Discover India: A Curated Journey for the Floating Homes Community and Friends

Jul 13
3 min read

Updated: Aug 5

Does the idea of experiencing houseboat living on the other side of the world appeal to you? Perhaps a trip to Kashmir – The Venice of the East, Taj and Tiger: Collection of India’s Most Remarkable Experiences

A few of us have been talking for a while about a trip that isn't really a trip at all, in the usual sense — no tourist bus, no badge, no group photo in front of a monument. Just a small number of us, people who already live differently because we live on the water, going to visit the one place in the world where that's been true the longest.

On Dal Lake, in the Himalayan foothills of Kashmir, families have lived on carved wooden houseboats for generations — walnut and cedar instead of cedar-shake and float, mountains instead of skyline, but the same experience we'd recognize instantly: boats as front porches, neighbors who arrive by water, mornings that start with whoever's paddling past.

While we go to Trader Joe's for food, they have vendors that sell vegetables door to door by boat at dawn. It's something to witness.

We’re curating a small, intimate group from the FHA community—and friends—to experience this firsthand this coming February. We wanted to share this with you now, before the roster fills, so you have the first opportunity to join us. If you’re reading this, the invitation is open to you, too.

What the Trip Actually Is

This is a fourteen-day journey through Kashmir, Delhi, Agra, and Rajasthan, built around a few real things rather than a checklist of sights: several nights aboard traditional houseboats on Dal Lake, a shikara ride out to the floating vegetable market at sunrise, and lunch with a local houseboat family — not staged for tourists — an actual meal, in an actual home.

From there the trip moves through more familiar ground, but at a pace that allows it to register: the Taj Mahal at both sunrise and sunset, Old Delhi by cycle-rickshaw, two safaris in Ranthambore National Park looking for tigers, and a final stretch through Rajasthan ending at Samode Palace outside Jaipur.

It's a small group — not a coach tour — and the hotels, lodges, and houseboats along the way have been chosen for comfort as much as character - all are four or five stars. All meals, ground transportation, and the internal flights between Delhi and Srinagar are included.

This journey is led by Nazir Rah, a floating home resident here on Eastlake, who spent his childhood aboard a floating home in Kashmir, India, and has deep connections there. Nazir Rah, who runs an established travel agency in India, provides the group exclusive access through these long-standing personal relationships.

Where Things Stand

Right now, we're just gauging interest. There's no payment or commitment involved at this stage — we're simply trying to get a sense of who might want to join before we finalize the group.

If you're interested, let us know by September 15th. We’ll collect deposits in October. The tour departs Seattle on February 24, 2027.

Questions are welcome anytime:

Trip organizer: Nazir — nazir@mountainadventuresindia.com / FHA Contact Stafford — staffordgreen@gmail.com

There is no commitment required at this stage; we are simply collecting feedback to see if we can bring this group adventure together. If this sounds like an experience you’d enjoy, please fill out this form.

Detail Summary and Action:

Here is a detailed draft schedule.

If this sounds like an adventure you’d enjoy, please click below

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When:

Depart Feb 24th 2027. (We want to head there this winter for some sunshine.)

Estimated costs: