6-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Vaishnodevi, Katra, and Dalhousie in June 2023

1. Day 1: Vaishnodevi
   1 hour 30 minutes (30.7 miles) from Jammu Airport

   Start your journey with a visit to the holy shrine of Vaishnodevi. Begin with a morning trek to the temple, which takes around 4 hours. Afternoon could be spent exploring nearby attractions such as Adkuwari Temple and Bhairavnath Temple. In the evening, attend the mesmerizing Sound and Light show at Kalika Bhavan.

2. Day 2: Katra
   1 hour 10 minutes (25.7 miles) from Vaishnodevi

   Begin your day with a visit to the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and then head to the Holy Shrine of Baba Dhansar. In the afternoon, visit the famous Banganga Temple and the serene Himkoti viewpoint. In the evening, indulge in some shopping at the local markets and enjoy a delicious dinner at one of the local restaurants.

3. Day 3: Dalhousie
   3 hours 30 minutes (87.5 miles) from Katra

   Start off early to reach the beautiful hill station of Dalhousie. Spend your morning exploring the picturesque Khajjiar Lake and the Khajji Nag Temple. In the afternoon, visit the famous Panchpula waterfall and the scenic Dainkund Peak. In the evening, relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the hill station.

4. Day 4: Dalhousie
   20 minutes (5.6 miles) from Dalhousie

   Begin your day with a visit to the Chamera Lake and then explore the St. John's Church. In the afternoon, visit the beautiful Kalatop Wildlife Reserve and then head to the Rang Mahal Palace for a glimpse into the history of the region. In the evening, enjoy a sunset walk in the local markets and try some local delicacies.

5. Day 5: Katra
   3 hours 30 minutes (87.5 miles) from Dalhousie

   Start your day by visiting the famous Vaishno Devi Temple and then head to the Bhairavnath Temple. In the afternoon, visit the serene and peaceful Baba Dhansar Temple. In the evening, enjoy some shopping and try some delicious local cuisine.

6. Day 6: Departure
   1 hour 30 minutes (30.7 miles) from Katra

   Spend your last morning exploring the local markets and trying some more local delicacies. Depart for Jammu Airport in the afternoon with memories of a wonderful trip to cherish forever.

Recommendations

Consider visiting the Bhimgarh Fort, the Kali Mata Temple and the Shivkhori Temple on your way to Vaishnodevi. Also, consider taking a side trip to the beautiful hill station of McLeod Ganj while in Dalhousie. To maximize your fun, try participating in adventure sports such as paragliding and ziplining in Khajjiar. Don't forget to carry comfortable walking shoes and warm clothes for the chilly mountain weather.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Vaishnodevi Temple (4 hours, Free)
• Adkuwari Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Bhairavnath Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Sound and Light show at Kalika Bhavan (1 hour, INR 50)
• Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (2 hours, Free)
• Baba Dhansar Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Banganga Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Himkoti viewpoint (1 hour, Free)
• Khajjiar Lake (2 hours, INR 50)
• Khajji Nag Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Panchpula waterfall (1 hour, Free)
• Dainkund Peak (2 hours, Free)
• Chamera Lake (1 hour, INR 100)
• St. John's Church (1 hour, Free)
• Kalatop Wildlife Reserve (2 hours, INR 250)
• Rang Mahal Palace (1 hour, INR 100)
• Bhairavnath Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Baba Dhansar Temple (1 hour, Free)
• Shopping and food (2 hours, INR 500)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 1050