A Love Story in the Mountains: Pradip’s Ladakh Trip Review with Thrillophilia
“If you beat me at chess tonight, I will plan the trip,” my partner, Priyanka, said, casually munching on popcorn.
“Deal,” I smiled. Five moves later, I won the game. That is how I ended up on a trip to Ladakh with my partner.
But honestly, it turned out to be the best game I have ever won.
From Checkmate to Chinar Trees
It was the morning of September 2024 when we landed in Srinagar, and the cool breeze of Kashmir touched our faces. Priyanka smiled as we stepped out of the airport. “So are you finally admitting I plan better trips than you?” she teased.
Our hotel was warm and inviting, and it was a perfect contrast to the fresh air outside. After a short rest, we headed out to explore the city. Srinagar was still and moving at the same time.
We visited the Dastgeer Sahib, where we closed her eyes and whispered a silent prayer. There was something deeply calming about the place. Later, we walked hand in hand across the Zero Bridge and glided across Dal Lake on a shikara in the evening. We clicked several photographs against the backdrop of the pink and orange sky.
After exploring the city, we wrapped up our day early with a delicious Kashmiri dinner and Kahwa.
Mountains, Memories, and the Road to Leh
We left for Kargil on the second day, and the road wound around the Himalayas. As we climbed through Zoji La Pass, it felt majestic, raw, and powerful. We paused at Tiger Hill, and I remember Priyanka standing there as her laughter echoed through the clouds.
The Kargil War Memorial was a moment of deep reflection. The silence there was different as it was heavy with sacrifice and echoing bravery. We held each other’s hands and explored the exhibits with respect.
The next day, we travelled to Leh. The Ladakhi terrain revealed itself like a dreamland in front of us. Lamayuru and Alchi Monasteries seemed frozen in time, with whispers of wisdom in the prayer walls. But the moment that stayed with me was watching the Indus and Zanskar rivers merge.
Later, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib filled us with peace, and even the langar was so fulfilling. We reached Leh late at night and rested for the actual adventure to begin the next day.
The Journey from Leh to Nubra Valley
The fourth day was set out to explore Leh. Our first stop was the Leh Palace, which gave us a royal perspective of the city. On the other hand, the Shanti Stupa made us still that we rarely get to experience in our daily lives. Even the view from there was absolutely magical.
The next day, we headed to Nubra Valley through Khardung La Pass. The world below disappeared after some time, and we were above the clouds. We then stopped at Rinchen Cafe to eat the delicious steaming Maggi. At Diskit Monastery, the Maitreya Buddha sat with eternal calm, almost like a guardian watching over the valley.
But it was the Hunder Sand Dunes that made us feel like kids again. We hopped on an ATV and screamed, laughed, and raced against the sunset. As night fell, our campsite glowed under the starlit sky. We lay outside, wrapped in blankets, and pointed out constellations.
“Do you think the stars look brighter here?” Priyanka asked.
“No,” I replied, turning to her, “I think we are just less distracted here.”
Mirrored Skies and Melting Hearts
The sixth day of our trip was the day I had been waiting for, as we were visiting Pangong Tso. I had seen it in pictures, but nothing compares to seeing it live. The lake was every shade between the sky and sea, changing with the sun.
We stopped at a small Ladakhi village near the Shyok River where the people welcomed us with warmth and wide smiles. One old lady gave Priyanka a hand-knit woollen cap. “For your love,” she said. Something about that moment made me emotional.
Our camp at Pangong was right near the lake. As we walked by the shore, the cold wind touched the warmth of our hands.
The next morning, we drove through Chang La Pass. We stopped at the quirky Chang La Baba temple and then visited the Druk Padma Karpo School, which gave us the “3 Idiots” nostalgia.
But the best part of the day was Thiksey Monastery. Priyanka and I sat in silence for about 20 minutes there. When we opened our eyes, we felt peaceful inside, which we had not felt in years.
The Long Way Home
Our journey from Leh to Sarchu was wild and untamed. Each pass, like the Gata Loops, Tanglang La, and Lachung La, felt like climbing a piece of heaven. The Moore Plains also stretched endlessly, where wild horses grazed in the distance.
At Sarchu, the night was so cold that our breath was visible in the air. We had hot soup in a tent and slept off.
The next day, we crossed Baralacha La Pass, stopped by Suraj Tal, sipped chai near Zingzing Bar (yes, that is a real place!), and soaked in the magic of Deepak Tal and Sissu Waterfall. As we reached Manali, it felt like the final exhale after a deep breath.
On our last day, we wandered around Mall Road, laughed over roadside momos, and bought little trinkets as souvenirs. As we boarded the Volvo to Delhi that evening, the mountains slowly disappeared from view.
Read More: Thrillophilia Ladakh Reviews