Description

Leaving behind Altyn Arashan you make the long 8km uphill climb to the Ala-Kol North Pass (3906m).

The final push is over loose scree which can be unnerving at that altitude.

At the end of the lake rather than taking the main path down to the Karakol valley, you loop around to a smaller route that takes you to Panorama Pass (3781m).

From the pass it's a steep and difficult descent to the Karakol river.

The lower slopes of the Telety Pass, the final pass of the traverse, prove a perfect place to rest after a very long day.