in**. The temple committee says so plainly — shuttle tickets are booked only there, and booking requires yatra registration first. The warning is just as plain: police in Delhi and Uttarakhand have busted fake-portal rackets that took ₹20,000–50,000 from pilgrims, with ~245 fake accounts removed in one operation.
If a website, WhatsApp number or “agent” sells you a Kedarnath heli ticket, it is not the system. Checked 01 October 2026.
How the official booking works
- Register for the yatra first — registrationandtouristcare.uk.gov.in, free; keep the QR-coded letter.
- Open heliyatra.irctc.co.in — the only authorised channel.
- Watch the phased windows. Booking opens in phases by journey date — 2026’s example: journeys for 1–10 October opened on 22 September at 5 PM. Popular windows fill in minutes.
- Pay on the portal; report at the helipad with ID — Sirsi, Guptkashi and Phata serve the Kedarnath shuttle on the Kedarnath side of the valley.
What it costs
| Sector | Reported figure | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Sirsi–Kedarnath (shuttle) | ~₹6,390 | Reported (press) |
| Dehradun–Kedarnath (longer sectors/packages) | ~₹23,000 class | Reported (press) |
| Official 2027 fare chart | Not yet published | Awaited |
Fares are weight- and sector-based and revise by season — the IRCTC portal’s checkout is the only number that counts.
The scam patterns, so you recognise them
- Look-alike portals with “heliyatra” in the URL but wrong domains.
- WhatsApp “agents” offering confirmed seats for a premium.
- Fake “Book now, pay later” links mimicking IRCTC branding.
The police guidance matches the temple committee: official portal only, no authorised agents.
Who should fly
Elders, knee/cardiac-limited pilgrims, and time-poor travellers — with the health guide’s altitude caveat intact (flying up skips acclimatisation walking but not the altitude itself). Everyone else should weigh a one-way trek-and-fly mix.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official booking site?
heliyatra.irctc.co.in — the committee’s statement, checked 1 October 2026.
How much is it?
Reported ~₹6,390 (Sirsi shuttle) to ~₹23,000 (longer sectors) in press figures; the portal checkout is authoritative for 2027.
Do agents exist?
No — the committee authorises none. Every agent sale is a scam or a black-market resale.
