Flying at Amarnath ji since 2004, Himalayan Heli has operated it’s passenger-friendly shuttle services for the Amarnath ji shrine for over 15 years. To book Himalayan Heli shuttle tickets, visit: www.himalayanheli.com. Opening date of online bookings is announced every year on our website & social media pages – stay tuned for the same.
• Opening Date: Opening date of Amarnath ji shrine is announced around the months February/March every year.
• Yatra Period: June-August (closes on the day of Rakhi)
• Heli-Services Operational During: June – August
Neelgrath ➝ Lower-Cave Helipad ➝ Neelgrath
Neelgrath ➝ Lower-Cave Helipad ➝ Neelgrath
Neelgrath ➝ Lower-Cave Helipad
Lower-Cave Helipad ➝ Neelgrath
Advance tickets can be booked online only on the respective website of the helicopter companies.
As per Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, Amarnathji Yatra 2022 will be for the period
30 June 2022 to 11 August 2022.
For any updates related to Shri Amarnath yatra bookings, please keep visiting Himalayan Heli Services and Shri Amarnath ji Shrine Board’s website. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram, so stay updated about our services.
All passengers must present valid photo identification, Compulsory Health Certificate or yatra registration at check-in.
Only one handbag weighing a maximum of 5 kgs is allowed per passenger.
Himalayan Heli operates the Amarnath ji shuttle services from the government helipad at Neelgrath. Initially, helicopter services were operational from Baltal. However, in 2015, J & K Government & SASB changed the location for Heli-services from Baltal to Neelgrath. Now, Baltal route is open only for pilgrims going by trek.
You will land at Lower-cave helipad. The holy cave is at a distance of 500m from here, it takes around 2 hours to go to the holy cave, have darshan and come back to Lower-cave helipad.
As Lower-cave helipad is at a very high altitude, passengers are strongly advised to not trek, and instead use Horses and Palki services available at the helipad. At Lower-cave Helipad, boarding for the return flight to Neelgrath is done on a First-Come-First-Serve basis.
The Holy Cave of Shri Amarnathji is situated at an altitude of 13,500 feet atop the South Kashmir Himalayas. The high altitude journey to the holy Cave involves exposure to extreme cold, low humidity, increased ultra violet radiations and reduced air pressure and oxygen.
Since you will only be there for one day, the body may not get enough time to acclimatize and adjust to the low oxygen levels, therefore you must not exert yourself. Go slow and always catch your breath. For your journey to the holy cave and and back, it is highly recommended that you do not trek and instead use a Horse or Palki.
If anyone exerts themselves too much too quickly, depending on individual fitness levels, some of the common high altitude sicknesses and their symptoms are listed below:
1. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): AMS is the most common form of mountain sickness and may occur after you ascend to altitudes above 2,500 m.
Symptoms: Breathing problems, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, dizziness and difficulty in sleeping.
2. High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): HACE is a severe form of AMS and occurs due to swelling of the brain tissue which may eventually impair the brain. The illness often manifests itself at night and may result in coma/ death within hours.
Symptoms: Breathing problems, headache, fatigue, visual impairment, bladder dysfunction, bowel dysfunction, disorientation and partial paralysis.
3. High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE): HAPE results in respiratory failure due to accumulation of fluid in the lungs. HAPE manifests itself at night (typically the second night of climbing in high altitude areas), progresses rapidly and may lead to fatality within hours.
Symptoms: Shortness of breath even when resting, persistent dry cough, bright red stained sputum, weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, chest tightness, congestion and increased heart rate. Younger people are held to be more susceptible to this ailment as, in exuberance, they are inclined to over exert while trekking
Do’s
1. Increase your fitness. Start a 4-5 km morning/evening walk at least a month prior to the Yatra. This is to improved the oxygen efficiency of your body.
2. Take Palkis/Horses instead of trekking to avoid high altitude sickness.
3. Take short breaks to catch your breath when tired.
4. Notice any symptoms such as extreme tiredness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite or vomiting.
5. Saree is NOT a suitable dress for the Yatra. Salwar Kameez, pant-shirt or a track suit will be better. Ladies who are more than 6 week pregnant shall not be allowed to undertake the pilgrimage.
