I will be visiting Central Asia in July/August 1999 and
would appreciate any information that recent travellers can
give me on crossing the Torugart Pass from Kygyzstan to
China. Can it be arranged in Bishkek. Very expensive?
What are the chances of being turned back at the border etc.
Also, I will be a female travelling alone and would be happy
of some company if there is someone else out there who will
be heading to the same area about the same time. I leave
Moscow by train to Tashkent on 11 July.
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My friend and I had a similar idea. I thought it would have
been great to travel from Bishkent to Lhasa via the Torugurt
Pass and Kashgar. From the information I've gathered over
the last few months, it seems that you will need a lot of
patience if you're hitching or taking public tranist - or
lots of money if you plan on hiring a vehicle.
Instead, we've decided to fly into Kathmandu and make our
way to Tibet from the information and deals we find there.
Good luck on your trip, but make sure that you've made
arrangements so that you don't get stuck in the middle of no
where.
MAC
I have not done the Torugart Pass but work with a local
operator in Bishkek who is capable of arranging it (for
hundreds of dollars). However, the Kyrgyz drivers/guides
can only take you up to the border with China--then you need
a Chinese rep to meet you on the other side. This is if you
arrange it--I'm not sure what happens if you try to do it on
your own (except that I'm sure it will be challenging to say
the least!). I've traveled that part of China alone and
it's quite safe, if you're relatively cautious. While I
have not traveled in Kyrgyzstan alone, I have traveled
there, and it seems to be one of the mellowest Central Asian
republics.
You arrive in Bishkek and then from Bishkek zapadny avtovokzal (bus station) you can take a cab to Naryn sharing the cost with three other travelers. It will cost you 200 som ($5).
Naryn is a town of 40,000. There are twice a week buses to Kashgar from there that depart from their avtovokzal. I think you can just stay in Naryn for a day or two if you don't happen to arrive the day before the bus takes off. Tickets should not cost you more than $50-70.
Otherwise, I think the vostochny avtovokzal (eastern bus station) of Bishkek has direct service to Kashgar.
Or else, there are buses and private travelers that depart from DORDOI bazaar in Bishkek where many Uigurs from China come to trade and where many local shuttle traders sell Chinese goods.
Good Luck!