Best places to take a boat trip in India

The oceans, numerous lakes and rivers offer plenty of opportunities to take a boat ride in India. Just watch life go by as you lazily float along or take a raft to enjoy wildlife spotting, snorkelling or even to discover submerged temples. Here are our top five interesting boat trips you can do in India.


1. Shikara on the ‘Dal’ Lake – The Bollywood endorsed ‘Dal’ Lake in Kashmir has been a legendary spot for travellers. The thin Shikaras (boats) traverse through the water carrying tourists, vegetables, supplies and locals. The whole life system on the lake is supported by these unassuming boats, whether it’s supporting full-fledged markets or serving as a school bus for children. The rides on shikaras are extremely fascinating and help understand the local life better.

Boat-Trips-in-Kashmir

2. From the Himalayan foothills, it’s down to the tropical weather of Kerala. Alleppey, also known as the ‘Venice of the East’ is by far one of the best destinations to experience the tranquil backwaters of Kerala. Well equipped houseboats add to the charm of getting to know the vast network of backwater in and around the town. Recently, the house boats had come under the scanner for lack of a proper system to dispose waste from the boats. Now there are mandatory treatment methods without which these boats do not get permissions. Watch the local life pass on the banks of the waters, while you glide past in luxury. Off season rates for fully furnished house boats are quite affordable. Between October and March, it can cost anywhere between Rs 7500 to Rs 20,000/- depending on the number of hours on the boat.

Boat-Trips-in-Alleppey-Kerala

3. There are some very unique experiences with respect to boats in India. The famous rock temples of Mahabalipuram near Chennai have always garnered the interest of travellers. Two of the seven temples are said to be submerged in the sea. Few know that some fishermen take eager visitors out to sea, where one you have a look at the submerged temples. An experience which comes with serious caution, as there are no life jackets on these boats, it’s not for the faint hearted. A mere Rs. 100-200 for an adventure of a life time – try it!

Boat-trips-in-Mahabalipuram-Chennai

4. The Periyar Wildlife sanctuary in the Idduki District of Kerala is one of the most unassuming wildlife destinations of India. Without fanfare but with plenty of exciting experiences in store, there are a number of ways to see the jungle. One unique way, is wildlife watching on a huge bamboo raft, with a forest guide and copious amount of sunscreen. The Periyar Lake is flanked by thick forests and animals often come for a drink of water. The raft ride starts early in the morning and goes on till about 4.00 p.m with breakfast and lunch by the edge of the jungle. This trip needs to be booked in advance. You can also take a more conventional wildlife spotting boat trip here

Boat-Trips-in-Periyar-Lake

5. While Goa has always been on top of the list for many, its Southern neighbour Karwar in Karnataka is fairly unknown. Serene and relatively untouched by tourism, Karwar has several water based activities. One of them includes snorkelling off the quiet coastline. Trips go out on speed boats with trained instructors to help novices.

Boat-Trips-in-Karwar-Karnataka

Jammu & Kashmir Tourism: Dachigam National Park

The Northern most state of India is by far one of the most mesmerising in terms of its natural wonders. A mixture of of cold desert, verdant hills and the Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir is truly a travellers delight.

Amongst many other things to see in J & K, try the Dachigam National Park, just 22 kilometres from Srinagar, the capital of the state.

Dachigam-National-Park-location

Spanning a lifetime of over 100 years and an impressive coverage of 141 sq kms, Dachigam can be translated into meaning ‘ten villages’. With the mighty Himalayas as the backdrop of the National Park, the park is not only rich in flora and fauna but also makes a great place to just take in the varied landscapes of the region.

Sarband-kashmir

The terrain of the park ranges from grasslands to cliffs, making it uneven and exciting to traverse. Even amongst the flora, the forest is a mix of coniferous trees and grassy meadows. The forest opens out into the famous Marsar Lake which is the starting point of the Dagwan River. The river flows through a large part of the forest and is famous for its population of trout.

Formosan-Black-Bear

Wildlife: 

Where animal sightings are concerned, be prepared to look out for the famous endangered Hangul, or Kashmir stag. The Himalayan black bear, grey langur, weasel, jungle cat, musk deer, the elusive leopard, fox, marmot and musk deer are seen in plenty. The park also has a notable population of birds.