6. Keep spare clothes and eatables in a suitable water proof bag.
7. Carry some cold cream/Vaseline/sunscreen to protect your hands /face against sunburn etc.
8. Keep in your pocket your yatra Permit or any other identity card, incase of an emergency.
Don’ts
1. Don’t stop at places which are marked by warning notices.
2. Don’t exert yourself too much and get out of breath.
3. Don’t ignore any symptoms such as extreme tiredness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite or vomiting.
4. Don’t use slippers because there are steep rises and falls on the route to the Holy Cave. Only wear trekking shoes with laces.
5. Don’t attempt any short cuts on the route as doing so would be dangerous.
6. Don’t trek alone. Always stay together as a group. Mobile networks do not work at Panjtarni. Incase you are lost or lose any of your group members, there is a Public Announcement (PA) system at Panjtarni.
Q.1: Can persons who are above 75 years or children below 13 years of age for Amarnath Yatra?
Ans : No. Due to the high altitude nature of the yatra, senior citizens above 75 years of age and Children below 13 years of age are strictly not allowed to undertake the Amarnathji Yatra.
Q.2: When does the Amarnathji Yatra commence ?
Ans : Every year the yatra starts around the first week of July and ends in the month of August. The shrine board declares the exact date in the month of March.
Q.3: When does the booking for Amarnathji start?
Ans : Exact start date for bookings will be notified on this website once the shrine board declares the start date around March. Advance booking usually starts in the month of April.
Q.4: What are the rules for Booking?
Ans : Using one debit/credit card you may purchase a maximum of 5 tickets in a period of 21 days.
Q.5: What documents are needed?
Ans : Valid ID and Yatra Registration or Health ceritificate are required for travel.
Q.6: Is a health certificate necessary?
Ans : Yes health certificate is necessary.
Q.7: Which sector does Himalayan Heli operate?
Ans: Himalayan Heli Services will operate in the Neelgrath – Lower-Cave Helipad – Neelgrath sector from 2021. From 2014-2018, we operated from the Pahalgam sector.
Q.8: Is there any other way to get tickets for Amarnathji
Ans : Apart from Online Advance Booking, tickets are available only through current booking at the helipad.
Q.9: Where is the Helipad?
Ans : The helipad is 02 KM ahead from Sonamarg. Please refer google maps location.
Q.10: How is the mobile network connectivity in the region?
Ans: Only post-paid mobile numbers work in Jammu & Kashmir. At Sonmarg, most mobile networks like Airtel, Vodafone, Jio and BSNL work. However, data services may or may not work. At Lower-cave helipad, only BSNL network works and data services do not work. In case you are lost or lose any of your group members, there is a Public Announcement (PA) system at Lower-cave helipad.
Chances of flight cancellation due to bad weather are common during monsoon. All passengers are strongly advised to be prepared in case you get stuck at Lower-cave helipad due to bad weather. These items are essential as the climate is highly unpredictable and changes abruptly from sunny weather to rain and snow. The temperature can sometimes abruptly fall to 5 degrees Celsius or lower.
1. Trousers (preferably waterproof).
2. Adequate woollen clothing and spare clothes.
3. Small umbrella, raincoat, wind cheater and torch.
4. Waterproof trekking shoes, warm cap and gloves.
CARRIAGE BY AIR ACT, 1972
The carriage is subject to Himalayan Heli Services regulations relating to the conditions of Non-International Carriage (Passenger and Baggage) framed in accordance with The Carriage by Air Act, 1972 and Notification regarding application of the carriage which is non-international. The liability of the company for damage sustained in the event of the death or wounding of a passenger or any other bodily injury suffered by passenger or by his registered baggage during the course of carriage by air will be governed by the provisions of sections 4,5,6 and the rules contained in the second Schedule of Carriage by Air Act 1972 with certain exceptions, adaptations, modifications, etc as notified in the Govt. of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation Notification and as amended from time to time.
NO AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Aerial Photography from Helicopter is illegal and punishable by law and photography at the helipad is strictly prohibited.
