Journey That Stole Our Hearts: Pratik’s Himachal Trip Thrillophilia Review
There’s something magical about mountains, isn't it?
They make you feel oh so alive and as you inhale the crisp mountain air, everything in your life begins to calm. The noise of your thoughts, the weight of stress, and the chaos of the crowd simply fade away, leaving calmness and peace.
And for our first anniversary, my wife and I decided to trade the crowded streets of our city for the quiet, majestic embrace of Himachal Pradesh.
As the bus left the hubbub of the city behind, we felt like the lead characters in a novel, embarking on a grand adventure. Manali, Kasol, Jibhi—these were the names that stirred excitement, whispers of the unknown.
Of Chai, Snow, and Serene Conversations
The thing about travelling to the Himalayas is that time seems to slow down. The rush of everyday life fades, and you're left with the moments that truly matter.
But the snow wasn’t just for quiet moments. We were kids again, laughing and playing, throwing snowballs, and collapsing in fits of laughter. My wife, in her competitive style, made it her mission to win every snowball fight.
Safe to say, I didn’t stand a chance!
And somewhere between all the snowball throws and shared smiles, we realised that the magic of this trip wasn’t in the places we visited but in the little things—the chai, the laughter, the snow fights, and the love.
Then there was Suresh Bhaiya, our driver. Now, let me tell you, he was something else. He wasn’t just driving us around—he was the life of the road! He told us the craziest stories about the mountains, wild tales that had us in splits.
A Walk to Remember
If there’s one thing that stole our hearts, it was the trek to Serolsar Lake. The trail was like something out of a postcard—trees standing tall, the wind whispering secrets and the distant sound of birds. But what made it magical was walking hand in hand, knowing that the journey was just as special as the destination.
It wasn’t an easy hike—let’s just say my wife now questions every ‘short hike’ description she reads—but every step was worth it. We trekked through the mist, the air so fresh it made you feel alive in a way that cities never could.
The lake, with its crystal-clear water, sat quietly in the lap of nature, surrounded by the dense green of alpine trees. It was breathtaking, almost as if time had stood still just for us to witness this beauty.
This trek will stay with us forever.
The Thrill of the Rapids
Of course, no trip to Himachal is complete without a dash of adrenaline. River rafting in Kasol was an experience that pushed us out of our comfort zone and into the icy waters of the Parvati River.
It’s funny how you go from nervous anticipation to sheer exhilaration in a matter of seconds. The river was fierce that day, and every rapid felt like nature's way of reminding us that the best moments come when you let go of control.
By the end of it, we were soaked but grinning ear to ear. It was one of those shared experiences that we knew would become a 'remember when' story we’d tell years from now.
As we stood on the riverbank, catching our breath, I turned to my wife and said, "If we can survive this, we can survive anything!" She laughed, and said you were terrible at that!
Shopping and Hopping Cafe
After all that adrenaline, Manali’s streets and markets were the perfect therapy. We wandered through the bustling markets, losing ourselves in the charm of local trinkets, warm woollen shawls, and quirky souvenirs.
One of my wife’s favourite finds was a handmade bracelet with a tiny silver bell. "Every time it jingles, we’ll remember this trip," she said. And now, back in Delhi, it’s a sound that brings back memories of the mountains.
The Hadimba Temple, surrounded by towering deodar trees, had a mystic aura that was hard to shake off.
But it was Old Manali, with its quirky cafes and laid-back vibe, that truly captured our hearts. We spent hours hopping from one café to another, indulging in everything from buttery parathas to steaming hot momos.
Kasol, on the other hand, felt like a retreat into a different world altogether. The moment we reached, we were greeted by the crisp mountain air and the smell of freshly baked bread wafting from nearby bakeries.
We stumbled upon this beautiful café—Moonlight Café—nestled in the heart of the village. Dreamy, cosy, and aesthetic. It was the kind of place where time slows down, and all that matters is the delicious food on your plate and the view in front of you.
We spent hours there, sipping coffee, watching the river flow by, and talking about everything from our first date to where we’d want to be for our next anniversary. It was our little slice of heaven in the mountains.
The Night by the Bonfire
There’s something undeniably romantic about a bonfire. On our last night in Jibhi, we sat by the fire, wrapped in blankets, watching the flames dance in the dark.
To anyone considering a trip to Himachal, I would say this: go with your heart open. Because this place, with its towering mountains and quiet valleys, has a way of filling you with moments that will stay with you forever. And if there’s one thing I’d say to anyone considering a trip to these mountains, it’s this: go with someone you love, because these mountains, these moments, are best shared.
So, Thank you, Himachal, for making our first anniversary so special. And thank you, Thrillophilia, for making sure we didn’t miss a moment of the magic.
Read more: Thrillophilia Himachal Reviews