A Journey to the Roof of the World: Dhruvi’s Ladakh Trip with Thrillophilia
It all started on a Friday night, over cups of chai and a playlist full of old Bollywood songs. My best friend and I were sprawled across my living room, half-watching Jab We Met for the umpteenth time. And then it happened- Ye Ishq Haye came on, with those stunning shots of snow-covered mountains and winding roads.
“I swear, we have to go to Ladakh,” she blurted out, eyes glued to the screen.
I laughed, but something about the way the mountains stretched across the horizon stuck with me. By the time the credits rolled, we had already started Googling “best time to visit Ladakh.”
A few days later, Thrillophilia popped up on my feed, offering an all-encompassing Ladakh package. I forwarded the link, and before I knew it, we were booked. Flights, stays, permits- all sorted.
Breathless Beginnings
Landing in Leh felt like stepping onto another planet. The air was crisp, and the mountains framed the horizon like ancient guardians. But let me tell you- that altitude hits differently. We were panting just walking to the hotel.
“Are we unfit or is the air playing tricks on us?” my friend wheezed.
“Both,” I laughed, dragging our luggage inside.
Thrillophilia had planned an easy day for acclimatization. We wandered through Leh’s bustling market, stopping for butter tea and endless woolen souvenirs. A local shopkeeper, spotting our confusion over a peculiar-looking cap, chuckled.
“That’s a Ladakhi Perak,” he said, holding it up. “Worn by women during festivals. You city girls wouldn’t survive one winter without it.”
We giggled, but I swear I almost bought it just for the photo op.
Off to an Epic Start
The next morning, our driver- a cheerful man named Dorje- picked us up for the Sham Valley tour. As we hit the road, he asked, “You Bollywood girls, right? You all come here because of that song?”
We exchanged sheepish glances. “Is it that obvious?”
Dorje grinned. “Don’t worry. Everyone comes looking for those mountains.”
Sham Valley was stunning- monasteries perched on cliffs, ancient palaces, and roads that twisted like ribbons. We stopped at the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers, where the waters merged in shades of blue and green.
“Let’s dip our feet in,” I suggested.
She shot me a glare. “It’s freezing.”
So, we settled for pictures instead, while Dorje told us stories of monks who meditated along these rivers.
Where the Air is Thin but the Joy is Thick
The drive to Khardung La- one of the highest motorable passes in the world- was nothing short of an adventure. As the altitude climbed, the jokes turned to deep breathing exercises.
“Do people actually survive up here?” she muttered, wrapping her scarf tighter.
“Barely,” I gasped.
When we finally reached the top, we stumbled out of the car and stood under the famous yellow board that read Khardung La- 18,380 ft. The wind howled, but the view- oh, the view. Snow-capped peaks surrounded us like a scene straight out of a postcard.
We celebrated with Maggi and tea from the lone shack up there. It tasted like heaven, possibly because our bodies were running on fumes at that point.
A Desert Among Mountains
Nubra was a stark contrast- golden sand dunes stretched under towering peaks. As if Ladakh couldn’t surprise us any more, there were camels- double-humped Bactrian camels, to be precise.
“This feels like the Himalayas collided with Rajasthan,” I whispered.
We rode camels across the dunes at sunset, laughter echoing through the valley. A local guide told us about ancient caravans that passed through Nubra, making us feel like tiny blips in Ladakh’s vast history.
The Dream Destination
The highlight was, of course, Pangong Lake. The very place where Kareena Kapoor danced in that iconic red sweater.
“Don’t you dare start dancing,” I warned as we approached the shimmering blue expanse.
“No promises,” she grinned, already spinning.
The lake stretched endlessly, its blue waters reflecting the mountains like glass. We sat by the shore, watching the sunset paint the sky pink and orange.
As we clicked pictures, a group of tourists offered us hot momos from a nearby stall. Sharing stories with strangers by a freezing lake felt oddly comforting- like Ladakh had this magic way of making everyone feel connected.
The Edge of the World
The drive to Hanle was long but absolutely worth it. Hanle is home to one of the world’s highest astronomical observatories, and we spent the evening stargazing. The sky was so clear, I swear I saw constellations I’d only read about.
Dorje, ever the storyteller, pointed at Umling La in the distance- the highest motorable road in the world. Naturally, we couldn’t resist.
The drive was brutal but exhilarating. The road twisted up steep cliffs, and at one point, I swear the car’s wheels were mere inches from the edge. But the view from the top? Unreal.
“It feels like we’re touching the sky,” she whispered.
Hot Springs and Hidden Gems
On our last day, we visited Chumathang Valley, famous for its natural hot springs. After freezing for days, dipping our feet into those warm waters felt like the ultimate luxury.
We chatted with a local family running a small homestay nearby. They shared homemade thukpa (noodle soup) with us and told stories of harsh winters and thriving summers.
“You girls came all this way to the mountains?” the old woman asked, laughing.
I smiled, glancing at my friend. “We came for memories. And maybe a little Bollywood magic.”
As our plane lifted off from Leh, I felt a lump in my throat. Ladakh wasn’t just a trip- it was an experience stitched together by laughter, freezing winds, and the kindness of strangers.
“You know,” my friend said, staring out the window, “we’ll be back someday.”
I nodded. “Definitely. But next time, we will dance by the lake in red sweaters.”
Read more: Thrillophilia Leh Ladakh Reviews