Question 1

Should I stay in a houseboat or a hotel in Srinagar?

Accepted Answer

Do both. A houseboat is the experience but limits your mobility after dark, while a hotel is far easier on sightseeing days. One or two nights on the water followed by the rest on land suits most itineraries, and it is what we book for our own families.

Question 2

How much does a stay in Kashmir cost per night?

Accepted Answer

Homestays start from about ₹1,800 a night including home-cooked meals, hotels from around ₹1,800, houseboats from ₹2,500 and mountain resorts from ₹2,600. Rates rise sharply during the Tulip Festival in April and over Christmas week, so book those windows early.

Question 3

Which part of Dal Lake should I book a houseboat on?

Accepted Answer

Avoid the stretch directly opposite Boulevard Road in peak season — it is the busiest and noisiest water in Srinagar. The Ghat 9 to 16 stretches are quieter, and Nigeen Lake, about 6 km further out, is calmer and cleaner again.

Question 4

Do stays in Kashmir have heating in winter?

Accepted Answer

Not all of them, and this is the single most important thing to confirm between December and February. Resorts in Gulmarg usually have central heating; houseboats and village homestays often rely on a bukhari wood stove or a portable heater. Ask before you pay an advance.

Question 5

Should I stay in Gulmarg or visit on a day trip from Srinagar?

Accepted Answer

Stay overnight if you plan to ski or want first light on Affarwat. A day trip works in summer, but in deep winter the Tangmarg–Gulmarg climb needs a snow-jeep with chains and can close without warning, which can cost you the entire day.

Question 6

How many nights should I split between Srinagar and the valleys?

Accepted Answer

For a typical 6-night trip: three nights in Srinagar (one of them on a houseboat), two in Pahalgam or Gulmarg, and one back in Srinagar before your flight. Sonamarg and Yusmarg work as a swap for one of the middle nights rather than an addition.

Question 7

Are homestays in Kashmir suitable for families?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Family homestays are common across Pahalgam, Aru and Yusmarg and the hosts usually live on the property. Confirm whether the bathroom is private before booking, as anything below ₹1,500 a night is typically shared.

Kashmir Hotels

Every hotel we book

Boulevard Lake View Hotel

Rajbagh City Hotel

Lidder Riverside Hotel

Sonamarg Mountain Lodge

Stay questions, answered