Last Updated on January 2, 2022 by asoulwindow
Guide to Helicopter booking of Vaishno Devi, Katra, Jammu
Which helicopter is used in Vaishno Devi?
Global Vectra has flown as many as 10 lakh Hindu devotees from Katra to Vaishno Devi on a helicopter ride. Currently they run 2 helicopters on a daily basis.
They also run helicopters to
Jammu and Kashmir: Helicopters to Shri Amarnath ji yatra are available.
Uttarakhand: The epic Kedarnath Yatra and Hemkund Saheb, the Sikh Pilgrimage in Uttarakhand.
Himachal Pradesh: The very famous Mani Mahesh Yatra in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh and Machail Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir.
All the above-mentioned Hindu spiritual places are located in North India.
Helicopter booking for Vaishno Devi Jammu
Helicopter booking of Vaishno Devi is much easier and affordable than many people think it is. Many Hindu devotees who travel to Vaishno Devi prefer to take an easy and quick Helicopter ride from Katra. Start point of the Helicopter is at Katra and it drops the pilgrims at Sanjhichatt.
It is an experience in itself to fly above the verdant hills and massive cotton balls masquerading as clouds. This comprehensive guide will educate you on everything you wanted to know about Helicopter booking in Vaishno Devi. So, how can I go to Vaishno Devi by helicopter? Read on.
Vaishno Devi helicopter fare
Let us discuss Helicopter price from Katra to Vaishno Devi. The helicopter ride from Katra to Sanjichatt near Vaishno Devi shrine doesn’t come cheap. Still, I found the Vaishno Devi helicopter price very reasonable, compared to what one charges in other places.
Mata Vaishno Devi helicopter ticket price for one way is INR 1730 per person. This is the fee charged as helicopter price from Katra to Vaishno Devi.
This means for a round trip from Katra to Sanjichatti and back to Katra, you need to shell out a total of INR 1730 * 2 = 3460 per person. Vaishno Devi helicopter fare is quite affordable for the middle class.
I am personally fit so I preferred to just walk, which is free and costs nothing except the nominal entrance ticket. This is the full and final helicopter ticket cost with no hidden taxes, processing or commission fees. Helicopter Booking of Vaishno Devi doesn’t break the bank! Helicopter rates in Vaishno Devi are quite reasonable.
How to buy Helicopter tickets through Current Heli-Ticket Counter
You must carry the Yatra registration slip, in order to buy tickets from the ‘Current Heli-Ticket Counter’. It is also mandatory to carry ID proof such as Aadhar Card, Driving License, Voter ID Card, Passport, PAN Card etc. ID proof of all the participants and not just one is required for booking the helicopter ride.
You must also submit the proof of travel such as flight ticket, train ticket, bus ticket etc. So, keep them safe with you at all times. Additional taxes are also charged as and when required at both Katra and Sanjhichhat.
What time helicopter booking opens for Vaishno Devi?
At the offline helicopter ticket counter, the tickets are sold from 8:00 a.m. onwards. That said, in many places, things start either late or early when high in demand. Much like the sale of tatkal tickets, the queue starts to line up at the Current Heli Ticket Counter from as early as 5:00 a.m.
Due to this you might face non availability of helicopters ticket at 8:00 a.m. and might have to wait longer.
Soul Window Tips
You must stay alert and beware of the independent touts and shady travel agents offering you to buy tickets from them. These are fraudsters and avoided for inviting unnecessary hassle.
How to do online helicopter booking of Vaishno Devi?
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi helicopter online booking is pretty simple. You have to create a username and password on the official website of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board. It is the only approved official website to book Helicopter tickets. You should carefully submit your details in the ‘New User Registration’ section.
Next, you should enter your preferred flight dates and choose timings suitable to you. If available, you may book using Debit Card/ Credit Card or Net banking. Once paid, you must download and print the tickets and carry it at the actual time of traveling. Yes, Helicopter Booking of Vaishno Devi is that easy.
Soul Window Tips:
While availing the helicopter facility, it is mandatory to carry the original copy of the debit card or credit card which you used to book the helicopter ride. You can be barred from boarding the helicopter sans any refund and explanation. So, make sure, you pack all the cards and documents before leaving home.
How many Helicopter Tickets to Vaishno Devi can I book at a time?
Helicopter Booking at Vaishno Devi is protected from people practising unfair means. You can avail a maximum of 5 helicopter tickets per user per month. It is illegal to book more tickets at a time and if found guilty, the rest of your ticket can be cancelled without any explanation or refund.
Can I change or modify my details in Online booking?
