The Kegen border crossing on the Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan border is the quickest and best way to get from Karakol to Almaty, Kazakhstan. Information you will find online about the border crossing confirms that it isn’t an easy crossing to do by public transport. However, by private taxi or with a driver, we can confirm that the Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan border crossing at Karkara Valley is actually quite straightforward. And hey, we even did it with two kids in tow!
Like any overland border crossing it does require some forward planning. And in this case, it also costs more to do due to the geographical position. (Trust me, we travel on a budget and always opt for public transport if we can. We backpack all over with our kids but our style of travel doesn’t normally include hiring a driver). But, if you are up for a beautiful adventure through remote valleys and vistas, and have time on your hands; crossing the Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan border at Kegen is for you.
The following is our guide on how to make the border crossing from Kyrgyzstan to Kazakhstan. It’s beautiful; and worth it for the adventure alone.
Heres what you need to know.
- About the Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan border towns
- Good things to know before you go
- Getting from Karakol to the border
- Getting from the border to Kegen
- Crossing the Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan border
- Driving distances to the Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan border
- Where we stayed
- Our verdict
About the border towns
Karakol is one of the larger cities in Kyrgyzstan. It’s popular with travellers as a good place to be based for hiking and trekking in the surrounding mountains. And by bus or shared taxi, it’s only about six hours drive from the capital, Bishkek.
On the other side of the border, Kegen is the first major town. (If you could call Kegen, ‘major’). There isn’t a lot to it, and it isn’t a place to stop and stay for particular sights of Kazakhstan. But it serves as a first border town, and is on the way to the famous Charyn Canyon and the capital, Almaty.
Things to know about the Kegen border crossing
Before we start with this list; a little disclosure first. And not the kind about affiliates with Amazon. I’m talking about us personally. You remember that we are from a small island nation (New Zealand. Google it) so overland border crossings are non-existent there for us. Hence, the details on making this crossing are going right back to the basics. (And did I mention we crossed the border with our barefoot little travellers in tow?!).
- The best time of year to cross: The Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan border crossing at Karakol to KegK egen border crossing isn’t open all year round. It typically opens surrounding the sumenmer season, operating from approximately mid-May to end of October.
- Border opening times: The border is open from 8:00am until 6:00pm daily during summer.
- Exchanging money: There are no facilities for changing money at the border. From the Kyrgyzstan side, you need to change money in Karakol before leaving for the border.
- Visas at the border: If you are travelling as a citizen from one of the visa-free countries for Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan then the Kegen border crossing is straightforward. E-visas are not accepted at this border point, so definitely check ahead before you go. Check the Kazakhstan visa requirements here.
- Come prepared with supplies: Snacks, water and whatever you think you will need for a couple of days. Supplies and shops are limited and basic in Kegen and virtually non-existent from Karakol onwards. Make sure you have planned ahead and are carrying at least a few snacks to tide you over.
Getting from Karakol to Kyrgyzstan border
Google Maps shows the drive from Karakol to the border as just under two hours. And that’s about right. Once we were out of Karakol we only passed on tiny village on the way to the border checkpoint (closer to the border than Karakol).
In theory, there is one other option for getting from Karakol to Almaty that is possible by public transport. But, there’s a major glitch with that option. The bus takes 11 hours from Karakol, returning to Bishkek to cross over the border at Kordai. That’s nowhere near Karakol!
The best option? You will need a taxi to the border. If you are travelling alone you can ask around in Karakol, and it could be possible to hitch or share a ride with other travellers. Or, if you are travelling with kids or want the easiest option as we did. A taxi seems to be the way to go.
The drive is beautiful through the Karkara Valley to the border. As with lots of Kyrgyz scenery, the mountains are vast and scenery is rugged and stunning. Nearing the border, the road follows the Karkara River with serves as a sort of natural border between the Kazak and Kyrgyz side. We stocked up on picnic supplies at the Karakol market and found a spot beside the river to stop on our way.
