Tag: turtuk village

Turtuk is the northernmost village and gram panchayat of India in Nubra valley of Leh district of Ladakh, about 205km from Leh town and is on the bank of Shyok River. Turtuk opened for tourists in 2009 and it was under control of Pakistan since Independence till 1971. India took control over Turtuk during Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. India and Pakistan had again a war around Turtuk during Kargil War of 1999. Now Turtuk is one of the major tourist destinations (sightseeing places) in Ladakh. Besides Turtuk, Thang (last village near LOC) and Tyakshi have also become tourist attractions. A few memorials built in the memory of soldiers can be seen on the road leading to zero point of India-Pakistan Line of Control (LOC). Many tourists visit Turtuk village between May and October. Turtuk is a Muslim village having population of about 3,500 residents and its residents speak Baltistani, Ladakhi and Urdu languages. Siachen Glacier is also accessible from Turtuk side. Turtuk village offers beautiful views of Shyok valley. Turtuk is said to be the only place in India where one can witness Balti culture. Tourist movement is allowed till Tyakshi, another Balti village beyond Turtuk. However, Thang is the last and northernmost village of India, about 4km from Turtuk just before LOC, but tourists are not allowed to visit the village. Thang is clearly visible from Tyakshi on the other side of Shyok river. Turtuk is basically divided in three sections -- main market (small market of the village) area on the Hunder-Tyakshi road and upper main village area is divided into two by a small nullah, a tributary of Shyok river. A beautiful bridge on the nullah, joining both parts o the village, is a famous tourist point where everyone wants to get clicked. A large number of