The same view from the pass in spring, summer, autumn and winter. Monthly temperatures at the lake and in Karakol are averages for 2016–2025, not a forecast.
Spring
March–May
It is still winter at the lake: about +3° by day and −5° at night in May. Ice lasts a long time: part of the lake was still frozen on 29 June 2012.
Outside the organiser’s season: the pass is snow-covered.
Marchout of seasonlake −6° / −15°Karakol +5° / −5°
Aprilout of seasonlake −1° / −10°Karakol +10° / 0°
Mayout of seasonlake +3° / −5°Karakol +15° / +4°
Summer
June–August
The lake is ice-free and turquoise. By day it is +7…+11° at the lake, with nights around zero. Weather changes within hours.
July and August are trekking season. June is on the edge: ask about the pass.
Juneedge of the seasonlake +7° / −2°Karakol +18° / +8°
Julyin seasonlake +11° / +2°Karakol +21° / +11°
Augustin seasonlake +10° / +1°Karakol +20° / +10°
Autumn
September–November
Fresh snow covers the peaks in September, while the lake is still ice-free. In October, daytime temperatures at the lake are below zero; November has a winter climate.
September is in season, October is on the edge and November is out of season.
Organiser’s vehicle ≈40 min; agree the drop-off point
≈17 km · trail
Via the lake and pass
No vehicles: on foot only, as far as Altyn-Arashan
≈15 km · dirt road
Down to Ak-Suu
On foot ≈4 h or by UAZ / GAZ-66 by arrangement
Return · marshrutka
Ak-Suu → Karakol
No. 350 to the central market, ≈25–50 som check for your date
Park fee and money
National park entry
≈300 somfor foreign visitors; check how to pay
Tent
100 som
Vehicle at the entrance
200 somcar, since November 2025
Night in Altyn-Arashan
1,000–2,500 somper person, including dinner and breakfast
check for your date Before setting off, check the park fee, payment method, accommodation type and meals included; bring cash. No border-zone permit is needed for this route.
At altitude
Acclimatisation. Night 1 is at about 2,950 m; on day two the pass is at 3,898 m. Spend 1–2 days in Karakol first. Headache, nausea or breathlessness at rest: do not go higher, descend.
The pass. Usually snow-free from July to mid-September; snow patches may last until August. In June and October, ask about conditions for your date. check for your date
Scree. The descent to Altyn-Arashan is 10 km and ↓1,360 m, with steep scree at the top: bring poles and high-cut boots.
Weather. It changes within hours. Set off towards the pass in the morning and use a mountain forecast, not Karakol’s.
Reception. It may disappear in the mountains: download an offline map and leave your route plan at the guesthouse.
End of season. Most organised camps and programmes run until roughly mid- to late September. After 15 September, confirm the camp and check the forecast.
Booking. In summer, confirm accommodation in Altyn-Arashan or a place with the organiser in advance; check meals and arrival time.
112single emergency number, used to call rescue services
What to bring
Ticks are saved in this browser only.
Confirm before setting off
Both overnight staysorganiser or camp
Transfer on day 1 and vehicle on day 3organiser, driver
Pass conditions for your date, especially in June and Octoberorganiser
Горный прогноз на 3 500–3 900 mthe day before departure
Park fee and pricesat the entrance, with the organiser
Ask the organiser
Where mobile reception is available on the routeorganiser, guide
Hours from the lake over the pass to Altyn-Arashanguide
Whether there is a fee on the Altyn-Arashan sideorganiser
Karakol rescue service phone numberorganiser, guesthouse
15.08.2019, 09:58
15.08.2019, 08:24
14.08.2019, 17:40
14.08.2019, 16:42
14.08.2019, 15:04
13.08.2019, 15:06
13.08.2019, 13:17
13.08.2019, 07:49
13.08.2019, 07:34
13.08.2019, 07:34
On the route · day 1Karakol GorgeThe first day’s trek climbs this valley.
On the route · night 2Altyn-ArashanA valley with riverside camps for the night on the descent.
At the base · KarakolKarakol History MuseumFor a day before or after the trek while waiting for the weather.