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Home / Pony, Pithoo & Palki

Offline Only · Katra Trail

Pony, Pithoo & Palki

Three traditional modes of assistance for the sacred Vaishno Devi Yatra - Pithoo (porter), Pony (horse/mule), and Palki (palanquin). All are offline-only, managed by the local municipal committee with fixed government rates from Banganga.

Charges and Prepaid Bookings
Max Pithoo Fare
₹650
Pony / Adult
₹1,250
Palki (≤100 kg)
₹3,200
Pithoo Routes
11
Counter at Banganga
Offline
Private assistance

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We are a private service provider, not the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, and not affiliated with it. Our assistance fee is charged separately. View our charges →

Charges and Prepaid Bookings

Pony, Pithoo & Palki at Vaishno Devi

Pithoo, Pony, and Palki are traditional pilgrimage assistance services available on the Vaishno Devi Yatra route from Banganga. All service providers are registered with the local municipal committee and carry identity cards. Fares are fixed by the Shrine Board and Katra municipal authorities - never pay more than the official rate.

Always hire only registered Pony, Pithu, or Palki service providers with valid ID cards.

Only Offline Bookings are applicable and non-refundable. You must pay at the booking counter and take the receipt. Keep the receipt safe and hand it over to the Pithoo/Palki/Pony Person, upon reaching the destination.

Who Should Consider These Services?

Senior citizens or pilgrims who find the trek physically challenging

Pilgrims needing a Pithoo to carry their luggage on the trail

Devotees with medical conditions who cannot walk long distances

Families with young children needing trail assistance

Choose Your Service

Charges and Prepaid Bookings

Rates are fixed by shrine board and Katra municipal authorities and should be paid only at official counters.

Pithoo Charges

GST Applicable, if any.

From ₹240 / Route
Pony / Horse / Mule Charges

All charges are excluding GST.

From ₹650 / Route
Palki Charges

All charges are excluding GST.

From ₹1,450 / Route
Pithoo Charges

Pithoo Charges

GST Applicable, if any. Only Offline Bookings are applicable and non-refundable.

The Pony, Porter, and Palanquin services are managed by the local authorities under a municipal committee that organizes local municipal affairs.

All these porters, pony owners, and palanquin (palki) owners are registered with the municipal committee and carry an identity card/token number.

Ban Ganga Booking counter is available after crossing the checkpost.

You must pay at the booking counter and take the receipt. Keep the receipt safe and hand it over to the Pithoo/Palki/Pony Person, upon reaching the destination.

Ban Ganga to Bhawan Via Himkoti

₹650

Ban Ganga to Adhkuwari

₹450

Adhkuwari to Bhawan via Sanjhi Chhat

₹340

Adhkuwari to Ban Ganga

₹350

Adhkuwari to Bhawan via Himkoti

₹240

Sanjhi Chhat to Bhawan

₹250

Bhawan to Sanjhi Chhat

₹250

Bhawan to Bhairo Mandir

₹350

Bhairo Mandir to Bhawan

₹350

Bhairo Mandir to Ban Ganga

₹650

Bhawan to Ban Ganga

₹650
Pony / Horse / Mule Charges

Pony / Horse / Mule Charges

All charges are excluding GST. Only Offline Bookings are applicable and non-refundable.

Ban Ganga Booking counter is available after crossing the checkpost.

You must pay at the booking counter and take the receipt. Keep the receipt safe and hand it over to the Pithoo/Palki/Pony Person, upon reaching the destination.

Ban Ganga to Bhawan via Sanjhi Chhat
₹1,250 - For Single Adult ₹1,450 - For Single Adult with a kid less than 6 years
Ban Ganga to Adhkuwari
₹650 - For Single Adult ₹750 - For Single Adult with a kid less than 6 years
Adhkuwari to Bhawan via Sanjhi Chhat
₹650 - For Single Adult ₹1,450 - For Single Adult with a kid less than 6 years
Adhkuwari to Ban Ganga
₹650 - For Single Adult ₹750 - For Single Adult with a kid less than 6 years
Palki Charges

Palki Charges

All charges are excluding GST. Fares vary by route and pilgrim weight (up to 100 kg or above 100 kg).

Ban Ganga Booking counter is available after crossing the checkpost.

