Kashmir Houseboats

Live on a floating palace

Srinagar is centred around the idyllic Dal Lake and Nagin Lakes, where you'll find one of Kashmir's favourite attractions - its houseboats.

During the Raj period the Kashmir Maharaja refused to grant the British permission to own land here. Instead, they built houseboats - each one a little piece of England afloat on the lakes, and still Kashmir's most delightful accommodation option.

"If there is paradise on earth then it is here, it is here, it is here in Kashmir." - Mughal emperor Jehangir

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Kashmir Houseboats

Day 1, SRINAGAR

On arrival at Srinagar airport you are met and transferred to your houseboat at Nagin Lake.

You stay at a luxury Kashmir Houseboat for 3 nights on full board

Day 2, SRINAGAR

You spent the first day just chilling on the front deck of the boat and soaking in the Kashmiri atmosphere. There's nothing quite like Srinagar in the evening: the air fills with prayers from the numerous mosques around the city and the different coloured lights of the houseboats give the lake an evocative feel.

Day 3, SRINAGAR

In the morning you visit the gardens for which Srinagar is famed for. The Mughal emperors created terraced hillside gardens designed around fountains and water courses, which were formed by natural springs or streams. There are three gardens within easy reach of Srinagar, on the eastern side of the Dal Lake - Chashmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar Gardens. There is also the Pari Mahal from where there are fabulous views of Dal Lake and the snowy ridge of the Pir Panjal Range.

In the afternoon there is the option to enjoy a relaxing ride by shikara (a roofed little boat, with plush pillows to lie on) for tour of the lake. You'll see floating gardens (the lotuses are in full bloom in end of May), fishermen, floating markets, more of beautiful houseboats and the amazing reflections of the mountains and clouds on the clear, quiet lake.

Day 4, ONWARDS FROM SRINAGAR

Your tour ends after breakfast. If you want to combine Kashmir and Ladakh, then you can follow The Road to Leh module. Alternatively, you can fly back to Delhi.

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Fact Finder for this Tour

Highlights
  • Luxuriate in the comfort of a deluxe houseboat
  • Cruise Srinagar's lakes and backwaters on a shikara
  • Visit the terraced hillside Moghul gardens
Duration

Departure

Daily from Srinagar
The best time to travel is May to October. The rest of the year it becomes bonechilling cold.

Price

From 289 USD per person - based on 2 people sharing

Inclusions
  • Accommodation on twin share basis at selected hotels
  • Stay on full board basis
  • English-speaking local guide for tour of the Moghul Gardens
  • Transport by air-conditioned vehicle with private chauffeur
  • All transfers as per the itinerary
Tour price excludes
  • International flights
  • Entrance fees to historical monuments