As you get closer to Bishkek while driving on the Pamir Highway from the South, you get to cross the Talas Ala Too Mountain Range. This is one of the most beautiful sections of the road with stunning valleys and high mountains passes.
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TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS
Driving on M41 / Pamir Highway in the Talas Ala Too mountains
- The section of the road is well maintained. However right after winter, when the snow melt there might be some damage.
- Be careful, the scenery is beautiful and it is easy to be distracted
- Be careful, some passes are high and can be covered in snow during the shoulder seasons
Climbing on the Pamir Highway
After driving on the Parmir Highway along the Naryn river and around the Toktogul reservoir, the road started to climb towards higher and higher mountains.
Ala-Bel Pass, 3175 m
We reached the Ala Bel Pass at 3175 m in altitude. Here we stopped and enjoyed the fresh air. Mid June there was still snow not far from us.
The panorama was fantastic. However I was sick and was not able to shoot all the photos I wanted to take.
The transhumance was happening and we cross path with some Kyrgyz nomads which created some incredible views
Through the Talas Ala Too Mountain Range
Then the road remain at high altitude straigth through the mountain range. The veiws were specatular. We were driving roughly at 90km/h I think so my photos tend to be blurry. All along we saw families of nomads who had established camp for the summer.
Too Ashuu mountain pass - 3588m
The last mountain pass before Bishkek (120km away) is Too Ashuu depending on where you read. It crosses at 3588m (according to Internet) or 3586m (according to the map I bought in Kyrgyzstan).
Thy build a tunnel so we actually don't climb to the aboslute top. We only get to 3180m.
As we arrived on the other side, there were animals on the road again. They were taking them at 3000 meters!!!! I am wondering if they climbed higher to cross and walked through the tunnel... Would be scary for the drivers around...
Right after the road went down quite aburptly with many turns. It you get car sick, be ready 🙁
And then we rejoined civilization...
As I was sick and those were big normal towns, I hae not photos for you.
You can also check out some photos from Carvanistan on the M41 including at the end some shot when it is coverd in snow.
Want to see more of Kyrgyzstan's beauty?
Discover more planning information, things to do and places to see in my online Kyrgyzstan Travel Guide.
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