Below recent experience crossing the border at
Kegen border crossing when travelling from Almaty to Karakol.
Travel time: end of Aug-2018
Note: please take a note that I do speak Russian, hence some of mine experience might be simplified
ALMATY:
Got a taxi to the
Saykhat station from hotel in city center location. Possible price 300 tenge, but because there were two of us and large bags we were told 500 tenge is a reasonable price.
Large area and we were dropped off at the junction. Had to ask for the cars to Kegen and walked another block to the actual location.
8.30am at the station. Discussed with few drivers where we are going and found the one who is collecting people to go there already. Price 4.000 tenge per seat or 20.000 tenge for the whole car.
Left station with full car
9.30am (5 adults + 2 children). Very comfortable.
Arrived in
KEGEN town @12.30 (3 hr journey). No stops.
Few shops and a local cafe/ bar. Had some lunch.
Were looking to get
to the border. Our driver was still at the bus stop. Looking for 6.000, 5.000 tenge. Told that only have 4.000 tenge left - take it or leave it. Agreed to take us to the border. Left town @13.06
13.57 we were at the other side of the border - Kyrgyzstan side. Border opening hours 08:00-18:00. No issues with stamps or passports and very simple and straight forward crossing.
We had arranged car pick up from Kyrgyzstan side for EUR50 from EcoTrek. I WhatsApped the driver on the way from Almaty so he knew when we are du to be at the border. He was waiting for us.
Arrived in
KARAKOL @15:40