Kashmir is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in India. And everyone has one particular place in Kashmir that tops the list. For some, it is Pahalgam. For others, it is Gulmarg, while for me, it is Dal Lake that I loved most during my first visit to the valley.
Right in the middle of the crowded city of Srinagar, Dal Lake is the city’s lifeline. Whenever our car got stuck in a traffic jam at Dal Gate, I felt energized. The left turn towards the Boulevard Road and the views of houseboats anchored over Dal Lake on one side and rows of hotels on the other are certainly quite pleasing to the eyes of a first-time visitor of the valley. Then the long drive along Boulevard Road until Hazratbal Mosque at the other end exposes different views of the mighty Dal Lake from different angles.
Every single ghat that comes along Boulevard Road has its own charm and views. Some are crowded, full of touts and boatmen, and some are just waiting for you with their open seating areas and empty wooden benches. You need to have a seat on one of those wooden benches while the sun sets down on the other side of Dal Lake, spreading an orange hue above the Zabarwan mountain and the water of Dal Lake.
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How to feel the vibe of life on Dal Lake?
Stay in a houseboat
To feel the vibe of life on Dal Lake, you first must stay a couple of days on a houseboat. There are plenty of houseboats on Dal Lake to choose from. I preferred those houseboats anchored on the backside of the lake away from the maddening crowd, where you will get a beautiful view of the lake and the Zabarwan mountain.
Visit the early morning floating market
The early morning floating market in one corner of Dal Lake is a must-visit place if you are in Srinagar. The market starts around 5 am to 5:30 am and is over by 7 am the morning. The locals buy and sell vegetables here while sailing on boats. As it is near the villages beside Dal Lake, you can also get a glimpse of village life.
Remember, the market ends almost immediately after sunrise. You can enjoy the reflection of mountains on the calm water of Dal Lake during sunrise while returning from the market. For every traveller visiting Kashmir, the Dal Lake floating vegetable market is a unique experience.
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Evening Shikara ride through the backwaters
An evening Shikara Ride is often complimentary if you stay in a houseboat. If you are not, you must also experience the ride through the backwaters of Dal Lake. From Boulevard Road, you will notice the mighty Dal Lake with rows of houseboats on the other side. But the actual experience starts on the backside of the front row of houseboats.
Once you cross these houseboats, you will enter a fantastic world of Dal Lake backwaters with colourful jewellery and clothing shops, floating restaurants, sailing Kahwa (Kashmiri Tea) vendors, tempting flower sellers alongside locals busy in their daily life – women, going to grocery shops, greengrocers selling vegetables, men returning from market and kids are back from school.
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The golden rays of the sun peeping through the mountains make the environment more dramatic and otherworldly. Do not miss this experience at any cost if you are a first-time visitor. You need at least two hours of Shikara ride to feel the vibe. Do bargain the rates hard before you board one of those colourful Shikaras.
Watch this beautiful video made with all my images about “Life on Dal Lake”!!
Book your trip: Resources
- Flight
Use Skyscanner or Google Flights to book your flight.
- Accommodation
Tripadvisor and Agoda are perfect for booking your hotel. If you want to stay in a hostel, then Hostelworld would greatly help you find one at your convenience.
- Travel Insurance
World Nomads is perfect for travel insurance. You can get comprehensive protection from them. Let them take care of unexpected situations while you concentrate on your trip.
- Package Tour and Activities
You can book a package tour from G-Adventures and Viator. They are a reputed company arranging small group tours and customising them per your requirements. You can also use Get Your Guide to book your private transport, city tours, heritage walks, food walks and other experiences like a cooking lesson or a Yoga session.
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