NO. Points to remember: While booking helicopter tickets, you must remember to fill in the correct details. This should match with your ID proof. Once published these details cannot be changed or modified. Helicopter Booking at Vaishno Devi therefore must only be done when you are sure of your dates and timings.
Is Helicopter ride to Vaishno Devi free for children?
Yes, for infants up to 2 years of age, it is free to take a helicopter ride with their parents or guardians. However, they may not be able to occupy a seat. IN that case, you will have to make the kids sit in your lap. For children above the age of 2, you must pay the full charges for ticket. You must carry proof of age of children with you. Just book helicopter for Vaishno Devi and save yourself the hassle of trekking with a child. Helicopter Seva Vaishno Devi is thus a convenient alternative.
Is Helicopter Ride in Vaishno Devi safe?
Yes, the strict DGCA guidelines ensures that the globally acceptable safety protocols followed during helicopter ride in Vaishno Devi are followed with due diligence. It is totally safe to take a helicopter ride in Vaishno Devi. The authorities will cancel and refund the ticket in case they figure out that the weather conditions are not conducive for a flight. Helicopter Booking of Vaishno Devi is thus very safe.
Is it mandatory to carry the Print Out of the Helicopter Ticket of Vaishno Devi?
Yes, it is mandatory to carry the print out of ERS aka Electronic Reservation Slip while showing up at the actual place in Katra and while boarding the helicopter. This also helps during cancelling or raising refund request due to natural calamity or technical fault.
In case you fail to show the same on demand, there is a risk that you can be denied from the helicopter ride. So, just to be on safe side, do carry the print out of the Helicopter tickets to Vaishno Devi, booked online.
Soul Window facts
Did you know that the Online Yatra Parchi and Offline Yatra Parchi is available free of cost? Helicopter booking in Vaishno Devi is convenient indeed!
How to cancel Helicopter Tickets to Vaishno Devi?
In case you have booked the helicopter ride to Vaishno Devi on the official online portal, then you have to personally cancel from the same platform using your username and password. Even if you show the ticket print out at the counter, you will be refused cancellation over the counter.
So, it is important that you cancel from the medium you booked from. The cancellation can be done as late as just 2 days before the actual date of the ride.
Can I prepone or postpone my Helicopter booking?
No once the online ticket is booked using SMVDSB’s website, it is not possible to pre pone or postpone your helicopter ride. Helicopter Seva Vaishno Devi comes with strict rules.
In case you want to reschedule the helicopter ride, the only option is to cancel the ticket, take 70% refund and book the new Helicopter tickets.
Helicopter booking of Vaishno Devi must be done with utmost care so that you do not lose money unnecessarily.
Is the Helicopter Ride Ticket Transferrable?
Whether booked online or offline, it is not possible to transfer the tickets to another person. This is why Helicopter Booking at Vaishno Devi must be done only after you have confirmations from the people who will show up. Mata Vaishno Devi helicopter ticket price corresponds to one ticket per person, who will actually travel to the Hindu shrine.
Where is Vaishno Devi helipad located?
Katra: Vaishno Devi helipad is located 2 kilometres away from the Katra Bus Stand at Udhampur road.
Sanjichhat: The helipad at Sanjichhat is located 2.5 kilometres away from the Vaishno Devi Bhawan, the main cave temple. You can either walk for 30 minutes from here to gufa or cave or take a pony or palki or palanquin if unfit to walk. Porters are also available here. You must confirm the rates of ponies, palkis and porters before you hire them. Vaishno Devi helipad is visible even if you just trek.
How many people fit in the Helicopter at Vaishno Devi?
A total of 5-6 people can accommodate in helicopter available at Vaishno Devi at a given time.
How much time Vaishno Devi Helicopter ride takes?
It takes many hours when you walk from Katra to Bhawan, but it hardly takes only 8 minutes to cover the distance from Katra to Sanjichhat via Vaishno Devi helicopter ride. Helicopter booking to Vaishno Devi is a short and quick ride.
What time does helicopter booking opens for Vaishno Devi?
The first helicopter ride takes off daily at 8:30 a.m. The last helicopter to and from Vaishno Devi operates at 7 p.m. daily. The frequency of helicopters rides is every 20 minutes. Helicopter ride Vaishno Devi is very well managed.
What are the darshan Timings at Vaishno Devi?
You can have darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi between 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The door closes for darshan at any other time.
What time should I report for Helicopter Ride at Vaishno Devi?
It is advisable to report at least one hour before the scheduled time of your Vaishno Devi chopper. If you fail to do so and report late, then you will be considered a No Show and no refund will be given to you. The flights take off at set time.
Who Helicopter Ride to Vaishno Devi is suitable for?
