From Temples to Snowy Peaks: Vijay's Thrillophilia Review of a Trip to Himachal
My wife casually said one weekend, “How about a trip to Himachal?” My dad instantly joined the conversation, “Mountains and fresh air? Count me in!” Mom added, “It sounds like the perfect family getaway.” After a joyous “Let’s go!” from everyone in the family, I started looking for packages online. We checked out a few travel agencies and chose Thrillophilia. Their destination experts were very attentive, and with their guidance, we crafted an itinerary that balanced excitement for my wife and me with a relaxing pace for my parents.
Sacred Sites and Scenic Views
The journey from Delhi to Manali was long, but its winding roads and scenic views, made the time pass quickly. I could tell my wife was a little tired, but that didn’t stop her from chatting with Mom about the places we were going to visit.
When we finally reached Manali, we wasted no time. After checking in to our hotel, we headed out to visit the Hadimba Devi Temple, which I’d heard so much about. I didn’t expect much at first, but as soon as we walked inside, the place felt serene, almost peaceful in a way that was hard to describe. My mom, who’s always been into history and culture, couldn’t stop talking about the significance of the temple and how it’s been around for centuries. "This place holds a lot of stories," she said as she stood in awe of the ancient architecture.
Next, we visited the Manu Temple and the Vashisht Temple. I’ve always felt a bit of a connection to these kinds of places, and I could tell my wife felt the same. "There's something calming about the prayers echoing in the air," she said as we sat quietly for a few minutes. We didn’t stay too long, as we still had plenty of sights to explore.
In the evening, we headed to Mall Road. It was lively and full of people from different corners of the country. My dad immediately found a spot by the cafes. “This place is full of life," he said while sipping his tea, and looking around. The whole day was a mix of spirituality, culture, and the pure joy of exploring a new place.
On Top of the World
Day three was one I was particularly excited about, mostly because we were going to Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass. This day would be about adventure, and that’s something my wife and I had been talking about non-stop. The drive to Solang Valley was pretty smooth, and the views were breathtaking.
As we arrived at Solang, the first thing I noticed was how calm the place felt despite the number of people around. The adventure activities were spread out, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
We went for a bit of skiing. Now, I’ll admit, I wasn’t great at it, but it didn’t matter. Seeing my wife and dad try skiing for the first time was hilarious. At one point, my wife fell over, and my dad, who’s usually very composed, couldn’t help but chuckle. "Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us," he said, trying to hide his smile.
Later in the day, we went up to Rohtang Pass. The altitude hit us pretty quickly, but the sight from up there was something else. My mom, who’s more into nature than adventure, was enjoying the cool breeze and taking in the surroundings. "I feel like I’m on top of the world," she said, and for a moment, I felt that too. We spent some time there, admiring the views and chatting with the locals. The weather was chilly, but it didn’t matter. This was one of those moments you wanted to hold onto.
Exploring Kullu, Manikaran, and Beyond
On the fourth day, we set off to explore Kullu and Manikaran. I was really looking forward to this part of the trip, especially Manikaran with its hot springs. We first stopped at Kullu, and while we didn’t spend much time there, the fresh air and the view of the mountains were enough to leave an impression. My wife picked up some woollen shawls from a local shop, and my mom made sure to click a couple of pictures of the temples there.
Manikaran was next on the list. The hot springs were just as fascinating as I’d heard, and the air had a different feel to it - warm and relaxing. My wife and I took a walk around the area, exploring.
Later, we travelled towards Jibhi. The road was a little rough, but the journey was enjoyable. One thing that I really loved about exploring Himachal was that no matter how bumpy the roads got, the stunning views always made it worth it. You couldn’t help but fall in love with the scenery. We stopped at small roadside eateries and even tried some local delicacies like Siddu. By the time we reached Jibhi, it felt like we had been on the road forever, but in a good way.
The next day, we woke up early for a trip to Serolsar Lake. Our hike to the lake was an adventure in itself, and my wife loved every bit of it. I couldn’t help but feel proud as she led the way up. At the lake, we took a moment to appreciate the stillness. My wife was the first to break the silence. "I could stay here all my life," she said softly.
As the day came to an end, we drove through the Jalori Pass, a scenic route that I wasn’t sure would be as impressive as it turned out to be. The beauty of the place took us all by surprise. "I think this was my favourite part of the trip," my wife said as we headed back to Jibhi. I agreed - it was a perfect way to end this adventure.
Our trip to Himachal was an incredible experience and the credit obviously goes to Thrillophilia. The guides were incredibly helpful throughout the journey, ensuring everything went smoothly. The stays had amazing views, and the driver was a pro, navigating the challenging terrain like it was nothing. Thank you, Thrillophilia, for making this the perfect family vacation!
Read More: Thrillophilia Himachal Reviews