Jammu & Vaishno Devi
Best time: March to October (avoid peak monsoon landslides on the trek)
Altitude: 5,200 ft (Vaishno Devi shrine)
Jammu is the winter capital of Jammu & Kashmir and, for most of our travellers, the gateway to the Vaishno Devi shrine — one of India's most visited pilgrimage sites. The shrine sits in the Trikuta hills, reached by a roughly 13 km trek (or pony/palki/helicopter) from the base camp at Katra.
Jammu city itself has its own sights worth a day — the Raghunath and Bahu temples, and Mubarak Mandi, the former palace complex of the Dogra rulers — if you're not purely passing through en route to Katra.
Travel tips
- The trek to the shrine is well-paved and lit, manageable for most fitness levels, but allow 6–9 hours round trip walking, less with ponies or a helicopter booking.
- Helicopter tickets for the Katra–Sanjichhat sector sell out early in peak pilgrimage season; book as far ahead as possible if you want to avoid the walk.
- Registration (a free yatra slip) is compulsory before starting the trek and is collected at Katra.
- Katra gets very crowded around major Hindu festivals — expect longer queues at the shrine itself during these periods.