Houseboat Lily of Nageen

Nice Houseboat

My husband and I spent a wonderful 5 days in Kashmir, hosted by Ajaz & his lovely family at Lily of Nageen at the end of December 2023. It was the most amazing experience, and I've listed down the highlights & some watch outs below: Highlights: - the warm hospitality shown by the family - from the detailed itinerary planning by Ajaz (who arranged for all flights & transportation), the delicious home-cooked food by his sister Sameena, the housekeeper Mehraj who was always on hand to help keep the houseboat warm during the freezing winter days & Nadeem who was our excellent driver & guide. All of them are so friendly & we were treated like family in their beautiful home. - We were fortunate to have the whole houseboat to ourselves so we had privacy. We loved the exquisite & intricate wood carvings, wood panelings and cozy ambience, although in winter it was freezing cold! I loved sipping my masala or kahwa tea at the patio area watching the shikaras pass by though. - The houseboat was so serene & peaceful. It was lovely to be woken up by the sounds of birds. The garden behind the houseboat was also very nice although in winter was very bare. We also happened to be there when Srinagar was going thru very thick fog but that didn't deter us from exploring the gardens. - During our stay there was a nice *** selling beautiful pashmina shawls that go houseboat to houseboat selling his wares via shikara. We bought ***y lovely shawls at a good price from him. There was also a jewelry sales*** that dropped by. Watch outs: - it was extremely cold in end December - while we were bundled up warm outside, we were not really prepared that the houseboat was also freezing inside. The room we stayed had a traditional Kashmiri bukhari wood fire heater but it took a long time to heat the room. Unfortunately electricity was also very sporadic. The electric blanket was such a much needed relief to keep warm but it only worked when there was electricity. Most nights we slept with our winter coats on! However the water heater worked and the wifi was very strong throughout our stay. Overall, despite the freezing weather we would love to come back in a heartbeat! Although we are more inclined to visit in spring next time

The stay at Lily of Nageen encapsulated my entire experience of Kashmir. It was beautiful, warm, safe and welcoming. Perfect for solo travellers. Especially if you’re travelling alone for the first time. The food needs a special mention, take a bow Samina!

So glad we were pointed to the Lily of Nageen by friends. It’s on the much quieter Lake Nageen which connects to Dal Lake by shikara (Kashmiri ‘gondolas’. Do Not miss taking a placid, motor-free cruise on one of these ‘chaise lounges’ on water). Charm and local character describe the houseboat. Comfortable, good WiFi ( for those who must), private, cooked to order meals, and warm, welcoming hosts. Family run, our two day stay was entirely in the entertaining hands of Tariq. Srinagar in Jammu & Kashmir state is not an easy place to negotiate, especially for foreigners. The airport is a long ways away and we had zero phone service. In communication with brother Ajaz before arrival I mentioned our need for airport pickup and that we were open to their insights into local sightseeing. We needn’t have worried. Immediately upon arriving after a hectic 30 minute ride from the airport, Tariq and attendant Mehraj, who also prepared our meals, greeted us with tea and sweets, then shuffled my cousin and I off the back porch onto a waiting shikara on which we lounged and relaxed in the placid calm and glorious scenery for the next three hours. What an amazing antidote for crazy, overcrowded India!! We also saw the tulip festival across the lake in the golden hour, drove up into the mountains and hiked at Naranag, and did a private walking tour through old Srinagar including two gorgeous mosques. We wouldn’t have been able to arrange any of these excursions on our own, so wow!! In April, it was chilly at night (45°F) to sunny, fresh 60-75° during the day. Lots of blankets (one electric) and plentiful hot water made our stay cozy and comfortable. The magic of the Lily of Nageen is its location. It sits parallel to the shore, not stacked side by side by side like most of the Dal Lake boats. A dramatic view of Hari Parbat fort looms across Lake Nageen, and the sound of evening (and very early morning) prayers wafting across the water from all the local mosques is something I will never forget. I hesitate to rave any more, or I’ll never be able to book this place again. But you should go at least once in your life.

My older parents and I stayed for a week and were really glad we chose to stay on Nageen lake with Lily of Nageen. The owners and helpers were so nice and can make anything you wish happen. You won’t regret staying here! The WiFi is fast, showers hot, home cooked meals can be adjusted for western palates, and there are some local restaurants and shops on the road nearby if you need anything. We were able to pick up rickshaws and alaa cabs from there as well. Thanks for everything Imtiyaz and Ajaz!

Had a wonderful time in the house boat. Thanks to Mr.Imteaz for helping us make the whole experience a better with the family. The experience was good. The house boat has amazing views in the Naveen lake. A definite suggestion for everyone. Rouf was a great guy with lot of experience around the place

Very Beautiful and calm Lake, Must visit in Srinagar. As you embark on a journey filled with devotion and wonder, make sure to include a visit to the enchanting Nageen Lake in your itinerary. Nestled amidst snow-capped mountains and lush greenery, Nageen Lake offers a serene retreat from the bustling pilgrimage activities of the Yatra

Excellent House Boat experience with the finest kashmiri hospitality of both the staff and owner. The surrounding of the lake was serene and quite away from busy buzz of downtown Srinagar Very clean and equipped toilets and bathroom with hot water shower all around. One of the best breakfasts I have had in Kashmir Easy transportation connect facilities Simply Awesome👏😊👍

Excellent stay owner is very warm and spends ample time with guests caring for every small need. Haven't met anyone so friendly as yet. Whenever in Srinagar next lily of nageen is my only choice. Owner is an excellent guide and knows kasmir like the back of his hands.