Lost in the Beauty of Leh: Bipasha’s Family Trip with Thrillophilia
I have always shared a special bond with my father. Growing up, he used to tell me stories of magical lands, towering mountains, and frozen lakes, and that is how my love for travelling and exploring grew. Since my father was always the adventurer in the stories, I wanted to take him on an adventure when I grew up. And what better place to share an adventure with my dad than the magical land of Leh Ladakh?
As much as I wanted to make this trip memorable for my parents, I also wanted it to be relaxed and effortless for them. I'm a bit of a procrastinator and not the most diligent when it comes to planning, so I decided to opt for something that required minimal effort on my part. That is when I discovered the perfect travel package through Thrillophilia.
I wanted to make the reveal special, so I came up with a fun surprise for my dad. I wrote a short skit, weaving it into a story that led to the big reveal: our long-awaited trip to Leh Ladakh. The look on my parents’ faces when they realised where we were going was priceless- it was a mix of shock, joy, and pure excitement.
Haven of Beauty
Kashmir is India’s heaven and we landed right into the lap of the paradise - Srinagar! The beginning of our trip was so beautiful and relaxing with beauty surrounding us. After checking in and relaxing for a bit, we set off to experience one of the most iconic activities in Srinagar- a shikara ride on Dal Lake.
As we drifted across the serene waters, the setting sun cast a golden glow over the lake, turning everything around us into a canvas of warm colours. The calmness of the moment was pretty magical, and my father, being a forever romantic, began singing softly, “Ye chaand sa roshan chehra…” His voice and the beautiful atmosphere made the moment even more magical. My mother blushed like a rose, and I cheered my father while capturing it all on my phone to cherish it forever.
The ride took us to the famous floating market, where I picked out a bouquet of fresh blooming flowers for my parents. We sat there for a while, surrounded by the beauty of Dal Lake, simply soaking in the beautiful views.
Next, we went to Lal Chowk to shop and eat some delicious Kashmiri food. The market has an old unique charm to it and as you enter, you can smell the delightful aroma of spices, kesar, and cardamom filling the air. We picked up beautiful Kashmiri shawls and some lovely souvenirs, but my favourite was the intricate jewellery boxes, each telling a traditional Kashmiri story. It was the perfect mix of shopping and culture, with a taste of authentic Kashmiri Pulao and Kebabs, our Srinagar visit had a very delicious ending.
A Patriotic Tribute
After soaking in the beauty of Srinagar, we set off for Kargil in Ladakh. The place, with its pristine landscapes, there is an undeniable essence of bravery, tragedy, and patriotism in the air. The route to Kargil was quite scenic and we got the chance to see the majestic Tiger Hills and the surrounding Himalayan peaks.
Seeing the snow-capped mountain views and the chilly weather, like every Indian, we were craving some hot masala tea. So we asked our driver to pull over, and there we were- sipping chai in the most beautiful place surrounded by the Himalayas. Do I need to say more? You can picture it perfectly!
We then visited the Kargil War Memorial, a place of deep respect and reflection. Standing there, I felt my heart swelling with emotions and a sense of gratitude for the brave soldiers who fought for our country. We paid our respects to the soldiers and explored the Kargil War museum, with our guide telling us about the war’s history, challenges, and the significance it holds for all the Indians. It was a humbling and emotional experience, one that I'll never forget.
Spiritual & Serenity Everywhere
Our trip continued with more amazing views and we stepped into the cultural and spiritual aura at Basgo Monastery in Leh. The ancient ruins, the serene temples with Tibetan energy, and the view from atop were quite mesmerising and surreal. We offered our prayers and sat there for a while just to take in the peaceful atmosphere.
Next, we stopped at the Sangam Viewpoint, where the Indus and Zanskar rivers meet. The sight of the blue and green waters meeting and blending as one was definitely a magical phenomenon of nature! I could see my mother exclaiming like an excited kid, “See, see you can see the colours merging, it is so beautiful!”
After a hearty lunch, we headed to the Shanti Stupa and while enjoying the amazing landscape views, I asked my father, “Isn’t this land like the magical places you told me about in your stories?” He nodded with a soft smile and hugged me. With the cool breeze and happy faces, that moment froze in time for me, and my heart was filled with overwhelming emotions.
3 Idiots in Ladakh
Our next adventure took us to Pangong Tso- the stunning Pangong Lake, which famously appeared in the movie 3 Idiots. And, like the movie, we were also three idiots enjoying a trip to Leh Ladakh! The turquoise blue water against the barren mountains made the lake look more fantasy-like.
Our next stop was Druk White Lotus School, the real-life school that inspired the fictional one in 3 Idiots. The eco-friendly school truly made a difference in my heart and it sowed an idea in my heart to do something for society and the environment.
Our dreamy vacation came to an end and my parents were more than happy, and our adventure was super successful with so many memories to cherish!
Read more: Leh Ladakh Reviews