What is a Shikara ride?
A Shikara is a long, narrow wooden boat with a canopy and cushioned seats, paddled by a boatman. A ride on Dal Lake is one of the first things people do in Srinagar: you drift past houseboats, lotus beds, floating gardens and the mountains that frame the lake.
What you can see
- Houseboats and shikara ghats along the lake, many of them carved cedar.
- Floating gardens where vegetables are grown on beds of woven weed and soil.
- Lotus blooms in summer, when parts of the lake fill with flowers.
- Floating shops selling saffron, dry fruits, handicrafts and flowers.
- Char Chinari island and views of the Zabarwan hills and the Mughal gardens.
Best time for a Shikara ride
Early morning is quiet and the light is soft; this is also when the floating vegetable market takes place. Late afternoon to sunset is the favourite time for photographs. Summer brings lotus flowers and busier ghats; autumn colours the chinar trees around Srinagar; in a hard winter the lake edges can freeze and rides may be limited. See our summer in Kashmir guide for seasonal ideas.
How long does a ride take?
A standard ride lasts about an hour. Longer rides cover more of the lake, including the floating gardens. Several of our packages include a complimentary one-hour Shikara ride; for others, rates depend on the ghat, the route and the duration, so agree the price and time before boarding.
Tips
- Agree the route, duration and price before you step on the boat.
- Carry a light jacket; it is cooler on the water.
- Keep your phone and camera in a pouch.
- Honeymoon couples can request a decorated Shikara in advance (see honeymoon packages).
Stay near the lake
Staying on a houseboat or in a lakeside hotel makes Shikara rides effortless. Browse Srinagar hotels and houseboats, or ask for a package that includes a ride, such as our Kashmir family packages and budget tours.
