Turtuk is the last village on the Indian side of Line of control in Ladakh and is only 10 km from the border with Pakistan.

Until 1971, Turtuk was part of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). It was taken over by the Indian army during the 1971 war, which India won and which led to the creation of Bangladesh. Turtuk has been a part of India ever since.

The inhabitants of this village speak Balti language and belong to the Balti community, an ethnic group of Tibetan descent. They are also part of a Sufi sect called Noorbakshia Muslims.

Though located at the edge of Nubra valley,
which is known for its cold desert and sand dunes, Turtuk is lush with greenery, apricot trees and wheat farms.