Karakol

20 jUNE 2012

Have just arrived back at the guest house in Karakol after spending the last four days trekking around in the Altyn Arashan and Karakol valleys.

The scenery is incredible; wild, unspoilt and sparsely populated. The only people you come across are shepherds and the occasional local visiting these parts to drink mare's milk - considered a healthy pastime at this time of year.

I have stayed with a wonderful family in the Altyn Arashan, who run a simple guest house next to the hot springs and camped by the side of Lake Ala - Kol.

I joined a Spanish couple and their guide to go over the Ala Kol pass ( 3860m) as I had tried in vain to do this climb on my own. It was an amazing experience to finally get to the top of this high point and descend into the valley below.

At the top we saw the only way down was  on a steep slope covered in snow -  you can see it in the top left corner of  the top photo. The only way down was on your bottom sleigh style. Talk about adrenaline pumping. You had to concentrate on not rolling forward and try to stop safely.

We entered the valley in a hail storm but when the weather cleared it revealed a beautiful green valley full of flowers. At the end of this day, the hot springs were a real topic, housed in concrete pools in sheds, they do not come with the Japanese onsen views, however they were a great way to relax after a rather strenuous day!