Last updated on May 10th, 2026 at 10:13 am
Reading Time: 8 minutesMost people doing Ladakh go to Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, and Khardung La. Turtuk doesn’t make most itineraries.
That’s exactly why it should be on yours.
Turtuk is India’s last inhabited village before the Pakistan border — a place that was part of Pakistan until 1971 when the Indian Army took control during the border war. The culture here is Balti, the architecture is unlike anything else in Ladakh, and the apricot orchards in summer make the whole village look like something from another country entirely.
We rode from Leh to Turtuk on bikes. It took nearly 8 hours. Somewhere on that road, through the Shyok valley and past landscapes I’m still not able to describe properly, I understood why people say Turtuk changes the way they see Ladakh.
Table of Contents
Turtuk Ladakh — Quick Facts
| Distance from Leh | 205km |
| Travel time | 5–6 hours by car, 7–8 hours by bike |
| Permit required | Inner Line Permit (ILP) — mandatory |
| Best time to visit | June to September |
| Temperature in August | 15–25°C day, 8–12°C night |
| Village access | Foot only beyond the bridge — no vehicles |
| Nearest ATM | Diskit (100 km away) — carry cash |
| Mobile network | BSNL works patchy — Airtel and Jio unreliable |
How to Reach Turtuk from Leh — Complete Route
Route: Leh → Khardung La → Diskit → Hunder → Turtuk
The road from Leh goes over Khardung La (5,359 metres) — carry warm layers regardless of season. After Khardung La the road descends into Nubra Valley past Diskit and Hunder, then follows the Shyok River for the final stretch to Turtuk.
The last 80 km from Diskit to Turtuk is where the landscape shifts completely. The mountains on either side feel closer than anywhere else on the route.
By Bike
The most common way to reach Turtuk from Leh. Budget a full day — leave by 8 AM at the latest. We left at 9 AM after a slow start and reached right at blue hour.
By Cab
Shared cabs occasionally run from Diskit to Turtuk. Private taxis from Leh cost approximately ₹5,000–7,000 one way. Book through your guesthouse in Leh.
By Bus
HRTC buses run from Leh to Turtuk but the schedule is irregular — check at Leh bus stand before planning around it.
Important: You cannot take vehicles beyond the bridge into Turtuk village. Park at the base and explore on foot.
Turtuk Permit — What You Need and How to Get It
An Inner Line Permit (ILP) is mandatory to visit Turtuk. Without it you will be turned back at the checkpoint before the village.
Step-by-step process for applying Turtuk Permit
You can apply for the Ladakh permit online through the official portal.
This permit is mainly required for restricted areas like:
- Pangong Lake
- Nubra Valley
- Tso Moriri
- Hanle
- Khardung La
- Turtuk
- Chushul, etc.
1. Open the website
Go to: Leh Permit Portal
2. Register as Domestic / Overseas
If you are Indian:
- Click Register as Domestic
If foreign national:
- Click Overseas / Protected Area Permit section.
3. Fill your details
You’ll need to fill the required details:
- Full name
- Mobile number
- Gender
- State
- ID proof type
- ID number
- Address
- Journey start date
Accepted IDs:
- Aadhaar
- Passport
- Driving License
- Voter ID
4. Choose travel areas
Select all places you plan to visit.
- Nubra Valley
- Pangong Lake
- Hanle
- Tso Moriri
- Turtuk
- Khardung La
Very important:
Select ALL routes beforehand. Sometimes checkpoints deny entry if the area is not mentioned in permit.
5. Pay fees online
Typical charges for Indians:
- Environment Fee
- Wildlife Fee
- Red Cross contribution
Approx: ₹400–700 depending on days/routes.
6. Download permit PDF
After payment:
- Download PDF
- Save on phone
- Take 4–5 printouts
You’ll submit copies at checkpoints.
Permit is not required for Leh town.
