Love, Laughter, and Adventures in Nepal: Rani’s Family Trip Thrillophilia Review
There’s something deeply poetic about families and their bonds. They are the people you love fiercely and argue with endlessly, yet they remain your safe space. When life gets busy, as it often does, it’s these relationships that quietly take a backseat.
Our family had reached that point- not by choice, but by circumstance. Calls were hurried, moments fleeting, and our shared laughter, rare. So, when my maa suggested we plan a trip together, her words lingered. “Beta, we are getting old, let’s make memories now, we don’t know about later.”
And that’s when it hit me— work is not my life, my family is my life and I should spend as much time as I can with them.
So, without delaying further I talked to a friend who works in Thrillophilia. And just like that, Nepal called us—a land of majestic mountains, ancient temples, and stories etched in its very soul.
Where Monkeys Rule and Prayers Whisper
Our first encounter with Nepal’s magic was in the heart of Kathmandu. The capital buzzed with life, its streets a maze of vibrant chaos and cultural treasures. Swayambhunath Stupa, or the Monkey Temple as it’s fondly called, stood majestically atop a hill.
The climb was no joke, especially with maa clutching my arm, muttering, “When will we reach?” But we weren’t alone. Monkeys- cheeky, mischievous, and far too confident- bounded alongside us.
One monkey made a swift grab for my sister’s chips, leaving her startled and the rest of us in fits of laughter. “This place is wild,” my dad chuckled, as we continued our ascent.
My maa on the other hand was having fun. Monkeys are her favourite and if she could she would’ve stolen one from there.
And upon reaching the summit, everything changed.
The chaos below faded, replaced by a serene panorama of Kathmandu sprawling in the valley.
The stupa, adorned with fluttering prayer flags, radiated peace. We stood in silence, the Buddha’s watchful eyes gazing at us from every direction. My maa whispered a prayer, her voice blending with the distant hum of chants. At that moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
The spiritual trail didn’t end there as the Pashupatinath Temple welcomed us with its centuries-old aura. As the evening aarti began, the Bagmati River glowed with the light of oil lamps, their flames dancing to the rhythm of hymns. Even my father, who usually dismissed rituals as mere theatrics, stood mesmerised. “There’s something timeless about this,” he admitted.
Mountains, Missteps, and Unforgettable Views
Pokhara was a revelation, this tranquil city, cradled by the Annapurna Range, felt like nature’s embrace. My dad, the unofficial captain of our family adventures, announced that we would wake before dawn to catch the sunrise at Sarangkot.
By 5:00 AM, we found ourselves at the viewpoint, the chill of the morning air tugging at our jackets. The first rays of sunlight crept over the peaks, setting them aglow. For a moment, even my usually sarcastic sister was quiet. The sight was simply that breathtaking!
Our time in Pokhara wasn’t all serene, though. We decided to hike one of the trails leading to an incredible vantage point. And if you’ve ever hiked with family, you’ll know it’s a mix of comedy, complaints, and camaraderie.
Maa insisted on wearing her saree- with sneakers, of course. My dad (the photographer) paused every few steps for the “perfect shot.”
At one point, my dad slipped on a loose rock, eliciting gasps, followed by uncontrollable laughter when he exaggeratedly proclaimed, “Nature is trying to kill me!” But every stumble and misstep faded into insignificance when we reached the top. The Himalayan giants stood before us, eternal and humbling.
“Why don’t we live here?” Dad mused, his gaze fixed on the mountains. And for a fleeting moment, we all considered it.
A Jungle Symphony in Chitwan
From the peaceful mountains, we travelled into the raw wilderness of Chitwan National Park. If Kathmandu showcased Nepal’s history and Pokhara its beauty, Chitwan was its wild heart. The prospect of a jungle safari had us buzzing with excitement. My sister was determined to spot a tiger, while dad fretted over leeches (a fear planted by Maa’s YouTube shorts).
The safari began with a sense of anticipation that only grew as our jeep rumbled through the dense forest. Our guide pointed out deer, wild boars, and crocodiles sunbathing by the riverbanks.
But the highlight was undoubtedly a wild elephant that emerged from the foliage, its massive form both awe-inspiring and intimidating.
My sister clutched my arm tightly as the elephant walked closer, only to let out a relieved laugh when it veered off into the trees. “That’s one way to get your heart racing,” she quipped.
The tiger remained elusive, but Chitwan offered something even better—a raw, unfiltered connection to nature. The chirping of crickets, the rustle of leaves, and the distant calls of birds formed a symphony that stayed with us long after we left.
Tea, Talks, and Timeless Memories
Back in Kathmandu, we found ourselves in a quaint café, sipping hot cups of masala tea. The trip was winding down, but the stories we’d gathered felt endless. My maa, the eternal worrier, admitted she hadn’t felt this carefree in years. Dad joked about becoming a professional wildlife photographer, and my sister, surprisingly, thanked me for planning the trip.
Nepal was more than a destination; it was a reminder- a reminder of how little we need to feel whole- a sunrise shared, a laugh over a clumsy misstep, a moment of silence in a sacred place. The country’s beauty, its culture, and its people had woven themselves into our family’s story.
“Unforgettable” feels too small a word to describe our journey. Thrillophilia had ensured everything ran smoothly, letting us focus on what truly mattered- each other.
As we boarded our flight home, my dad leaned over and said, “We should do this every year.” And while life may not always allow such grand plans, Nepal has shown us the importance of trying.
After all, these are the moments that define us- not the destinations, but the company we keep.
Read more: Thrillophilia Nepal Reviews