Amarnath Yatra helicopter booking
Why there was no helicopter in 2025 or 2026, what the service cost when it last ran, and how to plan the yatra now.
- Helicopter in 2026
- Not operated
- Yatra 2026
- 3 July to 28 August
- Last fare (2024)
- ₹3,250 one way
- Panjtarni to cave
- About 6 km
Amarnath helicopter: the short answer
No. For the 2026 yatra (3 July to 28 August), Government Order 321-HOME of 2026 made the Baltal and Pahalgam routes no-fly zones, and helicopters did not operate; the same happened in 2025. The last season with helicopters was 2024, when Neelgrath to Panjtarni cost ₹3,250 one way and Pahalgam to Panjtarni ₹4,900.
Until 2024, pilgrims could fly from Neelgrath near Baltal, or from Pahalgam, to Panjtarni, then cover the last 6 km to the holy cave on foot, by pony or by palki.
After the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, the whole corridor was closed to flying for the 2025 yatra, including drones and balloons. It was closed again for 2026, from 1 July until the yatra ended.
Bookings, when the service runs, are made only on the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board website after yatra registration. Private charters were allowed only between Srinagar and Neelgrath, never to the cave.
The 2026 yatra drew more than 4.8 lakh pilgrims. Whether helicopters return in 2027 depends on the government's security order for that season.
Sources:Zee News, Jun 2026: Baltal and Pahalgam routes declared no-fly zonesNews Arena, Jun 2026: Amarnath corridor no-fly zoneTribune, Jun 2025: no helicopter service for Amarnath YatraOutlook Traveller, 2024: Amarnath helicopter bookings and faresIndia TV, Apr 2026: Amarnath Yatra 2026 scheduleFree Press Journal, Aug 2026: Amarnath Yatra 2026 concludes
Amarnath helicopter service, 2019 to 2026
| Year | Helicopter service | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Ran | Neelgrath to Panjtarni ₹1,804 and Pahalgam to Panjtarni ₹3,104 one way; operators Global Vectra and Himalayan Heli (Neelgrath) and UTair India (Pahalgam) |
| 2024 | Ran | Neelgrath to Panjtarni ₹3,250 one way, ₹6,500 return; Pahalgam to Panjtarni ₹4,900 one way, ₹9,800 return; yatra 29 June to 19 August |
| 2025 | Suspended | No-fly zone on all routes from 1 July to 10 August after the April Pahalgam attack |
| 2026 | Suspended | Order 321-HOME of 2026 made Baltal and Pahalgam no-fly zones from 1 July until the yatra ended on 28 August |
Sources:Kashmir Life, 2019: Amarnath helicopter booking and operatorsOutlook Traveller, 2024: Amarnath helicopter bookings and faresTribune, Jun 2025: no helicopter service for Amarnath YatraZee News, Jun 2026: Baltal and Pahalgam routes declared no-fly zonesNews Arena, Jun 2026: Amarnath corridor no-fly zoneIndia TV, Apr 2026: Amarnath Yatra 2026 schedule
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
Amarnath Yatra registration rules (2026)
- Pilgrims must be aged 13 to 70.
- Women more than six weeks pregnant cannot register.
- A compulsory health certificate (CHC) from an authorised doctor, dated on or after 8 April 2026.
- A permit fee of ₹150 and Aadhaar biometric eKYC.
- Registration opened on 15 April 2026 at 554 bank branches and online, closing 7 days before the chosen date.
- Every registered pilgrim carries an RFID card.
Sources:Deccan Chronicle, Apr 2026: Amarnath Yatra 2026 registrationBusiness Standard, Apr 2026: Amarnath registration step by stepShri Amarnathji Shrine Board, official site
The two routes to the holy cave
About 14 km, the shorter route. In helicopter years, flights ran from Neelgrath near Baltal to Panjtarni.
About 48 km, the longer traditional route. In helicopter years, flights ran from Pahalgam to Panjtarni.
About 6 km on foot, by pony or by palki. Only helicopters carrying high-level dignitaries land near the cave.
Sources:India TV, Apr 2026: Amarnath Yatra 2026 scheduleTribune, 2022: chopper routes for Amarnath pilgrims
What you can book instead
Flying into Srinagar is the quickest way to start the Baltal route. Altivo Jets arranges private jets to Srinagar and Jammu for families and groups, and the road transfer from the airport.
If the government lifts the no-fly order for a future yatra, the helicopter will again be booked only on the Shrine Board website, and charters will again be limited to Srinagar and Neelgrath. We will update this page as soon as the 2027 order is published.
Sources:Outlook Traveller, 2024: Amarnath helicopter bookings and faresShri Amarnathji Shrine Board, official site
Aircraft for the trip to Srinagar
Light and midsize jets fly Delhi to Srinagar non-stop; groups take a larger jet.
Bombardier Challenger 300 / 350 / 3500
3 on charter in India
Operators that flew the yatra
Operators that ran Amarnath helicopter routes in earlier years.
Neelgrath to Panjtarni since 2010
Neelgrath to Panjtarni in 2019
Sources:Global Vectra Helicorp: helicopter pilgrimagesKashmir Life, 2019: Amarnath helicopter booking and operators
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistIs Amarnath helicopter booking open?+
No. Helicopters did not operate in 2025 or 2026 because the yatra routes were declared no-fly zones.
When will Amarnath helicopter booking start for 2027?+
Only if the government lifts the no-fly order. The 2027 yatra dates and any helicopter booking would be announced by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.
What did the Amarnath helicopter cost?+
In 2024, the last year it ran: ₹3,250 one way from Neelgrath to Panjtarni and ₹4,900 one way from Pahalgam to Panjtarni.
How do I book the Amarnath helicopter when it runs?+
Online on the Shrine Board website, after completing yatra registration. Booking is first come, first served.
Can a private helicopter fly to the Amarnath cave?+
No. In helicopter years, charters were allowed only between Srinagar and Neelgrath, and only helicopters with high-level dignitaries land near the cave.
How far is the cave from Panjtarni?+
About 6 km, on foot, by pony or by palki.
What are the age limits for the Amarnath Yatra?+
13 to 70 years, with a compulsory health certificate.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 13 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.Zee News, Jun 2026: Baltal and Pahalgam routes declared no-fly zones
- 2.News Arena, Jun 2026: Amarnath corridor no-fly zone
- 3.Tribune, Jun 2025: no helicopter service for Amarnath Yatra
- 4.Outlook Traveller, 2024: Amarnath helicopter bookings and fares
- 5.India TV, Apr 2026: Amarnath Yatra 2026 schedule
- 6.Free Press Journal, Aug 2026: Amarnath Yatra 2026 concludes
- 7.Kashmir Life, 2019: Amarnath helicopter booking and operators
- 8.Deccan Chronicle, Apr 2026: Amarnath Yatra 2026 registration
- 9.Business Standard, Apr 2026: Amarnath registration step by step
- 10.Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, official site
- 11.Tribune, 2022: chopper routes for Amarnath pilgrims
- 12.Global Vectra Helicorp: helicopter pilgrimages
Plan travel to Srinagar for the yatra.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.