Sukoon homestay turtuk
I had already reserved by room at the Sukoon Homestay Turtuk. Walk-ins are possible but risky — the village has limited accommodation and I can’t risk to find no place to stay.
It took me some time to find the Sukoon homestay turtuk and much more time to find the owner because nobody was there. I roamed outside to see if I could spot somebody, but I couldn’t find anyone.
Sukoon Homestay is a family-run stay right in the heart of Turtuk village.
Shortly, a woman walked and introduced herself as the owner’s wife.
Honestly, after a few conversations only, it felt homely!
Though, I was a little tired. Therefore, I went inside the room and rested for some time. Surprisingly, there was no fan inside the room.
I sensed that fan was not required as it remains a little cold in turtuk even in the summers.
Cost: Approximately ₹800–1,500/night including breakfast and dinner. Confirm at the time of booking.
The day to explore turtuk
I gazed outside the window early morning,
I was excited to explore Turtuk early in the morning. Therefore, I got freshen up and had my breakfast till 8:30 a.m.
The owner had arranged the paranthas and bread jam for the breakfast on the rooftop. It was an amazing sight, overlooking the shyok valley.
The homestay has the ground floor, and then the rooftop.
My dress code
I dressed in formals
Being in Turtuk felt awesome, especially for me, so I wore formal. Ditto; my cousin did.
Genuinely, I decided at home, days before leaving for Ladakh, that I would wear formal there.
Things to Do in Turtuk
1. Village photo walk — early morning
The best time to walk Turtuk is between 7–9 AM. The light is soft, the elders are heading to the apricot orchards, and the children are walking to school. The narrow stone lanes, the wooden balconies, the flat-roofed houses — everything looks different in morning light.
I went on 15th August. The children were running with Indian flags for Independence Day. In a village that was part of Pakistan until 1971.
2. Turtuk Museum (Yabgo Palace)
The old palace of the Yabgo dynasty — the ruling family of Turtuk before the 1971 war — has been converted into a small museum. It houses old weapons, photographs, and artefacts from the pre-1971 era. One of the family members usually guides you through. Entry is free or by donation.
Worth an hour of your time — the history of this village is unlike anything you’ll hear elsewhere in Ladakh.
3. Walk to the apricot orchards
Turtuk is famous for its apricots. In summer the orchards are full — you can walk through them and often buy fresh or dried apricots directly from families.
4. Shyok River viewpoint
Walk past the bridge toward the river bank. The view of the Shyok River with the mountains on either side is the frame most people photograph. Go in late afternoon.
The village photo walk in the morning
saw a school children cap during the walk
I began my Turtuk village walk. Indeed, it was a photo walk.
In the early morning, elders leave to work in the fields, and children go to school. So, you would spot the houses empty.
I went to turtuk on the 15th of August. Consequently, I could spot children running with Indian flags.
Honestly, I was a little nervous before entering Turtuk…
Because Turtuk was a part of Pakistan before the Indian army occupied it during the border war in 1971. But, after entering, I felt the happiest to be present in the Turtuk. The people, the surroundings, everything feels extraordinary.
Moreover, Turtuk opened for tourism in 2010.
For a photo walk, Turtuk is a small village, and you can wander around on foot comfortably—passing the green fields, and narrow lanes, seeing stunning vistas would be endless.
Also, a small water stream will accompany you throughout your walk.
Indeed, the scorching sun had made me feel hot in Ladakh’s August climate. But I continued my journey to see breathtaking Turtuk.
In between, we found a cave-like place. When I stood inside it, I could feel a cold breeze. Indeed, it’s true!
Furthermore, we roamed for around 2-3hrs and then headed back to the homestay.
Shyok River Viewpoint
Before, the day ended. I again ventured outside to capture moments. While walking, I reached the wooden bridge, and thought to capture long exposure of the river flowing beneath.
First, I tried a few shots from the bridge. Then, I went down on the rocks, stood my tripod and took long exposure of the river.
