From Guwahati to Tawang - a journey of friendship: Mrs. Pritha Chatterjee's experience with Thrillophilia
The moment Sangeetac and I decided to go on our long-pending girls' trip, we started looking forward to visiting places that promised adventure, beauty, and a dash of nostalgia. “Pritha, we should visit Arunachal Pradesh,” Sangeetac suggested with a spark in her eyes. “Divyanshi hasn’t stopped raving about the beauty of Northeast India ever since she went there with her friends.” After so many discussions, we decided to go on a week-long trip to Arunachal Pradesh along with Divyanshi. We approached Thrillophilia to curate a customised itinerary that will cater to our needs. Their team did a fabulous job in planning our trip, flight transfers, local cab transits and accommodation.
And just like that, we decided to pack our bags, leave our routines behind in our 50s, and set off on an adventure - one filled with laughter, late-night talks, breathtaking views, and the kind of freedom we hadn’t felt in years. This wasn’t just a vacation for us. It was a celebration of friendship, womanhood, and putting ourselves first.
Facing our fears at River Kameng
We were welcomed by our tour coordinator from Thrillophilia at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport and were driven to Bhalukpong. We witnessed the breathtaking beauty of Arunachal Pradesh on our first drive from Guwahati to Bhalukpong. After reaching Bhalukpong, we first checked into our rooms. Thrillophilia had arranged a cosy stay with all basic amenities for us. After refreshing, we decided to visit the River Kameng and experience the popular river rafting sport. “I hope you take me back home safely, Pritha,” Sangeetac said in fear. “Come on yaar, these kinds of opportunities never come back” I said as I gently pushed her into the canoe. Our hearts raced with every descent through a rapid, but the little girl within us cherished every moment of the ride.
Spiritual awakening at Dirang
Day two started with a remarkable journey to Dirang. On the way, we stopped at several view points to capture the beauty of snow-clad hills, steep valleys and clear waterfalls. Our tour guide suggested we stop at Tippi Orchid Research Centre which is a glasshouse with over 1000 different varieties of orchids. The colourful blooms and their sweet fragrance offered a refreshing pause amidst our hectic travel. Then we halted at Nag Mandir for a quick prayer to the snake deity.
On reaching Dirang, we rested for a while before proceeding with the day’s plan. As per the itinerary, our guide took us to the nearby kiwi and apple orchards. “Wow! These apples are so yummy” Divyanshi exclaimed in surprise. Then we headed to Dirang Monastery. As I stepped into the main gate, I felt a sense of bliss that I hadn’t felt in so many years. The spiritual aura of the place, serene environment, sound of the fluttering prayer flags and enchanting views of the Himalayan mountains calmed my soul. I joined the monks in meditation while Sangeetac and Divyanshi looked at the prayer wheels, photographed the vibrant frescoes, and explored every inch of the monastery.
We lit incense for prayer, learnt about the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, and participated in the monks' sacred chants at Kalachakra Gompa.
Beyond the clouds at Tawang
Days four and five were reserved for sightseeing in Tawang. We checked out from the hotel and started on our journey to Tawang, perched at an elevation of 10,000 feet. Throughout the way, we witnessed beautiful views of snowy hills along the Sela Pass and sparkling waters of Sela Lake. We stopped at the Jaswant Garh War Memorial which holds a historical significance in 1962 Sino-Indian War. As we continued, the view of Nuranang Falls cascading down amidst lush greenery made us stop our car. Divyanshi was engrossed in clicking pictures but Sangeetac and I soaked in the beauty of nature without any interruption. “We often forget to appreciate nature’s beauty in the midst of our hectic routine”, we discussed. By evening, we arrived in Tawang, checked into our hotel, and spent the rest of the day unwinding.
The next day we went on a local sightseeing tour around Tawang. The breathtaking beauty of Bum La Pass and Shonga-ster Lake made us speechless and left us longing to stay there forever. The day ended peacefully with a divine experience at Taktsang Gompa and Tawang Monastery
Memories made
On our way to Bomdila, we witnessed mesmerising views of snowy hills in West Kameng Valley covered in clouds. After a quick visit to Gontse Rabgyaling Monastery and Thub-Chog Gatsel Ling Monastery, we headed for some shopping. Back at the hotel, Sangeetac and I spent the night talking about our childhood days, singing our favorite Hindi songs and laughing at fond memories.
Our last day of the trip was spent strolling through the streets of Guwahati. We shopped for local wooden handicrafts, decor, woolen clothing and accessories at Fancy Market and Paltan Market. The next day before departure we visited Kamakhya Temple to seek blessings from the goddess. At Guwahati Airport, we reminisced about each day and every moment of our trip. “We finally did it Pritha!” Sangeetac said with tears of joy. “I am proud of you both for going on this trip so enthusiastically in your 50s”, Divyanshi said. I am grateful to Thrillophilia for making our dream come true.
Read More: Thrillophilia North East Reviews