Roads, Rivers, and Reveries: Preethu’s Trip to Ladakh with Thrillophilia
Reminiscing about old memories and making new ones is always better with the same people. Priyanshi and I have been friends with Rishika and Rahul since our college days. After college, we all moved to the same city, and now we live in the same society after getting married. We're like the friends from Dil Chahta Hai, experiencing life together.
Every Sunday, we meet for brunch to catch up on work, life, and relive our college days. This time, the brunch was extra special because we were planning our next vacation. It’s Rishika’s birthday month, and Rahul wanted to do something grand to celebrate. After some brainstorming, we decided on a trip to Leh Ladakh- something that’s been on our bucket list since college.
The stunning landscapes, serene lakes, and peaceful monasteries have always fascinated us. Finally, we had the chance to make this dream trip happen. We logged onto Thrillophilia and browsed through their Ladakh packages. After discussing with their team and among ourselves, we found the perfect package that covered all the iconic spots we wanted to see.
Monasteries, Mountains, & Us
Our trip to Leh began with an adventurous ride to Sham Valley, a breathtaking stretch along the Srinagar-Leh highway. The crisp mountain air and stunning views set the tone for the day and with such a fresh beginning of the trip, we were even more enthusiastic to see the beauty and experiences waiting for us.
Our first stop was the Hall of Fame, a museum dedicated to the brave soldiers of the Indo-Pak War. Walking through the exhibits filled us with pride and gratitude. Next, we visited the Spituk Gompa, a serene monastery with a fascinating museum showcasing ancient masks, weapons, and vibrant Buddhist paintings. Our guide told us unique stories about the place and Buddhism, and we were truly fascinated by the enlightening tales.
At Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, we enjoyed a simple yet delicious langar and learned about the Gurudwara’s unique history, built by the Indian Army. The Magnetic Hill amazed us with its gravity-defying phenomenon, making us stop and test it ourselves with lots of excitement and laughter.
We then reached the Indus Sangam Viewpoint, where the Zanskar and Indus Rivers meet- a magical sight that left us speechless. Lastly, we visited SECMOL, the famous school from 3 Idiots, which was both fun and inspiring.
As the day ended, Rishika exclaimed, “This is the best birthday month ever with the best people with me!”
The Ladakh Adventures
Next, we headed for Nubra Valley and I was awestruck when I saw the change in the terrain and scenery. Ladakh is truly magical in terms of natural wonders! Our journey from Leh to Nubra Valley took us through Khardung-La Pass, the highest motorable road in the world and driving through this scenic road was an adventure in itself. We took a short break at the cafe on Khardung-La and felt like we were standing on top of the world.
As we descended, the scenery transformed dramatically. The cold, rocky desert gave way to the white sand dunes of Nubra Valley, leaving us awestruck. We couldn’t resist taking a camel ride on the double-humped Bactrian camels, unique to this region that was once part of the ancient Silk Route.
We also visited the stunning Diskit Monastery, home to a towering Buddha statue and breathtaking views of the valley. As the day ended, we settled at our campsite, enjoying a cosy bonfire under a sky filled with countless stars.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Rahul said, perfectly capturing how we all felt. Camping in Nubra Valley was an unforgettable experience. We danced, shared ghost stories, and drank some rum to adjust to the chill breeze!
The “Most Scenic” Lake
Our journey from Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake was one of the most exciting ones of our trip. After a hearty breakfast, we set off for the stunning Pangong Lake, located on the Indo-China border. This lake greeted us with its mesmerising colours, shifting between shades of blue, green, and red as the sunlight danced on its surface.
Exploring the surroundings of the lake was magical. On one side, the Shyok River flowed peacefully, while majestic mountains rose on the other. Inspired by Bollywood, we recreated scenes from 3 Idiots and Jab Tak Hai Jaan, laughing and posing in true filmy style. As the sun dipped, the lake's beauty became even more enchanting. We ended the day with a delicious dinner and an overnight stay at a cosy campsite near Pangong Lake.
fully loaded fully-loaded our guide told us many stories and shared local historical insights which made every experience more interesting.
On the way, we stopped at Druk Padma School, famous for 3 Idiots, and admired the stunning Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace. The day was a perfect blend of adventure, beauty, and memories.
We couldn’t believe that the trip had ended and we were heading back home. But what made us happy were the experiences we had and the memories we made together. Now, apart from college fun, we also have a fully loaded treasure of Ladakh adventures to discuss on our next brunch.
Read more: Thrillophilia Ladakh Reviews