From Peaks to Memories: Sravan's Unforgettable Bike Adventure with Thrillophilia
While riding my bike to the office this morning, it struck me how much of an impact our surroundings can have on us.
A few days back I was riding the very same bike through the gorgeous Himalayan landscape, which included giant mountains, heavy streams and lush green valleys. Whereas today, I was stuck in a traffic jam, in the middle of towering buildings and urban chaos.
In Ladakh, I travelled for six days straight, with a peaceful heart and a constant smile on my face. On the other hand, today even a 30-minute journey felt like a task that I hated.
In Ladakh, I had the amazing company of my childhood friends which made the journey even more beautiful. Here, in my city, I was surrounded by a bunch of strangers in the traffic who probably hated going to work as much as I did.
Even though it was a short six-day road trip from Leh to Kargil, it left a huge impact on me. These two days made me realise the importance of taking a break and the importance of reconnecting with your childhood friends.
So, join me as I recount those unforgettable six days, hoping to keep those memories alive a little while longer…
High Passes, High Thrills!
No one can say that our bike trip to Ladakh was an easy one! Just like the saying goes, “You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain!”
Keeping this in mind, no matter how many obstacles came our way, we never gave up. There was one time when one of our friend’s bikes skidded on the loose gravel and it took all of us, as a whole team, to help him get back on the track.
Also, there were some moments when the freezing wind made it impossible for us to continue our journey. All we wanted to do was stop our bikes and take shelter. However, that was not an option because we needed to reach our stops on time before it gets dark.
Our obstacles did not end here. At one point, we found ourselves caught in a lengthy traffic jam due to a recent landslide just a few metres ahead, where a crane was busy clearing the road. We were stuck up there for almost two hours.
But nonetheless, we kept moving forward, lifting each other’s spirits. Our goal was to reach one mountain pass at a time with an agreement that we wouldn’t stop until we were at our first goal. Slowly and steadily, we reached our first mountain pass, the Fotu La Pass at a height of 4,108 metres.
All of us would gather around and cheer up ourselves for successfully making it to the pass. We would take a sufficient amount of break so that we could continue with the second part of our journey which was to reach the Namika La Pass.
After accomplishing our first goal, it was easy for us to reach the Namika La Pass in approximately an hour. All of us were more than happy to be able to make it there, considering this was our first-time bike tripping in a rugged region like Ladakh’s.
This reminded me of another saying, “Sometimes the journey is more beautiful than the destination!”
Discovering the Hidden Treasures Along the Journey
Our bike trip in Ladakh was not just about off-roading or soaking in the pleasant views. Throughout the journey, we also got to explore so many beautiful and even some lesser-known attractions.
The majority of the attractions that we covered were spiritual sites like the Lamayuru Monastery in Leh. Situated in a lofty location, this monastery was easily visible even from a distance. Inside the monastery, we got to see many stunning statues as well as learn a few things about Tibetan Buddhism.
We also visited the Giant Buddha at the Mulbekh Monastery. Looking at such a beautiful human creation in the middle of a deserted landscape was truly astonishing. All of us loved the tranquil ambience here so much that none of us wanted to leave.
A Night of Stargazing & Bonfires!
On the last night of our trip in Leh, we wanted to do something special. We wanted to have a proper farewell before departing in our own ways.
So we dedicated the night to endless conversations, delicious meals, bonfires and stargazing!
The atmosphere was perfect— crisp mountain air, the crackling sound of the fire, and the vast, starlit sky above us. It felt like the perfect way to wrap up what had been an incredible journey with my childhood buddies.
All of us gathered around the bonfire and started reminiscing about the highlights of our trip– from crossing the mountain passes to admiring the breathtaking scenery and exploring the wonderful attractions. After a wholesome conversation session, we all did a little jamming session, where everyone sang along to their favourite songs.
We also had a delicious dinner. Even though it was a simple everyday meal including dal, roti, paneer curry, jeera rice and kheer, it tasted heavenly. I am not sure if it was the flavours of the food or the company of loved ones that made the experience so amazing.
To wrap up the day, we all laid down on the ground and spent a long time at night stargazing. For the first time that day, we were all silent, as if we all sensed the unspoken truth that from the next day, things might not be the same. There were a few conversations, and each and every one of them was about promising each other a second reunion.
Lying on our backs with our eyes fixed on the infinite sky, we felt a sense of peace and awe that only such a remote place could provide. Silently, we all realised how special these moments were. Our last night in Ladakh was truly magical- a fitting end to a journey that would be etched in our hearts forever.
Read More: Thrillophilia Ladakh Reviews