Srinagar

"Dal Lake and its houseboats are the centrepiece, along with a shikara ride. The Mughal Gardens circuit covers Nishat, Shalimar and Chashme Shahi, with Pari Mahal above them. Shankaracharya Temple gives the best panoramic view of the city. Hazratbal Shrine, Jamia Masjid and the old city markets round out a full itinerary."

"Two full days covers the lake, the Mughal Gardens circuit and the old city comfortably. Most Kashmir itineraries use Srinagar as a base for three to four nights, day-tripping to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg and returning each evening. If you're only in Kashmir briefly, one packed day covers the essentials."

"Both work, and many travellers do one night on a houseboat and the rest in a hotel. Houseboats on Dal and Nigeen Lakes offer a distinctive experience and lake views, but vary widely in standard - booking through a registered agency matters here. Hotels offer more consistent amenities and easier access to the airport and city."

"April and May for tulips and spring blossom - the Tulip Garden typically opens for a few weeks in spring. June to August is warm and busiest. September to November brings autumn colour, particularly in the Mughal Gardens and chinar avenues. December to February is cold and quiet, with occasional snowfall in the city itself."

"Srinagar International Airport (SXR) has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other major Indian cities. By road, Srinagar connects to Jammu via NH-44 (roughly 8–10 hours depending on conditions), and to Leh via the Srinagar–Leh highway in summer. The nearest major railhead is Jammu."