COMPULSORY HEALTH CERTIFICATE
Compulsory health certificate signed and stamped by anyone from the list of Authorised Doctor/institutions available on our website and also on Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine board website www.shriamarnathjishrine.com is mandatory for every passenger, without the certificate the boarding would be denied and normal cancellation policy would be applicable.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
All passengers must present valid photo Identification, Compulsory health certificate or yatra registration at Check-in.
PASSENGER GROUPING
Passengers in groups may not be carried together in the same helicopter as a matter of regrouping based on weight of the passengers due to load limitations of the helicopter. In such cases groups/family will be split across two or three flights, such a decision will be binding.
INCASE OF OVERLOADING
If at any stage it is found that the helicopter is overloaded, HHSPL will have the right to decide which passengers or article shall be offloaded and such decision shall be binding.
INCASE OF BAD WEATHER / TECHNICAL SNAG
Chances of flight cancellation due to bad weather are common during monsoon, where bad weather or technical snags beyond our control has resulted in your flight being cancelled or delayed, Himalayan Heli Services will not be liable in any way for the cancelled or delayed flight. However full refund will be given for cancelled flight. No accommodation or meals shall be offered in the event of cancellation of a flight.
HAND BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
Passengers may carry only one piece of luggage weighing no more than 5 kilograms, any additional piece of baggage will not be allowed.
LOSS OF BAGGAGE
HHSPL is not liable for any loss or damage occasioned by delay in the carriage by air of passengers or baggage. Receipt without complaint of registered baggage on the termination of the journey shall be prima facie evidence that the baggage has been delivered correctly and in good condition.
BOOKING RULES
With one Credit/debit card, a maximum of five passengers shall be booked. The same credit/debit card cannot be used for booking of tickets for the next three weeks. The credit/debit card used for booking shall have to be produced at the time of the issuance of boarding pass at Neelgrath. Without this boarding shall be denied and cancellation charges shall apply.
ABOVE 75 YEARS & BELOW 13 YEARS NOT ALLOWED
By strict orders of the Shrine Board, senior citizens above 75 years and children below 13 years are not allowed to undertake Amarnathji yatra.
RIGHT TO CANCEL UNSAFE PASSSNGERS
HHSPL reserves the right to cancel passengers who are A. Unruly or Abusive B. Intoxicated C. Sick / Mentally unbalanced or anyone whom we deem unsafe to fly. Service shall be denied and full refund will be issued to such passengers.
PREGNANT PASSENGERS
Expectant mothers may travel up to and including the 27 weeks of their pregnancy and will be accepted between 28 to 35 weeks if they are in possession of a doctor’s certificate stating that they are fit to fly. Expectant mother above their 36 weeks will not be allowed to fly on the helicopter flights
DANGEROUS GOODS
Carriage of dangerous goods/articles is not permitted. Restricted articles include but are not limited to compressed gases, corrosives, explosive, flammable liquids, solids, radioactive materials, poisons, infectious substances and brief cases with installed alarm devices. To know more, Click Here
DISPUTES
Disputes as to legality, interpretation, application or performance of service or any of its terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of Delhi Jurisdiction.
CANCELLATION POLICY
You may cancel your tickets online at anytime except when you are within 4 days of your departure date, at that time you must e-mail your Ticket ID no., PTD no. and passenger details to info@himalayanheli.com, the cancellations slabs shall apply as below.
| # | Time/Type of cancellation | Amount of Refund |
|---|---|---|
| a. | 0-59 min before the reporting time | No Refund. |
| b. | 60 min -23.59 hrs before the reporting time | 50% Refund after deducting transaction Fee as charged by the Bank and Administrative charges @Rs 150/- per passenger |
| c. | 24 hrs. – 47.59 hrs before the reporting time | 70% Refund after deducting transaction Fee as charged by the Bank and Administrative charges @Rs 150/- per passenger |
| d. | 48 hrs or more before the reporting time | Full Refund after deducting transaction Fee as charged by the Bank and Administrative charges @Rs 150/- per passenger |
| e. | Cancelled due to bad weather | Full Refund after deducting transaction Fee as charged by the Bank and Administrative charges @Rs 150/- per passenger |
| f. | Cancelled due to technical reason | Full Refund after deducting transaction Fee as charged by the Bank |
| No show by passenger | No Refund. [in all such cases, the entire money (full amount of ticket price) shall accrue to the Board] |
