CHARDHAM BY HELICOPTER - 1N/2D TOUR

1. Rudra-Abhishek Puja:
• INR 6,500 for 05 People (approx.).
• Booking for the same is done on direct payment basis at Dehradun.

2. Booking of Scheduled/Non-scheduled flights to Dehradun:
• Price on request.
• While our team takes care of your entire Chardham tour, they can further assist you in booking of your air-tickets to Dehradun.

3. Haridwar, Rishikesh or Mussorie visit:
• INR 6,000 for 06 People
• Booking for the same is to be done at the time of booking of your Chardham tour.

• Passengers have to mandatorily follow the government prescribed measures in regards to COVID-19.

• Passengers will be provided PPE gowns/kits, masks & sanitizers by our crew before boarding their respective flights.

• Passengers should ensure social distancing with other pilgrims at the time of darshan.

• Wearing a mask is compulsory to board the helicopter and must be worn at all times.

• Post-flight our helicopters are sanitized and fumigated for the safe flying of our passengers.

• Flying in hills is subject to weather conditions. And in regard to our Chardham operations, we would like to bring to your kind attention that flight cancellations & other inconveniences due to weather are very much likely since weather is extremely unpredictable in the hills.

• Passengers should come prepared to face the eventualities which an arise by bad weather/force majeure problems.

• Force Majeure situations include cases of bad weather, low visibility for flying, delayed Air Traffic Clearances/Permissions, VVIP movements, valley flying by Indian Air Force (NOTAM), sudden occurrence of technical snag in aircraft, illness of flying crew or late reporting of the guests at the helipads, among others.

• Further please note, in case of bad weather/force majeure situation, we will operate as per our policies mentioned in the ‘Terms & Conditions’ & ‘Important Guidelines & Policies’ sections.

We operate Airbus AS350 B3 single engine helicopters. This helicopter is known for its high-altitude performance. The helicopter can seat a total of 6 passengers, maximum total weight permissible is 450 kgs.

Only one handbag weighing a maximum of 5 kgs is allowed per passenger.

Q.1: How is the weather going to be?
Ans: Please refer to Weather & What to Wear section.

Q.2: What kind of clothing should I bring?
Ans: Please refer to Weather & What to Wear section.

Q.3: How will the food be arranged?
Ans: All meals are included at each Dham, however, meals are not included during your stay at Dehradun. FYI, food is prepared separately for non-garlic & non-onion food eaters.

Q. 4: What sort of meal is served in our Chardham yatra.
Ans: Pure Vegetarian food is served to all our pilgrims without onion and garlic.

Q.5: Which telephone networks work?
Ans: Kharsali: All networks
Harsil: BSNL, JIO
Sersi: All networks
Kedarnath: All networks
Badrinath: BSNL, JIO

In case your networks do not work, you can always reach out to our crew for any help or assistance regarding the same.

Q.6: Will there be a guide with us throughout the Yatra?
Ans: HHSPL crew will be present at each Dham to assist you for all your needs. Our crew will also guide you during your sight-seeings.

Q.7: What kind of accommodation will be provided at places?
Ans: Luxury hotels are not available at these remote locations, therefore you are advised not to keep very high expectation of hotels. However, we provide the best available hotels at all location.

Q.8: When should we reach Dehradun to start our Chardham Yatra?
Ans: Guests need to reach Dehradun, one day prior to their scheduled Chardham departure date booked with us. Himalayan Heli provides complimentary stay on the first night, when guests arrive at Dehradun.

Q.9: How far are the Temples from the Helipads at each Dham?
Ans: Apart from Yamunotri Dham, there is barely any walking distance at each Dham. At Yamunotri, there is a 6km trek to the shrine, which is done through porters/Palki/Pony. Arrangement for the same is done by Himalayan Heli.

Q.10: Will children be charged the same for the Chardham Yatra, or do they have any concessions?
Ans: Children below the age of 2 years travel free of charge. For children 2 or above, full charges are applicable.

Q.11: Are we supposed to pay for the darshans at the temple?
Ans: VIP darshans at all the four shrines are arranged by Himalayan Heli. However, special pujas are not included in our tour. The same can be arranged on request.

Q.12: When is the Chardham tour available?
Ans: The opening date of Kedarnath ji is announced every year on the day of Maha Shivratri, and opening date of Badrinath ji is announced on the day of Basant Panchami. Whereas, both Yamunotri and Gangotri Dham open every year on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya.

