Shikara Ride in Kashmir
Known as the “Jewel in the Crown of Kashmir,” Dal Lake has indeed become one of the most famous natural attractions in India. Located in the very heart of Srinagar, this astounding water body, surrounded by the mountainous Zabarwan Range, had been a magnet for centuries. A ride in a traditional Shikara, uniquely designed as an elegantly built wooden boat belonging only to Kashmir, offers an experience of its own, full of serenity and fine cultural legacy.
A ride on the Dal Lake in Shikara offers a mix of beauty and cultural insight. Drifting through the Dal, you will see floating worlds of vendors selling saffron and jewelry as well as antique Kashmiri handicrafts. The boat itself is a splendor of craftsmanship and artistry of the people of Kashmir, characterized by the deeply vibrant cushions and hand-painted designs.
More than a scenic boat journey to tourists, it is an immersion into the history of Kashmir and understanding the lives of those who call this valley home, a gateway to floating gardens, lily pads, and colorful houseboats dotting the lake’s surface—the intimacy of life on the water.
It will take you through the whole experience of booking and enjoying a Shikara ride on Dal Lake, including tips for going at the best time, luxury or budget options in rides, and finally, diving deep into the beauty and significance of this serene journey.
Booking Process for Shikara Rides
Booking a ride in the Shikara is relatively simple because different kinds of options vary according to budgets and preferences. Now, let’s discuss the different options of booking and what details have to be associated with it.
- Contacting local operators
The shikara operators from Srinagar offer one day, half-day, and full-day of customized tours in Srinagar. Many tourists tend to opt for booking from local Shikara operators to ensure a more personalized experience. Booking in person helps in haggling over the prices and selecting your preferred Shikara. Moreover, discussing with a local operator would also give you first-hand information about the local culture and traditions.
Most local owners typically operate from the fringes of Dal Lake, near big entry points like the Boulevard Road or close to Srinagar’s famous houseboat docks. Here and there, you will find several Shikaras lined up, each unique in its own right.
- Booking through Online Platforms
The booking platforms relating to Shikaras have been pretty handy for tourists years after years. On websites such as Tripmore, MakeMyTrip, and Yatra, you will find packages for Shikara rides ranging from budget-friendly ones to luxurious Shikaras. You can choose a ride duration, date, and time slot of your preference for a hassle-free experience upon arrival.
Pricing Structure:
Standard pricing from any online platform or local operators goes hand in hand. Typical pricing structure:
1 Hour: ₹ 770- Short exposure to the lake understands the striking places and gives an idea of its feeling.
2 Hours: ₹1210- It is one of the most famous options since it will cover even quieter parts of the lake, floating markets, and peaceful drift in a beautiful environment.
3 Hours: ₹1650 – For an all-inclusive visit, the three-hour visit spans all the dimensions of the sight, including floating gardens, houseboats, and even a glimpse of the Mughal Gardens from the lake.
Best time to book:
One can book a Shikara ride on arrival, but it is advisable to book in advance before visiting. This is particularly for peak tourist seasons: April to August and September to October. Booking ahead will ensure availability and an aversion to higher prices, which may arise due to demand.
Best Times for Shikara Rides
The time you take your Shikara ride determines everything about your experience. The scenery and ambiance keep changing during the day to offer visitors beautiful perspectives based on the hour.
- Early Morning Rides
The Dal Lake experience during an early morning is simply enchanting. Beginning at sunrise, the lake is calm, serene, and mirrors golden glimpses from the sun for a view not to forget. Another market that opens during the early mornings is the floating vegetable market. It is a peculiar phenomenon in which farmers take the produce on boats and build a marketplace in water. That traditional trade scenario happens to give an impression of the locals’ everyday life and offers some great photo opportunities.
- Late afternoon rides
Late afternoons are just as magical. As the sun sets behind the mountains, it casts a soft, warm glow across the lake. It’s the best time for photography and unwinding. You will be treated to cooler temperatures and softer noises while taking in the spectacular views on the lake as it changes from daytime to nighttime.
- Evening Rides
Evening rides are an altogether different experience. Even though it is not a good time for site-seeing, during the evenings, Dal Lake becomes very silent for most people. During festivals and other special days, Shikaras are decorated with lights, giving a touch of magic as they sail on waters under moonlight.
Safety Considerations
Shikara rides are generally very safe, operators having followed traditions handed down over generations. But always be a little careful and take precautionary measures:
- Follow Boatman Instructions: Always heed the advice and instructions given by the boatman. They know the lake well and are experienced in handling the boat in various weather conditions.
