The Stereotype Is True: You Need to Stay in a Houseboat to Truly Experience Srinagar

Houseboat stays in Srinagar are one of the most interesting experiences during the entire trip to Kashmir. Better known as floating houses, houseboat stays are quite unique in themselves. Houseboat stays also include a Shikara ride leisurely to enjoy views around the dal lake.

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Photo of The Stereotype Is True: You Need to Stay in a Houseboat to Truly Experience Srinagar! 1/7 by Shatakshi Gupta — Mornings at Dal Lake

Reaching the houseboat

When you book your stay, the company personnel will inform you of the ghat number you need to reach. They will then pick you up from there and take you to your houseboat via Shikara ride.

Photo of The Stereotype Is True: You Need to Stay in a Houseboat to Truly Experience Srinagar! 2/7 by Shatakshi Gupta — Houseboats Parked in Dal Lake

There are approx. 1200 houseboats in total at Dal Lake.

Rooms and other facilities

Stay at the houseboat was totally a different experience for me. Kashmir's houseboats are made of cedar wood which stays healthy even after staying in water for years. Inside the houseboats, you will find carved wooden artwork which is classic and extraordinary

Photo of The Stereotype Is True: You Need to Stay in a Houseboat to Truly Experience Srinagar! 3/7 by Shatakshi Gupta — Stay for the day

The houseboat had 3 bedrooms with an attached bathroom and toilet. Rooms are fitted with fans and a centralized heating system. A common living room and dining area are also provided.

Photo of The Stereotype Is True: You Need to Stay in a Houseboat to Truly Experience Srinagar! 4/7 by Shatakshi Gupta

Food

At the houseboat, we had a caretaker and a cook. At dinner, we had proper north Indian food. In the morning breakfast, we had tea, bread butter, and poha. For evening snacks, apart from tea, no other arrangements were there. So it's better to have some packed food from outside.

Photo of The Stereotype Is True: You Need to Stay in a Houseboat to Truly Experience Srinagar! 5/7 by Shatakshi Gupta — Common Hall at our houseboat

What to do around your houseboat

Go on a Shikara ride, click some of the memorable pictures in Dal Lake with the Himalayas in the backdrop. During your Shikara ride, you will pass through the floating market of Dal Lake.

Photo of The Stereotype Is True: You Need to Stay in a Houseboat to Truly Experience Srinagar! 6/7 by Shatakshi Gupta — Pathway to the houseboat

You can also enjoy shopping on your boat itself, several vendors selling barbeque dishes, jewelry, and handloom items will pass through.

Staying at a houseboat and exploring the floating market of Dal Lake is itself a unique experience and is a must be explored during a visit to Srinagar.