Based on the opening dates, our Chardham tours generally commence sometime in the month of May, and are operational from May-June (pre-monsoon season) & September-October (post-monsoon season).

All of the four dhams are situated at a high altitude, ranging between 8500 ft – 11500 ft. Kedarnath Dham being the highest at 11500 ft. Being at such a high altitude involves exposure to extreme cold, low humidity, increased ultra violet radiations and reduced air pressure and oxygen

Since your Chardham yatra is only for 4 days, 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. 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 2500 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

• Take Palkis/Horses instead of trekking to avoid high altitude sickness.

• Take short breaks to catch your breath when tired.

• Notice any symptoms such as extreme tiredness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite or vomiting.

• 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.

• Keep spare clothes and eatables in a suitable water proof bag.

• Carry some cold cream/Vaseline/sunscreen to protect your hands /face against sunburn etc.

• Keep in your pocket your identity card with emergency contact number, incase of an emergency.

Don’ts

• Don’t exert yourself too much and go out of breath.

• Don’t ignore any symptoms such as extreme tiredness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite or vomiting.

• Don’t stop at places which are marked by warning notices.

• Don’t use slippers. Only wear trekking / sports shoes with laces.

• Don’t attempt any short cuts on the route as doing so would be dangerous.

• Don’t trek alone. Always stay together as a group. Your mobile network may not work.

PRE-MONSOON SEASON
• In the summer months of May –June, weather remains sunny during the day & approx. 20-30 degrees at night – which is very pleasant.
• Comfortable summer leisure wear should be carried during the May-June season.

POST-MONSOON SEASON
• During Sep-Oct, temperatures remain pleasant during the day. However, they drop to around 10-20 degrees at night.
• We provide disposable raincoats to our passengers in case of rain.
• At Kedarnath & Badrinath, temperatures may suddenly fall below 10 degrees at night. Therefore, it is advisable to carry clothes for cold weather during these months.

• In respect of COVID-19, all necessary measures issued by the State & Central Governments would have to be adhered by the passengers. The measures shall be confirmed by HHSPL to the passengers 02-03 weeks prior to the date of arrival. Without adhering to the prescribed measures/requirements, boarding would be denied without any refunds.

• Guests have to MANDATORILY submit their correct weights at the time of booking. If any change in weight found at the time of their travel from the submitted weights, which would exceed our aircraft’s weight carrying capacity, guest(s) would be deboarded & cancelled for the Heli-tour without any refund.

• In case of a per seat booking: Booking shall be taken by HHSPL on provisional basis, and confirmed to the passengers 03 weeks prior to the date of arrival at the latest. Please note, for Chardham 1N2D per seat bookings, HHSPL shall fly subject to 04 or more passengers being on board, otherwise provisional booking shall be released and 100% advance shall be refunded by us.

• Overweight charges would be charged to guests who are above 80 kg weight. The reason for the same is that we operate at very high-altitude terrain where the weight carrying capacity of the aircraft is only 450 kg. Hence, due to overweight passengers we lose seats in our Chardham fixed departure flights. Overweight charges are applicable at INR 1,000/kg, for the total weight above 80 kg/pax.

• Weighing at the time of boarding the helicopter is a must, since HHSPL shall not allow boarding in case the total weight exceeds the weight limitation of the helicopter. &, due to the same reason, in case of more than 01 available aircraft, we reserve the right to shuffle passengers between helicopters to manage the right weight of helicopters for safe flying in the hills. Therefore, passengers travelling together might not be accommodated in the same helicopter flight.

• HHSPL has its own crew at all the Dhams. For any help, guidance or assistance, guests are free to reach out to them.

• When planning your tour, we strongly advise the guests to keep one additional day at hand at Dehradun, over & above the 5N6D period, so that they do not end up in problem in case the weather gets very bad after the commencement of tour, which may lead to extension of the tour. 

• AADHAR & PAN Card copies are to be shared mandatorily by all Indians, & passport is required in case of foreign nationals.

• Network connectivity at Harsil & Badrinath is very poor. BSNL & Jio are the main telecom service providers, that work in these regions at times. It is most likely, that guests would be cut-off from the outside world during their time there. However, our crew shall be with the guests for any assistance required at all the Dhams.

• Guests would not be allowed to carry their suitcases/luggage in the aircraft. Duffle bags would be provided by our crew on the day of arrival, in which guests will be allowed to carry up to 05 kg of luggage during the tour.

