Keenan’s Epic Escape to Himachal with Thrillophilia
Growing up amidst the concrete forest of Mumbai, Keenan and his partner always wanted to explore Himachal and its beauty. It is a popular destination among the youth, with bustling nightlife, natural landscapes surrounded by towering mountains, and multiple options for adventure sports.
The plan started with an Instagram post of Thrillophilia. They saw a summer discount on the Manali-Kasol trip package and immediately sent an inquiry on the website.
A salesperson named Ayushi called and explained the entire itinerary, but Keenan and his partner wanted a slightly different trip. She informed them about the customisation options, which won them over. Assuring that everything would be taken care of, she sent a diverse range of hotel and car options to choose from.
The booking process after that was simple—paying the total amount—and then waiting for the trip to start.
When the day arrived, they were fully prepared. After reaching Delhi, they met their driver-cum-tour leader, Vikas, a helpful and considerate person who briefed them about the journey.
When everyone was seated, Vikas said, “Kass ke baith jao janaab, hum pahado pe gadi chalate nahi hai, udaate hai” (sit tightly, sir, I do not drive my car in the mountains, I fly them). Keenan and his partner were immediately impressed.
And Our Roller Coaster Ride Began
The first stop was Shimla. Although they could not get tickets for the UNESCO-listed toy train ride, they caught a glimpse of it. The scenery looked as if it had appeared straight out of a painting.
They drove through amazing landscapes, feeling the cool mountain air wash away all the dust from the Mumbai roads. The journey to Shimla was long, around 8 hours, but their excitement was so high that they went out for some beer the very same day. The ambience, peace, and respite were truly unparalleled, unlike any brewery experience in Mumbai.
The next day, they left for Kasol, a part of the trip that Keenan’s partner was particularly awaiting. Kasol’s nightlife was a highlight, and there was no pressure to wrap things up early as the next day’s activity was sightseeing only.
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They had opted for a camp stay in Kasol, just by the Parvati River, and it was fantastic. The morning was spent relaxing, and the sightseeing tour was completed on time (thanks to Vikas for “flying” the car in the mountains). The night was spent merrily dancing and singing around a bonfire just in front of their camp.
Travelling is Also About Listening
During the journey, Thrillophilia’s team called a couple of times to check how things were going. Keenan gave feedback, though there was nothing negative to report—everything was running smoothly.
On the way, Vikas shared stories about the region, the lives of the people, their plights, and festivals, giving them context for all the parades and processions encountered on the road. Once, they came across a wedding procession, and Vikas explained the marriage rituals for a good 30 minutes.
Manali Madness!
Upon reaching Manali, they could not hold their excitement. They asked Vikas for a small tour of the town, and he gladly agreed, taking them to his favorite spot to enjoy cutting chai and samosas.
The hotel services were excellent, with amazing meals and top-notch service. The rooms were well-kept, and the bathrooms fully functional, including a geyser supplying hot water. Being the only private guests from Thrillophilia staying in the hotel, they received special attention.
Next was Solang Valley, where they ticked off one major bucket-list activity—paragliding. They enjoyed the experience so much that they did it twice. Gliding through the valleys between mountains was surreal and heart-racing.
Then Came The Next Best Part
Rohtang Pass brought skiing and sledging. They spent the day having fun, frolicking in the snow, and embracing adventure. It was an experience too good to be put into words.
A Letter of Thanks
The journey back to Delhi was quiet, a reflection of the trip’s success. Keenan noted that the silence was the true judgment of a great trip—bad trips end in chaos, good ones in peace.
To Thrillophilia, Keenan and his partner extended heartfelt thanks for the guidance, amazing staff, unconditional support, and well-priced, diverse itinerary. The trip was memorable not only for checking off bucket-list wishes but also for the seamless arrangements and constant coordination that turned an Instagram-inspired plan into reality.
They concluded by expressing excitement for planning another trip with Thrillophilia in the near future.