Getting from the border to Kegen
The distance from the border checkpoint to the next town on the Kazakh side isn’t so far. It takes about 40 minutes to reach Kegen. The drive is straightforward, and leaves the border checkpoint behind on a long, straight road that at the time of our crossing, was all under construction. The town of Kegen was a welcomed sight after a long morning. Border crossings are always exhausting, even when it all goes according to plan. So a pot of hot tea in Kegen at a little roadside cafe was the perfect finish.
About the Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan border crossing
As far as checkpoints go, this one is pretty remote. The last few kilometres of road leading up to it are barren, potholed, bumpy and isolated. There isn’t another building in site.
The checkpoint itself however is fairly straightforward. (Well, if you don’t mind the unmissable camouflage-painted bunker shelters in place for the guards). We drove in and gave our passports to the first checkpoint through the window of our vehicle. We were waved forward to the next point and instructed by our driver to get out of the car and take our passports to the immigration officers. Immigration is a small building to the right hand side of the crossing, with two windows for immigration counters.
Our driver got out of the car as well and had his passport checked, while the van was driven up on hoists. The kids watched fascinated while the guards check all over the van; inside, on top and underneath.
We were waved on through and ran ejoined our driver at the other side and off we went. I am still not sure why it cost him a packet of cigarettes as well. But regardless, the crossing was smooth. And yup, the kids walked across with bare feet.
Driving distances from the Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan border
The following drive times are approximate and what it took us by van with a driver. Driving anywhere in Asia is an adventure unto its own. Always allow extra time as part of your plan!
- Karakol to the border checkpoint: 2 hours
- Border checkpoint to Kegen: 40 minutes
- Kegen to Almaty: 4 hours
Where we stayed in each side of the Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan border
- Karakol: Jamilya Eje’s Guesthouse
- Almaty: World Travelers Hostel
In Karakol, Jamilya Eje’s Guesthouse was a great find. We stayed four nights, relaxing in between our Kyrgyzstan tour and starting our next leg over the border to Kazakhstan. The quadruple room is a decent size with a double bed and two single beds. Cost: USD $55 per night. Dinner is available in the restaurant room most nights. Breakfast is included. The guesthouse is in walking distance of playgrounds in Karakol and the main Karakol Bazaar.
On the Kazakh side, from the border crossing we headed for the town of Saty. Our driver had rung ahead and booked a room for us in a guesthouse in Saty, but when we got there it was fully booked. Accommodation options are scarce in the smaller villages near the border, but we did find a second option. We drove by two guesthouses (to be fair, I couldn’t even recognise them outwardly as guesthouses) and ended up with a room at the third. Do pay attention to this part of your planning so you don’t end up without a bed, but don’t panic. People are friendly, albeit shy, but happy to help.
Our verdict after making the border crossing at Kegen
The Kegen border crossing itself is pretty easy. Logistically and geographically it takes a bit of forward planning but don’t be put off by that. Namely the challenge is all in how to get to the border. Once you are there, it’s a remote but straightforward crossing to make.
Useful links for your travels in Kazakhstan and beyond…
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Hostelworld– The largest inventory of hostel accommodation in the world.
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home).
Read more about traveling in Central Asia
- What makes Silk Road flatbreads so fabled?
- Uzbekistan with kids: A complete travel guide to Uzbekistan.
- The greatest gift of travel: We found it in Uzbekistan.
- Taking an overnight train to Nukus, Karakalpakstan.
- Kazakhstan: Completing a dream circuit of ‘Stans.
- 5 Reasons we loved Kyrgyzstan (and why you need to visit).
- Kyrgyz’ what? A complete travel guide to Kyrgyzstan.
1 thought on “How to cross the Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan border from Karakol to Kegen.”
I love reading your amazing adventures! Very inspiring and helpful 🙂 We are planning to do this trip in reverse – Almaty to Karakol and then travel along the south side of Issyk Kul. Can you give us any tips or advise on how to book a vehicle and driver to take us on this trip?? And any advice on what area to stop and stay in a yurt in Kyrgyzstan? Many thanks!!!