Offers

Dalhousie - Katra - Patnitop Break(7 Nights)

Pathankot, Dalhousie, Katra, Patnitop, Jammu

for Family Traveller

Holiday Overview

Patnitop in Summer
Sanasar (Photo Courtesy: Hiteshpaarth)
View of the Vaishnodevi from Katra
Snow peak views from Katra
Vaishnodevi (Photo Courtesy: Raju hardoi)
Vaishnodevi Entrance (Photo Courtesy: Abhishek Chandra)
View of Dalhousie
Chamera Lake
Views from Dalhousie Bus Stand

This is a short break itinerary where guests combine a visit to hill stations of Dalhousie and Patnitop with a Vaishnodevi pilgrimage.

Route

Dalhousie(3) - Katra(2) - Patnitop(2)

Summarised Itinerary
  • Day-1 Arrive at Dalhousie. Local Visits.
  • Day-2 Khajjiar, Chamba, Chamera Lake excursion
  • Day-3 Kalatop Excursion / Walk
  • Day-4 Dalhousie - Katra
  • Day-5 Vaishnodevi Darshan
  • Day-6 Katra - Patnitop
  • Day-7 Patnitop and around
  • Day-8 Departure
Sightseeing Summary

Dalhousie - Churches in Dalhousie (3.00 kms), Satdhara (3.00 kms), Barkota Hills (5.00 kms), Kalatop Trek and Paragliding (10.00 kms), Khajjiar Meadows (25.00 kms), Chamera Lake (30.00 kms)

Katra - Ardhkuwari Temple (7.00 kms), Vaishnodevi Temple (13.00 kms), Baba Bhaironath Temple (14.00 kms)

Patnitop - Sudh Mahadev (3.00 kms), Nag Temple Patnitop (5.00 kms), Gauri Kund (15.00 kms), Mantalai (17.00 kms), Sanasar (19.00 kms)

Preferred Arrival /Departure Destination
Arrival - Pathankot Departure - Jammu
Best Season to Travel
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Popular Extensions to the Itinerary

Given an additional night at Amritsar at arrival, one can visit Golden Temple. Given an additional two days guests can also easily add Dharamsala (A renowned Himalayan destination).

Distances
  • Pathankot to Dalhousie -80 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Dalhousie to Katra -230 kms (6.5 hrs)
  • Katra to Patnitop -95 kms (4 hrs)
  • Patnitop to Jammu -110 kms (3.5 hrs)
Route

Pathankot - Dalhousie(3) - Katra(2) - Patnitop(2) - Jammu

Detailed Itinerary

Day-1 Arrive at Dalhousie. Local Visits. Arrive at Pathankot and proceed to Dalhousie (7000+ ft asl - 80 kms - 2.5 hours). Time permitting visit local markets and local places to visit such as Churches in Dalhousie, Panchpula / Sat Dhara (confluence of 7 streams said to have medicinal effect).

Day-2 Khajjiar, Chamba, Chamera Lake excursion Full Day excursion to Khajjiar Meadows (22 kms), Chamba (riverside pilgrim centre at 44 kms from Dalhousie can be visited with Khajjiar) and Chamera Lake (large lake with watersports centre). Enroute visit Barkota hills. Back by late evening.

Day-3 Kalatop Excursion / Walk Explore Kalatope Wildlife Sanctuary (The sanctuary is home to a variety of species including black bears and barking deer, abundant variety of bird life), Dainkund peak etc. Kalatope is an 8 km moderately uphill walk through pine forests. The hilltop offers excellent views of the area around and snow peaks. Paragliding is offered here in Summer. Guests looking to relax and not do walking may just enjoy snow peak views of Dalhousie and relax.

Day-4 Dalhousie - Katra Proceed to Katra (230 kms - 6.5 hrs) via Jammu. Time permitting visit Raghunath Temple at Jammu enroute.

Day-5 Vaishnodevi Darshan Early morning start for Vaishnodevi climb (Total 13 kms walk to the temple that takes about 4-5 hours). Enroute stops at Adhkwari Temple and darshan at Baba Bhaironath Temple is recommended). During Summer and peak travel season it may be advisable to start the climb previous evening. Once queue tickets are purchased the wait period could be half an hour to 3 hours depending on the rush. During season Yatra Parchi (entry tickets required to beging the uphill walk), it is recommended to purchase in advance to avoid delays. Guests looking for Helidarshan (Helicopter ride, darshan and back), morning flights are recommeded for best weather and least uncertainity. Return by late evening.

Day-6 Katra - Patnitop Transfer to Patnitop (95 kms - 3 hrs - 6000 ft asl), a relaxing hill station offering excellent views. Just walk around enjoy views around the area. Evening visit to Sanasar (20 kms - 1 way).

Day-7 Patnitop and around Sightseeing / temple visit options around Patnitop comprise Manatalai, Gauri kund, Sansar (if not visited the previous day), Sudh Mahadev, The Nag Temple etc.

Day-8 Departure Travel to Jammu (112 kms - 3.5 hours). Depart for the onward journey.

Detailed Sightseeing

Dalhousie :

  • Churches in Dalhousie - Dalhousie is gome to four churches i.e. St. Andrews Church, St. Patricks Church, St. Francis Church and St. Johns Church.

  • Satdhara - Satdhara is a confluence of 7 springs which is said to have therapeutic value as they contain mica.

  • Barkota Hills - Bakrota Hills are situated at about 6000 ft asl in the Bakrota hills and is recommended for walks. The area offers excellent snow views.

  • Kalatop Trek and Paragliding - Kalatop is a soft trek ex-Dalhousie, off Khajjiar Route. The is a half day trek is via thick forest and there are excellent Himalayan views on offer on a clear day. Paragliding is on offer during summer at Kalatop.

