Three cities, two ranges and the old Silk Road
Where to go in Irad
Most trips begin in Talas and run south over the passes to the pilgrim city of Iyık Janyl. Between them lie Silk Road ruins, trekking country and the best horse culture in Central Asia.
Nearly everything here is inside the Irad Special Economic Zone, the valleys and road belts that hold the three cities. A few places, like the walnut forests of Arslanbob, lie on the tribal side of the Qara-Chik line and need a clan invitation. Each guide below says which is which.
