Depart UK Take a Virgin Atlantic flight to Delhi

Arrive Delhi

Arrive in Delhi and stay overnight at the popular Claridges Hotel. Delhi is India’s capital and a city of diversity. Old Delhi – is a historic district of grand mosques, majestic forts, busy bazaars, and dilapidated monuments. In contrast to New Delhi, that has a modern skyline, a variety of malls, and restaurants along with old government buildings. It has wide tree-lined avenues and pretty whitewashed bungalows purpose-built in the 1930s by the British as a colonial capital and remains the epicenter of Indian political power. Delhi is crowded, colorful, and beautifully chaotic.

Delhi to Srinagar by air

Srinagar to Nagin Lake

 With a comfortable transfer to the Delhi Airport, you fly to Srinagar. Once in Srinagar we continue to the shorelines of Nagin Lake and board a premium Houseboat, this is where you experience the splendor for the next three nights. There is no better way to experience the mesmerizing glamour of Kashmir. The houseboats are comfortable, with traditional Kashmiri furnishings and a spacious veranda with delightful views of the lake and snow-capped mountains.

We take you for a cruise in a shikhara (a boat decked up with colorful flowers, ornaments, and has comfortable seats) and through the floating gardens that connect Nagin and magnificent Dal Lake.

Nagin Lake

After a scrumptious breakfast, we visit the marvelously maintained Mughal gardens. Keep an eye for Nishat Bagh, which is also known as the Garden of Gladness, and Shalimar Bagh, which was built by the Emperor Jahangir for his wife.

You would like to linger on in the gardens a little longer but in the afternoon we drive to the north of Srinagar to the Jhelum Valley and Manasbal Lake. Here you will discover the hidden wonders known as Jharokha Bagh gardens from where the fabulous views of the lake will take your breathe away.

Nagin Lake

Colors, loud sounds, a chaotic traditional vegetable market with a twist, nothing like you have seen before. Before the sunrise take a detour by the shikhara to the colorful floating vegetable market that takes place each morning. With the memories of the vegetable market, we return to the houseboat and you can spend the remainder of the day feeling tranquil watching the life on the lake coming alive.

Nagin Lake to Srinagar

This morning we drive to Srinagar and stay for two nights at either the Vivanta by Taj – Dal View Hotel or the Lalit Grand Palace Srinagar Hotel. Surrounded by the snow-capped mountains and the languid lakes, Srinagar’s Himalayan setting is dramatic and beautiful. The old city is a warren of narrow alleyways, temples, mosques, and markets, and the unique Kashmiri wooden architecture still remains the beauty to watch for. Srinagar is also the home to some of the finest ornamental gardens not just in India, but also in the wider subcontinent.

Srinagar

Explore Srinagar starting at the northern edge of the old city to visit the serene Sufi shrine of Makhdoom Sahib, which is located close to the Hari Parbat Fort. You can experience another breathtaking view of Nagin Lake from this vibrant place of worship. This place will connect you to Kashmir in a special way.

Once your heart is full of amity we take you to the core of the historic quarter and visit the unique Jama Masjid, the city’s largest mosque, the Shah Hamadan Mosque, and Budshah Tomb. Take an opportunity to wander through the colorful bustling bazaars and connect to the life of the locals.

Srinagar to Delhi by air

This morning you will feel enriched with all the great experiences you have had and we transfer you back to Srinagar Airport in good time to catch the flight to Delhi.  You will stay for two nights at the Claridges Hotel.

Delhi

After breakfast, we embark on a morning tour to Old Delhi with your guide to explore the area’s dense network of bustling alleyways, homes, bazaars, and mosques. You will visit the famous Chandni Chowk market, the beautiful Jama Masjid, the Red Fort, and Rajghat.

In the afternoon continue to New Delhi, which was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and is home to the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the Indian President, Rajpath, and the grand India Gate.

Depart Delhi

Today transfer back to the Delhi Airport to catch the Virgin Atlantic flight non-stop to the UK, along with an extra bag full of memories