  • Khajjiar Meadows - Khajjiar is home to natural meadows and a popular excursion and summer hangout place for tourists to Dalhousie. Horse riding is available in summer for kids.

  • Chamera Lake - Chamera lake was formed after building of the Chamera dam and is one of the popular excursions for tourists from Dalhousie. Boating, Speedboating etc. are on offer here.

Katra :

  • Ardhkuwari Temple - Ardhkuwari Temple is located halfway enroute Katra - Vaishnodevi yatra. It is believed that Yatra is incomplete without a Darshan of Ardhkuwari Temple.

  • Vaishnodevi Temple - Vaishnodevi is one of the most visited temples in India. Its accessible via a 13 kms arduous climb or on a palanquin or via a helicopter ride. Enroute to Vaishnodevi temple following temples are also visited by Devotees * Banganga - 01 Km * Charan Paduka - 2.5 Kms * Adhkuwari - 6 Kms * Himkoti - 8.5 kms * Sanjichhat - 9.5 Km * Bhawan - 13.0 Kms * Bhairon Ghati (Via Bhawan) - 14.5 Kms

  • Baba Bhaironath Temple - Baba Bhaironnath Temple is a temple that is visited after Vaishnodevi Darshan. It is believed that the yatra is not complete without the darshan.

Patnitop :

  • Sudh Mahadev - Sudh Mahadevi is nearly 100 year old Shiva temple near Patnitop. The shrine is visited by pilgrims all round the year especially on the full moon night of Shravan month of Hindu Calendar (July-August). Just ahead of Sudh Mahadev is Gouri Kund (A Spring) and Mantalai Forest, both having signficance in mythology linked to Lord Shiva and his wife Goddess Parvati.

  • Nag Temple Patnitop - 600 years old Nag Temple of Patnitop is one of the ancient Hindu temples near Patnitop

  • Gauri Kund - Gauri Kund is a natural spring at 3 kms from Sudh Mahadev temple and is believed to be the place where Goddess Parvati took bath.

  • Mantalai - Mantalai is situated a few kilometers further away from Sudh Mahadev. Mantalai is surrounded by lush deodar forests at an altitude of 6500 ft asl.

  • Sanasar - Sanasar at 19 kms from Patnitop offers cup shaped meadows and conifers and is outermost area of Patnitop. The drive is excellent and provides excellent option for guests arriving in Summer and Autumn to explore. In Winters, it starts to snow in Sanasar, a few days before it does in Patnitop and Sanasar meadows turn into a point where guests arrive for some fun with snow.

Destination Overview

Jammu - Jammu is a point of access for visiting Vaishnodevi Temple, which is 13 km walk from Katra (50 km from Jammu) and home to Raghunath Temple.

Pathankot - Pathankot / Chakki Bank is a popular access point to access Dharamsala, Dalhousie, Pong Dam and Kangra Valley Temples.

Dalhousie - Dalhousie (6700 ft) is a British-era hill Station and a weekend getaway destination. Dalhousie is known for its very good Himalayan views and still retains a quaint, idyllic, offbeat character.

Katra - Katra, is base town to visit Vaishno Devi temple which is 13 kms walk (or a helicopter ride) away from here.

Patnitop - Patnitop (112 km from Jammu) is a stopover on the Jammu/Katra - Pahalgam Route in summer (Apr-Oct) and visited by locals in winter (Jan-Mar) for a snow experience

Access
Prefered Arrival : No ImagePathankotNo ImagePathankot
Prefered Departure : No ImageJammuNo ImageJammu
Distances
  • Pathankot to Dalhousie -80 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Dalhousie to Katra -230 kms (6.5 hrs)
  • Katra to Patnitop -95 kms (4 hrs)
  • Patnitop to Jammu -110 kms (3.5 hrs)

Ready Cost estimate for this itinerary is not available.

However Nivalink would be able to readily offer a cost estimate or customise the itinerary as per specific requirements.

All Nivalink packages offer a Quality Assurance for superior recommendations and hassle free travel experience.

Call 022-6150 6363 to speak to our travel planner or email hp-10@nivalink.co.in to connect with our travel planner for details on the itinerary: Dalhousie - Katra - Patnitop Break.

Email to expert@nivalink.co.in to connect with sector expert for specific ideas and recommendations.

Travel Ideas incorporated in the itinerary

Vaishnodevi Darshan

Katra (50 kms from Jammu) is visited for Vaishnodevi temple and the town is base camp for visiting more

Lines indicate the best available driving routes.
Arrows indicate connectivity other than Road (e.g. Waterways or Air).
Please click on the markers for more detailed Information.

Distances
  • Pathankot to Dalhousie -80 kms (2.5 hrs)
  • Dalhousie to Katra -230 kms (6.5 hrs)
  • Katra to Patnitop -95 kms (4 hrs)
  • Patnitop to Jammu -110 kms (3.5 hrs)

Expert Speak

This is recommended for guests in Winter and Summer, looking to mix Vaishnodevi pilgrimage with some leisure / hill station.

Expert Connect

Nivalink has taken over 300 trips across India and select destinations overseas over last 10 years to verify hotels, evaluate destinations and understand its suitability with different profiles of customers across different seasons.

At Nivalink you are able to connect directly with experts who have travelled to these destinations and are able to offer novel ideas, honest perspectives and help you narrow down choices.

Email to expert@nivalink.co.in to connect with sector expert for specific ideas and recommendations.

All Holidays /Jammu and Kashmir - Punjab - Himachal Pradesh/ Holidays for Jammu and Kashmir - Punjab - Himachal Pradesh/Dalhousie - Katra - Patnitop Break