Turtuk..... Angels amidst the Apricots
A remote village of about 4,000 residents, inhabited by ethnic Sufi Muslims, just a few kilometres away from the actual ‘Line of Control’ (LoC), between India and Pakistan, now on the Indian side. Until the year 1971, Turtuk was a part of Baltistan and was under the control of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK). Turtuk was only open to travellers in 2010 with an Inner Line Permit.
Turtuk at an altitude of 9,846 feet is situated on the edge of the Shyok Valley, a flat plateau amidst the mighty Trans-Himalayas - a part of the Nubra Valley area, located at a distance of 211 km from Leh and 92 km from Diskit along the Shyok river.
With lush green fields of buckwheat and barley, Turtuk looks like an oasis of green amidst all the barrenness. Village planning is simple, sustainable and inspiring with winding pathways running between houses, streams, and many apricot trees. Glacial melt water is channelled through the village in an elaborate series of channels - for everyday use, for grinding wheat and other food grains. Turtuk is famous for its apricots; at least with five varieties, famous for its richness and sweetness.
Strolling around this picturesque village is extremely enjoyable - not for the sweet smell of drying apricots in the air or the tranquil sound of glacial water flowing through numerous channels but for its little angels. Happy faces of children are everywhere - they happily posed for us with their glittering eyes! The people of Turtuk are simply beautiful; they are very friendly and claim that they are Aryan with Central Asian and Tibetan roots.
Presence of Indian military makes a very positive change to the communities. They build and maintain the roads, bridges, running the health centres and schools, bringing and distributing rations and other commodities (even gas cylinders). Most of the children go to school and can communicate either in Hindi or in English. Villagers consider India as 'more progressive' than Pakistan by way of 'opportunities, amenities and ideals'.
Turtuk is in every sense a delight with its culture and ethnicity, untouched by tourism and has plenty to explore!
Images of India
Turtuk..... Angels amidst the Apricots
A remote village of about 4,000 residents, inhabited by ethnic Sufi Muslims, just a few kilometres away from the actual ‘Line of Control’ (LoC), between India and Pakistan, now on the Indian side. Until the year 1971, Turtuk was a part of Baltistan and was under the control of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK). Turtuk was only open to travellers in 2010 with an Inner Line Permit.
Turtuk at an altitude of 9,846 feet is situated on the edge of the Shyok Valley, a flat plateau amidst the mighty Trans-Himalayas - a part of the Nubra Valley area, located at a distance of 211 km from Leh and 92 km from Diskit along the Shyok river.
With lush green fields of buckwheat and barley, Turtuk looks like an oasis of green amidst all the barrenness. Village planning is simple, sustainable and inspiring with winding pathways running between houses, streams, and many apricot trees. Glacial melt water is channelled through the village in an elaborate series of channels - for everyday use, for grinding wheat and other food grains. Turtuk is famous for its apricots; at least with five varieties, famous for its richness and sweetness.
Strolling around this picturesque village is extremely enjoyable - not for the sweet smell of drying apricots in the air or the tranquil sound of glacial water flowing through numerous channels but for its little angels. Happy faces of children are everywhere - they happily posed for us with their glittering eyes! The people of Turtuk are simply beautiful; they are very friendly and claim that they are Aryan with Central Asian and Tibetan roots.
Presence of Indian military makes a very positive change to the communities. They build and maintain the roads, bridges, running the health centres and schools, bringing and distributing rations and other commodities (even gas cylinders). Most of the children go to school and can communicate either in Hindi or in English. Villagers consider India as 'more progressive' than Pakistan by way of 'opportunities, amenities and ideals'.
Turtuk is in every sense a delight with its culture and ethnicity, untouched by tourism and has plenty to explore!
Images of India