Discovering the Raw Beauty of the Mountains: Stuti’s Leh-Ladakh Trip with Thrillophilia
There’s something magical about the moment you step into a new world, and Leh Ladakh is one such place that feels nothing short of extraordinary.
As a software engineer from New Delhi, I’ve always been fascinated by places that offer a sense of calm amidst nature’s raw beauty. I had never travelled with Thrillophilia before, so when my mother and I decided to take a trip to Leh Ladakh, we entrusted them to organise a seamless adventure for us.
And I must say, they did a spectacular job!
A Warm Welcome in Leh
As we landed in Leh, my heart raced with anticipation and excitement. The moment we stepped outside, the crisp mountain air and the snow-capped peaks surrounding the valley left us speechless.
The first day was focused on acclimatising to the high altitude, which is crucial in Ladakh due to its elevation. So, after a hearty meal at the hotel, we spent the rest of the day chilling and exploring the Leh market along with some other people from the batch of travellers from Thrillophilia.
Waking up in Leh the next morning, the first sight that greeted us was the imposing mountains bathed in soft sunlight. And then we set out to explore Sham Valley, a beautiful place nestled along the Srinagar-Leh highway.
Our first stop was the Hall of Fame, a museum built to honour the brave soldiers who fought in the Indo-Pak War. As we walked by the exhibits, I felt an overwhelming sense of awe and pride for the sacrifices made by our soldiers. The immersive displays at the museum gave us a glimpse into the region’s turbulent past.
One of the highlights of the day was the visit to Magnetic Hill, a mysterious place where the natural landscape creates an optical illusion of vehicles moving uphill even when they are turned off. It was an incredible experience to witness this phenomenon in person, and it made this destination even more intriguing for me.
We also went to the Indus Sangam Viewpoint where the mighty Indus and Zanskar rivers meet. The confluence of the two rivers was a sight to behold, with their distinct colours flowing together in harmony.
Embracing the Beauty
The third day of our trip was a thrilling one filled with adventure and excitement. We headed to Nubra Valley and the drive took us through Khardung-La Pass. This is the highest motorable road in the world at 18,000 feet. As we ascended, the views grew more and more spectacular. Snow-covered mountains stretched as far as the eye could see.
As we descended into Nubra Valley, the landscape transformed dramatically. From cold, barren desert-like terrain, we entered a valley dotted with sand dunes, encircled by mountains.
It felt like we had been transported to an entirely different world. Nubra Valley is famous for its Bactrian camels, and we couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a ride on these majestic creatures. The double-humped camels, once part of the ancient Silk Route, added a touch of history to our experience.
Our day ended with camping under a sky full of stars. The cool evening breeze, a warm bonfire, and the twinkling stars above created a magical atmosphere that would remain etched in my memory forever.
And to be able to spend such a beautiful moment with my mother…was the best thing that could have happened on this trip.
The Majestic Pangong Lake
It was a journey to one of the most iconic destinations in Ladakh – Pangong Lake. After an early breakfast, we left Nubra Valley and headed towards the lake, a place that has been immortalised in Bollywood films like 3 Idiots and Jab Tak Hai Jaan.
As we approached Pangong Tso, I was struck by its sheer beauty. The lake, with its ever-changing hues of blue, green, and red, looked like something out of a fairytale. Surrounded by rugged mountains on all sides, Pangong Lake’s vastness was both stunning and awe-inspiring.
Our stay for the night was located near the lake, and falling asleep to the sound of the wind whistling through the valley was a surreal experience.
A bit of fear, and a bit of magic, made the night quite memorable for both of us.
Wrapping Up an Epic Journey
On our final day in Ladakh we were greeted with a spectacular sunrise over Pangong Lake. After breakfast, we made our way back to Leh, with a quick stop at Chang-La Pass. The pass was covered in snow, and we took a brief moment to sip tea at the Chang-La Cafe.
On our way back, we also stopped at the Druk Padma School which was famous for its role in the movie 3 Idiots. It was fascinating to visit the actual location where such an iconic scene was filmed. We concluded the day with a visit to Thiksey Monastery, a beautiful and intricately designed monastery that offered panoramic views of the Indus Valley.
Looking back, our journey to Leh Ladakh was nothing short of extraordinary. Thrillophilia organised a well-planned itinerary that allowed us to experience the region’s natural beauty, cultural richness, and thrilling adventures without feeling rushed.
Despite it being our first time travelling with Thrillophilia, I was truly impressed by their attention to detail, and I can’t wait to plan my next adventure with them.
Read More: Thrillophilia Leh Ladakh Sightseeing Reviews