Imagine soaring above the clouds, as the azure streams flow below. The sky is the right color of gold, and the mighty Himalayas greet you hello. And the cherry on the cake? You are traversing through one of the holiest parts of India! Does it sound too good to be true?
The Chota Char Dham Yatra located in Uttarakhand is a highly religious and revered journey that Hindus wish to undertake at least once in their lifetime. It is in this Yatra that you can experience all of the above descriptions.
Thousands of pilgrims, devotees, and tourists undertake this journey every year- covering the four main temples- Gangotri. Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, by trekking every year. Yet, there is another luxurious, more convenient and gorgeous way of completing this journey- through a helicopter.
There are several helicopter services, starting from Dehradun, which plies on this route, and will give you a memory of a lifetime.
The Chota Char Dham Yatra begins from Dehradun. Most of the helicopter services follow the same route- Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and finally Badrinath.
It is surreal to hop onto a helicopter and witness the sheer beauty and grandeur of these sights from above. Fly along with the clouds, and let the cool wind hit you, as you peer out to look at the lush greenery, snow-peaked mountains and the brimming lakes flowing below you.
Helicopter rides are also convenient for elderly people who inhale to make the climb due to old age and other ailments. These rides have made it possible for every kind of pilgrim, whether elderly, suffering from another ailment, or a pilgrim with a disability to embark on the Chota Char Dham Yatra.
Chardham Yatra By Helicopter
Dehradun
Your exceptional journey will start from Dehradun at the Shastradhara Helipad. Usually, the journey starts early in the morning, so make sure you are awake and ready to start. You should also have all your documents ready.
From Dehradun, you will depart for Harsil, which will take you about half an hour. The journey from Harsil is quite scenic, and you will witness a trailer of the natural beauty that you are expected to see later.
Gangotri
After a quick breakfast at Harsil, you will board a car and head over to your first stop- Gangotri. The road journey is stunning, as you will be passing through winding roads, flanked with green trees that sway with the whisk of the wind, and the gorgeous Himalayas will never leave your company.
Once you reach Gangotri, you can spend some time and offer your prayers at the humble temple decided to Goddess Ganga. Take your time and revel in the natural beauty that surrounds Gangotri. The serene sound of the roaring river nearby makes Gangotri even more divine.
After finishing your darshan, head back to the Harsil Helipad, and get ready to board the helicopter once again.
Yamunotri
To explore Yamunotri, you have to get down at Kharsali helipad, which is about half an hour from Harsil. The view from Harsil to Kharsali is truly mesmerizing, and you will be able to witness all the beauty of the Yamunotri Valley through your helicopter ride. The ride will give you the perfect aerial view of the Valley. The lush green meadows, the thick canopy of trees, the thundering waters of the Yamuna and the shimmering mountain peak, looks all the more inspiring from the helicopter.
Once you reach Kharsali, you can have a quick lunch, and then once again make your way to Yamunotri by ponies or palkis.
Since it takes a little time to complete this trek even through ponies or palkis, you will have to stay the night here after your darshan at Yamunotri.
Kedarnath
Next morning after a scrumptious breakfast, head out again to start the third leg of your Char Dham Yatra by helicopter.
Your next stop will be the sacred temple of Kedarnath, and this journey is truly scenic. From the Kharsali helipad, you will be taken to the Sersi Helipad. From here, another shuttle helicopter will take you to the sacred place of Kedarnath.
Riding above the place of Kedarnath is like watching heaven unfold from the top. The little streams that dot the lush meadows, and the wondrous mountains that glisten as the sun hits their peaks- look so alluring from the top. You will be riding with the clouds and the birds, as they pass by your helicopter, waving hello to you. It is a visual treat and an experience that will be etched into your mind and heart forever.
Once you reach Kedarnath, after this thrilling ride, visit the lovely temple and offer your prayers. After your Darshan, head back the same way to reach Sersi Helipad. Once again witness nature unfold as you head back to Sersi, and relish the meadows for one last time at Kedarnath- there his no doubt that God himself rests in this place.
Badrinath
After you reach Sersi, you will be transferred to the Badrinath Helipad by another helicopter ride. Fly through thinly veiled clouds, and winds that will refresh your soul, to reach the divine destination of Badrinath.
Once you reach the Badrinath Helipad, a car will take you to the temple, where you can seek your blessings and offer your prayers.
After relishing in the divinity and magic, head back to the Badrinath Helipad, from where you will have to go to the Shastradhara Helipad for your journey back to Dehradun. Thus, bringing an end to your Char Dham Yatra by helicopter.
Rates for Char Dham Yatra by Helicopter
The rates vary from the service providers to the package you have chosen. Some packages will have hotels and food included some may not. Usually, the price ranges between- INR 1,55,000 to INR 1,70,000
A lot of people tend to avoid helicopter rides for their Chota Char Dham Yatra, because it is a little more expensive than trekking or using public transport for the Chardham Yatra. Yet, the feeling of hopping onto a helicopter and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the majestic temples and their surroundings is unparalleled. This is the kind of scenery that will remain etched in your memories. So, don’t wait any longer, the pilgrimage season is all ready to start next year April- book your tickets and enjoy the ride.
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