Srinagar – Full Circuit Tour Package – Deluxe – houseboat on the Nigeen Lake

Srinagar – Full Circuit Tour Packages – Deluxe – 02 nights/03 days

Please notice differences to Comfort in green color.

Did you ever dream of sleeping on the water or strolling in a garden of the Mughal era in a one mile high city?

We make your dreams come true in Srinagar! Srinagar is the farthest northern city with over a million inhabitants in India. It is also the summer capital of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir – and it is approximately 1600 meters (1 mile) above sea level.

Definitely unique are the houseboats, which are found close to the shore of its also famous Dal or Nigeen Lake. So don’t worry you’re not going to sleep literally on the water, there’s something in between, which will make your overnight stay really special and comfy.

By the way – there’s so much more to discover there: let’s go!

Day 01: Houseboat, Shikara, Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Pari Mahal

We recommend you to plan to arrive at Srinagar International Airport (SXR) in the morning because flights sometimes get cancelled due to whether, and then you could still get another one later in the day.

You will be picked up by personal taxi and brought to your houseboat on Srinagar’s Nigeen Lake, which is connected with the famous Dal Lake and boasts to be less busy and more peaceful. Kindly exchange phone numbers with your personal driver so that if need arises you can call him anytime during the coming days of your roundtrip.

The first adventure awaits you: a short trip with a traditional boat, locally called “Shikara”, from a lake’s pier (named: Ghat) to your houseboat. Usually up to around 4 people would share one boat. Depending on how many pieces of luggage you have, maybe 2 people are appropriate.

Upon reaching your houseboat, make yourself comfortable and enjoy a welcome cold/warm drink of your choice alongside a fruit or snack.

After a little break, you may want to have a lunch first before you pack your basic needs for the rest of the day for your first go-round Srinagar trip: the Mughal gardens.

We recommend you either buy your lunch directly on your houseboat or plan a stop-over at one of the many restaurants in walking distance opposite the lake (at Boulevard Road).

Your houseboat will arrange a Shikara for your to drop you at the nearest Ghat.

Your personal taxi awaits you at the Ghat to drop you at your first destination “Shalimar Garden/Bagh”.

Reaching Shalimar Garden/Bagh, your driver will organize the entry tickets for you – and off you go…

Would you build a garden or house (out of love) for your wife? Well, the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, did just that in 1619, and you’re about to discover this beautiful garden with its terraces, pavilions, fountains and flowerbeds (seasonal).

Hungry for an in-between snack? You may have discovered that opposite the garden there are plenty of opportunities in this regard.

These you will find also at your next destination: Nishat Garden/Bagh.

Just hop into your taxi and off you go.

Nishat Garden/Bagh is another must see among the Mughal Gardens in Srinagar, in our opinion. Again your driver will get your entry tickets – enjoy! 

This is Srinagar’s largest Mughal Garden built only a little later than Shalimar Bagh, namely in 1633. The two gardens are not only close together in distance, but also relationship wise: Asif Khan who let built Nishat Bagh, was the brother in law of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir (Shalimar Bagh). Compared to Shalimar Bagh, this one has many more terraces. Once you reach the very end and look back toward Dal Lake, you are rewarded with an amazing overview of the garden.

Outside Nishat Bagh (about 30 Meters left side), you should find again some stalls to satisfy your hunger – if that may be the case. Otherwise, your taxi will lift you to our next chosen must see location: Pari Mahal.

Be prepared: one your way to Pari Mahal, there is a checkpoint. Usually you are requested to exit the vehicle, walk a short distance behind the barrier and enter your vehicle again.

Upon reaching the hilltop where Pari Mahal is located, (there is another Mughal Garden in between, Chashme Shahi), your driver will get the tickets for you to enter the garden.

The garden itself is actually much more than a garden, or let’s say it has been designed also for other purposes: as a library and residence for former Mughal Prince named Dara Shikoh. The construction dates back to the 1650s. Please take your time to ascend/descend the terraces: the stairs are steep and you should act with caution when using them. Each terrace has its own charm and design, and of course fantastic (over)view to Dal Lake. You should be able to spot also two other hilltops: one to your right hosting a 5 star hotel, the Vivanta Dal View, and one to your left hosting the Hari Parbat Fort, a destination you would aim for tomorrow.

Upon reaching your Ghat with your taxi, a Shikara will bring you back to your houseboat for a yummy meal, pleasant evening and for a good night’s rest – which you definitely deserve by now!

Day 02: Jamia Masjid, Hari Parbat Fort, Hazratbal Shrine, Shikara Boat Roundtrip

For breakfast we recommend to try the tasty fresh baked lavaas or girda, a “must-try” while in Kashmir. Some even put butter on it to make it more yummy and some even the little locally made surprise you may have discovered this morning at your breakfast. Enjoy!

