The line and checkpoints

The Qara-Chik line runs for about 1,750 km and has nine crossing points. The main one is the Qara-Chik Border Checkpoint at the mouth of the Kara-Buura valley.

Crossing points today

Hours are Irad Time. The Toguz-Bulak and Suusamyr crossings are closed for the winter, from late October until the end of April. The Qara-Chik checkpoint stays open in winter, but the road beyond it over the Karakoyun Pass is kept open by the clans and may be blocked by snow.

Entering the Zone from the tribal side

1. Obtain a travel permit from your clan council.
2. Present it with your identity document at a crossing point, where the Gendarmerie registers it.
3. Pay the inspection and permit fees. Vehicles and loads are inspected.
4. Drug tests are carried out at the checkpoints, as they have been since 2008.

The restricted zone

A restricted zone extends 12 km from the line. Entry, residence, grazing and photography in it are subject to the rules of the Border Demarcation Brigade.

Internal control posts

Within the Zone the Gendarmerie keeps four control posts: at the mouth of the Kara-Suu Canyon, in the Otmek valley, at the Fergana Gateway and at the Naryn bridge. Have your documents ready.

External frontiers

At the crossings to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan the Brigade works with the Customs Service. Crossings held by the clans are not under the control of the Zone.