Moschustier

The national park makes for a good weekend getaway or day trip from Srinagar. It also gives you the opportunity to see the wide array of natural delights in the region without having to travel a large distance. Great for photography and wildlife enthusiasts, this is highly recommended. Try and explore this wonderful National Park on foot with a guide to get the best experience.

Timings: 

The Park is opened between 5.30 a.m to 6.30 p.m.

Fees: 

There are no fees to enter the park. However, the rules are subject to change, so please find out earlier.

Best Season: 

Dachigam cannot be visited during the winters due to heavy snow and windy climate. The best time to go is during the summers.

Things To Do in Ladakh

Some of the most stunning landscapes in India can be found in one place, Ladakh where there are many natural wonders. The tricky terrain of Ladakh has kept it a secret from tourists until recently. Now it stands as one of the most enchanting locales in the country with some of the finest experiences this spectacular land has to offer and plenty of places for tourists to explore.

1. A True Attraction

One of the most intriguing occurrences in the world is the Magnetic Hill in Ladakh, which is located 30 kilometres from Leh. Here, switched off vehicles move up a steep mountain at the speed of 20 kilometres/hour. The ride is an unbelievable, almost magical experience.

2. Trekking Trails

Trekking in Ladakh is an exceptional and incomparable experience. Choose from all-day treks as well as shorter ones to manoeuvre mountain slopes and reach a remote village or monastery. Longer treks can last up to 21 days and sometimes even more. These spectacular but testing trans-mountain journeys will offer up some of the most dazzling landscapes in the world and involve camping in the middle of nowhere. Treks limited to the Indus Valley, are possible to arrange in May and other routes are safe and accessible after July. A route called Chaddar is considered one the world’s most exciting trekking trails. Irrespective of what trail you choose, prior arrangements and supplies are essential. The terrain is tricky and deceptive, and you should not make the mistake of underestimating the conditions.

Trekking in Ladakh

3. River Rafting

Rafting options are widely available on River Indus and many of its tributaries. The stretch between Spituk and Saspol is the most suitable for rides and the ideal location for tourists to experience the sport without pushing their luck. Beyond Saspol, even ardent adventure seekers would require highly skilled professionals to guide the journey. The most tumultuous route is between Padum and Nimo. To take on this journey, advance preparation is imperative. Even with professional guides and participants, rescue crews are a pre-requisite when taking on the mighty Zanskar.

The-Indus-River

4. Photographer’s Paradise

Ladakh is considered one of the most stunning places in India for photography, if not the best. Even though, or perhaps because it was, opened to the general public only in 1974, it is not over-exposed and has mystique. In just the last decade its elusive beauty has become the toast of the film making and photography world. Photographers brave the long journey to reach far flung corners of Ladakh and capture its unreal beauty of film. Ladakh’s natural terrain resembles lunar landscapes with spurts of azure pools set within golden mountain-sides. To take back images of the local life in Ladakh, opt for one of the communal homestays here. These are homestays where the entire village operates as a team to promote eco-tourism. These native villagers have access to the beautiful local monasteries and by staying with them you can obtain an insider’s view into rituals and festivals; a priceless experience.

Paradise

5. Drives of a lifetime

A trip to Ladakh is incomplete if one hasn’t driven on the Manali-Leh route. This journey is possible the best part of a trip to Ladakh. The journey is set along breath-taking locales. Driving isn’t the only option of undertaking this journey, private taxis can also be hired in Manali to reach Leh. More often than not, taxi drivers can be cajoled into letting guests take the wheel. The route of Delhi-Manali-Leh is significantly longer than a Delhi-Leh flight. But without a shadow of a doubt it is worth the extra time and money spent. Another unbelievable driving route is in Khardungla. At 18380 above sea level this the highest motorable road in the world and offers the most splendid and incomparable vistas to visitors.

Mountain range Ladakh

6. Life in Leh

Leh is famous for the Victory Peak, which was built in the 16th century by King Tashi Namgyal. A very important religious and historical monument Leh’s Sunni Mosque that is over 400 years old. Other than due to its age, the mosque is important because it a rare amalgam of Islamic and Tibetan architecture. Most Buddhist monasteries in Leh can be covered within two days. An idyllic way to experience the real life and culture of Leh is by living with a local family. Many families have opened their homes to visitors as homestays. By staying with them, one can experience Leh’s rich culture through food, music, and conversation as well as learn about their history through elders who have lived it first-hand.