11/01/2026
The short answer is yes, you definitely should, but it is a completely different experience from the summer rides you typically see in movies.
While summer offers blooming lotus flowers and greenery, winter turns Dal Lake into a misty, silent, and sometimes frozen wonderland.
Essential Tips for a Winter Ride
To ensure you enjoy it without freezing, follow these rules:
1. Time it Right (Crucial): Do not go early in the morning (6 AM - 9 AM) or late evening. The best time is 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. This is when the sun is strongest, the fog has lifted, and the temperature is bearable.
2. Ask for a “Kangri”: Most good shikara wallas will provide a Kangri (a traditional Kashmiri fire pot carried inside a wicker basket) and heavy blankets. Insist on this. tucking your hands under a blanket with a Kangri makes the ride cozy.
3. Dress Like an Onion: Wear thermals, a heavy sweater, a windproof jacket, gloves, and a woolen cap. Your hands and ears will feel the cold the most.
4. Safety First: Ensure the boat has life jackets (now mandatory). If the lake is frozen thick, do not force a boatman to take you into deep ice areas as it damages the boats.
