Turtuk to Dhanushkodi: A mini guide to exploring India’s ‘last villages’

Chitkul, Himachal Pradesh

Baspa River flowing next to Chitkul (Photo: Wikipedia)

Chitkul, located by the Baspa River, is the last inhabited village on the Indo-Tibetan border in Himachal Pradesh. In winter, heavy snow can block the roads, but it also turns the valley into a beautiful, untouched landscape. Wooden houses, frozen streams, and snowy meadows make for scenic views. If you visit before the roads close, Chitkul offers pure Himalayan scenery and a break from digital life.

Dhanushkodi, Tamil Nadu

Remains of Dhanushkodi railway station (Photo: Wikipedia)

Perched at the southeastern tip of the Indian peninsula, Dhanushkodi is often described as the country’s last town before the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean. Once a thriving settlement, it was devastated by a cyclone in the 1960s and today stands as an abandoned town. Broken churches, empty homes, and railway tracks swallowed by sand tell stories of lives abruptly paused. What draws travellers now is its stark landscape and the rare sight of two seas converging.

Turtuk, Ladakh

A war memorial in Turtuk (Photo: Wikipedia)

Tucked away in the Nubra Valley near the Line of Control, Turtuk is one of India’s northernmost villages and among its most culturally distinct. This Balti village was once part of Pakistan and retains a unique heritage shaped by Central Asian influences. Apricot orchards, stone houses, and gentle streams soften the otherwise stark Ladakhi landscape. Life in Turtuk moves at an unhurried pace, characterised by warm hospitality and rich oral histories that reveal a complex past along the border. For travellers, visiting Turtuk is as much about understanding geopolitics and culture as it is about enjoying its beauty.