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 as 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 in Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Teskeytorpo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.160m (10,367ft) above the sea level, located in the Kochkor District of Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Ming-Tur is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.707m (12,162ft) above the sea level located in Ysyk-Köl, Kyrgyzstan.

Located in Ak-Suu District, southeast Issyk-Kul Region, in Kyrgyzstan, Engilchek mine was a tungsten, tin, molybdenum and other metals mine, topping out at 3.791m (12,437ft) above the sea level. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Uch-Chat Ashuu Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.731m (12,240ft) above the sea level, located in the Region Issyk-Kul, in eastern Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Pereval Akbeit (Ak-Beyit Pass) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.289m (10,790ft) above the sea level, located in Naryn Region, in the east of Kyrgyzstan.

Located in the Issyk-Kul Region, in the northeastern corner of Kyrgyzstan, Road A-364 is a very exciting journey in the heart of the Tian Shan Mountains.

Pereval Kara-Buura (Black Bear Pass) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,301m (10,830ft) above sea level, located in the Talas Region of Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Kalmakashu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.446m (11,305ft) above the sea level, located in the Naryn province of Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Kizol-bel’ is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.298m (10,820ft) above the the sea level, located in the Talas Region of Kyrgyzstan.

A367 is a high mountain road located in the Tian Shan Mountains, in the northern Naryn Region of Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Karakyr is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.043m (13,264ft) above sea level, located in the Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

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.

The River Kara-kysmak bridge is a wooden bridge located in the Talas Region of Kyrgyzstan. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Min-Kush Road is a short mountain road located in the Jumgal District of Naryn Province of Kyrgyzstan.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.256m (10,682ft) above the sea level, located in Jalal-Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan.

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.

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 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.

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.

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