For visitors, who would savour a slice of the true Kashmiri lifestyle, the Jammu and Kashmir tourism department has introduced traditional cruise on the famous Dal Lake, complete with the houseboat, ethnic music and Kashmiri delicacies. In an initiative to draw more globetrotters the State authorities have launched Houseboat cruises in collaboration with the Houseboats Owners Association in Srinagar, reviving an age-old tradition while trying to boost tourism in the state. Once enjoyed by almost everyone visiting Kashmir valley, Houseboat cruises were part of local culture. The cruise offers a three-hour ride on the lake together with traditional music, mouth-watering Kashmir cuisine and the joy of sipping the spiced Kahwa tea. The cruises are aimed at providing wholesome entertainment to the tourists.

“Houseboat cruises are an old tradition. There used to be Houseboat parties here. In the old days, Houseboats used to ply in our waterways and they were a part of our old culture. But for a long time we had forgotten our culture and we wanted to revive that,” said Sarmad Hafiz, Joint Director, Jammu and Kashmir Tourism.

“It is a great idea. The Houseboat cruise would attract more and more tourists and would provide them with an opportunity to enjoy their evenings. There are hardly any activities for the tourists during the evenings so these Houseboat cruises are really great,” said Vishwajeet Raja Patil, a tour operator.

“It’s a very nice party very good…. the Kashmiri food is also very delicious. People here are very nice and helpful. It is a very good place,” said Jenny, a foreign tourist.

Houseboat cruises, launched recently, have already become a hit with both domestic and foreign tourists as well. With its snow-covered slopes of world-class ski resort Gulmarg to its renowned Dal Lake, with the attractive houseboats in Srinagar, including meadows, pine forests and snow-capped peaks, Kashmir makes perfect getaway for holidaying visitors.

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The boat stationed in the middle of Dal used to act as a launch pad for performing various water sports activities. “This endeavor received excellent response from Britishers as top personalities across the world were visiting the boat”

Though the service was started in 2012, however, due to lack of publicity not many were aware about it.

With the increase in usage of social media, the cruise started to gain popularity.”

“The cruise boat now remains booked for most of the days. Apart from travel bookings, people book the cruise for birthday parties, ring ceremonies, VIP functions, conferences etc.

“Being the first cruise boat in Dal Lake, the boat influences many local and non-local tourists”