Qayaam Gah

Set on a secluded ridge high above the calm waters of Dal Lake with a backdrop of the rugged Zabarwan Hills, Qayaam Gah Retreat is a place to slow down and tune out of the modern world immersed in peace and tranquility with superlative views of the majestic beauty of the Vale of Kashmir.Stay in style and comfort in one of the four luxury villas or three suites tucked away among orchids and terraced fields and relax into lazy days of sipping cups of steaming saffron infused Kashmiri tea served from a samovar while feasting your eyes on the mesmerising vista of life on Dal Lake below. Watch shikaras drifting between houseboats, stilted lakeside hamlets and floating gardens while the shimmering image of Hazat Bal Shrine is reflected in the water like a mirage. Rediscover the simple pleasure of a serene silence only occasionally broken by a bell hanging from the neck of a passing goat or the muffled sounds of everyday life drifting up on the breeze. Or take leisurely strolls on mountain paths to spectacular view points and local villages for a taste of the timeless rhythms of traditional rural Kashmiri life. Trek over the hills of the great Zabarwan range to the Dachigam National Park, where Himalayan Black Bears and the Hangul Kashmiri Stag roam, a delight for birders. And visit nearby ornate Mughal Gardens and atmospheric historic heritage sites steeped in history.In the spiritual symbolism of Sufism, qayaam signifies the highest mystical state. First comes sukoon, the unshakeable peace, then with time this matures into qayaam, the ultimate station on the old road home. As such, qayaam is the experience of unity with everything, the conscious and unbroken enjoyment of the oneness of all life.