Nature’s Best-Kept Secrets: Pritha’s North East Thrillophilia Review
On a summer morning in May 2025, three travellers, Pritha Chatterjee, her dear friend Sangeeta Sharda, and a spirited youngster, Divyanshi Sharda, landed at Guwahati Airport. Among the bustle of arrivals and porters, Pritha felt quite excited. This trip was a shared exchange across generations.
As they settled into their car for Bhalukpong, Sangeeta said, “After months of routine, it is beautiful to breathe adventure again.” Divyanshi responded with a smile, “Let’s find out what the Kameng River has in store for us.” And so began their northeast adventure.
By afternoon, they reached the medieval town of Bhalukpong, where the Kameng River traced silver arcs through emerald banks. Their hotel welcomed them with warm sunlight and river sounds. With river rafting and canoeing available, Sangeeta hesitated, “It has been years since I wore a life jacket!” Pritha took her hand gently and smiled, “Let’s make a memory.”
The three launched down gentle rapids, and their laughter rippled as the current carried them forward. Divyanshi steered the canoe while imparting enthusiastic guidance to her elders. After a thorough fun and enjoyment, they pulled ashore completely wet.
Orchids and Spiritual Luck in Dirang
On the second day, they travelled through mist-draped hills towards Dirang. Their first stop was the Orchid Research Centre at Tippi, where they saw over five hundred varieties of orchids. Divyanshi knelt to photograph a deep purple specimen and observed, “Nature is its own fine art gallery.” As the camera shutter clicked, Sangeeta whispered to Pritha, “I forgot how much beauty we miss in routine.”Next, they visited the Nag Mandir, which was a quiet temple that honoured the serpent deity. Within the candlelit hall, Pritha offered a silent prayer for safety and bounty. In the calm, Divyanshi offered incense and closed her eyes to pray. Outside, there were abundant apple and kiwi farms around, and at the Kalachakra Monastery, slow chants carried them towards a deeper appreciation for shared tranquillity.
Sela Pass and the High Altitude of Tawang
The following morning, they climbed through rough ridges towards Tawang at 10,000 feet. At Sela Pass, powdered snow surrounded the turquoise Sela Lake. Pritha wrapped an arm around Sangeeta, and both gazed at the immaculate area. Divyanshi crouched to capture the reflection of peaks in crystalline waters.
But soon, their mood turned reflective at the Jaswant Garh War Memorial, where stories of courage and sacrifice of the 1962 war provoked their silent respect.
Later, the roar of Nuranang Falls welcomed them, and the tiny droplets of the waterfall touched their cheeks. Divyanshi seized the moment, and her laughter rippled through the gorge. Sangeeta looked at Pritha and said, “We came for sights… but what we found is the heart stirring anew.”
Spiritual Beauty Above the Clouds
On the fourth day, they drove to Tibet’s border at Bum La Pass. The prayer flags were fluttering in a swirl of colours. Pritha and Sangeeta admired the beauty, while Divyanshi, as usual, raised her phone to capture the flags moving across the sky.
Back in Tawang, the crystal-clear Shonga-Tser (Madhuri) Lake mirrored the mountains above, and it was serenity personified.
At Tawang Monastery, the largest Buddhist monastery in India, the monks welcomed them gently. Sangeeta offered a silk scarf at the altar, and Divyanshi joined in to offer blessings beneath swirling incense. Pritha closed her eyes and inhaled deeply to connect to a greater meaning of life.
Bomdila’s Twin Monasteries
Day 5 found them descending to Bomdila, situated high above West Kameng Valley. The hills rolled beneath low-hanging clouds. After a brief rest, they visited Upper and Lower Gompas, Gontse Rabgyaling and Thub‑Chog Gatsel Ling.
In the peaceful atmosphere of both monasteries, rotating prayer wheels and fading murals spoke of time and patience. Divyanshi spun a wheel and looked at her companions, “These traditions have continued for centuries. I am grateful we carry them forward.”
In the evening, they walked by local homes and were greeted by warm smiles. A tea vendor poured fresh chai into clay cups, and the trio sat cross-legged and enjoyed its calming heat as the day turned into twilight.
Blessings in Kamakhya Temple
Their final day in the Northeast carried them back across the scenic highways of Arunachal into Guwahati. The market was filled with colours in Fancy and Paltan stalls. Sangeeta bought handwoven scarves, Divyanshi picked carved wooden elephants, and Pritha selected local tea spices to preserve the memory of every stop.
The next day, they visited the Kamakhya Temple before departure. Standing together among pilgrims, Pritha watched Sangeeta place her palm on the holy stone while Divyanshi lit incense. Each of them whispered their own blessings of health, shared secrets, and renewed bonds.
At the airport, Pritha held her dear friends and said, “Thank you for doing this together.”
Read More: Thrillophilia North East Reviews