Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra

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

• Covid negative report is required to enter Jammu & Kashmir and is compulsory for visiting Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.

• Passengers will be provided PPE gowns and masks 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.

Please refer to Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board instructions

Please visit: www.maavaishnodevi.org

On Helipad

• You will be escorted to the helicopter by the ground staff, please follow their instructions.
• Secure all loose articles such as scarves, dupatta, caps etc. while approaching & exiting the helicopter
• The Tail Rotor at the rear of the helicopter is dangerous. Please do not walk toward the rear of the helicopter.
• Keep the seat belt fastened while seated inside the helicopter.
• The doors of the helicopter will be opened by our ground staff, please DO NOT open it yourself.
• Do not touch the red handles inside the helicopter, they are used only in case of emergency.
• Please keep your cell phone switched off during the flight.
• Aerial photography and photography at the helipad is strictly prohibited.
• Fire arms, knives, matches, lighters, any sharp objects, any food items like fruits etc. are not allowed.
• In case of any discomfort in ear after landing please inform the ground staff.
• Smoking & consumption of alcohol is not allowed inside the aircraft, passengers under the influence of alcohol or drugs will not be permitted to board the helicopter.

On Track

• There are a lot of landslide prone areas on the Mata Vaishnodevi temple’s track. Please avoid resting at such dangerous locations. 
• Do not use the routes closed for repairs. This can be extremely dangerous.
• Do not crowd anywhere, instead keep moving ahead on the track. 
• Yatris with any kind of medical problems are strongly advised against using the stairs.
• Avoid carrying too much cash, jewellery and valuables. Take proper care of whatever you carry, and beware of pickpockets and petty thieves.

Q.1: Can I buy tickets from Himalayan directly?
Ans : No. We do not have booking & reservations rights for Helicopter tickets at Mata Vaishno Devi.

Q.2: Can I buy current tickets?
Ans : Yes. Current booking of tickets (only on date of travel) are available on the ticket counter of SMVDSB, Niharika Bhawan, Katra. Please refer to google maps below for exact location.

Q.3: Where is the Helipad?
Ans : Address : Himalayan Heli Services, Searli Helipad, Katra. Please refer to google map below for exact location.

Q.4: How can I cancel my tickets?
Ans : Please refer to instructions given on the Shrine board website.

Q.5: My tickets got cancelled due to bad weather, when will I get refunded?
Ans : We are not involved in the refunds process. You will be refunded by the shrine board. The refund will come directly into your account. This may take a couple of weeks.

Q.6: How is the weather at Katra & Bhawan?
Ans : Please see Weather & What to Wear Section.

Q.7: What is the distance of the shrine from the Sanjichat Helipad?
Ans : The holy cave of Mata Vaishno Devi is situated at a distance of 2.5 km from Sanjichat Helipad. The time Required for on foot journey depends on your Health/Age. However, for a normal healthy person it takes about 30 to 40 minutes on foot.

Q.8: How is the mobile network connectivity in the region ?
Ans : Only postpaid mobile numbers work in Jammu & Kashmir. At Katra, most mobile networks like Airtel, Vodafone, Jio, Aircel and BSNL work. However, data services may or may not work. At Sanjichat only Airtel and Vodafone's network work well. BSNL works very poorly, and Jio does not work at all. Incase you are lost or lose any of your group members, there is a Public Announcement (PA) system at Bhawan.

April – June
Katra gets quite hot in the summers. Light summer clothes are good. At Sanjichat, there is moderate temperature. A light sweater should be good enough in case you wish to spend the night at Sanjichat.

July – October
Katra and Sanjichat both witness heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. Pilgrims are advised to carry waterproof or warm clothes, raincoats and umbrellas.

November - March
Katra gets as cold as Jammu or Delhi, passengers are advised to carry warm woolen clothes. At Sanjichat, temperatures can be sub zero as there can be heavy snowfall during the month of December, January & February, pilgrims are advised to carry heavy woolen clothing during these times.

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. Maximum liability of the carrier for each passenger shall be INR 20,00,000.00 if the passenger is 12 years or more of age and INR 10,00,000.00 if the passenger is below 12 years of age on the date of the accident.

NO AERIAL PHOTOPGRAPHY
Aerial Photography from Helicopter is illegal and punishable by law and photography at the helipad is strictly prohibited.

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.

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.

INFANTS
Infant below 2 years/10kg are carried free of charge in case of dispute age proof certificate shall prevail.

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
SMVDSB approved cancellation rules shall apply. Please visit www.maavaishnodevi.org for more details