Katra To Pahalgam Travel Information required

I want to go Pahalgam on 27.03.2012. So from where should i go? Katra or Jammu? I will prefer to go through bus. We are 5 peoples. Which car is available there? And what are the charges per kilometer or hour?

Your only alternative would be Jammu, if planning to go by bus as there is no bus going to Pahalgam from Katra!

Hello Prakaant,
Thanks for your reply. If i hire a private car for 5 peoples then how much will it cost?

Sorry, no idea for this year!
but

Last year it was Rs 3600 for Srinagar to Jammu drop (Rs 515 per seat on share basis)*.

Tavera, Scorpio and Qualis were charging Rs 2200/- per day (disposal basis, whatever it means) *.


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* Rates quoted from Rate-chart by State Transport Authority, Govt of Jammu & Kashmir

Hi.. Prakant..
We are 17 members including 7 children planning for Kashmir Tour starting with Mata Darshan in 17May 2012..
We are reaching at Katra on 17th May by 4.00 Pm..... And planning for darshan at 18morning by helicopter if get ticktes... Then by afternoon we will start for srinagar... So I want to know how much time it takes by car to reach from Katra to srinagar ??? at what time earliest we should live from katra so that we can reach srinagar safely intime at night. As our tour starts from srinagar.. We heard that we have to cross some border or check post by 6.00 pm is it true??? Is there any agent you know who do booking for helicoper privately if we don't get ticktet online... Pls reply..

Hi Tejas,

No need to worry. You can easily reach Srinagar from Katra within 7 hours (Maximum) in hired vehicle.
The Banihal Tunnel gets closed in the evening but I'm not sure about the timings. But try to start early so that you can reach Srinagar before 6 pm.

In continuation what Dhrubatara has mentioned in the earlier post, I wish to add the following: The better option would be to stay either at Katra or Jammu in the night and start early in the morning for Srinagar.

It would avoid your night journey and you could see the beauty of valley during day time.
You would have to cross Banihal Tunnel also known as Jawahar Tunnel before reaching Anantnag. Earlier I was under impression that one has to cross the tunnel before 6 PM. But latter, one visitor had posted on this Forum that he could pass the tunnel during late evening also!

BTW, I would be visiting Jammu next week for darshan, then, hopefully, I could give more update on this once I return!
Sorry, I do not have any idea regarding any agent for the purpose.

I have seen people getting tickets online, if tried early in the morning on the day it opens!!

Hi... Prakant...
Thanks...
Can you tell me for booking helicopter we have to use maavaishnodevi.org or else.... I have got login/pass but could not able to login.... Any other website pls rely...

There is latest update!

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board has revamped the official website and all the previously done registrations are void now! You would be required to again register yourself by reaching here and clicking on New User? Sign Up.

Then, you would be required to reach Helicopter Service to do the booking.

Now, everything has become (seems to be) more organized!

I did contact the Taxi Association Office located at Jammu Taxi Stand, Opposite Railway station on 02-April-2012. They outright refused to go to Srinagar at 2 PM.

If insisted to leave, they say, the night halt would be required to be done at Patnitop if started after 1 PM from Jammu, though they could not give any specific reason!

Hence, I would had preferred morning start from Jammu!

HI... Prakaant
Thanks.
Can you pls tell us how much early we have to reach to catch helicopter, like 30mins/20mins at katra.....
Does we get Doli only for return by evening time??? We heard that there are some small car running?? Is that available at evening or night time while returning...

HI... Prakaant
Thanks.
Can you pls tell us how much early we have to reach to catch helicopter, like 30mins/20mins at katra.....
Does we get Doli only for return by evening time??? We heard that there are some small car running?? Is that available at evening or night time while returning...

HI Prakant !
We got tickets for last helicopter like 16.55/17.20... Can u pls tell me how much time early we have to reach... ticket shows 1 Hr...
Also can we get Doli,Poni or small car for return in night time as we have 7 small kids..
Thanks for reply..

Congrats! Tejas!!

It is always safe to reach early! You should reach Helipad as soon as you arrive at Katra!

It takes around 10 to 15 minutes by auto to reach Helipad from Katra Bus Stand. So, please keep that in mind!

I have not seen battery operated vehicle plying after 10 PM but you can get ponies and Dolis plying 24-hour!!

Addition: The battery operated vehicle plies between Bhawan and Adhkuwari only. Please keep this in mind!

Thanks Prakant !

We are going on 16th may from mumbai by Garibrath... will reach jaipur by 7.00 morning.. then we have flight from jaipur to jammu at 11.30 so will reach jammu by 1.00 and then start for katra by 1.30 if all is well...
So can reach katra by 3.30 then will go to hotel and for luggage... so can reach at helipad by 4.00 clock ... but our schedule is very tight... bettery car is from where to where???? and what they will charge?? they took any member or only kids... thanks & reply