Turtuk Village is a charming Balti village near the Shyok River, with stone houses, wooden balconies, narrow lanes, water channels and many apricot orchards. The settlement climbs up the slope, connected by small bridges and paths. Visitors can walk through the village, see traditional grain towers, visit old mosques and forts, stay in homestays and taste fresh apricots and local food. The look and culture here feel quite different from central Ladakh.
About this place
History & highlights
Historically, Turtuk was part of Baltistan and culturally linked to Skardu, not Leh. It lay on an important trade route along the Shyok valley. After 1947 it was under Pakistan; during the 1971 war the Indian Army took control and Turtuk became part of India. For many years it remained a sensitive border village and was closed to tourists. Only in the 21st century was it opened, revealing a place with strong Balti Muslim traditions now carefully connecting its agriculture and heritage with tourism.
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