Above: With
hand-carved wood
panels and old-world
charm Sukoon
Kashmir is one of the
finest houseboats
on Dal Lake
Below: Spend two
days here
to soak in
the local
flavourSukoon Kashmir Srinagar Jammu & Kashmir
STAY AFLOAT
About 20 minutes into your trek to the
Zabarwan Hills you realise they were
lying. The walk definitely isnât moderate- not for city-folk it isnât. You see when
Kashmiri locals tell you a trek is easy
itâs because it is â for them. Okay maybe
they werenât lying. But as you huff
and puff your way up the slopes past
the trees and along the dirt trail where
everything seems to be climbing faster
than you something happens. When you
turn around you find Srinagar sprawled
out in front of you with the Dal Lake
shimmering in the sun and you forget
the pain. Youâre surrounded by hilly
expanses of green. Itâs a great view.
And somewhere in the distance
if you really look you might be able
to spot Sukoon Kashmir a luxury
eco-friendly houseboat in the valley.
With hundreds of houseboats moored
on Dal Lake Sukoon Kashmir has gained
a reputation for being one of the
finest. Its interiors are reminiscent
of vintage opulence with every inch
covered in hand-carved walnut
wood panels. Built in 1972
the houseboat is anchored
in a quiet nook of the lake.
You can enjoy waterfront
views against the backdrop
of the Zabarwan Hills
from her rooftop deckwhile sipping on delicious kahwa
a traditional Kashmiri tea blended
with cinnamon cardamom and cloves.
The five rooms are all equally splendid- spacious and comfortable with huge
bathrooms and a bed you can sink
into and forget everything.
Up on the rooftop deck awaits a feast
prepared by chefs Deepak and Ameen â
four courses of delicious dishes and local
delicacies. Ask for âtramâ a Kashmiri
thali served in copper vessels: succulent
mutton kebabs chicken gravy mutton
gustaba in yoghurt gravy rajma haak
saag (a Kashmiri spinach dish) nadru
(lotus root) with Kashmiri basmati
and finished with mouthwatering
2
EASY TRIPS
Romantic
Retreat