What are the most spectacular roads in Kyrgyzstan?
Located in the heart of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is a dream come true for every driver, with stunning mountain roads. The country, one of the smaller Central Asian states, covers an area of 199,951 square kilometers and shares borders with 4 countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and China.
With over 90% of its landmass lying above 1,500 meters in elevation, it’s easy to see why drivers will be able to discover high mountain roads like Torugart Pass, a challenging border crossing between Kyrgyzstan and China, at 3.752m (12,310ft) above sea level; or Tossor Pass, a thrilling (scary) off road experience, at 3,901m (12,798ft) above sea level, in the Issyk-Kul Region. The country offers many 4x4 experiences, such the road to Kok-Airyk Pass, only passable on July and August, at an elevation of 3.850m (12,631ft) above sea level. Driving through the pass, the driver will negotiate about 15 snaking sections of uncovered road with some stony places. Kyrgyzstan experiences a continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers, with significant regional variations due to its mountainous topography. For those seeking the most defiant drives, don’t forget to check out our content about the highest roads of the country.
Driving a high mountain road to Kumtor Gold Mine
Located in the remote Issyk Kul province of Kyrgyzstan, Kumtor Gold Mine is the second-highest gold mining operation in the world, topping out at 4.460m (14,632ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Ozerny Pass is recommended for drivers with strong nerves only
Pereval Ozernyy is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,514m (11,528ft) above sea level, located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. It's said to be one of the most treacherous drives in the area.
Road A-364
Located in the Issyk-Kul Region, in the northeastern corner of Kyrgyzstan, the Road A-364 is a very exciting journey in the heart of the Tian Shan mountains.
The Wild Road to Jalpak Bel pass
Pereval Dzhalpakbel is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.300m (10,826ft) above the sea level, located in the Region Naryn, in Kyrgyzstan.
Pereval Karakol
Pereval Karakol is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.485m (11,433ft) above the sea level, located in the Tian Shan mountains of Naryn province, in Kyrgyzstan.
Jonbulak Ashuu
The Jonbulak Ashuu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.018m (9,901ft) above the sea level, located in the Tian Shan mountains of the Region Naryn, in Kyrgyzstan.
Pereval Chamaldilga
Pereval Chamaldilga is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.414m (11,200ft) above the sea level, located in the Tian Shan mountains of the Region Naryn, in Kyrgyzstan.
The destryed road to Pereval Tong
Pereval Tong is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.012m (13,162ft) above the sea level, located in Issyk-Kul Region in north-eastern Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Driving to Kel-Suu Lake is only for special prepared vehicles
Kel-Suu is an alpine lake at an elevation of 3.525m (11,564ft) above the sea level, located in the At-Bashi District of Naryn Province of southeastern Kyrgyzstan.
Pereval Metrebel
Pereval Metrebel is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.916m (12,847ft) above the sea level, located in Osh Region, Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.
Sary-Chelek Lake
Sary-Chelek Lake is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 1.893m (6,210ft) above the sea level, located in Jalal-Abad Province in Western Kyrgyzstan.
Lenin Peak
Lenin Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.623m (11,886ft) above the sea level, located in Gorno-Badakhshan (GBAO) on the border of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Pereval Sarymoynak?
Pereval Sarymoynak is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,133m (10,278ft) above sea level, located in the Issyk-Kul Region of Kyrgyzstan.
The Road To Otmok Pass Has It All
Pereval Otmek is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.331m (10,928ft) above the sea level, located in the Jayyl District of Chuy Region of Kyrgyzstan.
Pereval Terek
Pereval Terek is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.374m (11,069ft) above the the sea level, located in the Talas Region of Kyrgyzstan.
Pereval Kum Bel
Pereval Kum Bel is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.256m (10,682ft) above the sea level, located in Jalal-Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan.
Pereval Ayrytash
Pereval Ayrytash is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.882m (9,455ft) above the sea level, located in Jalal-Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan. The climb is a series of narrow zigzags, with some impressive drops to the valley below.
Highway A363/Issyk-Kul Lake
Located in Issyk-Kul Region, in the northeastern corner of Kyrgyzstan, Highway A363 is a very scenic drive running along the perimeter of Issyk-Kul Lake, the seventh deepest lake in the world.
Pereval Tjilbel
Pereval Tjilbel is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.256m (10,682ft) above the sea level, located in northern Naryn Region of Kyrgyzstan.
Taking on the Twists and Turns of Road A371
A371 is the name of a high mountain road running through the south of Kyrgyzstan, from Sary-Tash to the border with China at Irkeshtam Pass.
Nichke pass
Nichke pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.925m (12,877ft) above the sea level, located in Batken Region of Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Pereval Chapchyma
Pereval Chapchyma is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.841m (9,320ft) above the sea level, located in Jalal-Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan. The climb is a series of narrow zigzags, with some impressive drops to the valley below.
A wild road to Pereval Chon-Kokkiya
Pereval Chon-Kokkiya is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.790m (9,153ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
Pereval Tyuz-Ashuu
Pereval Tyuz-Ashuu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.408m (11,181ft) above the sea level, located in the southern part of the Jayyl District of Chuy Region of Kyrgyzstan.
Pereval Aktog
Pereval Aktog is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.444m (11,299ft) above the sea level located in Ysyk-Köl, Kyrgyzstan.
Pereval Kyndy
Pereval Kyndy is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.410m (11,187ft) above the sea level, located in the Naryn Province, northern Kyrgyzstan.
Pereval Eshigart
Pereval Eshigart is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.135m (10,285ft) above the sea level, located in Osh Region of Kyrgyzstan.
Driving the road to Altyn-Arashan is not a piece of cake
Altyn-Arashan is an alpine meadow at an elevation of 2.528m (8,293ft) above the sea level, located in Ak-Suu District, in the Issyk-Kul Region of Kyrgyzstan. The road is very bumpy and can be a scary experience.
Pereval Maydantal
Pereval Maydantal is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.544m (11,627ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The climb is a series of narrow zigzags, with some impressive drops to the valley below.
Pereval Chunkur
Pereval Chunkuris an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.111m (10,206ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
Pereval Karaashu
Pereval Karaashu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.310m (10.859ft) above the sea level located in Ysyk-Köl, Kyrgyzstan.
If you love to drive, you’ll love the Kubaky Pass road
Kubaky Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.168m (7,112ft) above the sea level, located in the Issyk-Kul Region, in the northeastern corner of Kyrgyzstan.
The closed road to Bedel Pass, on Kyrgyzstan-China border
Pereval Bedel is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.093m (13,428ft) above the sea level, located on the border between Kyrgyzstan and China.
Pereval Ashpara-Ashuu
Pereval Ashpara-Ashuu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.871m (12,700ft) above the sea level, located in the Chuy Region of Kyrgyzstan.
Pereval Mazar-Asjuu
Pereval Mazar-Asjuu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.832m (12,572ft) above the sea level, located in the Chuy Region of Kyrgyzstan.
Pereval Kitjine-Sarybeles
Pereval Kitjine-Sarybeles is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.542m (11,620ft) above the sea level, located in the At-Bashi District of Naryn Province of southeastern Kyrgyzstan.