Irkeshtam border crossing formalities.

Checkpoint (PPC) Irkeshtam is 30 km to the east of the pass-Murun Town (3536 m). Irkeshtam is located in the middle reaches of the Nura River, 2 km from the confluence with the Kok-Suu. The road brings in Alai valley to the famous and popular among mountaineers peaks: Lenin peak 7134 m, Korumdu peak 6613 m, Kommunisma (Somoni) peak – 7495 m, Korjenevskaya peak-7495m. Due Alai Valley in the Pamir highway opens the way for travel to the Pamir’s, or to the city of Osh and more - to Uzbekistan.

Distances: Sary Tash-80 km, Osh-260 km, Kashgar-190 km.

Important

Photo and video are strictly prohibited, if you take picture especially in border zone your camera will be taken away.

You may reach the chineese border or go back by bicycle without problems (but you need to legalize border entrance pass for movement in border zone by bicycle). On pre-border territory of China you must move only by car of Tourist Company of China.

If you travel from China to Kyrgyzstan you must note: without Kyrgyz visa in your passport you are not allowed to go out of China. The chinese citizens cannot go to Kyrgyzstan by tourist visa only by business visa.

Useful information

Working time of Irkeshtam border (China side).

Monday to Friday-                        10 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (working time, time Beijing)

Rest for lunch 3 hours 30 min-      5 pm-7:30 p. m      (working time, time Beijing)

Saturday and Sunday are not working days.

Kyrgyz side is working from 8 a.m.-17 p.m.

As the Chinese border clothes on weekends our border also is not working.

Sometimes Chinese travel agency can prepare a special permit if you apply 3 month in advance with viscous justifications why you need to cross it in not working days. But we don’t guarantee you will get it, it depends on individual case.

Torugart and Irkeshtam border questions (Kyrgyz side)- +996 312 60 71 44

 Dates of border opening and closing of Chinese border Torugart and Irkeshtam 2015 year.

Every holiday superiors from Chinese and Kyrgyz borderlines meet and discuss when and for how many days to close Сhinese-Kyrgyz border. It depends on many factors (days of week, Chinese and Kyrgyz traditions, holidays). Therefore it is better not to rely on this list of borderline working. Surprise can happen anytime.

Irkeshtam border crossing – direction to Kashgar city.

Chinese border post is divided into three parts:

The first is located on the main gates on China-they will check just passports. 

Second checkpoint-Chinese border police, located in Chinese Irkeshtam village, they will check luggage and passports. 

Third and most important- located in 150 km from the border in the city Ulugchat (Ulugqat) or Wuqia.

Approaching the borderline Irkeshtam from Kyrgyz side you need to enter border zone, where along the road there are two PPC till the last border & customs controls where you will check passport and visa.

It is very fast , the guards don`t find fault . Reaching the last building ( Kyrgyzstan) you need to go through passport control and customs . Here,they put a stamp on disposal . After there begins Kyrgyz Nomads land about 3-4 km .

 Because of the low temperature on the pass and frequent bad weather, you can agree passing truck with Kyrgyz numbers to take on the Chinese border. Usually you can ask for Kyrgyz border guards, giving them 100 KGS, they will put you on the truck to the Chinese border . On the first checkpoint (China), Chinese border guards will check your passport and visa. On the intermediary checkpoint, you are also checked your documents and luggage, in 140 km will be the last and the main checkpoint where you are put a stamp in the passport.

It is important to go through all the checkpoints in time , if you don`t do it , they will leave you to sleep in the immigration service (Uluqqat village). There are guest rooms.

Important: In recent years, it is not allowed to cross the border zone on the truck , the guards often force to drive by a collective or private taxi . This applies to any kind of intersection bicycle, hitchhiking

By bicycle or hitchhiking

Crossing Irkeshtam border by bike or hitchhiking is prohibited. To travel by bicycle on the border zone of Kyrgyzstan , you have to provide a pass , which is issued for 1 week tour company (costs 10$ per person ) . On the border zone territory of China, traveling by bike or on foot is strictly prohibited.

By collective taxi

Sary-Tash –Irkeshtam 500-700 KGS. You can ask for the transport in any guesthouse in Sary-Tash. Taxi will take you to the Kyrgyz PPC.

To cross Noman`s  Land is only possible by truck. You can ask for Kyrgyz guards.. It costs 200 KGS per person. From the brink to Chinese PPC in Uluqqat you need to organize collective taxi. Because crossing by truck is usually forbidden by Chinese guards.

Taxi costs 400 RMB,or 100 RMB per person.

Uluqqat to Kashgar-25$ for a taxi.

Irkeshtam border crossing – direction to Irkeshtam border.

Transfer takes the whole day

First you need to go to Ugomchat village (55km from Kashgar). There you will find the imigration office. Here you need to get your exit stamp. The Immigration office is hidden and not signposted, it is located about 3 km from the town. Shared taxi could pass it and you will arrive 6 hours later at the border, you will told that you have to come back! Here they scan your luggage.

After 140 km you will arrive to the border checkpoint. Exit direction is easy to cross.

If your country is in the visa-free list, Kyrgyz guards will pass you.

By taxi

Kashgar - Wuqia/Ulugqat: 30 RMB per person (shared taxi)
(International Bus station on the northern edge of town. From here you can find taxis that will take you to WuQia Zhen (in Chinese: 乌恰镇, known locally as Ulugqat)

Wuqia to Ulugqat customs: taxi costs 20 RMB

So total you will spend 50 RMB approximately from Kashgar till the customs.
Solo taxi from Kashgar straight to Ulugqat customs 200 RMB.

At the customs, you need to take another taxi till the last Chinese gates (till the nomans land): 400 RMB for the car, which can be split amongst 4 passengers (100RMB per passenger). After the last Chinese gates, you need to take one truck till Kyrgyz main checkpoint, 3-4 km.   

From there, you need to catch a transport towards Sary Tash, 80km, the price of taxi is 500-700 KGS per person. To go Osh is not problem from Sary Tash.

Chargeable services

Visa support to China – 60 USD

Checkpoint Pass to Torugart – 10 USD per person

Transport Naryn – Torugart – Kashgar

Transport Kashgar – Torugart – Tash - Rabat – Naryn (overnight in Naryn)

In season every Friday we gather people to take them to Kashgar on Monday we take them back. For more details write to us on website. www.asia-expeditions.net

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