Shikaras
Colourful canopied boats.
Suchita Ghose — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ayon Tarafdar — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Prateek — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Amoghamahale — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Ayon Tarafdar — CC BY-SA 4.0
Dal Lake is a freshwater lake in the city of Srinagar in the Kashmir Valley, and its centre lies about 7 km in a straight line north-east of the city centre. It is the most visited place in Srinagar and is known as the «jewel in the crown of Kashmir» and the «lake of flowers». The lake covers about 18 square kilometres and is part of a natural wetland of 21 square kilometres that includes floating gardens, called «raad», where lotus flowers bloom in summer. Its shoreline, about 15.5 km long, is lined by a boulevard with Mughal-era gardens such as Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh, laid out in the reign of the Emperor Jahangir, along with parks, houseboats and hotels. Painted wooden houseboats line the shores, and colourful shikaras, long narrow boats with canopies, glide across the water against a backdrop of mountains. Small islands such as Char Chinar, with its plane trees, stand in the lake, and in deep winter temperatures can drop to about −11 °C, sometimes freezing the surface. The lake is free to see, and shikara rides are paid, so agree the price before boarding. Some governments, including the UK, advise against travel to this region, so check current advice before planning a visit.
Colourful canopied boats.
Carved wood.
On the shore.
Srinagar, Kashmir Valley
Yes, agree the price before boarding.
April to June and September to October.