2026 tariff over WhatsApp or a call so you get the latest rate, not an outdated number. As a general guide, the Do Dham Helicopter package starts around the mid-six-figure range per person; exact pricing depends on your travel dates and group size.

Vehicle and hotel costs are largely fixed. A 12-seater Tempo Traveller costs the same whether 6 or 12 people use it, so per-person sharing reduces the cost. That's why our pricing tables show different rates for 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12+ pax.

No. Every package page lists Inclusions and Exclusions transparently. Common exclusions are: pony/palki/porter at Yamunotri or Kedarnath, special poojas (Swaran Aarti, Chandi Aarti — paid directly to the temple), personal expenses, and travel insurance. GST is shown separately at the time of invoice.

We work with multiple DGCA-licensed Char Dham helicopter operators (such as those approved under UCADA — Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority). Aircraft used are typically AS350 / Bell 407 / similar twin-engine machines. The exact operator allocated to your booking is confirmed at the time of slot allotment based on availability.

One soft bag, maximum 3 kg per pilgrim. Suitcases, hard trolleys and large backpacks are not permitted in the cabin. Excess baggage can be stored at our Dehradun office or your hotel free of charge until you return.

Helicopter performance at high altitude is very sensitive to total payload. Each operator has a strict maximum take-off weight set by the DGCA. We balance the manifest before each flight, which means we need accurate, declared weights. Misdeclaration of more than 5 kg can lead to denied boarding without refund — so please give honest figures at booking.

Char Dham helicopter operations are weather-dependent. If a sector is grounded by the operator due to bad weather, we offer one of: (a) reschedule to the next available slot, (b) road transfer if the timeline allows, or (c) refund of the unflown helicopter component as per our Cancellation Policy. Decisions are taken by the operator and pilot in the interest of safety — please plan a 1-day buffer where possible.

The helicopter yatra is actually easier for elderly pilgrims than the road journey because it eliminates the 16-km Kedarnath trek and the long mountain drive. However, high altitude (Kedarnath is at 3,583 m) can affect anyone with heart, lung or BP conditions. We strongly recommend a medical check-up and your doctor's written clearance before booking. Senior citizens above 75 are best assessed case-by-case.

Yes. Infants below 2 years (max 12 kg) fly free with a copy of their birth certificate or Aadhaar. Children 2 and above are charged as adults because they occupy a seat and count towards the manifest weight.

Yes — VIP Darshan is included in our Helicopter Do Dham package, subject to permission of the temple committee on the day. During very high-footfall days (Saawan, festival weekends) the queue may still be considerable; we manage it with our ground crew.

Possibly — but please consult your doctor first and carry written clearance plus your routine medication for double the trip duration. Acute mountain sickness can affect anyone above 2,500 m; cardiac and respiratory conditions may be aggravated. If your doctor advises against, please defer or do only a partial yatra (e.g., Badrinath only, which is at the most accessible altitude).

Basic medical posts and oxygen cylinders are available at major stops including Phata, Sersi, Kedarnath base camp, Govindghat and Badrinath. For anything serious, the nearest hospitals are at Rudraprayag, Srinagar (Garhwal) and Dehradun. We carry first-aid kits in our vehicles.

Yes — strongly. A comprehensive travel + medical policy covering trip cancellation, medical evacuation and personal accident is highly recommended for any high-altitude pilgrimage. We can guide you to insurance partners.

From Gaurikund / Sonprayag, you reach Kedarnath via a 16-km uphill trek. You can do this on foot, on pony, in a palki, or skip it entirely by booking a Phata-to-Kedarnath shuttle helicopter (which we can add to any road package). The choice is yours.

Yes. Every pilgrim must register on the official Uttarakhand Tourism portal before the yatra and carry the registration QR code/slip. We complete this on your behalf as part of every package — you only need to share scanned ID proofs. The official Government of Uttarakhand portal is registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in if you wish to register yourself.

Aadhaar Card is the primary ID. Passport, PAN, Voter ID or Driving Licence are also accepted. Foreign nationals must carry their passport and a valid Indian visa.

Even in May–June, evenings at Kedarnath and Badrinath drop to 5–10°C. Pack a thick fleece, warm jacket, woollen cap, gloves, raincoat, comfortable trekking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, basic medication. For helicopter packages — only soft bags, no hard suitcases.

BSNL and Jio work best at Kedarnath and Badrinath; Airtel and Vi are patchy. WiFi is available at most hotels at Sonprayag, Guptkashi, Rudraprayag and Joshimath. We provide our Dehradun control desk numbers in case you can't reach us at the Dhams.

Yes — all meals are included as per the package and are strictly vegetarian and onion-garlic-free (sattvic) at the higher Dhams as per local custom. At Haridwar / Rishikesh you'll find a wider menu. Jain, no-onion-garlic and other dietary preferences are happily accommodated — just inform us at booking.

Private vehicles are not allowed beyond Sonprayag. From Sonprayag you take the local government shuttle (~5 km) to Gaurikund where the Kedarnath trek begins. This shuttle is included in our packages.

Yes. Heavy luggage can be safely stored at our Dehradun office (for heli packages) or at your base hotel in Phata / Sonprayag (for road packages) while you travel light to the shrine. Cloakrooms at Sonprayag also offer paid storage.

Yes. Atulya Hotels is a registered Indian company with GST registration. Our office is at D-324, Street 11, near Laxmi Nagar Metro, Delhi 110092. We have been arranging Char Dham yatras for over a decade.

UPI, NEFT/RTGS/IMPS bank transfer, or via authorised online payment links. We do not accept cash beyond statutory limits and we never request payment to a personal account — always to the registered Atulya Hotels current account.

Detailed slabs based on days-before-departure are listed on our Cancellation & Refund Policy. Helicopter slots have stricter terms because they are pre-paid to the operator.