Peaks, Prayers & Pine Trees: Pritha’s Scenic Escape to the North East with Thrillophilia

There is a famous saying that goes: ‘Life’s best moments usually happen unplanned’. 

One such incident that stands testimony to this quote is my recent trip to Arunachal Pradesh. It all started on a summer afternoon when I was amidst the usual household chores. A random old Hindi song on my playlist kindled fond memories of my childhood. I immediately called my dear friend, Sangeeta Sharda and we reminisced about our school days. 

‘Pritha, do you remember we planned a girls trip back then?’, Sangeeta said.

‘Oh yeah, it would have been fun if we had actually executed it’, I replied. 

‘We can go on one now!’, she said. 

As one thing led to another, we decided to take a 7-day trip to Arunachal Pradesh and we were also accompanied by Sangeeta’s 22-year old daughter, Divyanshi. And, of course, when we started planning the trip, we could think of no other travel agency except Thrillophilia to make our travel arrangements.

Guwahati to Dirang

As we landed in Guwahati Airport, our tour coordinator from Thrillophilia welcomed us with a warm smile. Our girls-only trip to the Northeast had officially begun. Our car ride to Bhalukpong town was wonderful with scenic vistas, pleasant weather and endless chitchats. 

After a quick refreshment at the hotel, we headed to the Kameng River for adventure activities. ‘Let’s go river rafting and canoeing’, exclaimed Divyanshi in joy. While Sangeeta and I hesitated, the young lady took our hands gently and whispered ‘Let’s make an unforgettable memory’. 

She was right. Our laughs echoed through the gush of the water as she steered the canoe through the gentle rapids of the river.

On day two, we headed towards Dirang and en route we stopped at Tippi Orchid Research Centre. While Divyanshi was busy capturing all the 500 different varieties of orchids, Sangeeta and I took a relaxing stroll through the garden. 

"We often get so caught up in our routine that we forget to appreciate the beauty of our surroundings”, we discussed.

Our next stop was the Nag Mandir where we enjoyed the serenity of the surroundings. The smell of incense in the huge candlelit hall added to the peacefulness of the temple. We offered our silent prayers and set off on a guided tour around Dirang. The tour guide from Thrillophilia took us to the apple and kiwi farms, Dirang Monastery and Kalachakra Monastery.

Amidst the clouds in Tawang

Day three started with a lovely trip to Tawang. On the way, we witnessed enchanting views of Sela Pass adorned with snow-capped peaks and sparkling waters of Sela Lake. While Divyanshi was engrossed in capturing everything through her lens, Sangeeta put her head outside the window feeling the cold breeze like a kid. I, on the other hand, felt an indescribable peace that I had missed for a long time. Our itinerary for the day concluded with a visit to Jaswant Garh War Memorial and Nuranang Waterfalls.

Tranquil Trails of Tawang

We had a tight schedule on the fourth day with a full day sightseeing tour around Tawang. On reaching Bum La Pass, we were taken aback by the beauty of the surroundings comprising misty hills, deep valleys and lush landscape. 

“This place looks magical!” Sangeeta shouted in joy. 

We made use of the stunning backdrop and captured hundreds of pictures and reels. Then the guide took us to the popular Madhuri Lake, locally known as Shonga Tser Lake, and Taktsang Gompa. Before the day ended, we visited the Tawang Monastery where we found a different kind of peace and bliss like never before. The monks’ holy chants, picturesque surroundings and fluttering flags spread a divine aura that made all three of us forgot where we were.

Breathtaking Bomdila

The following day we had to check out from Tawang and head to Bomdila. As we drove along the snow-clad hills, we witnessed the beauty of West Kameng Valley covered in clouds. 

After a quick rest at the hotel, we went on to see the twin monasteries of Bomdila, Gontse Rabgyaling Monastery (Upper Gonpa) and Thub-Chog Gatsel Ling Monastery (Lower Gonpa). In the evening, all three of us took a relaxing stroll through the quaint streets of Bomdila, exploring the culture and traditions of the town. 

The day ended with hot chais in clay pots, endless talks and undisturbed laughs.

Bonded along Northeastern Border

The return trip to Guwahati was as scenic as the other drives we had in Arunachal Pradesh. After ample rest at the hotel, we decided to do some shopping for our families back home. As suggested by the guide, we visited the Fancy Market and Paltan Market. There were more than hundred shops selling jewellery, furniture, clothing, decor items and authentic treats. Divyanshi loaded her bags with tribal jewellery, handbags and garments like a typical college girl. Sangeeta and I tried all the different varieties of local street food, sweets and savouries and bought many kilos of them for our kith and kin.

Before departing from Guwahati, we visited the Kamakhya Temple and enjoyed a peaceful darshan. It was only at the airport that we were reminded of our actual routine and responsibilities. For almost a week, we had forgotten about our roles at home but now it was time to get back to reality. 

As we boarded the flight, I held Sangeeta’s and Divyanshi’s hands and said “Thank you for joining me. Let’s do this often!”.

Read More: Thrillophilia North East Reviews