Houseboats in Srinagar??

sejjoe · Aug 9th, 2007, 03:13

Hi everyone,

I got three questions about Kashmir...I hope someone can help answer them!

1) My husband and I have been traveling on/off in India for awhile and we were excited about spending our one-year wedding anniversary in Srinagar. We have heard a lot about the houseboats and feel like it would be a wonderful and peaceful way to spend a romantic week. I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with the houseboats in Srinagar? What all do the costs include? Is it worth it? And does anyone have recommendations on how to book a houseboat? It sounds like Delhi might not be a good idea because you don't know what you will be getting. But there are a lot of touts that approach you about getting houseboats when you reach Srinagar. Any advice? Also, is Dal Lake a good place to rent a houseboat, or would is there another lake in Srinagar that is more peaceful? We are looking for a cheap houseboat...nothing too extravagant!

2) Another question about flights...I have checked airlines (Air Deccan and Jet Airways) about flights from Delhi to Srinagar. Can anyone recommend other airlines that are cheaper?

3) We are planning to go from Srinagar to Leh. Can anyone recommend a good way to travel there? Is bus better or plane? And what's the journey like?

Thanks for the help!

sejjoe

Bhaswaran · Aug 9th, 2007, 11:22

Stay in a houseboat at Nagin Lake. it is more peaceful and less touristy. Dal Lake is crowded now.

For Leh, I would prefer the road, hire a car, and go there and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

shahronakm · Aug 9th, 2007, 18:59

1] Check this link for Houseboats. http://www.houseboatowners.org/

2] Check Spice Jet & Go Air also.
http://www.goair.in/
http://www.spicejet.com/

3] Hire a car from Srinagar to Leh (2 days) with overnight at Kargil. You will enjoy your journey on this route.

Ronak.

Maz · Aug 10th, 2007, 03:04

Have fun in Srinagar, you will love it.

Feel free to PM me with any questions, I was there in June/July time.

regards
Maria

Alohaguy · Aug 10th, 2007, 03:31

I stayed in a Houseboat in the seventies and have been thinking of going to Kashmir again. Is it safe to go to Kashmir these days?

Darwish · Sep 19th, 2007, 21:27

yes it is safe in most area's. lakes in Srinagar are quite safe. Info comes from ministery of tourism in Jammu

Alohaguy · Sep 20th, 2007, 10:00

Thank you Darwish for that input.
Take care!

oneheart · Oct 15th, 2007, 10:50

Hi, so sorry, can i hijack this thread to ask 1 question? I was offered a srinagar tour for 7 days by a singapore tour agency but i think it is a little steep.. i was wondering if anyone can tell me how i can get a local reliable tour agency that provides customised tour packages?

Ariell · Oct 25th, 2007, 12:08

Hi Sejjoe

I stayed on a houseboat in Srinagar 2 summers ago. I believe it was on Dal Lake. I booked it thru a travel agent in Delhi whose grandfather owned the houseboat. Happy to pass on the travel agent's info. if you need it. (I have no financial interest in recommending him -- just in case you can't find something.) I flew with Spice Jet.

Oneheart: where is local? Singapore?

oneheart · Oct 25th, 2007, 12:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ariell

Hi Sejjoe

I stayed on a houseboat in Srinagar 2 summers ago. I believe it was on Dal Lake. I booked it thru a travel agent in Delhi whose grandfather owned the houseboat. Happy to pass on the travel agent's info. if you need it. (I have no financial interest in recommending him -- just in case you can't find something.) I flew with Spice Jet.

Oneheart: where is local? Singapore?

Yes, local is singapore.. I found a good houseboat in dal lake too.. What is the name houseboat that you stayed in? Maybe it is the same.. thanks so much!

jyotirmoy · Oct 25th, 2007, 12:33

You have not mentioned when you intend to visit Srinagar. If it is not peak season I recommend looking for a houseboat after reaching Srinagar. I checked in to a hotel after reaching Srinagar from Delhi for one night. Went out and checked out different boats and zeroed in one at Nagin lake. The boats come with a boarding package. I chose breakfast and dinner only.

oneheart · Oct 25th, 2007, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyotirmoy

You have not mentioned when you intend to visit Srinagar. If it is not peak season I recommend looking for a houseboat after reaching Srinagar. I checked in to a hotel after reaching Srinagar from Delhi for one night. Went out and checked out different boats and zeroed in one at Nagin lake. The boats come with a boarding package. I chose breakfast and dinner only.

Hey, thanks so much! I've found a good houseboat.. the owner is nice, he talks to me over msn frequently so as to plan a good trip for me..

jyotirmoy · Oct 25th, 2007, 12:56

I was fortunate to find a foodie houseboat owner and enjoyed Kashmiri food all through out my stay.
Do try out Mughal Durbar restaurant in Srinagar.

Ariell · Oct 25th, 2007, 19:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneheart

Yes, local is singapore.. I found a good houseboat in dal lake too.. What is the name houseboat that you stayed in? Maybe it is the same.. thanks so much!

