 In the mountains to the south-east is a region known as syrt - an "alpine cold desert" located at average altitudes around .A364, one of the few good roads into the mountains in southern Issyk-Kul Region, goes south down the valley, over the Barskoon and Söök Passes to Kara-Say in the Naryn valley and then east to Ak-Shyrak.There is a border police post located at Kara-Say, and a border area permit is needed for onward travel.