Highs, Lows And A Zillion Memories: Ravindra’s Dramatic Family Trip to Ladakh
Our trip to Ladakh and Srinagar was meant to be just another family vacation. Little did we know, this 12-day journey would turn into one of the most memorable experiences of our lives.
Picture a happy family of 12, all set to conquer the rugged terrains of Ladakh, with kids, and elderly relatives - all excited to take on the adventures this trip was about to offer.
After all, what could possibly go wrong, right?
But, let me tell you, everything that could have gone wrong, it did—but that's what made this trip truly unforgettable.
The Chaos Begins in Srinagar
Our adventure started in Srinagar, the serene gateway to our Ladakh trip. But, the drama started to follow us early on. The plan was simple: drive from Srinagar to Kargil, cross the famous Zoji La pass, and then onward to Leh. But nature had other plans. Due to unexpected avalanches, Zoji La was completely shut down.
We were stuck in Srinagar for an extra four days.
“What now?” asked my cousin, already imagining the entire trip being ruined.
We all thought this was the first hiccup of many, but thanks to Jigmy, our on-ground support, the trip actually began to take a turn for the better.
Instead of sulking about being trapped, we embraced our extended stay. And believe me, Jigmy made sure we had the best time.
With Zoji La closed, our itinerary had to be modified. We ventured into places we hadn’t even considered visiting: Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, and some impromptu paragliding adventures.
Paragliding was a first for most of us, and it’s safe to say it became the unexpected highlight of our Srinagar leg. I’ll never forget – my aunt who has always been afraid of heights—screaming mid-air, “I’m flying! I’m flying!” It was both hilarious and heartwarming. The fear melted into pure joy, and by the end of it, she was already planning her next paragliding adventure.
The Plot Twist
After four extra days, Zoji La was still closed. “We have to fly to Leh,” said Jigmy, as casually as if he were suggesting a simple detour. The thought of flying over the Himalayas sounded thrilling and terrifying at the same time. But guess what? It was breathtaking!
As we descended into Leh, the first glimpse of the barren landscape dotted with monasteries and stupas took my breath away. I knew we were about to experience something special, despite having just three days left in Ladakh.
Mission Possible?
Originally, we had five days planned for Ladakh, but with the delay, we had to do it all in three days. Most people would have been stressed, but not us—thanks to our superhuman, Jigmy, and the amazing local team.
Our first stop was Nubra Valley, known for its white sand dunes and the iconic double-humped Bactrian camels. Now, riding a camel in the middle of a cold desert is something that is hard to explain.
As the camel slowly moved through the dunes, all I could think was, "Am I in the Middle East or the Himalayas?" The contrast of barren mountains and soft white sand is something you have to see to believe.
In the evening, we set up camp under a star-filled sky, and the kids had their first camping experience. Let’s just say there were more giggles and stories than the sleep.
Watching the stars with my family, away from city lights, was one of those moments that makes you pause and appreciate the world’s natural beauty.
The Spectacles
Day two took us to the famous Pangong Lake, which became more popular after the Bollywood movie 3 Idiots was shot there. It was one of those rare places that is even more beautiful in real life than in pictures. The lake changes colours throughout the day, from deep blue to a shade of turquoise that almost looks unreal.
But, of course, our drama-filled trip couldn’t end without a few mishaps. As we reached Pangong, we realised we had forgotten our jackets back at the hotel in Leh.
Standing by the lake, with the biting wind reminding us of our mistake, my uncle declared, “Well, guess we’ll just huddle together for warmth!” And that’s exactly what we did. Wrapped in shawls and blankets that we luckily had, we managed to not only survive but enjoy every minute of it.
Our final day in Ladakh was the grand finale—a drive up to Khardung La, the world’s highest motorable road.
At 18,380 feet, you feel like you're on top of the world. The drive itself is not for the faint-hearted, with narrow roads and steep drops. But as soon as we reached the top, the feeling of accomplishment hit us hard.
I remember my cousin saying, “This is it, guys. This is what makes all the chaos and mishaps worth it.” And he was right. Standing there, looking out at the endless range of snow-capped peaks, it felt like everything had fallen into place.
Final Reflections
In the end, it wasn’t the itinerary or the list of places we ticked off that made the trip unforgettable. It was the unexpected moments—the avalanches that changed our plans, the impromptu paragliding adventure, the starry night in Nubra, and the chaos of forgetting our jackets at Pangong.
It was also the people, like Rohith, Nitin, and our saviour Jigmy from Thrillophilia, who made the trip feel like we had an extended family watching over us. Despite the small mishaps—like missing a few phone numbers here and there or the occasional mix-up—the care and effort they put into ensuring we had the best time were remarkable.
To anyone reading this and planning a trip to Ladakh, my advice is simple: embrace the chaos. Don’t stick too tightly to the plan because the best moments happen when things don’t go as planned.
Ladakh is magical, not just for its scenery but for the experiences it throws at you, unplanned and unexpected. I would suggest Thrillophilia to anyone planning a trip—they truly know how to turn a journey into an adventure.
As my uncle so aptly put it on our last night in Leh, “If everything went perfectly, we wouldn’t have half as many stories to tell.” And that, dear readers, is what makes a family trip to Ladakh memorable.
Read More: Thrillophilia Ladakh Sightseeing Reviews