Mansi Patel’s North East Trip with Friends and Thrillophilia
There are times in life when everything feels a bit too loud, be it notifications, deadlines, or even small talk.
So when my friend Ashish casually asked, “Let’s go somewhere,” over our in-office lunch conversation, I did not ask where and just said YES.
My other friend, Yogesh, quickly pulled out his phone and showed us the itinerary from Thrillophilia. North East India, including Darjeeling, Gangtok, and Pelling. None of us had visited this part of India before, so we sealed the deal.
We immediately booked the package that night and soon started counting our days to the start of the adventure.
A Road Covered in Mist and Memories
When we landed in Bagdogra, the air was cold, fresh, and rejuvenating. It felt as if all our stress and strain vanished in just one long breath. Our driver greeted us with a gentle smile and a woollen cap pulled low. "We go via Mirik," he said. “Better views.”
And, he was absolutely right.
The ride to Darjeeling felt like a cinematic montage. Rolling tea gardens, quiet hamlets, and the mighty Himalayas.
“Stop the car!” I said, as soon as I saw the first glimpse of the snow-covered Kanchenjunga- we stood in silence to see the third-highest mountain in the world. We did not expect to see it so soon.
Then, Darjeeling welcomed us with narrow lanes, the scent of steaming momos, and curio shops. We strolled along Mall Road, all wrapped in scarves, cafes, tea shops, and endless stories. I bought a tiny prayer wheel and a small piece of jewellery made of Darjeeling stone.
“For peace,” I told myself, as I twirled the bag of souvenirs.
A Sunrise Worth a Lifetime
Waking up at 3.30 am is never easy, but our second day of the trip was different. Wrapped in layers, we drove to Tiger Hill. It was still dark, and all we could see were blinking torches and sparkling stars.
“Will we see it?” Ashish asked. “Let us believe we will,” Yogesh whispered.
Then, the sky began to change.
First, it appeared in a blush, then a glow, and finally a burst of gold as the sun rays touched Kanchenjunga. Time stopped, and the world held its breath just for that moment. Soon, the sun was up and about, floating like a blessing over the Himalayas, and I remember thinking, “This is what gratitude looks like.”
The rest of the day, we explored the spiral tracks of the Batasia Loop, the monks chanting at Ghoom Monastery, and the red pandas at the zoo. Later in the afternoon, we also visited the tea gardens, tasted varieties of brews, and each one of us got ourselves a pack of Darjeeling tea!
Pelling and the Conversations Between Mountains
The next day was full of transitions. The vibrant energy of Darjeeling transformed slowly into the soulful silence of Pelling. There were several twists and turns on the road, but watching the small towns and mountain ridges was comforting.
We soon reached Pelling. It was the kind of place where time slowed down. The views were mesmerising, filled with green mountains and valleys. We walked slowly, spoke even more softly, and noticed every detail that made the place so unique- a leaf trembling in the breeze, a monk laughing with a child, and a mountain range that seemed to say, “just breathe.”
That night, we sat by the window with cups of butter tea, barely talking, but each one of us reflecting on the experience we were having there.
Of Temples, Trails, and Inner Journeys
On the fourth day, we went to Gangtok with a short stop at Ravangla. There, we visited the Buddha Park, a massive statue surrounded by snow-capped peaks. I closed my eyes for a moment and let everything still inside me.
Gangtok was a complete contrast to Ravangla as it was vibrant, alive, and echoing with culture and colours. But our hotel gave us the best of both worlds - central and yet situated high enough to witness an uninterrupted view of the Himalayan horizon. I remember thinking, “How lucky are we to wake up to this?”
We spent the evening exploring a local market, where I bought a small thangka painting. “For the walls back home,” I said, “to remember the skies I once met.”
A Day So Full, It Taught Me Stillness
The last day was like unwrapping a gift with one layer at a time. We began at Tashi Viewpoint, and again, the mighty Kanchenjunga surprised us with its beauty.
Then came the Ganesh Tok and Hanuman Tok temples, with each one of them located so high that they seemed to touch the heavens. The Handicrafts Centre and Tibetology Institute were also windows into traditions we deeply respected.
But it was Dro-Dul Chorten that made my jaws drop.
Surrounded by prayer wheels and fluttering flags, I sat on a bench and closed my eyes. The chants, the wind, and the scent of incense washed over me. For the first time in years, I was not thinking about what’s next. I was just... there, living in the moment.
We ended at Ban Jhakri Falls, where we took plenty of photographs. “Can we freeze this day?” Yogesh asked. I smiled. “In memory, we already have.”
Goodbye, with Gratitude
Our drive back to Bagdogra was unusually quiet.
I stared out the window and watched monks walking with umbrellas and children waving at our car. I was chilly as it was drizzling. My phone buzzed with work emails, but for once, I did not check. That could wait.
What I could not wait for was the acknowledgement of what this trip had given me.
Read More: Thrillophilia Northeast Reviews