Thorn Tree travel forum

1

I am hoping to cross from Kyrgyzstan to Kashgar in mid August. From reading previous posts it seems that the Irkeshtam Pass is the way to go - far less hassle, cheaper etc. Is this correct?
Secondly, am I correct in thinking that the best way is a taxi to the Xinjiang border, walk over the border itself and then another taxi from the border to Kashgar? I'll be travelling with three others.

Thanks in advance.

2

I think that the biggest hassle of the two is Torugart, not Irkeshtam.
The reality is, thats whole complicated arrangement to cross the Torugart is basically a well-streamlined rip-off that is being kept complicated for the sake of a Kashgar-based travel agency lobby.

3

Is Pik Lenina visible from the road Irkeshtam - Osh, and where exactly? On the road maps it is impossible to understand. Many thanks for an answer.

Peace for ALL the world

4

In clear weather it is. From Sary Tash.

5

hi!
this summer I will travel from osh to kashgar and go back osh.
is there transport at irkeshtam pass for kashgar. is it expensive? how long?.
In kasghar can i organize transport for irkeshtam pass?
at irkeshtam can i find a transport for sarry tash or osh. DO you know the price?

6

Choosing between Irkeshtam and Torurgart? I am travelling through Kyrgyzstan at the moment (starting from Bishkek) and I would rather like to spend more time doing homestays and yurt stays than sitting extra days in busses. I will get my fair share of busses anyway! So in the end I choose to use the Torurgart pass, because that way I have more time to be in Kyrgyzstan rather than rush through it on my way to Osh. On the other hand, when entering Kyrgyzstan in Osh, and doing a Silk route tour, than Irkeshtam seems the obvious choice. So my advice: consider also how much time you have and how you would like to spend it!
Leonie

7

Hello,

We (a group of 5) want to cross Irkeshtam by bike in late July / early August. Is that doable? Any specific, bike-related hassles?

Thanks,
Jannes

8

Two days until the theoretic opening of Qolma (Kulma). Anyone making plans to be the first modern day traveler to make the crossing?

Any recent word on if the pass/boarder is even going to open on 18 May as earlier promised?

If the Afghan situation deteriorates or if I cant cross at Ishkashim, I will give the Kulma a try in late July on my way to Paki.

Don’t stop,
Ever!

S

"I'm timid by nature. And almost sick of adventure." - A. Quartermain, Explorer

9

#10. Don't hold your breath though: the Qolma pass might initially be open for citizens of China and Tajikistan only.
But yes do try.I'm curious to read your experiences on this thread.

10

A useful bit…

Subject: Irkeshtam pass info
By: tomas
Written on: 30-12-2003 17:35:30
Message:

Irkeshtam pass (from Sary Tash to China - Kashgar) was opened in summer 2002. That's good news for travelling from southern Kyrgyzstan (or even Tajikistan) to China. You can do it independently without problems. There's a sleeper bus that runs from Kashgar to Osh every Monday and Tuesday for 50 $. It naturally also runs he other way. No need for travel agencies or special permits. It's from the long-haul bus stand in Kashgar and from the new bus stand in Osh (the one outside of town). If you hitch from Osh to Irkeshtam and get a local Chinese bus from Irkeshtam to Kashgar, you can keep the cost as low as 20 $ (some of which is for gifts for the people who give you a ride). Coming from Kashgar it's the same, just vice versa: Local bus Kashgar-Irkeshtam, hitch Irkeshtam-Osh. Coming from Kashgar it's the same, just vice versa: Local bus Kashgar-Irkeshtam, hitch Irkeshtam-Osh. This way you also get to see the stretches that the sleeper bus passes at night. The scenery is gorgeous.

Source: http://mountains.czweb.org/forum_read.php?id=22

11

A useful bit…

Subject: Irkeshtam pass info
By: tomas
Written on: 30-12-2003 17:35:30
Message:

Irkeshtam pass (from Sary Tash to China - Kashgar) was opened in summer 2002. That's good news for travelling from southern Kyrgyzstan (or even Tajikistan) to China. You can do it independently without problems. There's a sleeper bus that runs from Kashgar to Osh every Monday and Tuesday for 50 $. It naturally also runs he other way. No need for travel agencies or special permits. It's from the long-haul bus stand in Kashgar and from the new bus stand in Osh (the one outside of town). If you hitch from Osh to Irkeshtam and get a local Chinese bus from Irkeshtam to Kashgar, you can keep the cost as low as 20 $ (some of which is for gifts for the people who give you a ride). Coming from Kashgar it's the same, just vice versa: Local bus Kashgar-Irkeshtam, hitch Irkeshtam-Osh. Coming from Kashgar it's the same, just vice versa: Local bus Kashgar-Irkeshtam, hitch Irkeshtam-Osh. This way you also get to see the stretches that the sleeper bus passes at night. The scenery is gorgeous.

Source: http://mountains.czweb.org/forum_read.php?id=22

12

dear everybody,
i would appreciate any info about getting pakistan visa in kashgar? is that possible at all, how long does it take?
what about pakistan visa in kyrgizistan?
i will be there next week, so I would appreciate a fast answer.
thanks and love.

13

Another one posted in late 2003 yes but with some useful tips...

amirk626
Posted: 10 Sep, 9:23am
Subject: osh to to kashgar via irkeshtam - info

hi, just made it last week and thought that i can give some usefull info. first of all i have to say to the bikers of u that we met an czech biker that was turned of from torugart and went trough Irkeshtam and didn't had any problem. the Irkeshtam pass is very open to bikers and now to the normal pepole:

we were two persons and we took a taxi to sary tash from osh. the taxis to sary tash are near the bus station of the big bazar in osh (from the bus station go 20 m up in the Navoi st. and look for a yard with jeeps at the left side of the street). we paid 350 som (8 us) from there to sary tash but from amir, my friend who did the same just few days before they asked for much much more.

there is also bus (6-7 houres) that goes from the bazar bus station everyday around 8 oclock in the morning. this road between osh to sary tash is the most beautiful road that i took in KGZ. there is hotel in sary tash if u have to spend the night.

in sary tash it is fairly easy to catch a truck to Irkeshtam. some of the drivers want money (we paid 100 som each) and some not. 2-3 hours from sary tash to irkeshtam, if u didn't hitch a slow iron truck...try to get to irkeshtam before 10 oclock cause there u have to wait until a kyrgyz truck will cross the border and the soldiers will put u on it.

we arrived at 10:30 and crossed at the same day but amir arrived 12:00 and there was a mass and eventually he had to spend the night there (100 som accomadation and good enough restaurant).it toolk us 4-5 hours to cross all the posts. we had to open all our bags and staff at both sides. hide your maps. there r a lot of taxis from the china side so dont bother to arrange that in advance. they wanted 20 us each, we paid 12.5 but after week in xinjiang i can tell u that u can pay much less. u can ask for anything over the mail: <uriapelboim@hotmail.com>

ill be now few days with out internet access.

good luck!
amir, yasuko and uri.

14

#14:no pakistani consulate in kashgar.
#15:from irkeshtam to kashgar it s 50 yuans(around 6 usd).

fabrice