United in Adventure: Tejaswini's Himachal Family Trip with Thrillophilia
"Family travels are a reminder that the best journeys are those taken together."
I was enjoying a perfectly lazy weekend with my grandmother, looking at the photos from my last trip to Manali on my laptop. Amazed by the photos from the trip, she asked me:
"Maza aata hoga naa...pahadon par barf mein skiing karne mein?"
"Yes Daadi, it's one of the best feelings in the world...Aap try karoge?" I asked her.
"Sab saath chalte hain" she suggested.
Honestly, I couldn't agree more, it'd been a long time since our family traveled somewhere together. So I picked up my phone and started checking out packages from various agencies. Now, my primary concern was obviously the safety and well-being of my family on the trip. I needed a package curated in a way that was exciting enough but wouldn't exhaust any family member at the same time.
After browsing through a couple of websites, I decided to go with Thrillophilia, since they had amazing reviews for all kinds of trips. Vidhi was the agent assigned to me for crafting the itinerary, and I must say that she did a great job! She kept me in the loop while crafting an itinerary, and made one that best suited our requirements.
Temples, hot Springs, adventurous activities, and top-class stays - our itinerary couldn't get any better.
Echoes of Prayers
Being the youngest kid in the family, I knew how everyone would love to visit temples. It felt like a great idea to start on a religious note, offering prayers to the almighty.
Hadimba Temple, Vashisth Temple, and Manu Temple in Manali were some of the religious sites that I discovered with my family on the trip. From the vibrant decorations around the temples, and the hospitality of the locals, to the delicious prasad offered after the prayers - it was a bliss.
The purpose of our temple tour went beyond the temples themselves, it was a celebration of our family’s roots that connect us.
I'd been to Manali earlier with my friends, but this was something different. Exploring the valleys, trying local delicacies, and creating memories with my family was an experience that would stay unparalleled.
I felt a lot of gratitude at the moment, realising that this trip was creating a story to be told for generations to come.
Unfolding Adventures
This part of the trip is the one that I believe will always make me smile. It happens to be a 'core memory' for me and my family. As we left Manali to head for Solang Valley, I turned towards my grandmother:
"Daadi, hum Solang pohonchne wale hain, skiing karne ke liye tayyar?" I asked.
"Haan beta ji," she replied, her smile wide and eyes sparkling with excitement.
As we arrived in Solang Valley, I watched her take the first wobbly steps on the skis, a blend of delight and determination on her face. She laughed with joy, as she glided along the snowy slope, her joy was so infectious. The entire family cheered her up, as we all struggled with the skis ourselves.
We've all heard so many people say that family trips are boring. Well, if there's one thing that this journey was not - boring.
Our driver for the trip, Pal Bhaiji, was extremely knowledgeable and experienced. After our adventurous activities in Solang, he suggested that we visit Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara, which is also home to natural hot water springs. So we went ahead with his suggestion, and we couldn't be more thankful.
It was one of the most peaceful places we've ever visited as a family. We also spent some time in the hot water springs, which proved to be super relaxing.
The Hidden Gem of Jalori Pass
After spending a relaxing night in one of Jibhi's best accommodations, we had a hearty breakfast and headed out for the final sightseeing tour. Pal Bhaiji couldn't help himself and kept telling us about the stunning beauty of Jalori Pass on our way to it. He told us how the locals consider the place as a 'gateway to paradise' because of its mesmerising landscapes and peaceful ambiance.
We could soon understand the excitement that he felt about visiting Jalori Pass. It was like a fantasyland, the roads were covered in snow, and the lush green leaves peaked from beneath the snow-covered branches.
Upon reaching the summit, our guide took us for a short trek to Serolsar Lake. I had never witnessed anything like it before. The lake was partially frozen and offered fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.
'Travelling with family turns moments into memories that last a lifetime.'
As we looked all around us, we realised that this was the moment - a memory was being made - one that would last for a lifetime.
What did I love the most about the trip?
While on our way back, everyone was talking about the trip and how we should do it more often. On the other hand, my grandmother was sitting quietly, looking outside the window, smiling. I went up to her and asked if she liked the trip.
She smiled wide, gently patted my head, and said:
"Jeeti reh beta."
My heart melted, and I couldn't help but think about how incredibly simple our elders are at heart. They would say just a couple of words, but it would be something that'll stay with us forever. It was more than a blessing for me, it was knowing that I made her really happy and helped her enjoy it to the fullest.
Thank you Vidhi for making the trip such a delight for me and my family, particularly my grandmother. I told her about you and guess what, she sent her blessings for you too!
Read More: Thrillophilia Himachal Reviews