Houseboats in Kashmir

When I was 8 or 9 years old I went with my parents and elder sister on a holiday to Kashmir. I remember some of it, specially sliding down the glaciers, living in a tent on a riverbank, riding on a boat called shikara (above) and visiting cherry and apple orchards.

Here under the watchful eye of the lofty snow covered mountains you can stay in a houseboat. We couldn' t do that, but its worth an experience.

You can choose a houseboat suited to the amount you can spend.

They have plush interiors, with all the luxury and comfort you desire.

They make lovely honeymoon getaways.

The Indian state of Kashmir is a paradise on Earth and has two of the most important mountain ranges – the Himalayas and the Pir Pangal. These mountain ranges are the source of the major rivers that flow down into the valleys. Srinagar is one of the most enchanting places in the state which is famous the Dal Lake which is famous for the houseboats. Along the shores of the Dal Lake lie the lies the parks and gardens of the Mughal Era, now collectively known as the “Mughal Gardens”. Srinagar is also the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir and gives a wonderful holiday experience especially during the summers.

The appeal of the houseboats in Kashmir attracts tourists from all over the world to Srinagar. These houseboats provide a unique and matchless experience of staying amidst the cold waters of the Lakes in Kashmir in a cedar paneled elegant bedrooms with all modern facilities and services. These houseboats anchor along parts of the Dal and the Nagin Lakes and River Jhelum. Like hotels, these houseboats vary in luxury depending upon the extent of luxury they provide. The Department of tourism of Kashmir have graded these houseboats into five categories which include Deluxe, A, B, C, and D.

In Kashmir, there are around 1087 house boats which include 349 deluxe, 129 A-Class, 124 B-Class, 134 C-Class and 351 D-Class boats. Like a luxury hotel, a luxury houseboat has good furnishing, carpets, and attached bathrooms with modern bath fittings while a D-Class boat are like budget and economy hotels and provide basic furnishing. The houseboats vary widely in their location with some facing the main road and others facing the gardens and local markets and villages. These houseboats provide personalized service and have “houseboy” to look after the guests. Every standard houseboat has a lounge, dining room, balcony and bedrooms with attached bath and is provided with municipal water connectivity. The costs of hiring a houseboat for a day are inclusive of all meals and free rides from the house boat to the nearest jetty and back. These houseboats are not anchored along any banks of the river and so there are Shikaras available to provide free transportation services to the guests or tourists from the nearest jetty to the houseboat. Touristplacesinindia.com is an international travel site and a repository of useful information about Houseboats Kashmir in India.

Have a look at this link

http://www.royalhouseboats.com/

The first video is about a shikara ride on the lake.

The second one is about houseboats.

Come and enjoy!