Jimit Shah's Family Journey Through Ladakh and Kashmir with Thrillophilia
I still remember the first time I saw Leh when we landed. The mountains went on and on, and their tops were covered in snow. There were six of us on this trip: me, Jimit, my wife Saloni, our kids Ruvi and Dhivam, my brother Ketan, and our close friend Kunal. We had talked about this kind of family trip for years, and now we were finally here, ready to enjoy it all.
When we got to the hotel in Leh, we were greeted with a warm drink and friendly faces. Altitude was something we had to respect, so we spent the first few hours slowly adjusting. We walked around the Leh Market, stopped at the Leh Palace, and watched the sun shine on the Shanti Stupa. Dinner was simple but comforting, and the best part for us was that they had taken care of our request for Jain food so well. It was the first sign that this trip would be more than just seeing things; it would be about feeling taken care of.
The next morning brought the thrill of climbing towards Nubra Valley through Khardung La Pass. The drive itself felt like an adventure, winding along high roads while the kids pressed their faces against the glass to spot yaks and prayer flags fluttering against the sky. We stopped at Rinchen Café for steaming bowls of Maggi, which tasted so much better in the thin mountain air. When we got to the Diskit Monastery, where the enormous Maitreya Buddha looked over the valley, we all felt a sense of quiet reverence. The children were more taken with the sand dunes of Hunder, where they tried the camel ride with giggles echoing across the cold desert. We felt the true spirit of Ladakh flow through us that night in the Nubra camp, under a blanket of stars.
The road from Nubra took us to Pangong Tso, which was the part we had been looking forward to the most. The lake slowly showed itself, and the colours of blue changed like a living canvas every hour. Standing on the shore, I watched Ruvi and Dhivam skip stones while the mountains reflected in the still water. I thought to myself, "Some places are too beautiful for pictures and words." We spent the night in a nearby camp, and even though the winds outside were strong, we felt completely at ease inside the tents thanks to the staff's care and the warmth of the tents.
We crossed the beautiful Chang La Pass on our way back to Leh and stopped at the temple there and felt a brief moment of reflection. The Druk Padma Karpo School was a special stop for all of us, while the kids were especially excited. Time seemed to slow down at Thiksey Monastery, where the chants of monks echoed in rooms that had been used for prayer for hundreds of years. When we got back to Leh, the city felt familiar and comfortable.
The road to Kargil was long but exciting; we went to Lamayuru Monastery, where the old walls held wisdom, and to Basgo Palace, which was high and had vibrant red and gold colours.The sight of the Giant Buddha at Mulbek left us humbled. That night in Kargil, we sat around a bonfire and told stories and laughed while looking up at the stars.
The road to Srinagar the next day carried with it history and beauty. Passing through Drass, the thought that this was the second coldest inhabited place in the world sent shivers through us, even in the warmth of the car. We looked upon Tiger Hill and the peaks that had borne witness to the Kargil War, a reminder of the sacrifices made in these mountains. Driving through Zoji La Pass, with its dizzying turns and walls of snow, felt like going to a whole new world. The landscape had changed by the time we got to Srinagar, with lush valleys and lakes. It was a contrast that made us wonder how much the earth can change in just a few days of travel.
The last morning in Srinagar was bittersweet, as we had our breakfast that day, knowing our trip was coming to an end, but our hearts were so full. What made this trip go so well was not only the beauty of Ladakh and Kashmir but also how well everything was organised. We felt cared for at every step, from the clean cars and helpful drivers to the great hotel stays, the tasty Jain food, and the fact that help was always just a phone call away. Even when small problems came up, like Dhivam getting bored on the long drives, the staff's patience and the comfort of the stops made everything work out.
It's important to make memories with your family, especially with your kids. We had been planning this trip for a long time, but it didn't happen because we were too busy. I'm very glad we made the decision to go for it. When we travelled with young kids, it was important that we didn't have to worry about making reservations or planning our trip. A big thank you to Aditi, who took care of everything with the highest level of professionalism and care. I couldn't have asked for a better trip with my family.
Also Checkout: Thrillophilia Ladakh Reviews