After breakfast get ready for the day as the Shikara will take you again to the nearest Ghat where your day trip will focus on some unique, must see buildings in Srinagar.

We recommend not to leave later than 10am in order to have enough time for each location today.

Your first destination: Jamia Masjid. We request kindly to dress modestly and ladies in addition to have a head covering handy. Once you reach the Ghat, call your taxi driver who will take you to this mosque. Your taxi driver will guide you to the main entrance, where he will purchase the ticket for you – welcome to Kashmir’s largest mosque. It is certainly an architectural jewel. It was completed in 1402 and can host over 30000 worshippers with a square size area of almost 116 by 117 meters. The center of the courtyard hosts a beautiful fountain.

When you’re ready, target your next destination: Hari Parbat Fort. Your taxi will bring you there.

Hari Parbat Fort has more limited opening hours compared to other sights: Daily 10am to 3pm, Fridays closed. You would reach this place via driving through a part of an old city wall’s gate, called “Kathi Darwaza” (or “Kashmir Journey”). As mentioned earlier, the fort lies on a hilltop. Your taxi driver will need to pause for a minute before he can ascend the hill for payment of the entry ticket.

Upon reaching the main fort entry, you need to have a valid ID proof ready and your entry ticket. Your name etc. is recorded into a visitor’s book and your bag checked before entry.

In order to reach the main part of the fort you basically walk around a big water tank and then keep following the steep path uphill. Enjoy the magnificent outlook and overview of Srinagar city which reaches its climax if you manage to climb up one of the small towers at the massive wall.

Hari Parbat Fort, as it is today, is said to be built around 1808 during a so called Durrani era. However, the first fortification on this hill would refer back to the Mughal era, in the 1590s.

Your next stop before your go to “Hazratbal Shrine” may be for lunch.

We recommend the restaurant “Milestone” (Location:Milestones/ Restaurant:Milestones), which is just located opposite the entry gate of Hari Parbat Fort. It offers a stunning view while you savour your lunch. However, you may also choose one closer to your next destination namely: Chiliz The Pizza Shop,Amigo’s Foods, Season 69 – the choice is yours, kindly direct your taxi driver accordingly.

The latter ones are very close to the University of Kashmir’s main gate and only 1 km from your next must-see location: Hazratbal Shrine. If you’re eager to stroll there after lunch, please let your driver know.

This Muslim Shrine is located just at the shore of Dal Lake and is well known because of a relic: it is said to be a strand of Muhammad’s hair. Same with this place: kindly dress modestly with ladies having a head covering handy.

Once you’re ready to continue, we have a special option for you: either you hop into your taxi to drive to a Ghat at the Boulevard Road (near Dalgate) from where your one hour Shikara boat roundtrip will start, or you decide to get there by Shikara!

The latter one would take you from Hazratbal Shrine across the lake, passing the floating vegetable garden, and ending directly at your houseboat at Nigeen lake. This would no doubt be a peaceful and special event, experiencing the Dal Lake from perspectives only tourists enjoy.

Dinner will be served at your houseboat. Insider’s tip for this meal: try a traditional Kashmiri Wazwan, if available. There are said to be 36 different courses available. Most of them are meat dishes, though you do find vegetarian ones as well like the Ruangan Chaman. Oh, and we almost forgot: sleep well!

Day 03: Shankaracharya Hill/Temple

After breakfast and before check-out, the last sight awaits you: Shankaracharya Hill/Temple. It is located at Boulevard Road/Nehru Park, very close to the Floating Post Office. The road toward the sight is minimum 5 km steep uphill from its boulevard road junction (difference in elevation is about 300 m).

You have the choice: either you check out of your houseboat right after breakfast and have the taxi wait at Shankaracharya Hill/Temple (with your luggage) and afterwards drop you at the Srinagar Airport – or you would let your taxi driver bring you back to the houseboat and then check out. Much depends on the time of departure of your return flight.

Expect also a security check before ascending the hill. Unfortunately, no (video)photography permitted on top of the hill/temple.

As mentioned already, Shankaracharya is the name for both a (Hindu) temple and a hill. The latter has a round platform which boasts another fantastic view over Srinagar and Dal Lake. The Hindu temple, dedicated to the Lord Shiva, is said to date back to 200 BC. This place can get very busy during an annual period of a Hindu pilgrimage called Amarnath Yatra.

Expect also to cover over 200 steps leading up to the temple if you intend visiting it.

By the way, its name is dedicated to a famous visitor, Adi Shankara, a Hindu theologian and philosopher whom people also called Shankaracharya. You will then descend the hill, either going back to your houseboat (rickshaw option) in order to check out (until 12 noon), or the taxi will drop you directly at Srinagar Airport. 

We hope you have had a pleasant and relaxing stay – share your memories with your loved ones and recommend us please.