Turtuk the last village of India leh ladakh

Turtuk is located at a distance of 211 km from Leh and 92 km from Diskit along with the Shyok river.

---

The area of the Shayok river, including the three village Changmar, Bogdan and Turtuk, were opened for the foreign tourists in 2010, so they are still quite new for the tourists and feel rather unexplored.

It is situated on the edge of the Shayok Valley and also it's a part of the Nubra Valley area.
Foreign visitors have to take Inner Line Permission to visit Turtuk and for anywhere in Nubra. Indians can easily obtain these permits directly from the Magistrate Office in Leh. Foreign people have to use the travel agencies in Leh. You will need your passport, passport copies and between 350-400 Rs.

Before off to Turtuk or anywhere in the Shayok valley, prepare at least 3 photocopy of the permit, more if you also planning to go to the Nubra valley, because when you will enter to the checkpoint counter you will be asked to deposit a photocopy with them.

There are some local bus service from Leh to Turtuk, few times in a week and also come back. Enquire at the New Bus Stand in Leh for more details. Road is well-paved almost all the way from Leh, apart from Khardung La.

Hitchhiking might be hard because there is a very little traffic going on the Diskit-Turtuk road.

The village is divided into three areas. The areas are:

Chutang, the lower portion of the village, located with the bank of the Shyok river. Most families are living in the other two areas of Turtuk.

Yul, the oldest area of the village. Two mosques are there. Yul means "village".

Farol, the area where most guesthouses and the old monastery are situated. Situated across the bridge from Yul, the other side of the river.

Kissir with Grangtur- Buckwheat pancakes with fragrant greens, this is very famous food in Turtuk.

The easiest and cheapest option is probably staying in a home-stay, like Kashmiri Home stays. Because Home stays are very cheap, 300 Rs per night per person, including supper and breakfast, with very nice conditions. You can easily find these home-stays in the main part of the village.

There are some government guesthouse in this village - Balti Residency, K2 Guesthouse, Maha guesthouse.

There are many reasons that you shouldn't miss Turtuk village if you are going on a trip to Ladakh. Some reasons are:

The picturesque village of Turtuk is the last major settlement of India, In fact Turtuk was under Pakistan?s control until the 1971 Indo-Pak war happened where it came under Indian governance. Thus, the village divided by the border "the de facto border". Not just the name, the village itself is one of a kind.

The inhabitant of Turtuk speaks a very interesting language called as Balti. It is a mix of Persian and old Tibetan. Though a considerable number of people speaks Balti, Balti language uses old Tibetan and no longer used in modern Tibetan. So, ready to learn a new language!

The uniquely impressive geography of Turtuk is another reason for its seclusion from the outer world. The village is an extraordinary trek from the nearby village Hundar. The deserts, rocky roads and crabby mountains make it difficult for tourists to navigate. Turtuk will continue to be an untouched part of the northwestern region of Ladakh.

A Muslim village in a Buddhist realm within a Hindu-majority country - this is Turtuk. The mixed ancestry shapes the culture of this village. Worldwide people are coming to travel this village. Here, you?re not just in India, well technically you are, but practically three countries- Pakistan, China and India altogether. The local people of Turtuk are very happy to see tourists. You can do photography here. Get ready to experience an offbeat landscape of beauty.

Turtuk village is the largest apricot producing village in the whole Ladakh region. You will get the local food where apricot is an universal ingredient. Turtuk village also grows walnuts in aplenty.

You can't find alcohol in this area.

Attractions of Turtuk village:
01. Natural cold storage
02. Historic polo ground
03. Ruins of Brokpa's fort
04. Balti Heritage House and Museum
05. Turtuk Museum
07. Water mill
08. Blacksmith
09. 16th century mosque
10. Historic Monastery - a few minutes hike above Farol.
11. Traditional handloom
12. Waterfall
13. Historic mosque - located in Yul.

It can be extremely pleasurable to stroll around this picturesque village.

So, whenever you travel to the mighty mysterious Ladakh, don?t think twice before adding this stunning village to your itinerary and make sure you carry extra space on camera because it?s about to get "litt up."