7-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Vaishnav Devi

1. Day 1: Arrive in Jammu
   1 hr (31.1 km) from Vaishnav Devi

   Explore the ancient Bahu Fort and gardens with scenic views of the Tawi river followed by a visit to the Raghunath Temple and Old City Markets.

2. Day 2: Vaishnav Devi Darshan
   1.5 hrs (19.7 km) from Jammu

   Visit the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi, which requires a trek from the base camp at Katra through the scenic mountains. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Vaishno Devi.

3. Day 3: Baba Dhansar and Shiv Khori
   2.5 hrs (65 km) from Vaishnav Devi

   Explore the picturesque Baba Dhansar waterfalls and a serene temple at the foot of the waterfall, followed by a visit to the mystical Shiv Khori cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

4. Day 4: Siar Baba and Patnitop
   3 hrs (82.3 km) from Shiv Khori

   Visit the revered Siar Baba shrine, a unique blend of Islamic and Hindu culture, followed by a scenic drive to the stunning hill station of Patnitop for its natural beauty and adventure activities like paragliding.

5. Day 5: Nathatop and Sanasar Lake
   1 hr (25 km) from Patnitop

   Enjoy the scenic beauty of Nathatop with snow-capped mountains, followed by a visit to the serene and peaceful Sanasar Lake for boating and a picnic amid the lush greenery.

6. Day 6: Bhimgarh Fort and Mansar Lake
   2 hrs (64.4 km) from Nathatop

   Discover the ancient Bhimgarh fort with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, followed by a visit to the enchanting Mansar Lake known for its religious significance and peaceful environment.

7. Day 7: Departure
   2 hrs (64.4 km) from Mansar Lake to Jammu

   It's time to say goodbye to the mesmerising Vaishnav Devi region and head back home with everlasting memories.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Jammu to Vaishnav Devi trek (1 day, no cost)
• Bahu Fort and Gardens (2 hours, free entry)
• Raghunath Temple (1 hour, free entry)
• Shiv Khori cave temple (2 hours, INR 50 per person)
• Siar Baba (1 hour, free entry)
• Paragliding in Patnitop (1-2 hours, INR 3000 per person)
• Nathatop (2 hours, free entry)
• Sanasar Lake (2 hours, boating INR 200 per person)
• Bhimgarh Fort (1 hour, free entry)
• Mansar Lake (1.5 hours, free entry)
• Total Estimated Costs (excluding accommodation and meals): INR 3250 per person

Useful Tips

For a more relaxed itinerary, skip day 3 and swap days 4 and 5. Alternatively, for a longer trip, add on a visit to the hill station of Srinagar. Also, consider starting from Jammu early in the morning to avoid traffic and queues at Vaishnav Devi.