How to Get to Tash Rabat Caravanserai by Car?

Located in the At-Bashy district of the Naryn region in Kyrgyzstan, Tash Rabat is a stone caravanserai—an extensive network of traveler’s inns along old caravan roads—in the middle of nowhere.

Tash Rabat

Why is Tash Rabat Famous?

This extremely isolated Silk Road caravanserai lies at an elevation of 3,200m (10,498ft) above sea level. It’s probably Kyrgyzstan’s most remarkable monument. This beautiful mountain setting for an ancient caravanserai was built in the 15th century. It was the inn for merchants and travelers on the ancient Silk Road from Central Asia to China. Tash-Rabat was built on the site of a more ancient monastery from the 9th to 10th centuries.

How Long is the Road to Tash Rabat Caravanserai?

Located in the southern part of the country, near the Chinese border, the road to one of the main archaeological sights of Kyrgyzstan is entirely unpaved. Starting on the paved A365, the road to the caravanserai is 15km (9.32 miles) long, running along the valley of the Tash Rabat river. It’s a 4WD road. Snow blocks the road for up to eight months a year. Even without snow blocking the road, constant landslides, avalanches, not to mention regular earthquakes and floodings, often turn the road into a mere suggestion. Therefore, the road leading to Tash Rabat should, under no circumstances, be tackled without a local driver. Altitude sickness is another threat, which should not be taken lightly.