Srinagar is centred around the idyllic Dal 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.
Day 1 - Srinagar
On arrival at Srinagar airport you are met and transferred to your houseboat at Nagin Lake. Staying on a Kashmir Houseboat is a unique travel experience. Entirely built of elaborately carved wood, each houseboat features a large lounge with comfortable sofas and divans, a traditional dining room with antique furniture, and 3 or 4 large bedrooms, all lavishly furnished, and each with attached modern bathrooms.
Day 2 - 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 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 spent the last 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 4 - 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.
