Meet villagers who slept in Pakistan and awoke in India

Traveling 220 kms North to Leh you reach beautiful village in the shylok river valley 'TURTUK'.It is the northernmost village of India situated nearby India-POK border Line. Road to turtuk pass through Khardungla and one can encounter with many army transit camps. Fear, freedom and curiosity climb at the same time when you cross the mountains and cold deserts of the Nubra valley and reach Turtuk. Driving further 7 kms in the shylok river Valley you'll reach last transit camp of Indian millitary at Thang Village edge to the "Line of control". The area consists of rocky roads, craggy mountains and deserts, making it difficult to navigate. The six-seven hour drive from the Leh district to Turtuk is a gallery of unspeakable beauty

History of Turtuk :

Turtuk was under control of Pakistan government till 1971. Currently
It is the only pakistan-Baltistan region under the Indian administration appropriate to Leh district. One winter night of 1971 when Indo-Pak war was in full swing,  People of Turtuk were unknown about next morning wonder. This morning Turtuk, alongside with three other villages in the vicinity – Tyakshi, Chalunka and Thang recaptured from Pakistan by Indian army and hundreds of families were torn apart, their lives forever mired in border disputes. Here are few villagers in the picture who still recall that morning.Before 1971 villagers who were studying, working or had travelled for trade, were stuck in different parts of Pakistan while their family members became part of India. An invisible wall rose that night and many perished under its shadow.

We met few elders in the village and their long stories were portraying their pain while permanent migration in India. Indian army kept their promise and gave all protection to villagers. Turtuk residents have only one grouse – the Indian army should have gone a little further and occupied the rest of Baltistan. The overnight change of sovereignty split many families along the Line of Control – parents on this side with children and grandparents on the other.

* Mr Mohhamed who is in mid 50's took 40 years to cover the distance of 5 km's and see his brother&mother again who are living in the village adjecent to LOC Pak side.

* One could manage to see their growing grandchildren on the other side of the border with binocular. And many more stories...

Today, with no wifi, few businesses, limited electricity and a distinct local language (Balti), the largely self-sufficient border village retains the feel of another age.

Culture of Turtuk :

Here you’re not just in India, technically you are; but practically, three countries- Pakistan, China and India altogether. But as a Muslim village, in a Buddhist region, within a majority-Hindu country, Turtuk’s mixed ancestry already spanned borders.Listen close as locals here speak an interesting Balti language that uses old Tibetan sounds. Local folk musician in the village is the stuff of legend. Proud to see Indian Army schools has been taking care of children education in the village.Apart from being the northernmost Indian village,It is the largest apricot producing village in the whole of Ladakh region.

How to reach :
Nearest Airport is Leh which is 200 km away and connected with the private taxi and weekly public transport buses.

Where to stay :
You can book home stay via agent in Leh or directly.

Medical Facility :
Apart from government clinics, Indian army hospital in siachen base camps takes care of critical care and Sugeries.

The opening of Turtuk to tourists has surely influenced local culture and brought many hopes of tourism business. Happy and shy faces of childrens and women's in the village welcome you like a modern age is bringing new hopes in their lives.If you are planning Leh-Ladakh in your travel diaries then surely add this Village.