Here's How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Erkeshtam Pass
Erkeshtam Pass is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.838m (9,311ft) above sea level, located on the border of Kyrgyzstan and China. This is a popular border crossing for travelers journeying across Central Asia.
Where is Erkeshtam Pass?
The road through the pass runs west-east from Sary-Tash (in the Alay Valley of Osh Region, Kyrgyzstan) to Ulugqat (in Kizilsu Kyrgyz Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China).
Is Erkeshtam Pass paved?
The road to the summit, also known as Irkeshtam or Erkech-Tam, is totally paved. It’s called A371 (in Kyrgyzstan) and S309 (in China).
How is the road through Erkeshtam Pass?
Road conditions on the Kyrgyz side are pretty good as long it's not snowing. On the Chinese side, the road has been rebuilt and is in a good state.
How to cross the Erkeshtam Pass border?
The pass is busy year-round. The Kyrgyz and Chinese border posts are separated by almost 10 km but it’s forbidden to walk across this no man land. Irkeshtam Pass is one of the two main border crossings between Kyrgyzstan and Xinjiang, China, the other is Torugart Pass, located 165 km (103 mi) to the northeast. The border crossing s used for the import/export of goods and is open to travelers as well. It is not allowed for Kyrgyz cars to cross the border, so you have to change to a Chinese vehicle at the border. The border crossing is open only during the day and it is closed on weekends and holidays. Plan your trip accordingly. Crossing the border can take anything between 1 and 3 hours, so you better be early. Crossing this border is difficult and Immigration can be very rude.
Pic&more info: https://www.advantour.com/kyrgyzstan/irkeshtam-pass.htm