Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake in May – Wonderful Summer Experience!

Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake are known as the Jewel in the Crown of Kashmir. Dal Lake is an important landmark of Srinagar and houses a number of tourists each year. Especially, during its peak season of May. Itineraries and most tourists that come to the valley make it a point to visit the water body.

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( View of Dal lake and boat house before sunset in the heart of Srinagar during winter , Srinagar , Kashmir , India )

Here is a fun fact about the lake. There are 2 theories that surround the lake, apart from the magnetic snow-capped mountains of course, regarding their origin. One says that it is a post-glacial lake and has undergone a lot of changes in size over the years. Whereas, one states that Dal Lake was formed due to flood spillage from the Jhelum River. Dal Lake has an approximate depth of 5 ft and a maximum depth of 20 ft. Covering an area of 16 to 20 sq. km. Dal Lake is part of a natural wetland, which includes floating gardens known as ‘Raad’ in the local language of Kashmir. The floating gardens are famous for their Lotus flowers. The Dal Lake is divided into various basins – Bod Dal, Nigeen, Gagribal and Lokut Dal. Also, there is an island in the middle of Bod Dal, which is known as Sona Lank. The lake is also lined by gardens built in the Mughal era. They say that the Mughals were smitten by the beauty of Kashmir and contributed highly to its gardens to heighten their beauty.

An extension of Dal Lake is Nigeen Lake. Also, spelt as Nagin Lake it is known to be a popular tourist place as well. It is surrounded by willow and poplar trees that offer a tranquil and peaceful vibe. The lake offers houseboat accommodation just like Dal Lake, which makes for a wonderful and unique travel experience. We are sure many of us have stayed out of hotels when on vacation or maybe have also gone camping but a houseboat stay will definitely be a different experience altogether. So, if you do love the lake a lot you can also stay back there to enjoy its beauty at night, right from the window of your houseboat. Nigeen Lake flows on the west of Dal Lake and is connected to Dal Lake via a strait. The lake, just like Dal Lake is considered a jewel of Srinagar, so don’t miss out on its charming beauty.

Suggested Read: Places to visit in Srinagar

The Temperature of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake During May

If you are planning to visit Dal and Nigeen Lake in Kashmir in May, you have chosen an ideal time. May is the peak season of Kashmir and is also the summer season. This means it is not very cold in the valley. Days are warm and nights are comparatively less cold than in other winter months.
Here is a quick look at the Srinagar temperature in May – the average temperature is around 16.5°C, the maximum temperature is approximately 21.5°C and the minimum temperature may be 10.8°C.

Also Read: Kashmir Weather in May

How To Reach Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake

There are multiple ways in which you can reach the lakes in Srinagar. Let us take you through it quickly.

Famous Houseboats in Dal Lake — ( Architecture of the Houseboats located in Srinagar, India. Home stays in famous Houseboats in Dal Lake, Kashmir, India. Romantic destination for married couples. )

By Road- Imagine a nice drive to the summer capital of Kashmir. Sounds fun right? May is an ideal time for a road trip. The sun is going to be shining bright right above you and the mountains are going to be calling you closer to them. If you are planning to self-drive to Kashmir, then make sure you stay in Srinagar to visit the Dal and Nigeen Lake. They are located in the main area of Srinagar and are at a distance of 5 Kms from Lalchowk Srinagar. You can drive to the capital city from wherever you are based.

By Rail – Srinagar does not house a railway station. So, if you are taking a train journey then the closest railway station is the Jammu Tawi Railway station located 300kms from Srinagar in Jammu. From the station, you can either take a cab ride to the city of Srinagar or travel via bus or self-drive.

By Air- Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake are just a 22minute drive away from the Srinagar Airport. If you are not self-driving from the airport then you can also hire a taxi from outside the airport. The ride should take around 650-800 INR.

Suggested Read: How to Reach Srinagar

Food And Drink Facility at The Lakes

There are three options that you can explore. One is going to a nearby restaurant or café or enjoying the local tea and snacks at Boulevard Road.