Though it is easy to walk up to Vaishno Devi, some people prefer the helicopter for various reasons as listed below.
- Physically unfit people
- Old people
- Differently abled people
- People with lack of time
- People with a temporary injury
- People who hiked up but may want to go down quickly
- V loggers/Bloggers for chronicling their experiences (Like my A Soul Window travel blog)
- Adventure enthusiasts
- Parents with children
- Pregnant woman
- Just moneyed people
Helicopter Booking of Vaishno Devi must be done by above mentioned people. I caution you to not act brave and adventurous when you can just book an easy helicopter ride. If you are one of the above, you must book Vaishno Devi helicopter without any second thoughts.
Refund Policy for helicopter ticket cancellation
Helicopter booking Vaishno Devi has clear rules and regulations. 30% of the Helicopter fees is not refunded as Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board aka SMVDSB charges it as the processing fees. Only 70% refund shall be given back if the helicopter ride is cancelled online. This does not include the taxes, of course!
It must be noted that it takes around 15 days to refund the amount in the same debit card or credit card you used to book the helicopter rides.
Refunds are also given due to poor weather or technical glitches. As per the DGCA guidelines, the helicopter rides shall take place only under favourable weather and clear visibility.
You must submit the print out of the online ticket in person to the operator in order to avail the refund in this case.
Refund is also done by the Sri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board in case of failed transactions while booking the helicopter ride to Vaishno Devi from Katra and back.
Soul Window Tips:
You must remember and retain the transaction ID while booking tickets online. This will help in any refund, cancellation or dispute. Helicopter booking for Vaishno Devi is both easy to book and cancel.
When Can I book Helicopter ride to Vaishno Devi?
The Online Helicopter Bookings for ride to Vaishno Devi and back opens a maximum of 120 days before the date of journey. It opens at 10 a.m. The Helicopter booking closes just 2 days before the date of journey.
Contact Details of SMVDSB
Email: The email can-not be used to book Helicopter tickets. For any grievances and issues, please mail at [email protected]
Other Email ID is [email protected]
How to get Yatra Registration Slip?
You will not be allowed inside the Mata Vaishno Devi Temple without the mandatory Yatra Registration Slip. The Yatra Registration counter distributes the slip every day. It is located near the bus stand of Katra.
Loo Guide
One clean loo is available right at the base entrance in Katra. Ask around.
Helicopter Ride or Walk?
Well, during my last two trips, I preferred the hike to Vaishno Devi Bhawan. The helicopter ride might be easy, quick and convenient but I would suggest that if you are fit, young, middle aged and can walk then you must walk up from Katra to Vaishno Devi Bhawan. You will also find small vans which will transport you for some distance during the hike up the holy temple.
Luckily, most of the trekking path is well paved, has dustbins and is completely shaded, making it easy to climb. The first 6 kms are the steepest after which it is a gradual incline. It is also possible to have loo breaks in clean toilets and refreshments zones where you have anything from Maggi to snacks to full meals.
I personally prefer walking but if you are unfit then you must book helicopter for Vaishno Devi.
Best Time to visit Mata Vaishno Devi Temple
Mata Vaishno Devi mandir attracts huge crowds throughout the year. That said, October to March is the best time to visit Mata Vaishno Devi. I visited twice, once in August and second time in November. Both were pleasant experiences. Helicopter Booking of Vaishno Devi is at its peak during the high season.
Spring: The weather in Mata Vaishno Devi is pleasant during March and April, the spring months.
Summer: Temperature in Mata Vaishno Devi soars during the very hot months of May and June. Avoid if you can.
Autumn: The months of October and November are also one of the most festive months of the year. Festivals like Dushehra, Diwali and Navratra, fall during these months. Expect massive crowds during Navatara which is celebrated on a grand scale in Mata Vaishno Devi Mandir.
Winter: Love snowfall? And Freezing weather? Well, you can plan a trip to Mata Vaishno Devi during winter for that unique snowfall experience.
You can read my full guide on Best Time to Visit Maa Vaishno Devi here
Conclusion
Though it is always better to walk up and down for darshan at Mata Vaishno Devi, but some people might want to take an easier helicopter ride for various reasons such as old age, lack of time etc. The helicopter ride gives an added advantage to soak in the views of the verdant valleys and mountains that surrounds holy Vaishno Devi Temple. What’s more? The helicopter charges in Vaishno Devi are quit within reach.
Reasonably priced, helicopter facility must be availed for a different experience as well. The Vaishno Devi helicopter booking which can be easily done online is your ticket to an offbeat experience in a place visited by crores of Hindus regularly. So, are you up for a hassle-free helicopter ride in Vaishno Devi?
The view from my Soul Window is so convenient!
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