Machulo

Further along the winding Shyok, nestled in cool walnut groves and beneath lofty poplars, sits Machulu — a village that feels like a gentle sigh of the mountains. Machulu offers glimpses of the majestic Masherbrum Peak, along with fresh yak milk, butter tea (salted lassi), trout and boiled potatoes.

The streets bustle with friendly Balti people, children dart among shops, and old wooden mosques preserve the village’s serene heritage. Here, the Shyok flows calmly, fed by clear springs from nearby peaks, under skies where playful clouds drift by in small flocks.