• Hotels at all the Dhams are non-star category. However, HHSPL has carefully selected the most comfortable & highest rated properties for their Heli-tours.

HOTELS TO BE USED:
• DEHRADUN: Lemon Tree, or similar (EP basis – Meals can be included at an additional cost).
• SERSI: Ghughuti Resort, or similar (AP basis).

- Hotels & rooms are subject to sudden change at times, due to unavoidable circumstances.
- Rooms are booked on double or triple sharing basis only.
- If any guest requires a single occupancy room, it shall be extra chargeable @ INR 10,000/person (tax inclusive).

• All temples in Chardham sector are located at a high altitude, & guests are advised to carry their own medication with them during travel. Guests are also advised to carry heavy woollen clothing with them, since during evenings & nights the temperature drops drastically.

• Flying in hills is subject to weather conditions. And in regard to our Chardham operations, we would like to bring to your kind attention that cancellations & other inconveniences due to weather are very much likely since weather is extremely unpredictable in the hills. Therefore, guests should come prepared to face the eventualities caused by weather problems. Further please note, in case of bad weather, we shall operate as per our policies mentioned in the ‘Terms & Conditions’ & ‘Important Guidelines & Policies’ sections.

• Passengers have to mandatorily follow the government prescribed measures in regards to COVID-19. Without adhering to the same, boarding shall be denied by HHSPL without any refunds.

Our Heli Tours are not available for the following VIP’s:
- Speaker Lok Sabha
- Dy. Chairperson Rajya Sabha
- Central Ministers of Cabinet Rank
- C J I Supreme Court
- Governors of State
- Chief Ministers of State
- State Ministers of Cabinet Rank
- SPG Protectees – Z category only.

• Flying in hills are subject to many Force Majeure factors like delayed Air Traffic Clearances/Permissions, VVIP movements, valley flying by Indian Air Force (NOTAM), bad weather, sudden occurrence of technical snag in aircraft, illness of flying crew or late reporting of the guests at the helipads, among others.

• Our company shall not be liable for any medical emergency on the ground to the party. Therefore, in your own interest, guests are hereby advised to kindly consult a doctor and get medical check-up done before commencing the yatra. Medical check-up is mainly required if a guest has any medical ailment/condition.

• Any donations, tips, pitthu, palki/pony and porter charges shall be borne by the guests. 

• Passengers travelling together may not travel in the same helicopter flight, as we may have to shuffle passengers in helicopter flights to manage the total weight of the aircraft.

• Himalayan Heli Services reserves the right to cancel passengers, who are unruly, abusive, intoxicated, sick, mentally unfit or anyone else whom we deem to be unsafe to fly. No refund shall be done to such passenger(s).

• Guests are required to pay 100% of the additional charges before the commencement of tour. Passengers would not be allowed to board or commence the tour, without paying the full and final payable amount.

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 PHOTOPGRAPHY
Aerial Photography from Helicopter is illegal and punishable by law and photography at the helipad is strictly prohibited.

INFANTS 
Infant below 2 years/12kg are carried free of charge. In case of verification of age, ID proof/birth certificate of the child shall be checked.

BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE
Only one handbag weighing a maximum of 5 kgs is allowed per passenger.

HELICOPTER WEIGHT LIMTATION
Passengers would be taken on board depending up on the load and temperature conditions. Pilots call will be final. Maximum weight capacity of the helicopter is 450 kg (excluding baggage weight) at these destinations. All passengers on board must be within this limit. Hence, passengers are advised to provide us their exact weights at the time of booking and carrybaggage within the permissible limit.

SEATING CAPACITY
The maximum seating capacity for our helicopters is 06 passengers + 01 Crew.

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.

PAYMENT TERMS
The booking has to be done in advance with a deposit of 10% of the total amount. Balance payment has to be deposited at least 14 days prior to the date of arrival at Dehradun.

RESCHEDULING OF BOOKING
Rescheduling your travel date to any future or prior date, will be done subject to availability and on payment of 10% of the total tour cost. This will be permitted only if informed at least 07 days before arrival date. In case the rescheduling is requested in less than 07 days prior to the arrival, then the booking would be treated as cancelled and a fresh booking will be given subject to availability.

REFUND POLICY:
If passengers wish to cancel their booking, following refund policy shall be applicable –
- More than 15 days before the departure date — 70% of total tour cost will be refunded.
- Between 08th to 15th day before departure date — 50% of total tour cost will be refunded.
- Up to 07th day before the departure date — No Refund.
- No show – No Refund.
- Cancellation after commencement of Tour – No Refund.