Long exposure of the skyok river
How’s the weather in turtuk in august?
Ladakh—a rain shadow region, receives less rainfall during August when compared to north India.
But, when crossing high mountain passes in Ladakh, be prepared for the change in weather. It might be raining during your journey when crossing the mountain pass.
Just like – we went to Pangong Lake, and to reach there, you’re required to cross the Changla Pass. It was continuously drizzling throughout our way. Indeed, the slight-slight drizzle made us entirely wet, and when we returned home, we were in fever and needed to take medicine.
Hence, don’t neglect—it rains in Ladakh as well.
However, the weather in Turtuk during my visit on the day of Independence was fantastic. It was sunny with a slight cold breeze during early morning and late evening.
Turtuk during night
During the night, I heard that Turtuk is among the best places to do astrophotography.
Genuinely, I wanted to do milky way photography. Though, I tried my best. But, due to a lack of knowledge, the result was not appropriate.
Also, I searched online for the ideal shutter and aperture for shooting the milky way. But it didn’t come as expected.
Cut to present…
I have gathered knowledge and can identify my errors. Indeed, after that, I went to Spiti and did milky way photography there.
However, I captured some long exposures that night in Turtuk from the rooftop.
People of Turtuk?
The people of Turtuk are Balti — a distinct ethnic and cultural group different from the Buddhist Ladakhi communities you encounter elsewhere in Ladakh. They are Muslim, they speak Balti, and many of the older residents have relatives across the border in Pakistan-administered Kashmir whom they haven’t seen since 1971.
The people are friendly and well-mannered. I have talked with a few of them, and they were welcoming.
Also, they seemed very dedicated to their work in the field because it’s their only major livelihood.
However, I noticed, especially women, don’t want to reveal their faces in the camera.
I was standing on the wooden bridge, taking a photo of that bridge, a local woman was passing by, she had hidden her face and kept walking.
Thus, you must remain careful and respectful before capturing the locals of the Turtuk.
Undoubtedly, you could also find fantastic portraits. The face and eyes of the people are extremely beautiful!!
When you ask politely, chances are hight that you would get an outstanding portrait.
FAQ
- How far is Turtuk from Leh? Turtuk is approximately 205 km from Leh — about 5–6 hours by car and 7–8 hours by bike via Khardung La and the Nubra Valley route.
- Is a permit required for Turtuk? Yes. An Inner Line Permit (ILP) is mandatory.
- What is Turtuk famous for? Turtuk is India’s last village before the Pakistan border. It was part of Pakistan until 1971 and retains its Balti culture, architecture, and apricot orchards. It’s also one of the most remote and least-visited destinations in Ladakh.
- Can you visit Turtuk in one day from Leh? Technically yes — but not recommended. The drive is 5–6 hours one way. A one-day visit means 10–12 hours of driving with almost no time in the village. Spend at least one night in Turtuk to actually experience it.
- What is the best time to visit Turtuk? June to September is ideal. July and August bring the apricot harvest — the best time to visit. October onwards the road can become difficult, and by November most homestays close for winter.
- Is Turtuk safe to visit? Yes. It is a civilian village well within Indian territory. The military presence on the road is normal for the region. All necessary documentation (ILP) ensures entry is legitimate and safe.
- What is the network situation in Turtuk? BSNL works occasionally. Airtel and Jio are largely unreliable. Inform people at home before you enter that you’ll be unreachable for a day or two. Carry offline maps downloaded before you leave Leh.
My Total Stay
I stayed in turtuk for 2 nights. Eventually, the plan was to stay 1 night in Turtuk and another night in Hunder.
But, that would evolve into very hectic in traveling. So, we decided to stay in Turtuk for 2 nights.
The 1st night went into complete rest, and the next night, I tried some astrophotography on the rooftop and explored the Turtuk village on the foot.
Then, the very next morning around 7 a.m., we left for Leh.
