Quick Answer
How do I book a helicopter or pony for Kedarnath Yatra?
Kedarnath helicopters must be booked through the official government portal heliservices.uk.gov.in — prices are ₹7,500–10,000 per person one way from Phata or Guptkashi. Ponies are hired on-site at Gaurikund (₹2,500–4,500 one way) from the official pony stand. No advance booking for ponies — arrive before 8 AM in peak season. Palki (carried chair) and pitthoo (back porter) are also available at Gaurikund for senior citizens or those unable to trek or ride. All vehicles (including taxis) must drop passengers at Sonprayag; a mandatory government shuttle covers the final 5 km to Gaurikund for ₹50–100 per person.
- Helicopter (one way)
- ₹7,500 – ₹10,000 · Book: heliservices.uk.gov.in
- Pony (one way)
- ₹2,500 – ₹4,500 · Hired at Gaurikund
- Palki round trip
- ₹12,000 – ₹22,000
- Trek distance
- 16 km from Gaurikund, 5–6 hours
- Govt shuttle
- Sonprayag → Gaurikund · ₹50–100 per person
Uttarakhand Cab 24/7 — Concierge Guide 2026
After The Road Ends
Helicopter,
Pony & Trek
Guide 2026
Our taxi takes you to the road-end. Here's everything you need to know about the final leg — helicopter, pony, palki, pitthoo, and the mandatory Sonprayag shuttle.
What we do and don't do: We brief your driver on local logistics, answer questions on WhatsApp during your journey, and point you to the right queues. Helicopter seats must be booked directly through the government portal. Ponies are hired on-site.
First: The Mandatory Sonprayag Shuttle
No private vehicle — including our taxi — is permitted to drive beyond Sonprayag to Gaurikund. This is a government restriction enforced by checkpost. All pilgrims must take the official shuttle for the final 5 km.
Route
Sonprayag → Gaurikund
Distance
~5 km
Cost
₹50–100 per person
Your driver will drop you at the shuttle boarding point and ensure you know which queue to join. The shuttle runs continuously and wait times are usually under 20 minutes.
Kedarnath — 16 km from Gaurikund
Your Options at Gaurikund
Four ways to cover the 16 km, 1,468 m elevation gain to the temple. Choose based on fitness, budget, and time available.
Helicopter
Phata / Guptkashi → Kedarnath
Journey Time
8 minutes
Best For
Senior citizens
2026 Price Range
₹7,500 – ₹10,000 per person one-way
Book online only at heliservices.uk.gov.in — seats fill months in advance during peak season (May–June, September–October). Return helicopter must also be pre-booked separately.
Book at heliservices.uk.gov.inTips from our drivers
- Book both onward and return at the same time — return seats sell out independently
- Check-in at helipad 30 minutes before departure with your ticket QR code and government ID
- Weight limit per passenger: usually 80 kg including luggage — confirm at booking
- Flights cancel in bad weather with no warning; have a pony booking as backup if flying in monsoon season
Pony / Horse (Ghoda)
Gaurikund → Kedarnath
Journey Time
4–5 hours one way
Best For
Pilgrims unable to trek
2026 Price Range
₹2,500 – ₹4,500 one-way · ₹5,000 – ₹8,000 return
Hired directly at Gaurikund from the official pony stand — no advance booking. Arrive early (before 8 AM) in peak season for shortest queues. Prices are government-regulated and displayed at the stand.
Tips from our drivers
- Arrive at Gaurikund before 8 AM in peak season — pony availability drops fast by mid-morning
- Negotiate politely; prices are displayed at the official stand and are not negotiable beyond that
- Your driver can guide you to the official pony stand immediately after the Sonprayag shuttle drop-off
- Return pony can be arranged at the temple top — the pony handler will wait if pre-agreed
Palki / Doli
Gaurikund → Kedarnath (carried by bearers)
Journey Time
5–7 hours one way
Best For
Senior citizens who cannot ride a pony
2026 Price Range
₹12,000 – ₹22,000 round trip (4 bearers)
Arranged at Gaurikund. Four bearers carry you in a traditional chair (palki). More comfortable than a pony on the steep upper section but significantly more expensive.
Tips from our drivers
- Confirm the full round-trip rate and number of rest stops before starting
- Bearers will need food and rest breaks — build extra time into your schedule
- We advise booking palki for the ascent and pony for the descent if budget allows
Pitthoo (Back Porter)
Gaurikund → Kedarnath
Journey Time
6–8 hours one way
Best For
Pilgrims who cannot walk or ride but prefer a more personal arrangement than palki
2026 Price Range
₹5,000 – ₹9,000 round trip
A pitthoo carries the pilgrim on their back in a special harness. Available at Gaurikund. Physically intensive for the porter — agree on rest frequency and total price upfront.
Tips from our drivers
- Government-registered pitthoos wear identification badges — verify before hiring
- Agree on rest stops, water breaks, and return arrangements before setting off
- Not recommended in heavy rain — path becomes slippery and risk to bearer increases
All 4 Dhams — Road-End Summary
What happens when our taxi reaches the end of the driveable road at each dham.
Yamunotri
6 km TrekRoad ends at: Hanuman Chatti or Janki Chatti
Trek: 5–6 km from Janki Chatti
Pony or Doli (palanquin) available at Janki Chatti. No helicopter service to Yamunotri.
Trek is shorter and easier than Kedarnath. Most pilgrims walk it. Pony: ₹1,500–₹3,000 one way.
Gangotri
No TrekRoad ends at: Gangotri town (vehicle access all the way)
Trek: None — temple is at the roadhead
No porter or pony needed. Our taxi drops you directly at the temple steps.
Altitude is 3,048 m — walk slowly, carry water, rest if lightheaded.
Kedarnath
16 km TrekRoad ends at: Sonprayag / Gaurikund
Trek: 16 km from Gaurikund (elevation gain: 1,468 m)
Helicopter, pony, palki, pitthoo, or trek. See full guide above.
Most challenging of the four dhams. Plan your option before departure.
Badrinath
No TrekRoad ends at: Badrinath town (vehicle access all the way)
Trek: None — temple is accessible by road
No porter or pony needed. Our taxi drops you at the temple gate.
Altitude is 3,133 m. May need acclimatisation after Kedarnath.
What We Do For You
We're a taxi service, not a tour operator. Here's exactly where our involvement helps.
We Do
Brief your driver on local logistics at each road-end before departure
Guide you to the official pony stand / shuttle boarding point on arrival
Answer questions on WhatsApp during the journey (our team monitors bookings)
Alert you to route closures, checkpost requirements, and timing changes
Help with itinerary adjustment if a shrine visit runs long or weather delays you
Advise on helicopter backup options if flights cancel
We Don't
Book helicopter seats on your behalf — only heliservices.uk.gov.in can do this
Guarantee pony or palki availability — these are hired on-site
Have staff physically present at Gaurikund or temple checkposts
Book hotels, dharamshalas, or meals (see our Cab + Stay packages)
Provide medical support — your Travel Kit includes emergency contacts and nearest facilities
Common Questions
Also useful for your Yatra
Questions Before You Go?
WhatsApp Us
Anytime
Our team is available 24/7 during Char Dham season. If you're mid-journey and need guidance on the next step — helicopter timing, pony stand location, shuttle queue — message us and we'll respond immediately.