- Life Jacket: You would be able to ask for a life jacket if you are one of those who feels at ease with it since you are traveling with kids.
- Don’t lean over the side: Shikaras are narrow and easily may lean over on one side if there is uneven weight. So do not lean out over the side of the boat.
- Weather Alert: If you visit the destination during the rainy season, or if the weather changes quite suddenly, refrain from taking a Shikara ride when it is raining hard or very windy.
The Experience of a Shikara Ride
A Shikara ride through Dal Lake is a tour across a floating world, with sights and sounds that captivate visitors at every turn.
- Floating Markets and Gardens
The outstanding feature of Shikara ride is the floating market where local vendors operating the boat sell vegetables, flowers, and other miscellaneous items, snacks, and also tea. One may come across other boats selling local crafts. The other wonder is the floating gardens locally known as “Raad.” These exclusive, floating pockets of land reaped on water offer a look into the craftsmanship of Kashmiri agriculture.
- Scenic Beauty and Photography
Some of the most breathtaking natural backdrops of India stand as a backdrop for it. One finds that every angle offers a picture-perfect scene of the majestic Himalayas as the backdrop. Photographers will appreciate the reflection of the mountains in the water, the vibrant colors of the Shikaras, and the traditional attire of locals.
- Cultural Insight
Shikara rides also allow a glimpse into cultural elements. Many of the boatmen are ready to share stories and narrate the history of the lake, local tradition, and their personal experience. This gives depth to the journey and creates an opportunity, which is not merely a viewing of beauty but to understand life in Kashmir.
Conclusion
The ride in the Shikara across Dal Lake is much more than just a sightseeing tour but reflects the soul of Kashmir; whether it is the beautiful views, floating markets, or cultural interactions, the journey across Dal Lake waters is not easily forgotten.
Booking A Shikara Ride by Golden Wheels
It is a well-known tour and travel company in the arrangement of one of the most beautiful experiences anybody has in Kashmir. For example, taking an extremely serene shikara ride on Dal Lake. It offers both locals as well as tourists with an effortless booking experience to enjoy Dal Lake in an authentic and traditional manner.
Booking a shikara ride via Golden Wheels gives you following advantages:
1. Tailor Made Packages: Golden Wheels offers tailored packages to suit different tastes and timetables. If one is looking for a brief idyllic ride, then that can also be arranged at Golden Wheels. If one needs something more elaborate and vibrant, they too will be taken care of by Golden Wheels. These packages range from normal-length to super-long shikara rides; the category of boats; or even extra trips to floating markets, local craft stalls, and much more.
2. Informed Guides: When you book with Golden Wheels, you are accompanied by experienced boatmen who know every inch of the lake. They tell you about the history of the lake, the landmarks around, and can even give you other scenic spots to view in Srinagar.
3. Easy Booking Options: Golden Wheels has various easy ways to book your taxi. You can simply visit their office in Srinagar, call them, or even make an online booking from their website or application. It takes care of the formalities effortlessly by providing easy payment options and confirming the bookings quickly.
4. Flexi Cancellation and Rescheduling: It is understood that traveling is not predictable, and traveling conditions could be even worse during some travel times such as the one at Srinagar; Golden Wheels, hence, offers some flexible cancellation and rescheduling to allow one to change their itinerary due to some unforeseen circumstances.
5. Transparent Price: In Golden Wheels, the price, charge, and any cost is clear without any charge not stated. For your information, here’s the approximate cost range:
– 1 Hour Ride: ₹800
– 2 Hour Ride: ₹1250
– 3 Hour Ride: ₹1700
6. Special Experience: It offers some special rides like sunset, sunrise, candle-lit eve for couple, family packages along with refreshment. And all these are available to the guest to experience the lake at its special hour.
7. Other Facilities: In addition to the shikara rides, Golden Wheels also conducts free travel arrangements that consist of city tours in Srinagar and houseboat stay arrangements and transport facilities. This can attract the convenience of travelers who are planning their entire itinerary in Kashmir with one trusted agency.
Types of Booking
- Online Booking: Simply visit their website- Golden Wheels, and then when you reach the section of their Dal Lake Shikara Ride, then select your date and time preference and confirm your booking by choosing a mode of payment. Then subsequently you will receive all the confirmation details either through email or SMS.
- Calling for booking: The helpline for booking aid can be utilized through Golden Wheels. Any number of shikaras, prices, and time slots can be discussed over the phone. Golden Wheels staff is informed and prepared to help even with special requests and any requirement of personalization.
