Tosor Pass

Tosor (or Tossor) pass lies at an altitude of 3893 m above sea level over the ranges of Terskey Ala-Too. It is located in the Tong district in the northern Tian Shan mountains in Eastern Kyrgyzstan and connects the southern coast of Issyk-Kul to Naryn oblast and is one of the highest mountain roads in Kyrgyzstan. There is also a gorge with the same name leading to the Kichi-Naryn valley and the Naryn region southwest from the pass. In the Issyk kul side the Tosor pass connects to the main road between Karakol and Balykchi, just east from the Fairytale canyon. While Tosor Pass is not commonly included in our Kyrgyzstan tours, we can include this as an alternative and more adventurous route from Southern Issyk Kul to Naryn region and towards the sights and destinations there.

Nature in the desolate Tosor gorge is very diverse and the mountains are covered with thickets of conifers. The lower part of the gorge narrows very sharply, forming picturesque rocky canyons and the Tossor river flows here creating cascades and forming small waterfalls along the road following the river. This part of Tosor gorge is full of sea-buckthorn and other vegetation and at the very top, near the vegetation border and near the glaciers, there are very peculiar high altitude plants. After passing the highest point from the Issyk Kul direction, you can get to the Jyluu-Suu hot springs and Teshik-Kul lake.

It should be noted that the road is only accessible by a rugged 4×4 vehicle and we recommend to have an experienced driver with you when going for the Tosor pass and especially after the Tosor pass, on the Naryn side where you need to cross some rivers with large boulders. The valley behind the pass (from Issyk Kul direction) is very beautiful with green grass everywhere and few white yurts dotting the scenery.

The ascent from Tosor village on the southern shore of Issyk-Kul runs about 34.7 km with an elevation gain of 2,295 m at an average gradient of 6.61% which should be considered especially by cyclists and motorcyclists.

When can you cross Tosor Pass?

First of all, Tosor is not a maintained official road. No authority declares it open or closed for the season, which means the answer is always “it depends on the snow.” In practice the window is roughly July to September, and even inside it a late snowfall can shut the top for days. Mudflows or the stones from the higher parts can also wash out or block sections of the lower gorge after heavy rain.

Never attempt the crossing without checking conditions locally first — in Bokonbaevo or Tosor village on the Issyk-Kul side. Go with a driver who has done the route recently, allow a full day, carry fuel, food and warm clothing for an unplanned night, and do not rely on mobile coverage. If you only want the scenery, the lower gorge is spectacular in its own right and can be driven far more easily than the pass itself.

Teshik Kol Lake & Zhyluu Suu hot spring

Teshik Kol (or Teshik Kul) Lake is situated about 38 km from the Bokonbaev village, in the end of Karakaman valley at an altitude of 3500 m.

Teshik-Kul is divided into two parts, which are linked by a small river with a small waterfall. You can get to the lake through the pass Zhalpak-Bel (3300 m.) from the west or through the pass Ton (4020 m.) from the east, not far from the road leading to the Tosor pass

On the way to the lake, you can meet nomads living in their summer pastures with yurts and if you are lucky, you can try some fresh kymyz.

The Zhyluu Suu (or Jyluu Suu) hot springs are near the Teshik Kol lake. The springs are enclosed inside confined concrete buildings. As always with hot springs, it is said that that swimming in the spring has some health benefits. This spring is for sure one of the least visited in Kyrgyzstan due to its remote location.