Krittika’s Thrillophilia Review: Two Girls Travelling Through Ladakh
“Can you believe this is finally happening?” my friend, Kasturika, asked as we stared at our packed backpacks in the living room. I just nodded, speechless but smiling. The months of planning, saving, and dreaming had finally taken shape.
We landed in Leh in May 2025. The air was thin and cold, yet it somehow created warmth. Our cab drove through winding roads lined with fluttering prayer flags.
That afternoon, we began with a taste of Leh’s soul. With its fading walls and whispers of royalty, Leh Palace made us slow down and soak in the moment. At Shanti Stupa, the entire city lay beneath us like a beautiful painting, and the mountains rose like protectors around it. “Think about waking up to this view every day,” Kasturika whispered.
As we wandered through Leh Market, we laughed out loud in bargaining over souvenirs and enjoying a cup of butter tea. We felt a strange comfort in being far from everything familiar.
Journey to Sham Valley
Day two took us to Sham Valley, which looked like pages of a storybook flipping in the wind. Our first stop was the Sangam Point, where the green of the Indus met the brown of Zanskar. The confluence was quiet but powerful.
Then, we visited Magnetic Hill, where our car seemed to move uphill on its own. We laughed like kids trying to figure it out, only to give up and just enjoy the strangeness. Next, at Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, we tied scarves around our heads, dipped our hands in the cold holy water, and took a moment to simply be.
Visiting the SECMOL campus, featured in 3 Idiots, added a pop culture charm to our journey. But what stayed with us more was the message of alternative learning echoing through its eco-friendly spaces.
The Hall of Fame War Memorial made both of us go quiet. While walking past names etched in stone and listening to the stories of courage and sacrifice, I felt a lump in my throat. “They gave us this peace,” I said softly. Kasturika nodded as her eyes were full.
Back in Leh, we stayed up talking at night under a canopy of stars about everything and nothing.
Over Passes and Into the Desert
On Day 3, we started our journey to Nubra Valley via the legendary Khardung La Pass. The altitude hit us, but so did the thrill. Snow-capped peaks and flags fluttering wildly in the wind felt like we were on top of the world.
Descending into Nubra was magical. At Diskit Monastery, the serene face of the Maitreya Buddha seemed to look over the valley. Even the desert of Hunder surprised us, with its sand dunes surrounded by mountains.
Kasturika could not stop giggling as we rode the double-humped Bactrian camels, while I held on half-laughing and half-terrified. That evening, our campsite by the Shyok River turned golden in the setting sun. We sat by the water, dipped our toes in, hummed old songs, and let Ladakh work its magic.
The Village Forgotten by Time
If there was one place that truly stole our hearts, it was Turtuk. On Day 4, we rode through winding roads and high cliffs to reach this quiet Balti village, situated near the India-Pakistan border.
Turtuk was different. Green fields of barley, children with bright smiles and curious eyes, and apricot trees in full bloom made us feel like we had stepped into another world.
We walked hand-in-hand through orchards, peeked into mud homes, and listened to stories from locals about borders, identity, and peace. The Turtuk Monastery was peaceful, but it was the Polo Ground that made us smile. It was an open field with tall peaks behind it, where legends once played.
On our way back to Nubra, we barely spoke and soaked in the serenity around us.
Lakeside Dreams and Silent Mornings
Day 5 was reserved for a place that had lived in our dreams for years, as it was the day to visit Pangong Lake. The drive beside the Shyok River was beautiful, but nothing could prepare us for that first glimpse of Pangong.
It was endless. The lake changed colours with every blink - blue, turquoise, green, and sometimes all at once. We sat on a rock near the water for hours and filled in the silence.
As evening fell, we set our camp near the lake. It was cold, yes, but worth every shiver. Being wrapped in blankets and sipping hot Maggi, we watched the stars come alive and the lake quietly reflecting their glow. Kasturika looked at me and said, “This... is what we exactly came for.”
Final Miles and Full Hearts
The road back to Leh on Day 6 was emotional. We stopped at Chang La Pass, where snowfall surprised us like confetti, and I caught a snowflake on my glove like a little child.
Our next stop was Rancho’s School, the real Druk Padma Karpo School. We roamed the corridors, laughed at the "idiot wall," and took goofy pictures.
Finally, we reached the Thiksey Monastery. With its layered white walls and golden roofs, it felt like a peaceful goodbye. We offered prayers and watched monks chanting softly as incense filled the air. My heart was quiet and full.
Back in Leh that night, we packed each item with a memory tucked inside.
A Note to Fellow Travellers
If you are reading this, wondering whether Ladakh is for you, let me tell you that it is worth every second. Go with your best friend, open hearts, and the intention to feel everything.
We went with excitement.
We returned with stories.
And somewhere in between, we found something quietly life-changing.
Thank you, Thrillophilia, for making everything seamless, from transfers to accommodations to hidden gems. You gave us the space to explore while making sure we always felt safe, heard, and supported.
“Julley, Ladakh. Until we meet again!”
Read More:
Thrillophilia Leh Ladakh Reviews