Patnitop Tourism
Patni Top or Patnitop a hill top destination located at Udhampur district (Shiwalik belt of the Himalayas), which is around 110 Km from Jammu and Kashmir. At an altitude of 2,024m, this ideal place for trekking, skiing, camping and paragliding is located. The best time to visit Patnitop is May to June in summer, September to October in autumn and again from December to March in winter.
The name Patnitop is said to be derived from "Patan da Talab".
Attractions and Sightseeing
Sudh Mahadev :
Sudh Mahadev is a holy place for the Hindus. The place, situated at the bank of the holy Dewak River, is also famous for its archeological importance besides the spectacular natural beauty
The Naag (snake) temple :
The 600 year old Naag temple in Patnitop may be small in area but millions of pilgrims visit this sacred shrine of the Hindus.
Vaishno Devi :
The temple of Matarani, Durga, is located 61 km north of Jammu is one of the greatest Hindu shrines.
Mubarak Mandi Palace :
A blend of Rajasthani, Mughal and European architecture can be noted in this magnificent palace. The Sheesh Mahal (palace of glasses) deserves special mention here.
Activities
Trekking
Patnitop is a trekker’s paradise. Summer, like all hill stations is the ideal time to trek. But here routes are also open during the winters. Besides trekking, travelers can’t miss out the adventure of camping here. Some of the spectacular camping sites are spotted here like the Jungal – Sundarani, Gali-Jasarkote & Sanasar route in Jangal Gali will lead you to 3 significant trekking sites. Check the trekking brochure available from JKDC for free. You can hire the trekking equipments from the shops of the tourism Dept. J&K.
You can get both imported and local made tenting stuff here at fixed rates. There are some local organizers in J&K who arrange trekking and camping for tourists. You can contact them too.
Skiing
January and February are the ideal time to ski. In fact, you can join ski courses here too, if you are a beginner. Madhatop is an excellent place to ski which is around 5-6 km from Patnitop. 40 sets of equipment are available at Sanasar and Patnitop. Wooden sledge rides on snow can also be exciting too. But here also the beginners need proper instruction. You can get dhabas and local restaurants throughout the year.
Aero sports
If you have a heart to face the adventure to its brim, then nothing can compare a bungee jumping or paragliding. You can experience that thrill of paragliding here at Sansar/Patnitop. Get the equipment hired from the tourist office at Jammu city and set out for the venture.. if you are new don’t forget to take a guide.
Accommodation
Living in the Kashmiri huts with all amenities can be a romantic getaway. These accommodations are managed by the state government.
How to Reach Patnitop?
Buses and shared taxis are available from Jammu/Udhampur/Katra, which take around 3-5 hours to reach Patnitop. The nearest station is Jammu and the nearest airport is Srinagar that is well connected with all major cities across India.