Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake in December – True Beauty at its Best!

Srinagar is Kashmir’s summer capital and is known for a plethora of sightseeing spots. But the most loved ones have to be Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake.

Dal Lake In Winter — ( A view of Dal Lake in winter, and the beautiful mountain range in the background in the city of Srinagar, Kashmir, India. )

Let us give you a quick insight into Nigeen Lake first. It is also spelt as Nagin Lake and nature lovers, amongst the other tourists, flock to this lake to experience its tranquillity. It is a popular tourist place to visit in Srinagar and is in fact an extension of the very famous Dal Lake. Nigeen Lake is flanked by beautiful willow and poplar trees that add to its breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful setting. This will surely take you away from the daily hustle and bustle of your life.

At Nigeen Lake, you will find houseboat accommodation as well. The lake is lined up with wooden houseboats that offer a unique travel experience, completely different from staying in a hotel or even camping out. To add to this the Shikara rides are also famous at Nigeen Lake.

The lake is situated on the west of Dal Lake, adjacent to Hari Parbat hillock. And even though it is a different lake, it is considered a part of Dal Lake itself.

Dal Lake on the other hand is like the father of Nigeen Lake. It is reckoned to be the pride of Kashmir tourism. These lakes are indeed the jewels of Srinagar that add to the tranquil and picturesque environment of the valley. Dal Lake is surrounded by the magnetic Pir Panjal mountains and stupendous Mughal Gardens. The lake is a must-visit spot for family vacationers, honeymooners, a group of friends or even solo travellers. Considered one of the most tranquil destinations for shooting a film. There are about 20 films that have been shot here. The most famous is Shammi Kapoor’s Kashmir Ki Kali. The lake offers some incredible vistas of picturesque hills, distant snow-capped mountains, colourful shikaras and the houseboat standing still with perfect poise.

The Temperature of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake During January

In the month of December, when the winter is at its peak the lakes are partially frozen. Hence, a Shikara ride is not always possible. Also, it becomes too cold to be in the middle of the lake. But it is an experience in itself that you must not miss out on if the lakes are not completely frozen. However, the lakes look misty and beautiful during the winters and their eternal beauty will charm you like no other.

The average minimum temperature of the valley during December is around 0°C to 2.0°C. Snowfall in December is normal. It also rains sometimes on average for a total of 5 days.

Suggested Read: Kashmir Weather in December

How To Reach Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake

If you are travelling by air then you are in luck. The lakes are located in Srinagar and the airport in Kashmir is also in Srinagar. From Srinagar Airport the lakes are the closest, it is a 22minute drive approximately. If you are not self-driving then you can also hire a taxi from outside the airport. The ride should take around 650-800 INR.

Dal Lake House Boat In Winter — ( Lifestyle in Dal lake, People living in ‘House boat’ and using small boat ‘Shikara’ for transportation dal-lake-house-boat-in-winter )

However, if you are reaching Kashmir via train then its bit of a journey. Kashmir’s nearest airport is in Jammu, which is 300kms away from Srinagar. Kashmir does not house a fully-functional railway station and hence you will have to take a train to Jammu and then a road journey to Srinagar. From the Jammu Tawi Railway Station, you can hire a taxi, self-drive or even take a bus to Srinagar.

If you are planning to travel by road then you can self-drive to Kashmir as well. Or hire a car or even use the bus services. But make sure you stay in Srinagar to visit the Dal and Nigeen Lake. These lakes are located in Srinagar and it would be easier to visit them if you are in Srinagar.

Suggested Read: Srinagar Travel Guide for December

Food And Drink Facility at The Lakes

You are in the summer capital of the valley and are visiting the most loved tourist spot. There are a plethora of restaurants and cafes around the lake. You can find the one suitable for you according to your range and taste.

Dal Lake Srinagar In Winter — ( A view of Dal Lake in winter, and the beautiful mountain range in the background in the city of Srinagar, Kashmir, India. )

But if you are looking for just snacks and tea, we have the perfect plan for you. While taking a tranquil walk on Boulevard Road, you will find local tea shops around there. Even if you are not a tea lover, you must try the Kashmiri Kahwah, we are sure you will love it.

If these ideas don’t work for you, not to worry, we have not run out of them, yet. You can enjoy the floating market at Dal and Nigeen Lake, while on your Shikara ride. As you ride on 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. Vendors on Shikara also approach tourists carrying saffron, flowers, vegetables and sweets to sell.

Suggested Read: Places to visit in Srinagar

Important Information and Tips

Dal Lake is a single body of water. But it does have lakes and pools interconnected and is divided by numerous causeways, buildings on stilts, floating gardens and houseboats.

The lake is actually formed from five lake basins and has two origin theories to it. Some say it is created because of the flood in Jhelum and some say that it is a post-glacial lake. Nobody knows the actual story though. The lake is shallow with a depth of around 6m and has an area of around 16 sq. km. Previously it covered around 22 sq. km.

The Dal and Nigeen lakes are famous for their beauty and tranquillity. Make sure you do not litter in and around the lake.

Also, if you are not a professional swimmer, it is considered dangerous to take a dive in the lake. So, please refrain from doing so. In December the water will be too cold to take a swim, provided the lake is not frozen.

Also, Shikara’s are usually low-angled boats. So, if you are enjoying the ride with kids, please refrain from bending, they might slip and fall in the lake.

Avoid smoking and alcohol at the lake and disrupting the calm.

Nearby Attraction of Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake

Dal Lake and Nigeen Lakes are urban lakes. Dal Lake is considered the second-largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir and is the most-visited destination in the valley. If you are visiting Dal Lake, below are three other places to visit nearby Dal and Nigeen Lake.

Dal Lake Kashmir In Winter — ( Beautiful view of the colorful Shikara boats floating on Dal Lake, Srinagar, Kashmir, India. )

Boulevard Road – There are chances that the lake has frozen because of the winters. But you can still enjoy its beautiful panoramic view by taking a stroll down Boulevard Road. The Dal and Nigeen Lake stretch all along this beautiful road. Here you will find locals sitting, chatting, taking sips of tea and having some snacks. 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 – You can also visit Char Chinar. A compound consisting of three islands on Dal Lake. This place gets its name from the Chinar trees. It is said that Murad Baksh constructed this island, the brother of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. One island situated at Bod Dal is called Rupa Lank. The second one is Son Lanka and it overlooks the Hazratbal Shrine. Chinar trees make up an integral part of Kashmir and are considered sacred, also used for medicinal purposes and furniture.

Mughal Gardens- Dal and Nigeen Lake are engulfed by Mughal Gardens – Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashmashahi. To get a view of the frozen lake you can definitely visit these gardens. Dal Lake serves as a backdrop for the gardens so you can see the lake clearly. Nishat Bagh is popular for its terraced flower bed and Shalimar Bagh for its garden waterfall with arched walls.

Important Information You Must Know Before You Visit the Lakes

During the month of December, the lakes might be partially frozen. You must be prepared for the same. If the lake is frozen, a Shikara ride will not be possible. However, you can definitely enjoy the attractions around the lakes. You can also go enjoy shopping in the nearby area.

Another set of important information that you must keep in mind when you visit the lakes is the Shikara ride timings and cost. This is in case the lake is not frozen.

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.

Sunset at the lakes is a definite thing to experience. If you are in the Shikara, just anchor your Shikara and watch the beautiful sunset, amidst the magnetic mountains and tranquil lake.