Taxi or train + helicopter
Skip the winding roads: get to Haldwani by taxi (or night train), then fly a small helicopter to Almora. Half an hour over the ridges.
Helicopter from Dehradun
The fastest way from Rishikesh: half an hour to Dehradun airport, then a helicopter straight to Almora.
Train from Ajmer + helicopter
The same train from Ajmer to Kathgodam, and instead of three hours of hairpin bends, a small helicopter to Almora. Not faster, but no motion sickness.
Kathgodam · Haldwani Almora Delhi Kasar Devi · Chabad HouseKasar - Taxi from Delhi to Haldwani (leave at 5:00)~6 hrs · [price per car]
- Heritage helicopter to Almora (12:15)~30 min · ₹3,000 · up to 5 kg of luggage
- Taxi from the helipad to the Chabad House~30 min · [price]
Dehradun Airport Almora Rishikesh Kasar Devi · Chabad HouseKasar - Taxi to Dehradun airport30 min · [price]
- Pawan Hans helicopter to Almora (08:30, Mon–Sat)55 min · ₹4,989
- Taxi from the helipad to the Chabad House~30 min · [price]
Kathgodam · Haldwani Almora Pushkar Kasar Devi · Chabad HouseKasar - Train from Ajmer to Kathgodam (13:15)16 hrs · ₹410–1,080
- Heritage helicopter to Almora (11:15)~30 min · ₹3,000 · up to 5 kg of luggage
- Taxi from the helipad to the Chabad House~30 min · [price]
How it's done
- Delhi → Haldwani (Gaulapar helipad) Leave at 5:00 · about 6 hours · [price per car]
- Haldwani → Almora Heritage Aviation · 11:15 or 12:15 · ₹3,000 · up to 5 kg of luggage Book ahead and check the day before: bad weather cancels flights. Book on Heritage
- Almora helipad → Chabad House About half an hour · [price] Send us your landing time and we'll help you get a taxi.
- Delhi → Kathgodam Ranikhet Express · 22:05 → 05:05 · Sleeper ₹205, 3AC ₹520 Book on 12Go IRCTC 12Go takes foreign cards. IRCTC needs an account.
- Haldwani → Almora Morning flight, 11:15 · ₹3,000 You have a few hours before the flight: have breakfast in Haldwani. Book on Heritage
- Almora helipad → Chabad House About half an hour · [price] Send us your landing time and we'll help you get a taxi.
- Rishikesh → Dehradun airport 30 minutes · [price]
- Dehradun → Almora Pawan Hans · six days a week · 08:30 → 09:25 · about ₹5,000 In the monsoon, the route is sometimes suspended. Check that it's running. Book on Pawan Hans
- Almora helipad → Chabad House About half an hour · [price] Send us your landing time and we'll help you get a taxi.
- Pushkar → Ajmer railway station About 15 km · half an hour · [price]
- Ajmer → Kathgodam Ranikhet Express 15013 · 13:15 → 05:05 next day · Sleeper ₹410, 3AC ₹1,080 Book on 12Go IRCTC 12Go takes foreign cards. IRCTC needs an account.
- Haldwani → Almora Morning flight, 11:15 · ₹3,000 You have a few hours before the flight: have breakfast in Haldwani. Book on Heritage
- Almora helipad → Chabad House About half an hour · [price] Send us your landing time and we'll help you get a taxi.
Last stop: the Chabad House, Kasar Devi Road, near Jungle Guest House. Open in Maps
Taxis and numbers
Tell them the Chabad House sent youThese numbers are listed online, and we haven't ridden with all of them yet. Agree on the price before you set off. [the Chabad House will swap in drivers it trusts]
Good to know
With a big backpack, the helicopter is less of a fit: over 5 kg, you pay per kilo.
Flight canceled? Plan B: a jeep or taxi from Haldwani, 3–3.5 hours.
Heritage Aviation: +91 70114 09488 (also WhatsApp), reservation@heritageaviation.in
Plan B if there's no flight: the night train from Haridwar, or a direct taxi.
Pawan Hans: helpline 9217409003, rcs@pawanhans.co.in
With a big backpack, the helicopter is less of a fit: over 5 kg, you pay per kilo.
Flight canceled? Plan B: a jeep or taxi from Haldwani, 3–3.5 hours.
Other routes
Each route has its own page, with a map, times, prices and how to book.
- Easiest · No changes Direct taxi 9–12 hours ₹4,700–6,900 per car Map and details
- Recommended · Good value Night train + jeep 10–11 hours ₹500–1,600 per person Map and details
- Cheapest Night bus About 12.5 hours From ₹655 per person Map and details
- Fastest Flight + taxi 5–6 hours Flight + ₹2,500–3,500 Map and details