Almost every long drive in Kyrgyzstan crosses a mountain pass. The main roads from Bishkek to Osh, Naryn and Talas go over passes of 3,000 m and more and are kept open all year. Many roads to the lakes and high valleys, Son-Kul among them, are closed by snow from autumn to late spring. Below are the passes our clients drive most often, with their heights and approximate opening dates.
Opening dates shift by about two weeks from year to year, depending on the weather. Heights are approximate: sources differ by a few dozen metres.
Passes open all year
| Pass | Height | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Too-Ashuu | 3,586 m | Bishkek – Osh road, between Bishkek and the Suusamyr valley; the road goes through a tunnel below the pass |
| Ala-Bel | 3,184 m | Bishkek – Osh road, between Suusamyr and Toktogul |
| Otmok | 3,330 m | Suusamyr – Talas road |
| Kok-Bel | 1,371 m | Toktogul district |
| Taldyk | 3,615 m | Osh – Sary-Tash road (Pamir Highway) |
| Dolon | 3,030 m | Kochkor – Naryn road |
| Chaar | 2,610 m | At-Bashy district |
| Kubaky | 2,160 m | Tong district, south of Issyk-Kul |
| Sary-Moinok | 3,442 m | Barskoon gorge, road to Kumtor |
| Barskoon | 3,819 m | Barskoon gorge, road to Kumtor |
| Chapchyma | 2,841 m | Chatkal valley – Ala-Buka |
Open all year means the road is cleared in winter. After heavy snowfall even these passes can close for a while.
Open all year, with limits
| Pass | Height | Where | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chon-Ashuu | 4,011 m | Karakol – Enilchek road | Avalanche area; in winter it can close because of snow |
South of Chon-Ashuu the road enters the Sary-Jaz valley, a border zone: Enilchek and the Inylchek glacier need a border permit.
Seasonal passes
| Pass | Height | Where | Open (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalmak-Ashuu | 3,446 m | Kochkor – Son-Kul, the northern road to the lake | 15 May – 15 October |
| Moldo-Ashuu | 3,238 m | Son-Kul – Kurtka valley, the southern road | 15 May – 15 October |
| Teskey-Torpok (“33 Parrots”) | 3,132 m | Son-Kul, the eastern road | 15 May – 15 October |
| Kara-Keche | 3,384 m | Jumgal district | 15 May – 15 October |
| MELS | 3,380 m | Ak-Talaa district | 15 May – 15 October |
| Karakol | 3,485 m | Kochkor district | 15 May – 15 October |
| Japlak-Bel | — | Tong district | 15 May – 15 October |
| Kyndy | 3,407 m | At-Bashy district | 15 May – 15 October |
| Kara-Bura | 3,305 m | Talas – Chatkal valley | 15 May – 15 September |
| Kaldama (Koldomo) | 2,992 m | Kazarman – Jalal-Abad | 1 June – 30 September; can close in summer in bad weather |
| Suyek | 4,028 m | Kumtor road, beyond the Barskoon pass | 1 June – 1 October |
| Akkyl | 2,926 m | Ak-Talaa district | 1 April – 30 October |
| Santash | 2,180 m | Tüp – Karkara valley | 1 April – 31 October |
The roads to Son-Kul over Kalmak-Ashuu, Moldo-Ashuu and Teskey-Torpok are all seasonal, so plan the lake for mid-May to mid-October. The Karkara valley beyond Santash is a border zone and needs a border permit.
The alternative road from Bishkek to Osh
The North–South road via Kazarman is an alternative to the main Bishkek – Osh highway. Its tunnel in the Toguz-Toro district is open from 1 June to 1 November; outside these dates take the main road over Too-Ashuu and Ala-Bel.
Passes closed to our cars
Some passes are closed to AYDO cars for safety: Tosor and Shaldyrak (dangerous off-road conditions), Arabel and Terek. Kok-Airyk, Ton and Kegety still appear on some maps, but there is no road over them any more. The full list, including closed valleys and river tracks, is on the forbidden roads page.
Map of mountain passes
Green: open all year. Orange: open all year, with limits. Red: seasonal. Click a pass to see its opening dates.
Before you set off
- May and October: seasonal passes may still be closed, or already closed. Write to us at rent@aydo.kg before you fix a route over them.
- Fuel: fill up before long mountain sections — see petrol stations in Kyrgyzstan.
- Road surface: the main passes are tarmac, many seasonal ones are gravel — see types of roads in Kyrgyzstan.
- Driving rules and documents: driving in Kyrgyzstan.
Every AYDO car is a 4×4 — see car rental in Kyrgyzstan.
Useful information: Driving in Kyrgyzstan | Forbidden roads | Types of roads | Petrol stations | Border permit | Insurance