Wanderlust in the Hills of North East: Mansi’s trip with Thrillophilia
After weeks of feeling drained and stuck in the loop of everyday routine, the idea of travel took shape. My friends, Yogeshkhmar Nakarani and Ashish Gupta, and I were craving a change of scenery from our usual daily patterns.
One of us casually brought up the Northeast during a coffee break, and the idea quickly became serious planning. The thought of snow-covered peaks, prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and silent monasteries situated in the mountains stirred something deep in us.
Soon, we came across Thrillophilia’s itinerary for North Sikkim and Darjeeling. It felt thoughtfully designed and perfectly matched our hopes as it included offbeat experiences, scenic stays, and smooth logistics. Without a second thought, we booked it. This was our chance to rediscover peace and friendship in the heart of the Himalayas.
Detour through Mirik
We landed in Bagdogra in March 2025. Our driver greeted us with a genuine smile. “You are lucky,” he laughed, “the skies are clear today. Kanchenjunga might grace you with her presence.”
Our route to Darjeeling took a beautiful detour through Mirik. I still remember rolling the window down and letting the cold wind touch my face softly.
Ashish spotted Kanchenjunga shimmering in the distance. "Guys, that is her!" he yelled. Yogesh clicked a picture and said, “We got lucky."
Darjeeling welcomed us with chilly air, misty roads, and warm hospitality. That evening, we wandered around Mall Road, sipped thukpa and ate momos, and bought woollen gloves we did not know we would need so soon.
Sunrise That Stole Our Hearts
The next day began in the dark. At 4 am, wrapped in every layer we owned, we rode up to Tiger Hill. Locals gathered together with flasks of chai and hope in their eyes.
Then it happened. As the horizon turned amber, Mt. Kanchenjunga was covered in golden light. A collective surprise filled the crowd. I did not realise I had tears in my eyes until Ashish nudged me and said, “This is your Instagram caption moment, Mansi."
Later, we visited Batasia Loop, the Ghoom Monastery, and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute. I watched kids peer into mountaineering exhibits and dream of Everest. At the Peace Pagoda, we sat in silence, which spoke volumes.
From Darjeeling to Pelling
On the following day, we left Darjeeling for Pelling. The roads were a blend of winding turns and wide-open views. Music played softly in the background as we crossed sleepy hamlets and smiling school children.
In the afternoon, we explored the scenic spots of Pelling. The quiet charm of the place covered us all. Unlike tourist-heavy destinations, Pelling had its own rhythm - unhurried and soulful.
We talked about everything and nothing that night. Over hot chai and local curry, we realised we were healing.
Temples, Tea, and Timeless Moments
We went through Ravangla on the 4th day, a spiritual pit stop on our way to Gangtok. We stopped for some time at the Buddha Park. There, the statue of the Buddha, sitting calmly with the snow-capped peaks behind, was extraordinarily beautiful.
After some more minutes of driving, we finally reached Gangtok.
The capital city buzzed with the energy of markets, monks, and music. We settled into our hotel, which had a view that made us go “wow” each time we looked outside.
We wound up for the day early to prepare for the adventure the next day.
A Day at Gangtok’s Soul
Our last full day was dedicated to the gems of Gangtok. The day began at Tashi Viewpoint, where Kanchenjunga peeked at us once again. We also visited Ganesh Tok and Hanuman Tok, which offered peace and panoramic views.
At the Handicrafts Centre, we watched artisans weaving shawls and dreams. The Institute of Tibetology gave us a deeper understanding of the rich heritage of the region.
But it was Dro-Dul Chorten that stilled us. Prayer flags fluttered in the breeze as monks chanted nearby. There was something grounding about being surrounded by beliefs much older and bigger than yourself.
We ended the day at Ban Jhakri Falls "Let’s come back here after five years," Yogesh said. "Deal," we agreed together.
After enjoying the sightseeing in Gangtok, our car drove back toward Bagdogra. I leaned my head on the window and watched the landscape blur by. This trip was about friendship, freedom, and finding moments that make life feel infinite.
Kudos to Thrillophilia!
“They crafted an amazing experience. Despite travelling during the snowy off-season, their ground team was extremely polite, helpful, and quick to suggest alternate plans when routes were closed. The itinerary was well-curated, the stays were scenic and comfortable, and the cab service and drivers were excellent.”
This was a wonderful holiday that we will cherish for years to come.
Read More: Thrillophilia North East Reviews