Turtuk is a gorgeous village located in the lap of the Karakoram ranges of Leh, Ladakh, India, formerly part of Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, this village, along with two more, became part of India.
A Muslim-majority village, Turtuk has since welcomed tourists with open arms to bask in its wondrous sights.
These days however, all tourists traveling to Leh, Ladakh must carry a Covid-19 negative test report to enter. On-the-spot tests are also carried out at the airport or Ladakh border itself.
What to expect when visiting Turtuk
Though a quaint village, Turtuk is surprisingly modern (it has its own vegan restaurant) and yet, is still connected to its Muslim roots.
The village exudes a languid atmosphere, with everyone seemingly happy and content with the laidback lifestyle.
You will notice a distinct difference of attire and cuisine here, compared to other Ladakhi regions. Rest assured, you will return with a lifetime of memories once you visit this village.
The right time to visit Turtuk village
The best time to visit Turtuk is from May to October, during the Indian summer. The busiest periods (thereby more expensive) are usually between April to August.
The most affordable shoulder season would be September to October. In winter months, most of the roads will be closed due to heavy snowfall.
Permit requirements
Turtuk’s dramatic natural landscape. (Travel Like We Do pic)As it is located close to the Indian border, both Indians and foreigners must apply for permits when planning to visit Turtuk.
You can apply for a permit with the Leh District Permit Tracking System. Once the permit is issued, make sure to carry three to four copies of the permit, as there will be multiple check posts where you will need to submit them.
You can also get the permit from Leh main market.
How to reach Turtuk
Most people head to Turtuk via taxi from Leh or include it in their group tour, while visiting Hunder Sand Dunes located nearby. Still, the best but most expensive option, is by car.
The budget option will be to take a bus from Leh to Hunder and take another bus to Turtuk the following afternoon. In this case, you will reach Turtuk at sunset, so you might have to stay another night to explore. Do note that the buses to Turtuk don’t operate on Sundays.
You can also book a cab from Hunder to Turtuk that cost you INR1,000 to INR2,000 (RM55 to RM110) depending on the season. There are shared cabs that cost INR300 (RM17) per person.
Planning the length of your stay in Turtuk Village
You should aim to spend at least one night in Turtuk village, just to get the real vibe of the magical place.
Many tourists come on day trips but only see half of the village, thus missing out on meeting the wonderful locals and learning about their culture. A two-night stay will be best.
Where to stay
There are plenty of options in Turtuk, with most accommodations being homestays with adequate comfort and great views.
For instance, Masters Home Stay, which is a budget-friendly backpacking home costs between INR500 to INR2,000 (RM27 to RM110) per night, for two pax.
What to eat
There are plenty of cafes and restaurants to meet your expectations but the must-try fare here is the local Balti cuisine.
In case you are expecting loads of non-vegetarian food options, you will be a bit disappointed as vegetarian and organic restaurants are bigger in number.
Things to do in Turtuk Village
- Enjoy the gorgeous Karakoram Ranges: It’s the only opportunity for you to get a glimpse of breathtaking Karakoram Ranges from India. You also get a sneak peak of K2 (second-highest mountain in the world) from Turtuk.
- Take a village walk: Strolling through the narrow alleys and quaint stone houses, you might discover sudden openings and spectacular viewpoints.
- Visit the heritage museum: The Balti Heritage museum offers insight on the village’s history, the local traditional attire and the Balti way of life.
- Hike up to the monastery: It’s an easy and gorgeous hike up to the only Buddhist monastery in Turtuk village, which also offers great views of the K2 ranges.
- Teach in the village schools: There are many schools here but unfortunately, not many teachers come to this remote region to teach. If possible, stay a week or two and teach languages or computer skills to the village children.
Amit and Anindita are Indian Travel bloggers who blog at Travel Like We Do. They talk about affordable travel in India and abroad. They are still travelling and capturing their moments.