4-Day Vaishno Devi Itinerary in December 2023

1. Day 1: Vaishno Devi Temple
   Located in Trikuta Hills, 12 kilometers from Katra
   Time and Distance from Katra Bus Stand: 2 hours (5 miles)

   In the morning, start your journey to Vaishno Devi Temple and reach Katra by 8:00 AM. From there, you have to take a 2-hour trek to reach the temple. The trek is 12 km long and will take around 4-6 hours. After reaching the temple, take blessings of Maa Vaishno Devi and spend some time exploring the temple complex. Return to Katra by evening.

2. Day 2: Bhairavnath Temple
   Located on Bhairavnath Hill, 1.5 kilometers from Vaishno Devi Temple
   Time and Distance from Vaishno Devi Temple: 30 minutes (1.5 km)

   Start your day early and trek to Bhairavnath Temple located on Bhairavnath Hill. It is an important pilgrimage spot near Vaishno Devi Temple. The trek is 1.5 km long and takes around 30 minutes to reach the top. Spend some time exploring the temple complex and enjoying the scenic views from the hilltop. Return to Vaishno Devi Temple by afternoon.

3. Day 3: Nau Devi Temple and Shiv Khori
   Nau Devi Temple: Located in the town of Katra, 2.5 kilometers from Katra Bus Stand
   Shiv Khori: Located in the Reasi district, 70 kilometers from Katra
   Time and Distance from Katra Bus Stand to Nau Devi Temple: 15 minutes (2.5 km)
   Time and Distance from Nau Devi Temple to Shiv Khori: 3 hours (69.8 km)

   In the morning, visit Nau Devi Temple and offer prayers to the nine goddesses. The temple is located in the town of Katra and is just a 15-minute drive from the bus stand. Spend some time exploring the temple complex before heading to Shiv Khori, a famous cave shrine. The drive from Nau Devi Temple to Shiv Khori takes around 3 hours. Explore the caves and the temple complex before returning to Katra by evening.

4. Day 4: Baba Dhansar and Dera Baba Banda
   Baba Dhansar: Located in Karua Jheel, 17 kilometers from Katra
   Dera Baba Banda: Located in the town of Banda Bahadur, 30 kilometers from Katra
   Time and Distance from Katra to Baba Dhansar: 50 minutes (17 km)
   Time and Distance from Baba Dhansar to Dera Baba Banda: 1 hour (30.8 km)

   Start your day by visiting Baba Dhansar, a beautiful waterfall and a popular picnic spot. The drive to Baba Dhansar from Katra takes around 50 minutes. Spend some time enjoying the scenic beauty of the waterfall before heading to Dera Baba Banda, a Sikh shrine dedicated to Baba Banda Singh Bahadur. The drive from Baba Dhansar to Dera Baba Banda takes around 1 hour. Explore the temple complex and enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding areas before returning to Katra by evening.

Recommendations

If you have some extra time, you can visit the following places:
1. Patnitop: A hill station located 80 kilometers from Katra
2. Sanasar: A scenic meadow located 17 kilometers from Patnitop
3. Jhajjar Kotli: A picnic spot located 35 kilometers from Katra
4. Bahu Fort: A historical fort located in Jammu, 47 kilometers from Katra

To make the most of your trip, try to start your day early and carry enough water and snacks during your trek. It is also recommended to wear comfortable shoes and clothes, especially during your trek to Vaishno Devi Temple and Bhairavnath Temple. Don't forget to carry warm clothes as December can be quite cold in this region.