The shape of this journey
Three nights that never leave the city limits: houseboat mornings, the floating vegetable market, the Mughal gardens and the craft lanes of the old city, with no drive longer than thirty minutes.
What makes it worth it
- Four nights is too many — three is exactly right for the city
- The floating vegetable market at dawn
- All three Mughal gardens in one unhurried day
- A houseboat night on Dal Lake
- The old city craft walk: walnut, papier-mâché, pashmina
- A day trip to Doodhpathri if you want one
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive · check in and get on the water
Airport pickup, houseboat check-in and an afternoon shikara through the floating gardens.
Stay: Houseboat, Dal Lake · Meals: Dinner · Travel: Airport transfer · 30 min · Altitude: 1,585 m
Day 2 · Dawn floating market and the Mughal gardens
A 5 am shikara to the floating vegetable market, breakfast back on the boat, then Nishat, Shalimar and Chashme Shahi in the afternoon.
Stay: Houseboat, Dal Lake · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: Local · 20 min · Altitude: 1,585 m
Day 3 · The old city on foot
Jama Masjid, Khanqah-e-Moula, the walnut-carving workshops and a wazwan lunch, with the afternoon free for the emporiums or another shikara.
Stay: Houseboat, Dal Lake · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: Local · short walks · Altitude: 1,585 m
Day 4 · Departure
A slow last breakfast and the airport drop.
Meals: Breakfast · Travel: Airport transfer · 30 min · Altitude: 1,585 m
What is included
- 3 nights houseboat or hotel
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Private vehicle with driver for listed sightseeing
- Dawn floating-market shikara and one garden circuit
- All tolls, parking and driver allowance
- Airport transfers and 24×7 on-ground support
- Not included: Airfare to Srinagar
- Not included: Lunch and beverages
- Not included: Garden and monument entry tickets
- Not included: Pony rides and optional activities
- Not included: Personal shopping, tips and insurance
No hidden charges on the road: driver allowance, tolls, parking and fuel are inside your quotation.
We do not publish rates.
Hotel and transport costs move with the season, the week and availability. Send your dates and we come back with an itemised written quote within a few working hours.