Dal Lake Pari Mahal — ( Unidentified people relax in the grounds of the Pari Mahal, a Mughal terraced garden palace on the banks of Dal Lake. )

If are taking a walk at Boulevard Road, overlooking the lake, you will find local tea shops around you that sell tea and Kahwah. You can sip on some tea, have some snacks and enjoy the view of the lake.

But if you are looking for something else to eat. There are a number of restaurants and cafes near the lakes. You can find an outlet according to your taste and range.

The third option is however the best and most unique. We can bet you have had tea from a local vendor and also been to a café for lunch or dinner maybe brunch and even breakfast maybe. But have you ever had some dessert during a boat ride? If you are on your Shikara ride and feel hungry, Kashmiris have a solution for that as well. You can also treat yourself to come ice-cream or chocolates while taking the Shikara ride. The floating market at Dal and Nigeen Lake will help you with it. As you ride on the Shikara, there are a number of small shops you can find to buy handlooms, clothes, groceries or Kashmiri products. These vendors go from one corner to another of the lakes and provide daily essentials to the people living inside houseboats. Makes of a fun experience, right?

Important Information and Tips

Even though the depth of Dal Lake is 6m, you must be careful before taking a swim, if you are not a professional or experienced swimmer, please refrain from the activity.

Also, make sure you do not litter in the lake.

If you are taking a Shikara ride with your kids, make sure you hold them tight. Shikara boats are low-angled and the kids might be engrossed in playing with the water, dipping their hand in the lake and not realise if they trip. So, if you are enjoying the ride with kids, please refrain the kids from bending to play with the water, or maybe hold them tight.

Also, avoid smoking and alcohol at the lake.

Nearby Attraction of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake

Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake are considered urban lakes. Dal Lake is the second-largest lake in the valley and is located in Srinagar, the summer capital. There are a number of attractions around the lake that you must visit. So, if you are visiting Dal and Nigeen Lake, below are three other places to visit nearby.

Boulevard Road – Now that you have enjoyed the lake, had a Shikara ride, maybe a swim even you must look at the lake from the outside. Boulevard road offers a panoramic view of Dal Lake. Just take a stroll down Boulevard Ro, preferably in the evening. The road is lit up and it feels like you are in Venice. The Dal and Nigeen Lake stretch all along this beautiful road. Also, there are multiple shops just around the road where you can buy handicrafts from Kashmir, clothes, local dry fruits, and the most famous Kashmiri saffron.

Char Chinar Bagh – Char Chinar is a compound consisting of three islands on Dal Lake. This place gets its name from the Chinar trees, flanged to the four corners of the island. It is said that the brother of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Murad Baksh constructed this island. We must say that it is really a beautiful place. One island situated at Bod Dal is called Rupa Lank. The second one is Son Lanka and it overlooks the Hazratbal Shrine. And you know the most integral part of the place? The chinar trees.

Mughal Gardens- Dal and Nigeen Lake are engulfed by Mughal Gardens – Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashmashahi. These gardens offer a blissful view of the magnificent lakes. The amazing flowers and blissful architecture of each of these gardens will charm you within no time. The best thing to do near the lakes is to visit these Mughal gardens.

Also Read: Things to do in Kashmir in May

Important Information You Must Know Before You Visit the Lakes

We know it is a little hot in Kashmir during the month of May. But we came up with a solution. You are already at the lake, so why not take a quick swim? The waters of Dal Lake are amazingly clear in the month of May. Just go ahead and take a dip and you feel refreshed. You might have the company of other fellow tourists as well. But make sure you are an experienced swimmer.

Also, if you are taking a Shikara ride, make a note of the timings and the fare mentioned below.

Shikara Ride Timings: 7 am to 9 pm

Fare: INR 550 per person (1 hour), INR 800 (2 hours), and INR 1050 (3 hours)

Apart from the Shikara Ride, there are other activities you can experience at the lakes as well.

Don’t forget to catch the sunset at the lakes. But catching the sunset from the outside is no fun. Take a ride during sunset and just anchor your Shikara and watch the beautiful sunset, amidst the magnetic mountains and tranquil lake.