Major city · Kyrgyzstan
Sary-Tash
Pass through on the Pamir Highway between Osh and Tajikistan or China: one night for the altitude rest, no more. No sights in the village itself.
Sary-Tash is a high-altitude (3,170 m) junction village on the M41 Pamir Highway, 25 km from the Tajik border and about 150 km from the Chinese border at Irkeshtam. It has no attractions of its own but is a practical stop for altitude acclimatisation, fuel, and a bed before or after the Kyzyl-Art pass. Most travellers spend one night.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- KGS
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Mar (passes closed by snow)
- Airport
- OSS
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut w…
- Central Asia ↗Keep every hotel registration slip or its e-registration record until you leave Uzbekistan and Tajikistan; border officers can ask for proof of where you slept and fine gaps.
- Central Asia ↗Land borders between Central Asian states open and shut with politics and demarcation deals; confirm the exact post is open to foreigners the week you cross.
- Kyrgyzstan ↗Check entry rules on the official e-visa portal only; many nationalities enter without a visa for a limited stay, others need an e-visa.
- Kyrgyzstan ↗Carry Kyrgyz som in small notes; markets, minibuses and taxis are cash-first, and cards are widely accepted only in Bishkek shops and hotels.
- Kyrgyzstan ↗Most Manas arrivals are at night: message your hotel with your flight number and ask for a driver or a fixed fare before you fly.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Sary-Tash112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Sary-Tash, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Som in small notes for markets, minibuses, taxis and tips.Kyrgyzstan-wide
- SIM or eSIMBeeline, MegaCom and O! sell SIMs with a passport at the airport and in shops; cheap data.Kyrgyzstan-wide
- Tap waterNot safe untreated; bottled water everywhere, filters for trekking.Kyrgyzstan-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% if not included.Kyrgyzstan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Kyrgyzstan-wide
- SafetySary-Tash is safe for tourists.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsLong-drop toilets at yurt camps and in villages; carry tissue and sanitiser.Kyrgyzstan-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency · 101 fire · 102 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysYurt camps and high roads close in the off-season; museums close Mondays.Kyrgyzstan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportOSS Osh Airport (About 3–4 h drive north via the Taldyk Pass; shared taxis and marshrutkas available).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- SIM or eSIM, a weekSIM card (Beeline, 4G data)checkKGS 150–300
- Budget bedHomestay shared room, a night, per personKGS 1,000
- Mid-range bedPrivate room in homestay, a night, per roomKGS 3,000
- High-end bedPrivate room in homestay, a night, per roomKGS 4,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget KGS 2,000 · Mid KGS 3,500 · High KGS 5,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- OSS Osh Airport (About 3–4 h drive north via the Taldyk Pass; shared taxis and marshrutkas available)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
Feb
Avoid
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
Mar
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Apr
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
May
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Jun
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Jul
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Oct
not flagged
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Nov
Avoid
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Dec
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)), coolest Jan (−22°C (−8°F)−8°F (−22°C) low), wettest May (7 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Sary-Tash: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
−22°C (−8°F)−8°F (−22°C)
3 rd
Feb
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
−20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C)
4 rd
Mar
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
5 rd
Apr
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
6 rd
May
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
Jun
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
Jul
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
5 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
4 rd
Sep
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
3 rd
Oct
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
4 rd
Nov
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
3 rd
Dec
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. The village is a single street about 500 m long.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Karakul (Tajikistan)
goDoor to door: About 3 h
Shared taxi or private car south on the M41, about 1.5 h to the border, then another 1 h to the lake
Requires Tajik visa or e-visa; check border crossing hours.
Osh
goDoor to door: About 4 h
Shared taxi or marshrutka north via the Taldyk Pass, about 3–4 h
The pass is paved but winding; allow extra time in wet weather.
Irkeshtam border (China)
cautionDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Private car or shared taxi east, about 2 h
Chinese visa required; Xinjiang travel restrictions may apply. Check current rules.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Village centre
A handful of homestays and basic guesthouses; all within walking distance of the main road.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- KGS 1,500–2,500 excl. transport
- Mid
- KGS 2,500–4,000 excl. transport
Trip budget
| Homestay shared room1 × 1 night × KGS 1,000 | KGS 1,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × KGS 2,000 | KGS 2,000 |
| Meal at a cafe (soup, main, bread)1 × KGS 400 | KGS 400 |
| Shared taxi Sary-Tash → Osh1 × KGS 800 · check | KGS 800 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | KGS 420 |
| Trip total≈ KGS 4,620 per person per day, bed included | KGS 4,620 |
2026 estimate in Kyrgyz som; transport to/from Osh or Tajikistan excluded.
Prices of common things
| Soup (beef or lamb) | KGS 140 |
| Manty or oromo | KGS 120 |
| Plov | KGS 140 |
| Bed in shared homestay room | KGS 1,000–2,000 |
| SIM card (Beeline, 4G data)check | KGS 150–300 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Altitude: 3,170 m. If you come from Osh (900 m) in one day, you may feel shortness of breath or headache. Plan a slow arrival.
- Only one ATM in town; if broken, exchange US dollars at the gas station.
- The Kyzyl-Art pass road from Tajikistan is very rough for the first 20 km (12 mi) after the border.The Kyzyl-Art pass road from Tajikistan is very rough for the first 12 mi (20 km) after the border.
- Winter (Nov–Mar) the passes are often closed; check road conditions in Osh or Karakol before heading south.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
- Fire
- 101
- Police
- 102
- Ambulance
- 103
Pocket card
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Sary-TashSary-Tash
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ушул дарекке, суранычTo this address, please
Emergency
- General emergency112
- Fire101
- Police102
- Ambulance103
Embassy
Nearest consulates are in Osh (check) or Bishkek for most nationalities.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shared taxi Sary-Tash → Osh: about KGS 800 per person, 3–4 h (check)
- Private car Sary-Tash → Tajik border: about KGS 1,500–2,000, 25 min
Say or show
- Салам — Hello (salam)
- Рахмат — Thank you (rakhmat)
- Канча? — How much? (kancha)
- Даараткана кайда? — Where is the toilet? (daaratkana kaida)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Sary-Tash. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Mar (passes closed by snow) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for homestays with verified prices and contact numbers.
- Road condition updates for the Kyzyl-Art and Taldyk passes, linked from the page.
- Altitude acclimatisation checklist for travellers coming from lowland Osh.
Sources
Ask about Sary-Tash
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