Travelers from Almaty to Issyk-Kul to Use Alternative Route
Heads Up, Road Warriors!
Looks like there's some construction going on along the Karasu - Masanchi - Sortobe automobile road and a section near Bishkek's bypass road. No need to worry, though! A nifty alternate route has been put in place for those heading to Almaty and Issyk-Kul.
This workaround takes you on the republican automobile road from Karasu to Otegen Batyr village, followed by local roads to either the "Aukatty" or "Sortobe" checkpoints. These checkpoints can handle up to 2000 vehicles daily, ensuring smooth travels during the repairs. So, buckle up, folks, and remember to update your itineraries!
Fun fact: During the summer in Kazakhstan, they've been beefing up transport options. More train carriages and flights have been added to Lake Alakol, and extra trains are run to the Balakhash resort zone.
Now, let's dive deeper into this road situation. There's actually a new highway project in the works, featuring three potential routes: western, eastern, and a direct one. The western route, passing through Uzynagash and Kechi-Kemin, seems to offer a faster trip compared to the current 485-kilometer route via Kordai and Bishkek. This western route is expected to be toll-based and costs around $140–150 million. It's a cooperative effort between Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, with plans to build an International Transport and Logistics Complex near the Kyrgyz border to boost freight and logistics [2].
As for the checkpoints, coveted Korday (also known as Kordaï)—currently open 24/7 after being closed for repairs for two years—serves as the main crossing between Bishkek and Almaty. Phenomenal facilities like exchange offices and eateries are available on both sides, supporting a heavy flow of passengers including buses and taxis. Meanwhile, Ak-Tilek checkpoint, post-Korday’s reopening, only handles cargo trucks. Other crossings like Sypatay Batir and Aisha Bibi offer border services, although they have limited transport availability and facilities [3].
In short:
- Alternative route: Brand new highway project with multiple options to choose from, but the western route is the current frontrunner.
- Checkpoint capacity: Korday checkpoint caters to a whopping crowd of passenger vehicles, 24/7, with state-of-the-art facilities; Ak-Tilek processes cargo-only traffic; Sypatay Batir and Aisha Bibi offer border services with modest capacities [2][3].
The alternative route for travelers headed to Almaty and Issyk-Kul involves taking the republican automobile road from Karasu to Otegen Batyr village, followed by local roads towards either the "Aukatty" or "Sortobe" checkpoints, which can handle up to 2000 vehicles daily. Meanwhile, during the summer in Kazakhstan, an improvement in lifestyle can be enjoyed with increased transport options, such as additional train carriages and flights to Lake Alakol and the Balakhash resort zone [2].
