Patnitop is another outstanding tourist place in Kashmir. Situated at a distance of 112 from Jammu, this beautiful hill resort is located at a height of 2024 meters from the sea leave. Looking at the splendor charm and striking beauty of Patnitop it seems that nature has taken out her sweet time to ornament this hill resorts, making it truly a paradise for nature lover. Patnitop is truly a retreat for tourist and adventure seekers. The lush green wooded forest and the gorgeous valley offer tourists for wonderful trekking opportunity as well as heavenly skiing options during the winter time, when the entire valley is enwrapped by the fairy snow. Patnitop is also the gateway to the revered Hindu Temple, Vaishno Devi, where thousands and thousands of pilgrims and devotees from India and abroad come to offer prayer at the temples and seek blessing from the deity Vaishno Mata. Location: Located in the Shivalik Belt of the Himalayas, Udhampur District on NH 1A.
Best Time To Visit: In summer: May-June, In Autumn: September-October. Snowboard lovers prefer visiting Patnitop between December to March.
Patnitop is yet another hill station that fulfills your dream of living in the snowy slopes of the Alps. Situated near the river Chenab, this beautiful town offers a unique atmosphere of the Shivalik range of the Himalayas. Patnitop was earlier known as “Patan da Talab”, meaning “Pond of the Princess”. It waas believed to be the bathing area for princesses. If you are a sports lover, this is the perfect location to enjoy sports like skiing and trekking.
Major Attractions
Finding beautiful plateau and dense forests at a height of 2024 m from the sea level is itself a great attraction to draw tourists from the world around. People love to visit the ChenabBasin, formed by the Chenab river and mountains. The place is covered with a thick layer of snow in winters. Chinar garden and saffron fields provide a picteresque view of divine natural beauty.
Food/Cuisine
You can find a number of restaurant/roadside dhabas serving a wide range of Indian food including traditional Kashmiri cuisine. A few Chinese food corners are found alongside fast food joints. Apart from this, a number of ice cream parlours do brisk business in summers.
Shopping
Patnitop does not offer much to shop for. You can only find a few handicraft shops/stalls which are known for good quality Kashmiri handicraft items and traditional specialties like namdas (embroidered wool carpets), pherans (embroidered long shirts) and woolens.
Climate
The maximum temperature during summers rarely go above 18-20 degrees. Winters are cold, and the temperature can fall to 0 degrees. It is preferred to carry light woollens during rainy/autumn season.
Accommodation
Patnitop offers a large number of huts and Tourists Bunglows, which are managed by the state-run J&KTDC. These accommodation units are well equipped with basic facilities of drawing room/dining room and kitchen.
Getting There
By Air: Three major civil airports at Srinagar, Jammu, and Ladakh. By Rail: Jammu Tawi is the main railhead. By Road: Quite close to NH 1A, Patnitop is easily accessible from Srinagar through state transport buses or taxis.
