Lakes, gardens & houseboats
Srinagar is where most Kashmir trips begin and end, and where most families sleep. Two lakes, the Mughal gardens, a busy old city, and the houseboats that everyone asks about.
The airport is here, most hotels are here, and the three big day trips start from here: Gulmarg is about two hours away, Sonamarg a little under three, Pahalgam around three. Sleeping in one Srinagar hotel and driving out means you unpack once, which parents with small children appreciate by day three. Our office is on Boulevard Road at Ghat No. 7, on the edge of Dal Lake.
Spend the first day on the lake side. See the Mughal gardens of Nishat, Shalimar and Chashme Shahi in the morning, with Pari Mahal above them for the view, then take a shikara on Dal Lake as the light goes. The second day is for the old city: Hazratbal shrine on the far shore, the wooden Khanqah-e-Moula by the Jhelum, Jamia Masjid, and the climb up Shankaracharya hill.
From late March into April the tulip garden below the Zabarwan hills opens for a few weeks. In October and November the chinar trees turn red and gold, and the gardens are at their most beautiful.
A night on a houseboat is the classic Srinagar experience, and the carved cedar interiors are worth seeing. For a family with toddlers, one night is usually enough. Boats have steps, water all around, and a shikara ride every time you want to go ashore. Many families do one houseboat night and keep a hotel for the rest. See Srinagar houseboat stays for how we choose a boat.
For the drive itself, see our Srinagar airport to Dal Lake taxi. It covers vehicle choice, what changes the fare, and how to book. We do not print a fare chart, because the quote depends on the day.
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