3-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Vaishnodevi in June 2023

1. Day 1: Vaishnodevi Mandir
   Located in Katra, 0.5 km from the hotel

   Morning: Begin your journey to Vaishnodevi Mandir early in the morning to avoid the crowd. The scenic trek is around 14 km long and can take up to 6 hours to complete, depending upon your pace. Stop at Adhkuwari Mata Gufa, which is halfway to the temple. You can have some light refreshment before continuing your journey.

   Afternoon: You will reach the temple by afternoon. Seek blessings from Mata Rani and spend some time in the peaceful surroundings. You can also visit the Bhairavnath Temple, located 1.5 km from the Vaishnodevi Mandir.

   Evening: Return to your hotel after sunset. Relax and rejuvenate after your long and tiring trek.

2. Day 2: Baba Dhansar
   Located in Karua Jheel, 18 km from Katra

   Morning: Start your day early and head to Baba Dhansar. The road trip to the waterfall is picturesque and takes around 1 hour to reach. Take a dip in the holy water of the waterfall and marvel at the natural beauty.

   Afternoon: Visit the Baba Dhansar Temple, located just a few minutes away from the waterfall. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be more than 5000 years old.

   Evening: Enjoy local street food and shopping in Katra. The local markets are famous for their Pashmina shawls, saffron, and prayer mats.

3. Day 3: Vaishnodevi Ardh Kuwari Cave
   Located in Ardh Kuwari Cave, 4 km from Katra

   Morning: Start your day with a visit to the Vaishnodevi Ardh Kuwari Cave. The cave is believed to be the place where Mata Vaishnodevi meditated for 9 months. The trek from Katra to the cave is around 4 km long and takes about 2 hours to complete.

   Afternoon: Visit the Nau Devi Temple, located a few minutes away from the cave. The temple is dedicated to the Nine Goddesses and is believed to be more than 100 years old.

   Evening: Enjoy the sunset at Banganga, located just 1.5 km from the Nau Devi Temple. Banganga is a sacred water spring and is believed to be the place where Mata Vaishnodevi quenched her thirst.

Recommendations

If you have time, you can visit Shivkhori, which is a holy cave located around 80 km from Katra. The cave is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to be more than a million years old. You can also take a day trip to Patnitop, which is a famous hill station located around 80 km from Katra and is known for its scenic beauty and adventure activities like paragliding, skiing, and trekking.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Vaishnodevi Mandir (6 hours, free)
• Baba Dhansar (2 hours, free)
• Vaishnodevi Ardh Kuwari Cave (2 hours, free)
• Street food and shopping (2 hours, INR 500)
• Transportation (INR 1500)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 2000

Check out the link to book your hotel and flight at the best rates.