Unlearning Life on a trip to Ladakh- A Life-changing Experience for Kunal
I had never imagined how it would feel to ride a scooter in Pangong. Until then I had only seen that on television, in the movie called 3 Idiots. But experiencing it first hand was something that filled me up with a lot of excitement and thrill. I refused to give back the scooty for one ride, and booked another. It was a marvellous activity, especially with the backdrop of towering mountains and vast rugged valleys of Ladakh.
It was my first time travelling with a group of unknown people. Since I was travelling with my friend, it was easier for me to interact with the other members. Otherwise, I fear, I would not have talked at all throughout the trip. But thank god I did, it really enhanced my experience. We met people from Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, and Amritsar, and we ourselves were from Dehradun.
We all had met for the first time in Leh, where our driver, guide and the on-ground representatives of Thrillophilia greeted us. Our welcome in Ladakh was superb, with punctual cars and top-notch accommodation services.
I was looking forward to the trip, as visiting Ladakh has topped my list of favourites since forever. And my dear friends had agreed to come with me for this trip, which was truly a blessing in disguise…
To hurdles and myths
I fell sick on the day we reached Nubra. The journey was long and I somehow could not acclimatise. Therefore, my whole night in Nubra was spent vomiting and in weakness. My forehead burnt with high fever and my friend did everything he could- tending to me and trying out all possible ways to help me.
The next morning, one of the staff of the camp we were staying in came up to our room with a bowl of smoking grass and other things I could not identify. He just asked me to smell the smoke and assured me that I would be fine within sometime.
It was a local remedy to fever and other health issues, especially acclimatisation. And it worked like magic. After a good warm bath and a hearty breakfast of Thukpa, I was up on my feet again!
Who could stop me then? I think that is why I felt doubly rejuvenated in Pangong. I was filled with energy and I felt free. Ladakh had finally cast its spell on me, and I was loving it.
If I talk about the landscapes of the place, they are quite unique. I read in many articles that there is a place called Lamayuru whose terrain is described as ‘moonland’. On our visit there, we knew why it was called so. The surrounding valleys and mountains resembled that of a moon, not kidding. The rocky paths and barren expanses of land guarded by rugged mountains: it looked surreal.
Leh and its surrounding regions were spectacular as well. We visited so many monasteries that I can't even remember all their names now. The driver was very skilled and well-trained. He navigated through the steep climbs and descents smoothly, never letting us feel how difficult it was to drive there.
He was a local and he had told us about a lot of stories of their land on the go. He told us about the legend of the Zanskar River created by Lord Vishnu, which makes it a holy river, and about the myth of the Dragon horse who controlled the weather of the Pangong Lake. He also narrated us many stories about the Snow Leopards here, often regarded as the guardians of the region.
Bursting the bubble
On this trip I realised how important it was to meet new people and talk to them, for it broadens your vision on life and perspective on the world. I would have remained in the bubble if not for this experience. Having travelled privately on all occasions with parents and friends till college, I never had the chance to get exposed to the real world of tourism.
It is much wider and bigger, larger than we imagine.
I met so many foreigners in the Leh market and restaurants as well, and it was a bliss to interact with them. I learned how differently they look at India, and how I looked at their country(ies).
Thrillophilia had arranged this trip quite nicely, and all the staff we met there in all of the stays were very welcoming and friendly. I am from Dehradun, and I have an idea of driving in the mountains, but our driver was a professional. I learnt a lot of tricks and techniques of navigating through such rugged and undulating terrains. I used to sit beside the driver’s seat in the traveller wherever we had an interesting climb to aim for.
We received a lot of support from Thrillophilia’s end, which we were not expecting. But being guided throughout the journey actually helped us big time.
I am genuinely looking forward to another such group trip with them as they have really earned trust. And it is a big thing coming from a first-time customer like me. So, in the hope that I would not be let down the next time either, I give them a five star rating for their impeccable services in Ladakh, and for making this trip a life-changing experience.
Read More: Thrillophilia Ladakh Trip Reviews