Töö Ashuu pass also Theo-Ashuu or Camel Pass is a mountain car pass connecting Chuy valley with Suusamyr. Too-Ashuu is one of two automobile passes on the Kyrgyz ridge. in Kyrgyzstan.
It is located in Tjuj Oblusu oblast, in the central part of the country, 90 km southwest of the capital Bishkek. on the highway from Bishkek to Osh (European route E010) in Kyrgyzstan approximately 120 km from Bishkek. Tioo-Asjuu is 3,553 meters above sea level.
According to one of the Kyrgyz legends, the famous strongman Kozhomkul somehow transferred his horse through Too-Ashuu, throwing the animal on his shoulders. Now it’s hard to say what is true in this story, and what is fiction, because this mighty batyr actually existed.
The Töö Ashuu pass in ancient times was the most important pass of the Great Silk Road. It was along it that the numerous caravans of camels loaded with goods went to the West. ,Today the highway M41 runs through the Töö Ashuu pass (3,586 m) which connects the cities Bishkek and Osh together. From Osh is the trunk road M41 to the Pamir Highway. The M41 is also still a part of the Silk Road. She was the best in recent years to a developed highway from Kyrgyzstan.
Access : Coordinates: 42.343611, 73.806667 / The Töö Ashuu pass is located 60 kilometers west of Bishkek, near the city of Kara-Balta. Since Too-Ashuu is part of the Bishkek-Osh highway, getting there will not be difficult either by public intercity transport or by private car.
Highlights :
- The route : Direction : North – South , Elevation : 3,586 m , Mountains : Tian Shan mountains , Traversed by European route E010 ,Töö Ashuu pass is notable for its steep serpentines and amazing views that open from it.The highest point of the pass is at an altitude of 3400 meters. The northern and southern slopes in the upper part of the pass are connected by a tunnel, the length of which is 2.2 kilometers.
- A ski resort is situated on the south slope of the Töö Ashuu pass at 2960 m.a.s.l. The resort has one blue 1,500-metre-long (4,900 ft) ski slope operated by a chairlift with height difference of 200 m. There is a possibility to ski further 1500 m down to the highway. Shuttle marshrutkas then take the skiers back to the top section of the resort.
- The main highlight of this place is the incredible mountain serpentine, which makes the driver turn the steering wheel 180 °, and sensitive passengers suffer from strong shaking.
- At the highest point of the pass is a tunnel , dug in the 1960s. Its length is more than 2 km. The acoustics inside the aisle are such that any vehicle moving towards it seems like a rattling train.
Activities : sightseeing / photo opportunities / trekking / Scenic Driving- Auto Touring / landscape observation
Go next : Bishkek , the capital and largest city in Kyrgyzstan / the Torugart Pass. The pass connects Kashgar via an important route that runs along what was once the ancient Silk Road, linking Western China with the heart of Central Asia
