5 Beautiful Boat Houses in Kashmir for a Unique and Memorable Getaway

Srinagar's shikaras are moored like vividly coloured blooms at the transitional point where mirror lakes meet snow-clad peaks on the horizon. These houseboats spend their days on the waterways of the city's most famous lakes, with their ochre decks, wooden carvings, and extended tarpaulin keeping passengers sheltered from the setting sun. When in Srinagar, arrange a stay at one of these magnificent houseboats for a traditional Kashmiri vacation:

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1. SUKOON, DAL LAKE

Sukoon is perched above a floating bed of lotuses, with vistas of the Pir Panjal range stretching beyond. Its five en-suite bedrooms are named after well-known Mughal Gardens including Shalimar and Pari Mahal. In their restrooms, they have rain showers and hot tubs with scorching hot water, as well as organic bath items. For an ecologically aware stay, it features a bio-tank (which prevents garbage from being released into the lake) and a no-plastic policy.

Fizza, the wide sun deck with 360-degree views of the lake, is ideal for sundowners and candlelight meals. The boat also includes a walnut-carved dining area where guests may dine on Kashmiri and Continental food. Book a cooking class the night before and begin the next day by purchasing vegetables from the floating market and catching fish from the seas. The staff will organise a lesson with the inhabitants on the farm, who will teach you how to create traditional foods using the day's purchase. The crew also organises water safaris around Srinagar's backwaters, allowing you to absorb in the splendour of rural Kashmir from the luxury of your shikara.

2. MEENA GROUP HOUSEBOATS, NEAR DAL LAKE

Meena Group Houseboats, founded in 1933 by the Siah family, has kept most of its wood carved panelling and colonial style furnishings for a historical appearance and feel. The floating accommodation's four bedrooms are all decorated with silk tapestry and beautiful chandeliers and have views of the Dal Lake or the Himalayas. The suite-style accommodation distinguishes out from the rest thanks to central heating, minibars, and a private garden and open balcony. Rain showers and hot tubs are standard in all of the boat's bathrooms. Spice by Meena, the on-site fine dining restaurant, serves a changing six-course organic menu influenced by local flavours.

3. NAAZ KASHMIR, NIGEEN LAKE

This houseboat has been cruising the waterways for 40 years and has crafted its floating boat experience with central heating and air-conditioning, high-speed WiFi, and a continual stream of Kahwa to keep visitors company on foggy mornings. The lounge room has a Bollywood movie selection, and the beautiful outdoors may be enjoyed with birds like the blue kingfisher and wild duck keeping you company on the terrace. Saffron, daffodil, lavender, tulip, and lotus are the names of the hotel's five guestrooms. Upon arrival, a complementary fruit basket greets you in your room, and meals are offered in Kashmiri, Chinese, and Continental cuisines.

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4. MASCOTT HOUSEBOATS, NIGEEN LAKE

These cedar wood shikaras are a piece of history in and of themselves. Each boat, which has been run by the Tuman family since the 1980s, is fashioned in Muslim architecture, with elaborate carvings, Persian rugs, and ornate chandeliers lighting up the inside. Modern facilities like as Jacuzzies, hot tubs, flat screen TVs, and air purifiers in the rooms complement this. Choose from six different styles of rooms and suites, each with a view of the lake or the Zabarwan mountain. They all have a fireplace, a mini bar, and a fruit basket waiting for you when you arrive. Head to the games room, plan a day of fishing and a nice evening BBQ, or ask the crew to arrange water sports for a thrill. While room service is accessible 24 hours a day, there is also a restaurant on deck serving Kashmiri cuisine, including specialities like rogan josh and gustaba.

5. WELCOMHERITAGE GURKHA HOUSEBOATS NIGEEN LAKE

This houseboat service has been run by the Gurkha family for seven generations. Each of its 18 rooms has a verandah or a garden. While the carved poster beds and handcrafted carpets give the furnishings a feeling of regality, contemporary facilities like as Jacuzzies, freezers, and mini bars in the suites provide material luxury as well. Each room has a TV and a view of the sea or the Pir Panjal range. The dining menu offers a variety of cuisines, but we recommend the 36-dish Kashmiri wazwan, which concludes with the gustaba—a meatball dish cooked in a milk-based sauce. For a taste of culture, the family organises a handcraft session with National Cottage Emporium workers.

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