FORCE MAJEURE/BAD WEATHER REFUNDS:
- Tour Cost: 25% of total tour base price per unutilized travel sector, minus INR 5,000 per person per sector toward the flight preparation and ground arrangement charges.
- Additional Services: Deduction of any additional services provided at any of the Dhams during the tour of the guests will be deducted over & above the refundable Tour Cost.
- Refund against any unutilized service would not be calculated separately and be added to the refundable amount. HHSPL pays retention charges to all the vendors at each of the Dham, in case of non-usage of services.

• REFUND TURNAROUND:-
After receiving the cancellation request refund will be initiated to the bank account within 20-25 working days.

•BAD WEATHER/FORCE MAJEURE SITUATIONS POLICY:
- In case Yatra gets cancelled/disturbed due to any force majeure, guests will be provided Credit Voucher from HHSPL for the advance paid, which will be valid for one year from the initial date of travel. Please note, advance once paid will not be refunded, but it can be utilised in the next one year against our helicopter tours/ charter services by availing the mentioned credit voucher.
- Where bad weather, technical snags, or any force majeure reason beyond Himalayan Heli Services’ control results in the cancellation of your flight being delayed or cancelled, Himalayan Heli Services will not be liable in any way for the cancelled or delayed flight. However, refund will be given to clients as per our refunds policy. Any kind of inconvenience caused because of cancellation of flights is beyond the control of the operator. No compensation or reimbursement for accommodation, transportation, meals, or any other travel expenses done by the guests shall be offered in the event of cancellation of a flight.
- After commencement of tour, if the aircraft has to return mid-way due to weather/force majeure conditions, guests will be charged for the flying time of the sector getting cancelled @ INR 90,000/hr plus GST, over & above the additional services rendered to the guest.
- New Chardham passenger(s) scheduled for departure from Dehradun on any respective travel date shall be our top priority, over the back-log passenger(s) of previous days(s).
- Our obligation toward this tour is up to the 1N/2D period of your Chardham yatra. Under no circumstance, HHSPL shall increase the 1N/2D period for the guests, since we have advance bookings every day, hence carry forward of passengers will not be possible. In the mentioned period, HHSPL shall try to cover maximum Dhams for the guests that is possible, subject to weather conditions and other operational barriers.
- Additional night halt charges shall be payable by the guests to hotel on direct payment basis, who continue to stay in the hotel accommodation arranged by HHSPL during the bad weather day halts.
- Dehradun night stay is only a complimentary stay provided by us. The actual flying commences from day 02 of the tour.
- In case for 02 straight days there is no flying due to any force majeure reason, guests will be given full refund toward the Heli-tour booking, minus the flight preparation charges (as per the cancellation/refunds policy).
- We shall try to cover the maximum Dhams possible for the guests in the 1N/2D tour period in case any force majeure disturbance occurs. And, for the unutilized Chardham sectors, guests would be given refund by HHSPL as per our refunds policy.
- HHSPL shall not operate at Harsil after 1200 hrs, under any circumstance, due to turbulent wind conditions.
- In case force majeure disturbance pertains remains for most part of the day, we shall plan the flights in the best possible way, subject to the remaining time-at-hand during the day, the operational restrictions and the weather forecast/conditions on the respective date. Planning of flights is as per the sole discretion of HHSPL crew.
- HHSPL shall solely decide the planning of flights for the Chardham groups, since we have to cater for multiple number of groups, that are stranded at each Dham in case of Bad weather/Force Majeure situation.
- No additional ferry flights shall be borne by HHSPL under any circumstance. If any passenger(s) require ferry flights to be operated for them in emergency on personal request, cost for the same shall be charged to the party @ INR 90,000/hr plus GST.
- In regards to the guests stranded at Kharsali/Harsil/Kedarnath/Badrinath, if any group requests to cancel their tour on their own desire and come down before their scheduled return date, the arrangement of vehicle for their return journey by road shall be done by HHSPL, however, cost for the same shall be borne by the guests on direct payment basis. No refunds are applicable in case guests wish to cancel & return mid-tour.

• Any increase in government levied taxes/royalties after the confirmation of booking, would be extra chargeable to the guests. Payment of any increase in government levy will be mandatory before the commencement of tour.

• Bookings will be taken, considering there is acceptance of the above-mentioned terms & conditions by the party.