Hmmm.....I can't remember the name of the houseboat but the owner's name is Haji.

maypacheco · Oct 25th, 2007, 20:27

if you plan to go to leh.. the best way is via road... we're jsut back from leh.. went there in sept.. road via srinagar is lovely... but you need to check the weather now... it would be getting cold and if it snows, some of the roads become inaccessible.. even in ladakh, if it snows, you'd be restricted to leh and would not be able to travel to other places (nubra valley, pangong lake etc...)

Aug 9th, 2007, 03:13	#1
sejjoe Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Seattle, WA USA Posts: 7	Houseboats in Srinagar?? Hi everyone, I got three questions about Kashmir...I hope someone can help answer them! 1) My husband and I have been traveling on/off in India for awhile and we were excited about spending our one-year wedding anniversary in Srinagar. We have heard a lot about the houseboats and feel like it would be a wonderful and peaceful way to spend a romantic week. I was just wondering if anyone has had any experience with the houseboats in Srinagar? What all do the costs include? Is it worth it? And does anyone have recommendations on how to book a houseboat? It sounds like Delhi might not be a good idea because you don't know what you will be getting. But there are a lot of touts that approach you about getting houseboats when you reach Srinagar. Any advice? Also, is Dal Lake a good place to rent a houseboat, or would is there another lake in Srinagar that is more peaceful? We are looking for a cheap houseboat...nothing too extravagant! 2) Another question about flights...I have checked airlines (Air Deccan and Jet Airways) about flights from Delhi to Srinagar. Can anyone recommend other airlines that are cheaper? 3) We are planning to go from Srinagar to Leh. Can anyone recommend a good way to travel there? Is bus better or plane? And what's the journey like? Thanks for the help! sejjoe

Aug 10th, 2007, 03:04	#4
Maz Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ireland (Dublin/Belfast) Posts: 67	Srinagar Have fun in Srinagar, you will love it. Feel free to PM me with any questions, I was there in June/July time. regards Maria

Aug 10th, 2007, 03:31	#5
Alohaguy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hawaii USA Posts: 168	Is it safe to go to Kashmir? I stayed in a Houseboat in the seventies and have been thinking of going to Kashmir again. Is it safe to go to Kashmir these days?

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Aug 9th, 2007, 11:22	#2
Bhaswaran Landscape Photographer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Kolkata. INDIA bhaswaran@redifmail.com Posts: 954	Stay in a houseboat at Nagin Lake. it is more peaceful and less touristy. Dal Lake is crowded now. For Leh, I would prefer the road, hire a car, and go there and enjoy the spectacular scenery.

Aug 9th, 2007, 18:59	#3
shahronakm Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 1,377	1] Check this link for Houseboats. http://www.houseboatowners.org/ 2] Check Spice Jet & Go Air also. http://www.goair.in/ http://www.spicejet.com/ 3] Hire a car from Srinagar to Leh (2 days) with overnight at Kargil. You will enjoy your journey on this route. Ronak.

Sep 19th, 2007, 21:27	#6
Darwish Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: India Posts: 89	yes it is safe in most area's. lakes in Srinagar are quite safe. Info comes from ministery of tourism in Jammu

Sep 20th, 2007, 10:00	#7
Alohaguy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hawaii USA Posts: 168	Thank you Darwish for that input. Take care!

Oct 15th, 2007, 10:50	#8
oneheart Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 89	Hi, so sorry, can i hijack this thread to ask 1 question? I was offered a srinagar tour for 7 days by a singapore tour agency but i think it is a little steep.. i was wondering if anyone can tell me how i can get a local reliable tour agency that provides customised tour packages?

Oct 25th, 2007, 12:08	#9
Ariell Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: London, ON Posts: 74	Hi Sejjoe I stayed on a houseboat in Srinagar 2 summers ago. I believe it was on Dal Lake. I booked it thru a travel agent in Delhi whose grandfather owned the houseboat. Happy to pass on the travel agent's info. if you need it. (I have no financial interest in recommending him -- just in case you can't find something.) I flew with Spice Jet. Oneheart: where is local? Singapore?

Oct 25th, 2007, 12:33	#11
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 4,319	You have not mentioned when you intend to visit Srinagar. If it is not peak season I recommend looking for a houseboat after reaching Srinagar. I checked in to a hotel after reaching Srinagar from Delhi for one night. Went out and checked out different boats and zeroed in one at Nagin lake. The boats come with a boarding package. I chose breakfast and dinner only.

Oct 25th, 2007, 12:56	#13
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 4,319	I was fortunate to find a foodie houseboat owner and enjoyed Kashmiri food all through out my stay. Do try out Mughal Durbar restaurant in Srinagar.

Oct 25th, 2007, 20:27	#15
maypacheco Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 29	if you plan to go to leh.. the best way is via road... we're jsut back from leh.. went there in sept.. road via srinagar is lovely... but you need to check the weather now... it would be getting cold and if it snows, some of the roads become inaccessible.. even in ladakh, if it snows, you'd be restricted to leh and would not be able to travel to other places (nubra valley, pangong lake etc...)

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