Today, in the early morning you will move out from Dehradun and you will arrive at the Sahastradhara Helipad. You will be welcomed by our team who will provide you briefing about the overview of entire trip, safety protocols, full day itinerary briefing showing where to travel to the Yamunotri temple, how to collect your Prasad from Surya Kund and the procedures surrounding it, as well as details regarding the altitude and trek conditions you will face during your trip. This helicopter ride is 45-55 mins of flying in the air from Sahastradhara Helipad to Kharsali. The views which you will encounter during this journey will put you in awe. Our devotees have shared quite positive and hearty experiences. Maybe, for the first time ever in your life you will witness something so real, an exceptional aerial view of the pilgrim’s transition from an urban man-made sphere to the Himalayas’ sacred mountains. You’ll see the Doon Valley drop away into the Shivalik foothills and then reach the majestic Garhwal region of the Himalayas. After your helicopter descent onto the Kharsali helipad, you’ll have an approximately six-kilometer trek leading you to the Yamunotri temple. As you go on this trek the view changes continuously from the wild flowers growing wildly between boulders to the rocky path through the dense forest and hear numerous beautiful birds in the valley below.

You will arrive at the Yamunotri temple around lunch time. There are a few steps we would like to recommend after your arrival at the holy Yamontroi temple. First and foremost, you must take a dip in the Gauri Kund which is a  natural spring with water temperature between 35°C and 40°C. This spring is believed to be blessed by Goddess Gauri, to cleanse your body prior to visiting the temple. Second, you must also pay a visit to Surya Kund. It is a unique experience, because of a hot spring adjacent to the Yamunotri Temple. Devotees cook their own prasad in the Surya kund such as  rice and potatoes to cook their wrapped in cloth bundles in this spring. Third, you must also witness Divya Shila which is a sacred rock pillar located very close to surya kund. Visiting these symbolizes the ceremonial opening to the entire Yamunotri. Lastly, your ultimate visit to the Yamunotri Temple. As you enter the temple, you will see a black marble statue of goddess Yamuna within the inner sanctum. You must offer prayers and have some time for internal reflection regarding all of your burdens and all that you have come to release at the head of the Sacred River. We also recommend that you can bring the holy water of river Ganga from the Ganges River or Yamunotri water from the source of the Yamuna River. You may collect it in collected in a copper vessel because they consider it very sacred and cleansing.  The prasad you cook at Yamunotri is rice and potatoes that are cooked in the volcanic earth’s heat. This food is first offered to the goddess and then you can also share with your family and friends the blessings of sacred experience.  

The same beautiful trail back to Kharsali from Yamunotri continues in the same manner. You should arrive in Kharsali before late afternoon, giving you time to visit the Shani Dev Temple in the village. The temple is one of the oldest and most important Shani temples in India, housing a large black stone idol representing Shani and serves as a focal point for worshippers who seek help with difficulties related to Saturn as well as karmic issues that may be blocking their path. Overnight stay at Kharsali Village, enjoy authentic Gharwali meal for dinner. 

We suggest that this last morning in the sacred Kharsali village be your best one. By waking up at the break of dawn when everything is calm and silent. Awake to mountain mornings at 2,675m with the clear morning light making the mountains bright. Early morning prayers at Shani Dev Temple will be indeed the most heart enriching and fulfilling. Then take a walk and explore the valley. After enjoying a body nourishing traditional breakfast, After having a wholesome traditional breakfast, you can walk in the ancient Kharsali lanes. The helicopter is generally scheduled to fly back from Kharsali to Dehradun  around 9 or 10am. The return flight is 45 to 55 minutes and will land you at Sahastradhara Helipad in Dehradun.  Our team will be there to assist you with all the details or provide comfortable transportation to your chosen destination, whether it is the railway station, airport or your Dehradun hotel, based on your travel plan.  

This is additional, but just in case if you plan to spend a few hours in Dehradun, we are happy to help you with some great experiences and places. This city has an extraordinary beauty with its big and magnificent old architectural structure and it has a charm of being a little slow and unhurried. So therefore, it is appreciated and enjoyed by everyone who has visited there. In this city you will also witness some ancient and colonial style infrastructure. There are many reputed schools and institutions in the area such as Doon School, Survey of India, and Forest Research Institute. It is constructed with an Indo-Saracenic style structure set in the 450-acre rain forest. And as compared to the fast paced life in Delhi or Mumbai or Hyderabad, Dehradun surely feels like a fresh breath of air.  Did you know? The Forest Research Institute is one of the most beautiful buildings built in colonial times. It has the world’s oldest forestry museum and is surrounded by ancient and deliberate and tranquil forests.  The best way to explore dehradun is on foot. Also, if you are someone who loves mountain food, you must indulge yourself with some authentic cafes and food overlooking himalayas.