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₹3,100 Helicopter Ride Turns Siliguri-Sikkim Journey Into a 30-Minute Himalayan Experience
A helicopter journey between West Bengal and Sikkim is drawing attention online after travel vlogger Shaik Mehaboob Ali showcased what he described as an unexpectedly affordable way to experience air travel across the North-East.
In a recent Instagram reel, Ali documented his journey from Siliguri, West Bengal, to Burtuk Helipad in Sikkim, travelling with Accretion Aviation. According to the travel vlogger, the helicopter ride costs around ₹3,100 and cuts a journey that can otherwise take nearly seven hours by road over approximately 220 km to just 30 minutes in the air.
Ali introduces the experience as a “new experience of India”, highlighting that helicopter travel is not necessarily limited to wealthy travellers. He describes the service as a combination of speed, comfort and Himalayan sightseeing, allowing passengers to avoid the winding mountain roads while enjoying uninterrupted views of the landscape.
The reel shows Ali boarding a Skyone Airways helicopter, registration VT-JJA, before settling into his seat with noise-cancelling headphones. After take-off from the Siliguri/Bagdogra area, the landscape rapidly changes from the plains to the spectacular mountain terrain of the Himalayas.
A major attraction is the helicopter’s low-altitude perspective. Through its panoramic windows, passengers can see snow-covered peaks, valleys, winding rivers and rugged mountain landscapes from a much closer vantage point than on a conventional commercial flight.
Ali repeatedly describes the ride as a “best luxury experience” for budget-conscious travellers, stressing that a journey that normally consumes most of a day can be completed in roughly half an hour.
The reel has also triggered considerable curiosity among viewers. Several users asked how to contact the operator, while others pointed out that helicopter services are also available on routes such as Chandigarh–Shimla–Kullu and Guwahati–Tawang. Some commenters, however, claimed that the contact number shown in the video was difficult to reach, potentially reflecting strong demand.
According to the vlog, Accretion Aviation operates across multiple Indian states, with booking/contact details displayed at the end of the video. Ali also mentions that the service operates on a one-passenger-at-a-time basis, adding to its personalised character.
For Ali, who says he has travelled across 26 of India’s 28 states and visited countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Nepal and Thailand, the helicopter ride represents another unusual travel experience.
With its combination of affordability, speed and spectacular Himalayan views, the viral reel has renewed interest in helicopter tourism and regional air connectivity, particularly for travellers looking to replace long mountain road journeys with a faster and more scenic alternative.
NGTV ENGLISH | Travel & Tourism
