The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has introduced an affordable monsoon travel package for devotees planning a pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi. This all-inclusive offer includes air-conditioned train travel, meals, and a stay in a luxurious five-star hotel, all for approximately Rs 1,700 per day. The journey starts on June 15.
The package spans four days and three nights, featuring a round trip from Delhi to Jammu and back via the Rajdhani Express. Once booked, travellers need not worry about accommodation, local transport, or food, as IRCTC manages all these arrangements.
Accommodation options in Katra vary depending on room-sharing preferences:
- Triple occupancy: Rs 6,990 per person
- Double occupancy: Rs 8,100 per person
- Single occupancy: Rs 10,700 per person
- Child aged 5 to 11 with bed: Rs 6,320
- Child aged 5 to 11 without bed: Rs 5,255
These prices cover the entire four-day package, making it one of the most budget-friendly pilgrimage options available.
The itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Departure from New Delhi at 8:40 PM on June 15 aboard the Rajdhani Express.
Day 2: Arrival in Jammu at 5:00 AM, followed by a transfer to Katra. Guests check into a five-star hotel such as Taj Vivanta or an equivalent property. After breakfast, the IRCTC-arranged transport takes pilgrims to Banganga, the base point for the climb to the shrine. Devotees can either walk or hire horses to reach the Mata Vaishno Devi temple. In the evening, they return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: After checking out by noon, travellers proceed to Jammu by bus for sightseeing, including visits to Raghunath Temple and Bagh-e-Bahu Garden. In the evening, the bus drops them at Jammu railway station.
Day 4: Passengers board the Rajdhani Express at 9:45 PM from Jammu, arriving back in Delhi at 5:55 AM the next morning.
This package offers a hassle-free, comfortable, and economical way to embark on the sacred journey to Mata Vaishno Devi, with all major travel and stay logistics thoughtfully arranged.
