Tosor Pass route, Kyrgyzstan: 8 places from Kelsu to
The route through the Tosor Pass in the Issyk-Kul region, Kyrgyzstan, connects high-altitude areas at an altitude of about 4000 m with Lake Issyk-Kul. The path involves overcoming a difficult mountain road with sharp changes in altitude and requires careful driving, especially in conditions of poor visibility.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Lake Kelsu
- End
- Naryn Province
- Stops
- 8
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Lake Kelsu — Remote alpine lake in central Kyrgyzstan where travelers frequently get stuck in treacherous bog terrain.
- Tashrabat Fortress — Ancient caravanserai on the Silk Road built as a fortified inn for merchants traveling from China, with multiple chambers for traders and goods.
- Tossor Pass — High mountain pass in Tian Shan reaching nearly 4,000 meters elevation, connecting Naryn Province to Issyk-Kul region.
- Issyk-Kul Lake — World's second-largest alpine lake at 1,607 meters elevation, famous for its warm waters surrounded by snow-capped mountains and glaciers.
- Korokol Gorge — Scenic alpine canyon featuring rivers, glacial streams, and dramatic mountain landscapes with multiethnic tourist traffic.
- Jyrgalan Valley — Remote mountain valley in eastern Issyk-Kul region home to alpine camps and challenging off-road terrain.
- Barpy Alpine Camp — High-altitude mountain camp in Jyrgalan valley offering accommodation, traditional Kyrgyz cuisine, and stunning alpine scenery.
- Naryn Province — Central Kyrgyz region with high-altitude terrain, remote settlements, and the ancient Silk Road passing through its territory.
Useful for your trip
- Avoid
- Swamps look invisible from the outside (like a stream and a little mud), but the car can get stuck deep. If you find yourself in a swamp, do not try to fly through it at speed - go even deeper.
- Transport
- The Tosor Pass reaches an altitude of almost 4000 m. It is dangerous to descend through the pass in complete darkness - plan your time to pass it before dusk.
- Transport
- To the peak of the Tosor pass 27 km in a straight line. The road is difficult, and it takes more time to overcome it than the navigator shows.
- Timing
- At an altitude of 3700 m at night, darkness is complete, and visibility is practically non-existent. An internal sense of heights can be disorienting.
- Tip
- In the Korkol Gorge there are rivers that cross the road. Fords can be an obstacle, especially if the water level is high.
- Where to stay
- Barpy Alpine Camp is located in the valley of the Korkol Gorge. This is a good place to spend the night with tents and food.
- Food
- At the alpine camp, they cook the local dish kurdak (jisbis in Uzbek) - fried meat with vegetables. They also offer unusual canned local dishes.
- Timing
- The border between Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan closes at a certain time. If you're late, you'll have to turn around and lose the whole day.
- Transport
- Before overcoming difficult sections (high passes), lower the tire pressure for better cross-country ability.
- Tip
- Lake Issyk-Kul is distinguished by the fact that on its beaches you can simultaneously sunbathe and see glaciers in the mountains, which are very close.
Video on this route
I have never climbed so HIGH in a car! Tosor Pass, Kyrgyzstan // Episode 2