Drizzling Days, Awaited Escapades: Sibu's Sikkim Family Trip with Thrillophilia
Bangalore is known for having showers that continue for hours at a stretch. This day was no different, as rain had been pouring against the windows since daybreak, keeping us all indoors (Now when I look at it...for all the good reasons).
I had a crucial client meeting due in just two weeks, and I was immersed in preparing a catchy presentation for our recent client. Our team had a tough time onboarding this client, but they somehow pulled it off, and this meeting was supposed to be a cherry on the cake.
"Dad, my friend is off to Himachal with his family. Are we going for a trip this year?" asked my son.
His question made me wonder about how our trip to Sikkim got canceled last year, because of an urgent meeting I had to attend.
“This week,” I told him with a smile on my face.
Thinking about fulfilling my promise this time, I reached out for my phone and called the client. To my amazement, the client agreed to reschedule the meeting for next month.
After hanging up the call, I immediately started looking for Sikkim tour packages online. I had heard my staff speak highly of Thrillophilia and their fantastic itineraries, so I decided to book a family tour package with them.
Flowers, Summits, and Scenic Waters
Our family trip began in Gangtok, where we kicked off with a tour of Changu Lake or 'Tsomgo' Lake. Kishore Ji, our driver for the trip, blew our minds with some interesting stories about the lake. I still remember one of those, as it described the lake's origin to be Guru Padmasambhava's (a Buddhist deity) tears.
We were also supposed to visit Baba Mandir, but couldn't because of the heavy snowfall on the roads. Looking at our faces, Kishore Ji told us not to worry and that we'd get to see more fascinating places with snowfall along the way. And he couldn't have been more right, as we visited some of the most scenic attractions in the coming days.
In Lachen, we got a chance to admire Gurudongmar Lake, which is a religious site for Buddhist monks. One of the best places that we discovered during the trip was Yumthang Valley or The Valley of Flowers, which was at the time covered with flowers. My son was awestruck with the views of endless fields of flowers and the surrounding snow-clad mountains.
Exploring the Path of Peace
After exploring the top tourist spots in North Sikkim, we were now headed for the western region. Even before we reached Pelling, we got a chance to admire stunning views of the Kanchenjunga range along the way.
Upon reaching, the first site that we visited was Khecheopalri Lake, which is associated with Guru Rinpoche (a Buddhist Mystic). Kishore Ji told us that the locals celebrate the Chho-Tsho festival near the lake in October every year, to thank the gods.
Later, we also visited some of the most historic monasteries in the region including the Khecheopalri and Pemayangtse Monastery. After taking a walk around the campus, we even got a chance to meet some of the Buddhist Monks and enjoy tea with them. I believe it's one of the moments in life which stays with you forever.
As we took a deep breath on our way back from the monasteries, Kishore Ji told us that we were next headed for Rimbi Waterfall and the Kanchenjunga Waterfall. We had spent a couple of days in Sikkim by then, but we still couldn't believe how beautiful it was and the diversity of attractions it housed - simply incredible.
A Surprise to Remember
'Surprises are the essence of life, they add flavor to the ordinary.'
I remember reading this quote printed on one of the notebooks back at my office. While speaking to Chanchal and Surabhi from Thrillophilia, I got the idea of including Darjeeling in the itinerary, to surprise my family.
Just when my family thought the trip was over, they noticed the milestone that said 'Darjeeling - 47 km'. My wife smiled and my son yelled in joy. It was such a memorable moment - watching them feel so delighted about exploring another destination together.
Our sightseeing tour in Darjeeling began early in the morning and we headed to Tiger Hill to witness a scenic sunrise. Watching the sun rays blanket the snow-covered mountains in a golden glow was a sight to remember. We stood in awe as the Sun rose high, making all the surrounding landscapes dazzle.
After coming back from Tiger Hill, we had a hearty breakfast at the hotel, following which we left for a city tour of Darjeeling. Kishore Ji first took us to Batasia Loop, also known as Army Memorial, where we had the chance to admire the views of the town.
Next, we visited Ghoom Monastery, which is home to a 15-foot-tall statue of Maitreya Buddha. It felt as if we didn't just look at the statue, but were immersed in its spiritual ambiance.
Intrigued by the majestic Buddha Statue, I asked Kishore Ji if he could take us to more such religious sites. He then took us to the Japanese Temple, which stunned us with its classic architecture and scenic views. We also visited the Peace Pagoda, which was located near the Japanese Temple.
On our way back, we explored the Tibetan Refugee Centre, where we enjoyed shopping for authentic Tibetan handicrafts manufactured by the locals. My boy particularly loved the colorful prayer flags, so I even bought one for our car back home.
Our family vacation in Sikkim was more than a journey, it helped me and my family form a stronger bond. Kishore Ji's expert driving skills and his story-telling abilities added to the charm of the trip. As we headed back to Banglore, we collectively decided to go on a family vacation every year, at least once.
Read More: Thrillophilia Sikkim Reviews