Kashmir Tulip Festival

Upcoming Tours On Request

 Delhi – Srinigar – Delhi

SEE BELOW FOR TOUR DETAILS

Overview

• Delhi ( Novotel Aerocity - 4 star hotel - Standard room )
• Srinigar ( Deluxe Houseboat - Deluxe Cabin )
• Srinigar ( Hotel Nadis - 4 star boutique hotel - Mountain View room )

PRE TOUR EXTENSION OPTION
Foothills of the Himalayas 13 Days /12 Nights
• Delhi ( Novotel Aerocity - 4 star hotel - Standard room )
• Amritsar ( Taj Swarna - 5 star hotel - Deluxe room )
• Dharamshala ( Fortune Park Moksha - Deluxe 4 star hotel - Club room )
• Palampur ( Lodge at Wah - Deluxe room )
• Shimla ( Oberoi Cecil - Luxury Heritage hotel - Luxury room )
• Chandigarh ( Taj Chandigarh - Deluxe 5 star hotel - Deluxe room )
• Delhi ( Novotel Aerocity - 4 star hotel - Standard room)

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Delhi /Srinigar Transfer from Novotel Aerocity to Delhi Airport to board your flight to Srinigar. Upon arrival transfer to Deluxe Houseboat and enjoy lunch on board. Enjoy a late afternoon Shikara ride on Dal Lake. A Shikhara is a traditional Gondola type light rowing boat which is mostly seen on the pristine Dal Lake. It is one of the most incredible and relaxing aspects of Kashmir and a unique way to experience the surreal beauty of this region to the fullest. It is also considered to be a cultural symbol, along with the regions houseboats. Dinner and overnight aboard the Houseboat.

Day 2

Srinigar This Morning enjoy a Mughal Garden’s tour and Tulip Festival Garden visit, followed by a Kashmiri lunch at a local restaurant in the city. Return to the houseboat or enjoy a walk around Dal Lake. The lake also has many floating gardens often moored in close proximity to the houseboats. There is always a great deal of activity on the lake and it even hosts a floating market where vendors sell their produce, directly from their boats. Dinner and overnight aboard the Houseboat.

Day 3

Srinigar Early morning Shikara ride to visit the local floating vegetable market. Here individual sellers gather in the middle of the lake at the crack of dawn to sell their produce. Most of the produce sold here is grown in the floating gardens of Dal Lake. The rich ecosystem of the lake produces a variety of vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, water chestnuts and the famous nadru or the lotus stems which is a delicacy in Kashmiri cuisine. There are also other varieties of fruit and vegetables and vendors selling flowers. Return to the houseboat for breakfast. Disembark the houseboat for a heritage walk of the old town. One of the most enjoyable ways to spend time in Srinagar is wandering the fascinating streets of old town, the entrance or Jama Masjid leads to a maze of streets in the area behind it. This is where locals shop and artisans are busy constructing samovars, a traditional Kashmiri copper kettle used to brew, boil and serve Kashmiri salted tea and Kahwa, a green tea with local saffron, cinnamon, cardamom and occasionally Kashmiri roses. It is generally served with sugar or honey and crushed nuts, usually almonds or walnuts. Locals can also be found baking bread amongst the old style houses and historical temples. Check in to your boutique hotel located in Srinigar town and enjoy lunch at the hotel. Rest of your day at leisure to explore more of the town’s cultural and shopping sites or visit Tulip gardens, full of rich colour and beauty. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Nadis.

Day 4

Srinigar Enjoy breakfast on the houseboat and then set off on a half day excursion with a packed picnic lunch to one of the many scenic places around the lake including Narang, Doodpathri and Manasbal Lake. Naranag is located aabout 50 km northwest of Srinagar. The journey to Naranag is beautiful, but nothing compares to the place itself. The village is beautiful and serene and filled with a sense of tranquility. Manasbal Lake is a good place for bird watching, especially aquatic birds. Lotus plants grow extensively in the lake and are harvested and marketed, and also eaten by the local people. Return to the houseboat and enjoy the rest of the day to relax at your leisure. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Nadis.

Day 5

Srinigar After breakfast today you will experience a handicraft tour visiting crafts and local artists at work. The city is famous for many performing arts and traditional music. The artistic genius of the Kashmiri people is expressed in the fields of literature, poetry, literary images, shawl making, embroidery, wood work, wood carving, paper mache and metal work. The art and crafts of Kashmir testify to the Kashmiri artist being a true lover of nature. Nature is reflected in all designs and decorative pattern of the Kashmiri Art. The Art of paper machie came to Kashmir in 14th century with Mir Syeed Ali Hamdani, a Persian scholar and mystic. The Kashmiri style of representing paper mache is unique and of the highly decorative with Kashmiri symbols like almonds, Chinar leaf, flowers and box patterns with precise details. Enjoy an authentic lunch with a local family and then return to hotel for an afternoon of leisure. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Nadis.

Day 6

Srinigar / Delhi Breakfast and enjoy a leisurely morning for shopping and exploring before transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. VIP meet and greet service provided at airport for your departure and return flight home.

Prepare for your trip

 India is everything, and more, all at once.

It's a sensory potpourri; a visual explosion of bright saris, lumbering cows, marigolds, incense, spices and bursts of sunlight - where you're guaranteed to craft your very own Darjeeling Limited experience.

As for the language, Hindi isn't spoken by everyone in India - in fact there are more than 20 languages spoken throughout the country and English tends to serve as a common one.

A few Hindi phrases will definitely help along the way: "Namaskar" (hello), "shukriya" (thank you), "aap kaise hai" (how are you), "kitna hai" (how much) and "naam kya hai" (what's your name), may come in handy on your trip.

As for money, you'll be dealing in Indian rupees - there are about 55 rupees to each Aussie dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted, but make sure you know all your pin codes as signing has been phased out around the country

WHAT'S INCLUDED

All tours include domestic flights, accommodation, transport, air conditioned mini coach with refreshments, sightseeing entrance fees, special tour events and activities, local guides, most meals and tipping (except for national guide). Prices may be subject to currency fluctuation or surcharges.

As part of a conscious initiative to reduce the use of single use plastic bottles, TIKKA TOURS ground operator now provides alternatives to plastic bottled water. Re-usable metal water bottles with re-filling facility are part of our guest’s vehicles.

TOUR PRICE

6 Days /5 Nights
On request ( twin share per person )
On request ( single supplement )
Locally escorted small group tour
( Based on 8–10 passengers )

EARLY BIRD DEAL - SAVE $500 PP - details coming soon!

FOOTHILLS OF THE HIMALAYAS pre tour EXTENSION
13 Days /12 Nights
On request ( twin share per person )
On request ( single supplement )
Fully escorted small group tour
( Based on 8–12 passengers )