- Walk-in Bookings: You can head down to Srinagar, and then visit the offices of Golden Wheels where you’ll be able to get down and interact with the booking agents, track what might be available, and confirm your booking from there.
- Group Bookings and Packages: Golden Wheels allow group bookings as well as packages for families, friends, or corporate groups at discounted prices. Quotes and arrangements can be requested directly over their website or through their customer service.
You can reach out to the following for assistance:
- Phone:
- +91 7889 655596
- +91 7006 891267
- Email:
Inquire about tour packages, itineraries, and pricing, and confirm your booking for a memorable winter experience!
People Also Ask
How much is a Shikara ride on Dal Lake?
It depends on the time duration.
1 Hour: ₹770
2 Hours: ₹1210
3 Hours: ₹1650
How long does a typical Shikara ride take?
Typical rides usually take an hour to three hours, depending on how many hours you would like to travel around the lake.
Are rides in Shikaras safe for kids?
Yes, they are usually safe. For any young child, always accompany them and ask for life jackets, if provided.
What is the right time of the day to take a Shikara ride?
Best suited times would be early morning, when the sun won’t be very harsh, or late afternoon, when it is also not very hot.
Can I book a Shikara ride online?
Yes, you can try booking the Shikara ride online through platforms like Golden Wheels.
What should I wear on a Shikara ride?
Casual clothing, and in winter, wear layers as it can get really cold.
Are Shikara rides available throughout the year?
Yes, although there might be a halt during extreme winter when certain parts of the lake freeze.
Is photography allowed during the ride?
Absolutely. The views are gorgeous, and photography is encouraged.
Do I have a choice in which Shikara I will be in?
If you do it directly with local operators, you may have a choice from what’s available at the time.
Are there luxury Shikara options?
Yes, some Shikaras are more elaborately decorated and may provide a luxury experience.
Can we stop at floating shops?
Yes, your boatman can pull over for you to visit the floating vendors.
Is there a toilet facility on the lake?
No, but many restaurants and facilities along the edge of the lake have restroom facilities.
What languages do the boatmen usually speak?
Most boatmen speak Urdu, Kashmiri, and some basic English.
Is food allowed on board the Shikara?
You may carry some snacks along, as well as buy tea and local snacks from vendors on the lake.
Is there tipping involved for the boatman?
Yes, though not compulsory.
What in case of bad weather?
Rides usually stop during heavy rain or full-fledged storms. Check the weather in advance.
Cultural etiquette tips?
Dress modestly and respect local cultures. Be sure to respect the local customs during the peak tourist season or festivals.
Am I allowed to bring pets along with me on a Shikara ride?
This is dependent and best confirmed by asking the boatman if they allow carrying pets along in the Shikara.
Should I make a booking during the peak season?
Be sure to make prior booking as it will guarantee a safe seat within the peak season.
Is there an age limit to use the ride?
No age restrictions, but children have to be accompanied by adults.
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So serene and surreal!
omg!
Golden Wheels made sure our Shikara ride was perfect. They timed it for sunset, and the way the lake reflected the colors of the sky was breathtaking. We even stopped at a floating market to buy some trinkets. The whole experience felt like a peaceful escape from reality.
Golden Wheels made our Shikara ride feel so special. The boat was comfortable, and our rower was so skilled that we barely felt a ripple. Watching the sun dip behind the mountains while floating on Dal Lake was like poetry in motion. We didn’t want the ride to end!
My husband and I had the most romantic time on the Shikara ride arranged by Golden Wheels. The views were stunning, and the experience felt so personal and calming. Floating past houseboats and gardens, we even saw a floating vegetable market. It was like stepping into a different world.
I’ve traveled a lot, but the Shikara ride in Dal Lake was unlike anything I’ve ever done. Golden Wheels made the whole thing hassle-free, and we got to enjoy the ride without worrying about anything. Drifting past the lotus gardens while enjoying the cool breeze was pure bliss.
A unique experience!
Golden Wheels made our Shikara ride feel so special. The boat was comfortable, and our rower was so skilled that we barely felt a ripple. Watching the sun dip behind the mountains while floating on Dal Lake was like poetry in motion. We didn’t want the ride to end!
I can’t thank Golden Wheels enough for the amazing Shikara ride. The serenity of Dal Lake, the beauty of the lotus gardens, and the occasional sighting of birds made it so memorable. It’s one of those experiences that stay with you forever.
I can’t thank Golden Wheels enough for the amazing Shikara ride. The serenity of Dal Lake, the beauty of the lotus gardens, and the occasional sighting of birds made it so memorable. It’s one of those experiences that stay with you forever.