Forbidden Roads

This is not a complete list of dangerous roads in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. You will be charged if you damage the vehicle. Insurance does not cover water damage and negligent driving. Driving on one of the forbidden roads listed in this document will result in a fee. Fees range from $100 to $1,000. 

Standard and Expedition 4×4

Kazakhstan

    • Assy Plateau –
      • Turgen to Assy-Turgen observatory is usually ok.
      • Observatory to Bartogay Reservoir is allowed seasonally and only with written permission from Iron Horse Nomads  
    • Altyn Emel National Park
      • The road to Katutau and Aktau is forbidden.
      • The road to Singing Dunes is allowed but is in bad condition. Customers need to drive slowly and carefully there
      • It is easy to hire a local 4×4 with a driver from Bashi for this part of the trip.
    • Baikonur kosmodrom (Russian territory).
    • Aral sea
    • Austrian road (Katon-Karagay National Park)

Kyrgyzstan

    • Arabel (Burhan) Pass – dangerous off-road conditions.  
    • Kok-Airyk pass – this is no longer a passable road.
    • Tong Pass (Pereval Tong) – this is no longer a passable road.
    • Tosor Pass (Pereval Tosor) – only with written permission from Iron Horse Nomads.
    • Altyn Arashan & Karakol gorge – This section of forbidden road starts after the Karakol Ski Base.<
    • From Chatyr Kol lake towards Kel-Suu is forbidden starting at Torugart village.
    • Kel-Suu lake You can drive to the Kel-Suu yurt camp and hike the remaining 8km.
    • Enilchek (after Mayda-Adyr Base Camp) – no bridges over deep rivers.
    • Karkara Valley (after base camp) – no bridges over deep rivers
    • Sary-Jaz (Sary Zhaz) Valley – dangerous off-road conditions.
    • KyzylOi – Toluk  –  dangerous off-road conditions.

 

Crossovers 4×4

Kazakhstan

    • Assy Plateau
      • Turgen to Assy-Turgen observatory is usually ok
      • Assy-Turgen observatory to Bartogai Reservoir is forbidden
    • Altyn Emel National Park
      • The road to Katutau and Aktau is forbidden.
      • The road to Singing Dunes is allowed but is in bad condition. Customers need to drive slowly and carefully there<
      • It is easy to hire a local 4×4 with a driver from Bashi for this part of the trip.
    • Baikonur Cosmodrome (Russian territory).
    • Aral Sea
    • Old Austrian Road in Katon-Karagay

Kyrgyzstan

    • Arabel (Burhan) Pass – dangerous off-road conditions.  
    • Kok-Airyk Pass – this is no longer a passable road
    • Tong Pass (Pereval Tong) – this is no longer a passable road.
    • Tosor Pass (Pereval Tosor) – is forbidden.
    • Altyn-Arashan & Karakol Gorge – This section of forbidden road starts after the Karakol Ski Base.
    • From Chatyr Kol lake towards Kel-Suu is forbidden starting at Torugart village.
    • Kel-Suu Lake – You can drive to the Kel-Suu yurt camp and hike the remaining 8km.
    • Enilchek (after the Mayda-Adyr Base Camp) – no bridges over deep rivers.
    • Karakara Valley (after base camp)– no bridges over deep rivers.
    • Sary-Jaz (Sary-Zhaz) Valley – dangerous off-road conditions.
    • Kyzyl-Oi to Toluk road – dangerous off-road conditions.
Forbidden Roads on Google Map