Qayaam Gah, Srinagar

Architecture follows regional tradition, using local materials and craft. Timber beams, carved wood, and teak floors combine with contemporary spatial planning. Villas and cottages are named after Kashmiri mystics and poets such as Rumi, Lal Ded, and Habba Khatoon. At the centre lies Ruh, the shared heart of the retreat, where restaurant, lounge, and library come together in a space shaped by Kashmiri craftsmanship and cultural expression.

Broad verandas open to uninterrupted views across Dal Lake and the valley landscape. Three suites follow a unified design language, with king-size beds, generous patios, and a shared living area with a study. Suites may be interconnected to form two-bedroom arrangements suited to families.

Qayaam Gah offers both stillness and movement. While the retreat itself encourages pause, the wider landscape invites exploration. The Driving Adventure programme is AB Chapri Retreats’ curated exploration of Kashmir’s mountain terrain through guided, open-top 4WD journeys. Designed as slow, immersive road experiences rather than high-speed expeditions, these drives trace routes through forested hills, alpine meadows, and lesser-travelled mountain roads. The programme allows guests to move between the brand’s Kashmir properties — including time at Sukoon, the restored houseboat on Dal Lake — while experiencing the region’s scale and topography in an unhurried way. Back at Qayaam Gah, days begin quietly with tea and yoga. Afternoons are often spent reading in Ruh, walking forest paths, or observing birdlife across the hillside. Evenings gather around the fire pit or the heated infinity pool overlooking Dal Lake, where conversation slows with the fading light. The retreat balances outward exploration with inward retreat, allowing guests to experience Kashmir through both landscape and pause.