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.

Highway A363/Issyk-Kul Lake

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 Tong

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.

Pereval Dzhalpakbel

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.

Kel-Suu lake

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.

Min-Kush Road

Min-Kush Road

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

Pereval Karakol

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.

Altyn-Arashan

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.

Sary-Chelek lake

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.

Jonbulak Ashuu

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.

Otmok Pass

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 Metrebel

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.

Pereval Naryn

How to drive the unpaved road to Pereval Naryn?

Pereval Naryn is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.414m (11,200ft) above sea level, located in the Region Naryn, in Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Tjilbel

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.

Road A371

How to drive the paved Road A371 through Pereval Taunmurun

A371 is a high mountain road located in the southern part of Kyrgyzstan, running from Sary-Tash to the border with China at Irkeshtam Pass.

Lenin Peak

Lenin Peak Base Camp: Driving the 4x4 Road from Sary Mogul

The road to Lenin Peak Base Camp, known locally as the Achik-Tash track, is a high-altitude unpaved mountain route reaching an elevation of 3,623 meters (11,886 ft) above sea level, located in the Osh Region of Kyrgyzstan. Positioned within the Alay Valley beneath the Trans-Alay Range, the single-lane path serves as the main vehicular access to the mountaineering staging camp.

Pereval Sarymoynak

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.

Nichke 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 Terek

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

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 Chapchyma

Driving the treacherous gravel road to Pereval Chapchyma in Kyrgyzstan

Pereval Chapchyma is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,841m (9,320ft) above sea level, located in the Jalal-Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan. Connecting the villages of Kurulush and Terek-Say, the road is a vital but dangerous corridor used by heavy industrial traffic from the local antimony mines, carved into a landscape of vertical drops and unstable soil.

Pereval Ayrytash

Pereval Ayrytash: The treacherous 10% gravel climb in Kyrgyzstan

Located in the Jalal-Abad Region of western Kyrgyzstan, Pereval Ayrytash is a formidable mountain pass reaching an elevation of 2,882m (9,455ft) above sea level. Situated south of the massive Toktogul Reservoir, this pass is widely considered one of the most treacherous and technically demanding mountain drives in the country, carved into a landscape of jagged peaks and deep valleys.

Pereval Tyuz-Ashuu

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.

Aktog Pass

How to drive the unpaved road to Aktog Pass?

Aktog Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.444m (11,299ft) above sea level, located in the Isxsyk-Kul Region, in Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Kyndy

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.

Kyrk-Kyz Pass

Avoid the road through Kyrk-Kyz Pass

Kyrk-Kyz pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.222m (10,570ft) above the sea level, located in Naryn Province, in the east of Kyrgyzstan.

Road trip guide: Conquering Karakol Gorge

Road trip guide: Conquering Karakol Gorge

Karakol Gorge is the name of an alpine canyon carved by Karakol River, located in Ak-Suu District, in the Issyk-Kul Region of Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Mazar-Asjuu

How to drive the steep Pereval Mazar-Asjuu in the Tien Shan?

Pereval Mazar-Asjuu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3,832m (12,572ft) above sea level, located in the Chuy Region of Kyrgyzstan.

Base Camp Maida Adyr

The road to Base Camp Maida Adyr is for drivers with strong nerves

Base Camp Maida Adyr is a high mountain camp at an elevation of 2.600m (8,530ft) above the sea level, located in Ak-Suu District, southeast Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan.

Kubaky Pass

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.

Pereval Ashpara-Ashuu

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.

Peak Patamushta

Conquering Peak Patamushta in Kyrgyzstan

Peak Patamushta is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,088m (13,412ft) above sea level, located in the At-Bashy district of the Naryn region in Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Taunmurun

Here's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Pereval Taunmurun

Pereval Taunmurun is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.545m (11,630ft) above the sea level, located in the Osh Region of Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Tyuzashu

Pereval Tyuzashu

Pereval Tyuzashu is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.400m (11,154ft) above the sea level, located in the Naryn Province, northern Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Kitjine-Sarybeles

Pereval Kitjine-Sarybeles: The high-altitude 4x4 track to Kel-Suu Lake

Located in the At-Bashi District of Naryn Province, in southeastern Kyrgyzstan, Pereval Kitjine-Sarybeles is a high mountain pass reaching an elevation of 3,542m (11,620ft) above sea level. This secluded pass sits in the shadow of the Chinese border, offering access to some of the most remote and stunning alpine scenery in the Tian Shan mountain range.

Pereval Masail

Travel guide to the top of Pereval Masail

Pereval Masail (Masail Pass) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.275m (10,744ft) above the sea level, located in the remote Naryn Region, in the east of Kyrgyzstan.

Pereval Dzhargart

Driving the high 4x4 track to Pereval Dzhargart

Pereval Dzhargart is a high-altitude mountain pass reaching an elevation of 3,540 meters (11,614 ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Talas and Chuy regions in Kyrgyzstan. This pass is a technical off-road challenge that branches off from the Pereval Ala-Bel, located on the legendary Pamir Highway (M41). Driving here means leaving the relative safety of the main transit route to face a raw, unpaved track where the high summit altitude and the rough gravel surface demand a high-clearance 4WD vehicle and a driver who knows how to manage a vehicle at the limits of its performance.