Take a traditional Shikara boat to explore the canals and hidden byways of the aquatic paradise that is Dal Lake. See the waterside shops and houses where the rhythm of life has hardly changed for centuries. This ride will give you a true sense of the beautiful lake, back waters, village life and vegetable gardens. Includes Dal Lake, back waters, Nageen Lake and visit to Hazratbal Mosque. One staff from the Sukoon crew will accompany all rides to help. Perfect for bird watchers.

The walk begins at Zaina Kadal (bridge). Across the bridge is a living breathing museum of Islamic architecture, where as far as the eye can see are located homes, more than a century old. Tramp through the old quarters of Srinagar city into narrow streets, past structures and buildings, relics from an earlier period, trying to retain their dignity in the fast changing world so alien to them. The last stop on the itinerary is the Zaina Kadal Market to soak up the atmosphere so typical of a local market anywhere in the world.  Take in the sights and aromas of spices and dry fruits on display; watch the coppersmiths at their craft beating sheets of copper into a souvenir that you may want to take home. After a traditional Kashmiri lunch in a local restaurant, drive up to the Shankaracharya temple.  The car will take you to the foot of the flight of stairs, leading to the temple point and no further. The rest of way you climb but the effort is worth it because the bird eye views of the valley from the temple precincts are truly breathtaking.  After visiting the temple you take a shikara ride all the way back to Sukoon!

This is a superb hill walk offering great views of Dal Lake and the surrounding hills.  The hike is moderate-strenuous and anyone with an average level of fitness can do it.  The trail originates from a Sufi shrine near a small village and terminates at a small cave where the Sufi saint is believed to have meditated for several years.  We will be accompanied by a villager, who will also host our lunch when we finish the trek. This person belongs to a rishi (a high caste Hindu) family of the village; he is very proud of his origins and takes great delight in showing visitors the scenic beauty of his birthplace. The whole trek lasts around 3-4 hours and is quite steep at a few places with loose stones.  This is a round trip and concludes at the house where a refreshing lunch with our guide’s family awaits us.

Combine two of India’s most fascinating and evocative regions on a journey from the enchanting mountain valleys of the Vale of Kashmir to the un-spoilt palm-fringed beaches and mellow backwaters of Northern Kerala. After three days of exploring the hills, lakes, rivers, cuisine and historic sites of the Himalayan foothills while staying in the nostalgic elegance of Sukoon Houseboat on Dal lake take a flight to the sub-tropical coast of Northern Kerala for a relaxing three night stay at the finest Beach Retreat Neeleshwar Hermitage to indulge in Ayurvedic massage, long beach walks and taking it easy by the infinity pool overlooking the Arabian Sea before 2 nights living on board the Lotus houseboat cruising among the sleepy lagoons of the Keralan.