Relax on a houseboat on the lake and arrange treks... (Srinagar)

Member Name: Pablo_Sevilla

Product:	Srinagar
Date:	28/05/09 (2 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nice way to break up the journey south or to Leh further east in an idealic setting...

Disadvantages: Not really anything to see.

Srinagar is located in the Indian controlled territory of Kashmir and is the region's capital.

The city is built in a valley around a very large lake and surrounded by the Himalayan mountains.

The lake is the main attarction here, and it's where most backpackers end up staying as it's a great place to relax for a few days on one of the houseboats on the lake that have been converted into floating guesthouses.

This is also the place to arrange treks around the Kashmiri Himalayas.

You can hire a boatman to row you around the lake for half a day and this is recommended as there is some mangrove though swimming in the lake isn't a good idea because of pollution and the risk of transmitting infectious diseases.

Mosquitos are a problem (being a lake, though there is no risk of malaria being so high) so take plenty of repellent and a jumper is needed for the chilly nights (high altitude).

Srinagar is a good place to relax for a couple of days to break up the epic 38 hour bus journey to Leh further East along the highest road in the world (something you'll never forget!).

Srinagar is inaccessible by road during the winter (September-March) due to heavy snowfalls at such altitude. Flights are available from Delhi.

Summary: Great place to relax on a houseboat on the lake, a good base to arrange treks.