A Sunrise to Remember: Shreya’s Adventure to Sikkim and Darjeeling with Thrillophilia
The first rays of the sun touched the horizon as Shreya stood on Tiger Hill, her breath rising in little clouds in the crisp morning air. All around her, people whispered excitedly. Their eyes were glued to the snowy peaks of Kanchenjunga, waiting for that magical moment when the sun would flood the mountains with its golden light.
Wrapped in a warm scarf and holding a cup of tea, Shreya took a deep breath and felt a sense of peace settling over her. It had been an incredible journey, and here she was, witnessing the sunrise she had dreamt about for weeks.
Shreya smiled, lost in the beauty of the moment. "Worth every bit of the early wake-up call," she replied softly.
Her thoughts drifted back to the beginning of their trip, a journey that had taken her and her mother through the magical landscapes of Sikkim and Darjeeling – places they had only seen in pictures before.
The Call of the Mountains
Shreya and her mother had always dreamed of visiting the Northeast, but it was not until a particularly long and exhausting work week that they finally made the decision.
“We need to disconnect,” her mother said one evening. Shreya, already dreaming of misty mountains and winding roads, had immediately thought of Sikkim and Darjeeling.
And so, a few weeks later, they found themselves in the lush landscape of Gangtok. On their drive from Bagdogra airport to Gangtok, it was an absolute adventure with verdant hills and the Teesta River rushing beside them.
The roads seemed to cling to the mountains, winding through dense forests and valleys, and every now and then, the view would open up to reveal distant snow-covered peaks.
“I cannot believe we are really here,” Shreya's mother said.
Into the Frozen Dream
Their journey through Sikkim began with a visit to Changu Lake surrounded by rugged mountains. The air grew noticeably colder as they ascended the steep road leading up to the lake.
Shreya’s excitement grew with each curve of the road, and by the time they arrived, she was breathless – not just from the altitude, but from the sheer beauty of the place.
The lake was half-frozen, its surface reflecting the sky and mountains in shades of deep blue and white.
They spent the afternoon exploring the area, taking in the peaceful aura of the lake and visiting the nearby Baba Mandir. Not only the sights left a lasting impression, but it was the quiet moments spent by the lake, sipping tea from a local vendor and watching the clouds drift lazily across the sky.
Lost in Sikkim's Valley of Flowers
Shreya and her mother spent days sinking further into the heart of Sikkim. They travelled north to Lachung, which served as the gateway to the breathtaking Yumthang Valley.
As soon as they reached the Yumthang Valley, also known as the Sikkim Valley of Flowers, they were awestruck by the views around them. The valley was carpeted with wildflowers in every shade imaginable. Rhododendrons bloomed in vibrant pinks and purples, and their colours stood out against the snow-dusted peaks in the distance.
Shreya wandered through the valley in absolute surprise, stopping to breathe in the crisp mountain air and marvel at the beauty around her.
They spent hours exploring the valley, taking photographs and simply sitting in silence, overwhelmed by the tranquillity of the place.
Darjeeling’s Tea and Tranquility
After their adventures in Sikkim, Shreya and her mother headed toward Darjeeling. With a mix of bustling markets and quiet tea houses, the vibrant streets provided the perfect contrast to the serene beauty of Sikkim.
Shreya particularly enjoyed walking through the sprawling tea estates, where rows upon rows of tea bushes rolled down the hillsides in perfectly manicured rows.
“This is where some of the best tea in the world comes from,” she said, fascinated by the process of tea production they observed at a nearby estate.
But Darjeeling was not just about the tea. It was the experience of sipping that tea in small and cosy cafés while watching the mist roll in from the mountains. It was the peaceful walks to landmarks like the Peace Pagoda and the toy train’s rhythmic chugging as it wound through the mountainside.
Shreya’s heart had felt lighter here, and she had found herself laughing more freely, savouring each and every moment.
To Tiger Hill
And now, standing on Tiger Hill, waiting for the sun to rise, Shreya felt a sense of completeness wash over her. This was where their journey had always been leading them – the perfect conclusion to their adventure through Sikkim and Darjeeling.
The sky was now glowing with soft pastel hues, and as the sun finally peeked over the horizon, it cast a golden light over the snow-capped peak of Kanchenjunga. She stood there, watching the light spill over the mountains and illuminating the world below.
Her mother gently squeezed her hand, breaking the silence. “We did it,” she said, smiling at her.
At that moment, standing on the mountain that had witnessed countless sunrises before this one, Shreya knew that this trip had been more than just a vacation. It had been a journey of discovery – of nature, of peace, and of herself.
And as the sunlight warmed her face, she smiled, knowing that the mountains would always be there – waiting for her to return.
Read more: Thrillophilia Sikkim Reviews