The first day of the trip will be dedicated to visiting the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi. Considered to be the abode of the Hindu goddess, Vaishno Devi, this shrine attracts millions of pilgrims every year. It requires at least a day to complete the trek to the temple and back. The beautiful trek to the shrine is around 9.5km long and is a must-visit place for all devotees of the goddess.
The second day will be spent at the beautiful hill-station of Patnitop. Surrounded by tall conifers and a serene landscape, it is a popular destination for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. The must-visit places in Patnitop include Nathatop, Madhatop and Sanasar Lake. The distances between these places are small, so one can cover all of them easily.
On the third day, explore the beautiful city of Jammu. There is a lot to see in Jammu, including the Raghunath Temple, which is one of the largest temple complexes of North India, and the Bahu Fort, which offers a scenic view of the Tawi river. If you are interested in history, the Amar Mahal Palace Museum is a good place to visit.
If you have more time, you can add a visit to Shivkhori, which is a very popular cave shrine located around 80km from Katra. The cave complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated in a dense forest area. Moreover, if you are visiting during May, make sure to carry sunscreen and light cotton clothes as it gets very hot during the day. If you have less time, skip Patnitop and spend an extra day in Jammu city exploring Raghunath Temple and the Bahu Fort.