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Houseboats are more mobile than you think. They are fitted with everything you need and they come with all kinds of luxuries. Houseboat accommodation offers a unique aspect of adventure and luxury at the same time.
There are around 3,000 to 4,000 houseboats on Dal Lake. The sight of them lined along the Boulevard Lane is more of chaos than serenity but the experience of staying on a houseboat is what lures many tourists to Jammu and Kashmir.
Unlike popular belief, houseboats are static but give you a certain sense of freedom. In Srinagar, almost every river and lake has houseboats floating on it. There is a community that lives on houseboats alone. Houseboats give the poorer sections of the state a place to call home.
Finding the right houseboat for your stay can be an intimidating task. As you walk along Boulevard Lane, you’ll be interrupted by people claiming to be houseboat owners. They’ll choke the lane and call out ‘sir’ to get your attention and show you their cards, then point out to some boats anchored nearby. These houseboats are heavily overpriced; almost 200-300% during peak season in the summer. The right thing is to check out the houseboats and then bargain it down to an acceptable price. Most houseboats include free shikara rides to the shore; if not, it is something to be bargained, as shikara rides can be quite expensive too.
Most of these house boats exude a grand look. The exterior and the interior are finely done with delicate woodwork. Kashmir has a rich tradition of carpentry work and it is best put to use on houseboats. I’ve grown in love with the Kashmiri decors - their grandeur and the comfort are unparalleled. Each houseboat has a small porch and seating arrangement outside, which is an ultimate afternoon tea spot. It also has a small but well-arranged sitting room with a grand chandelier hanging from the walnut ceiling. The arrangements of the rooms are different from each other, depending on the prices.
During summer, the room tariff soars up to Rs.800 for a basic room with shared bathrooms and the houseboats have just enough space to accommodate a bed. The mid range rooms have attached rooms and toilets and even bathtubs. The higher range begins at Rs.4,500 per night. The rooms are luxurious and grand but not as spacious as one would imagine. There’s a certain limit to the size of the boats and the rooms can only be as big as the houseboats.
Houseboats are spread throughout; even deep into the lake. Dal Lake is a world of its own. There are shops, restaurants, gardens, etc. inside the lake. Houseboats deeper into the lake are more peaceful and serene than the ones close to the Boulevard Lane, which is one of the most crowded places in Srinagar.
Firdous : These houseboats are very grand and huge in their looks as well as construction. The royal Firdous has three double bedrooms with attached bathrooms, hot and cold water, living room. There are proper facilities for electricity and cooking. The balcony space is big enough to seat a group of friends. The interiors are decorated with Kashmiri handicrafts. The silent atmosphere, breathtaking natural beauty and the homely comfort is capable of providing freshness to any exhausted traveller.
Kushal : Khushal is comparatively smaller than Firdous. It has two double bedrooms and all other desired comforts similar to a three or four star hotel room. The design of the rooms and furniture is unique. It is perfect for family holidays.
Nishat : Nishat is the favorite houseboat for honeymooners. It comprises of one double bedroom and offers all the comforts of privacy, facing the lake.
Kushdil : Kushdil is again the favorite of newly wed couples or honeymooners, and it too has one double bedroom. It has all modern facilities for its guests.
Gulshan : It is a two double bedroom boat with a verandah in front. Meant for family vacations, this houseboat provides outstanding view of the snow clad peaks from the verandah.
Clermont Too : Another two double bedroom boat, the Clermont Too offers vacations with ultimate cozy atmosphere and privacy. It is perfect for those who love to spend their holidays on waters in solitude.
The credit for initiating the trend of living in a houseboat in Kashmir goes to the British residents who were prohibited to own land by the Maharaja of Kashmir. As a result, they built their residences on water. Today, it is more than just a house on the lake. Almost all the major rivers and lakes in Kashmir offer houseboat cruises to the tourists. These houseboats can also be used for shikara rides (simply wandering in the lake), or sunbathing on the top-deck.
Jammu and Kashmir is famous for its natural beauty since time immemorial and has been aptly described as "heaven on earth". The state has some of the best tourist spots in the country. Tourists from India, and abroad, visit the state to enjoy its scenic beauty. Tourism is one of the main industries of the state and has immensely contributed to the economy. Some of the major tourist attractions in the state are Gulmarg, Pahalgam.
Jammu is also known as the City of Temples. Some famous temples located here are Raghunath Temple, Bave Wali Mata, Ranbireshwar Temple and Panchbakhtar Temple just to name a few. The summer capital Srinagar is famous for its Dal Lake. The biggest attraction of the Dal Lake are the houseboats that can be seen floating there. The Mughal Gardens of Srinagar is also a popular tourist attraction. Some of the major pilgrimage centres of the nation are located in the state. The two most important pilgrimage centres are the Amarnath Caves and Vaishnodevi Shrine.
Apart from its rich cuisine and culture, there are many other attractions that one can indulge in while on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir. Some of these are trekking, rafting and skiing. Kashmir is also known for its traditional crafts and has some of the best handicrafts in the country; carpets, shawls, paper mache and walnut wood craft to name a few.
Jammu and Kashmir has some of the best hotels to cater to its ever-growing tourism industry. Hotels range from the budget category to the luxury ones. Even the Dal Lake houseboats come in various categories like deluxe and economy.
