Living a Childhood Dream: Abhishek’s Ladakh Trip Review with Thrillophilia
Abhishek always had a love for adventure. Growing up, his days were filled with studies, then work, and then endless responsibilities. He had always dreamt of travelling the world and Ladakh has always been on the top of his bucket list. He even planned a Ladakh trip before but everytime something or the other used to come in between.
As the years went by, the dream remained just that- a dream.
Each time he spoke about going on that long-awaited trip to his friends, he found excuses. “I’ll plan it next month,” he’d say, or “I'll go after this project wraps up.” But the months turned into years, and his dream lingered like a distant star.
“Remember when we used to sit on the terrace and plan your Ladakh trip?” Abhishek’s friend often reminisced, looking at the stars.
“Yeah, I had it all figured out,” Abhishek would reply with a sigh. “But life got in the way.”
Abhishek’s friend said, “Aren’t you tired of waiting, Abhishek. You need to go before you grow old and regret not doing it. Just make that ‘solo trip’ happen.”
The idea stayed in his mind until the next week and Abhishek stumbled upon Thrillophilia through social media. The bright pictures of Ladakh with captions like “Adventure Awaits” and “Glimpse of Leh Ladakh” instantly caught his eye.
“Look at this, bro!” Abhishek exclaimed, showing his phone. “Thrillophilia has a complete package for Ladakh. I can explore Leh, Nubra Valley, and Pangong Lake!”
He quickly made plans, booked the package, and before he knew it, the day had arrived. With a mix of nerves and excitement, he found himself at the airport, ready for their long-awaited adventure.
Arriving in Leh
As his flight landed in Leh, the cool, fresh air hit them, a stark contrast to the humidity back home.
“Look at that! This is incredible!” Abhishek exclaimed, pointing at the majestic peaks as he video called his friend back home.
“I can’t believe you’re there,” his friend said, his eyes wide with wonder.
He was greeted by his guide, who introduced himself as Tsering. “Welcome to Leh! Get ready to explore the Indian Himalayas, at its best,” he said with a warm smile.
His first day was spent acclimatising to the altitude. Tsering took him around the local markets, where he had the most delicious momos, thukpa and traditional butter tea.
“This tea is different from what I’m used to,” Abhishek said, taking a sip. “But it’s good!”
“That’s the magic of our local tribal flavours,” Tsering laughed. “You two will love it here.”
Exploring Sham Valley
The second day, they set out for Sham Valley. The drive was scenic with stunning landscapes, barren fields, deep blue rivers, and towering mountains.
“Every turn is like a postcard,” Abhishek said, capturing the moment with his camera.
“Absolutely! Don’t you agree that this is way better than scrolling through Instagram,” his friend joked over the phone.
Their first stop was the Magnetic Hill, known for its optical illusion where vehicles appear to roll uphill. As they parked their car and switched off the engine, they burst into laughter.
“This is unbelievable! It feels like we’re defying gravity!”
“Just take a video to remember this moment,” his driver suggested.
He snapped a few selfies, capturing the joy of being in that magical place.
The Thrill of Khardungla
Next on his itinerary was Khardungla, the second highest motorable road in India. The journey was bumpy, but the excitement was visible.
“Are we really going to reach the top?” Abhishek asked, his voice a mix of excitement and disbelief.
“Of course! Just a little more,” his driver reassured, getting his head out of the window.
Once he reached Khardungla, the gigantic height and beauty took his breath away. Standing at 18,379 feet, he felt on top of the world.
“Wow, I did it!” he yelled, raising his arms in triumph. “This is insane!”
As he posed for a photo, he thought to himself, “Khardungla, I conquered you!"
The Nubra Valley Adventure
After Khardungla, Abhishek was excited to explore Nubra Valley. As the driver drove through the stunning landscapes, he couldn’t help but marvel at the unique sand dunes and the double-humped camels.
“Look at that! I need to ride one of those camels!” Abhishek pointed excitedly while his friend was on the video call.
He then hopped on a camel, laughing as it swayed back and forth. “This is nothing like riding a bike!” he shouted, trying to keep his balance.
After the ride, he enjoyed a peaceful evening by the river, the sun setting behind the mountains. “This place feels like a different planet,” Abhishek thought, gazing at the colours of the sky.
The Serenity of Pangong Lake
The final leg of his journey took him to Pangong Lake. As he arrived, the sight of the shimmering blue water surrounded by mountains took his breath away.
“This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen,” Abhishek shouted with joy.
He spent the day by the lake, capturing the changing colours of the water, playing games, and enjoying his own company.
“Today I’m making a promise,” Abhishek said to himself. “No more waiting. I should travel solo more often.”
As the sun began to set, he found a quiet spot by the lake.
“This moment is perfect. Cheers to dreams, and the adventures still to come!” Abhishek said, closing his eyes for a moment.
As his trip came to an end, Abhishek boarded his flight back to home, his heart filled with joy.
“Let’s start planning a trip soon!” Abhishek suggested it to his friend over the phone.
“Absolutely! No more waiting. The world is our playground!” his friend laughed. As the plane took off, he looked out the window, watching the mountains fade into the distance.
“I’ll be back, Ladakh,” he whispered to himself, knowing his adventure was just the beginning.
Read More: Thrillophilia Ladakh Trip Reviews