Houseboat Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir

Firdous: These Houseboats are the most luxurious form of all the other houseboats featuring 3 double bedrooms with attached washroom and a living room. The interior is embellished with Kashmiri handicrafts.
Kushal: They are tidy bit smaller than Firdous and offers 2 double bedroom and all other basic amenities like an either 3 or a 4-star hotel. The furniture and design of the rooms is immaculate.
Nishat: Best for couples who are on a honeymoon as the boat features a single double bedroom with all the basic amenities and a lake facing view.
Kushdil: Offers the same experience as a Nishat but equipped with modern facilities.
Gulshan: The Gulshan is the best option for a family of 4 with two double bedroom and a private balcony with views of the snow-covered mountains.
Clermont Too: A two double bedroom boat like Gulshan.

You must have experienced all kind of stays like Hotels, Inns, Paying Guests, Dharmshalas, etc. but have you ever stayed or experienced a floating hotel or a house and that too on the two most famous lakes in the whole of Kashmir? Known by the name of Houseboats, these floating houses are a unique staying option and a staple in Kashmir. Houseboat tourism is one of the main attractions for travelers planning to visit Jammu and Kashmir.

These Houseboats were the idea of some Britishers who were absorbed by the beauty Kashmir Valley and wanted to buy the land there but because of a certain restriction that bans any outsider to buy land in Kashmir, they thought of building a house on a boat and live there and when later they left the country these Houseboats were transformed into hotel like rooms to accommodate the tourists.

One can access these Houseboats by a Shikara (traditional Kashmiri rowing boat) and also roam around the lakes as well using the attached Shikara to their Houseboats. The tourists can also shop while staying at a Houseboat as many locals sell their products while floating around these boats in their own Shikaras.

Living on the Houseboats is such a fantasy like experience, not only you are close to the nature but have a majestic view of mountains and Mughal Gardens in your background as well.