You must pay at the booking counter and take the receipt. Keep the receipt safe and hand it over to the Pithoo/Palki/Pony Person, upon reaching the destination.

upto 100 kg For Single Adult over 100 kg
Ban Ganga to Bhawan Via Himkoti
₹3,200 (≤100 kg) ₹4,000 (>100 kg)
Ban Ganga to Adhkuwari
₹1,800 (≤100 kg) ₹2,250 (>100 kg)
Adhkuwari to Bhawan via Sanjhi Chhat
₹2,050 (≤100 kg) ₹2,500 (>100 kg)
Adhkuwari to Bhawan via Himkoti
₹1,450 (≤100 kg) ₹1,650 (>100 kg)
Adhkuwari to Ban Ganga
₹1,550 (≤100 kg) ₹1,650 (>100 kg)
Adhkuwari to Katra (Chetak Bhawan)
₹1,800 (≤100 kg) ₹2,000 (>100 kg)
Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Policy

No Refund Policy

Pony, Pithu, and Palki services are booked offline at counters. Once booked, cancellation or refund is generally not allowed. Please confirm your plan before making payment.

Pay at Counter Only

Rates are fixed by shrine board and Katra municipal authorities and should be paid only at official counters.

Medical Advisory

Elderly and medically unfit pilgrims should consult a doctor before using these services.

Always Hire Registered Service Providers

Always hire only registered Pony, Pithu, or Palki service providers with valid ID cards. Keep your payment receipt safe until you reach your destination.

Watch out for overcharging: Pony, Pithu & Palki rates are fixed by the Shrine Board. No private agent or tout is authorized to arrange these services at a different price.

Always book directly at the official SMVDSB counter and insist on a printed receipt. If you're unsure about rates or need help planning your trek, ask us. Our assistance charges →

How to Get Pony / Pithu / Palki - What to Expect

Booked at counter on the day
1

No Online Booking - Counter Only

Pony, Pithu and Palki are booked only at official SMVDSB counters on the day of travel. Counters are at Katra, Banganga, Adhkuwari, and Bhawan.

2

Choose Service Type

Pony - you ride, handler leads. Pithu - porter carries your luggage. Palki - you are carried in a chair by 4 bearers. Each priced per segment.

3

Check the Official Rate Card

Rates are government-fixed per segment. A printed rate card is displayed at every counter. If anyone quotes higher, refuse and report to SMVDSB helpdesk.

4

Always Get an Official Receipt

Never pay cash without a printed receipt. The receipt has the handler's ID. Keep it till you reach your destination - it's your proof if anything goes wrong.

A palki carrying a pilgrim and a pony on the Vaishno Devi trek
Tip: Pony is not available on the Tarakote Marg (New Route). Palki is ideal for elderly pilgrims and those with knee issues.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Pony, Pithoo, and Palki services before starting your Yatra.

Pithoo is a registered porter who carries luggage and small children only - they do NOT carry adult pilgrims. A Pony/Horse/Mule carries one pilgrim on its back (with or without a child below 6 years). A Palki is a traditional palanquin (chair carried by bearers) - ideal for elderly or differently-abled pilgrims. All are registered with the local municipal committee.

The Pithoo charge from Ban Ganga to Bhawan via Himkoti is ₹650 per person (including GST). Routes range from ₹240 (Adhkuwari to Bhawan via Himkoti) up to ₹650. Always pay at the official Banganga counter and keep the receipt - hand it to the Pithoo upon reaching the destination.

₹1,250 for a single adult (GST excluded) for Ban Ganga to Bhawan via Sanjhi Chhat. If accompanied by a child below 6 years, the fare is ₹1,450. Payment is made at the official counter at Banganga. The receipt must be handed to the pony handler at the destination.

Palki fares depend on both the route and your weight. Ban Ganga to Bhawan via Himkoti costs ₹3,200 for pilgrims up to 100 kg and ₹4,000 for those over 100 kg (GST excluded). It is the most comfortable but also the most expensive option - ideal for elderly or differently-abled pilgrims.

No. All three services are offline only - no online or advance booking is available. Visit the official counter at Banganga after crossing the checkpost, pay the fixed rate, and take your receipt. Never pay extra directly to the service provider, and always verify their registration card.
Quick Links

Other Booking Options for Vaishno Devi Yatra

If your preferred service is not available, you can choose one of these official alternatives.

Yatra Parchi

How to get Yatra Parchi and RFID registration slip.

Read More
Rooms & Dormitories

Book rooms and dormitories at Katra and Bhawan.

Read More
Battery Car

Battery car service details for elderly and tired pilgrims.

Read More
Helicopter

Helicopter booking guide from Katra to Sanjichhat.

Read More

During peak season, checking these options in advance can save you a lot of waiting time.

We Can Book It For You

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We are a private service provider, not the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, and not affiliated with it. Our assistance fee is charged separately. View our charges →

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