Everything yous require to know most the Jyrgalan trek, the newest guide chances destination inward Kyrgyzstan!
For decades intrepid hikers from some the globe would flock to destinations similar the Himalaya, the Alps in addition to Patagonia to sense the beauty that is beingness deep inward the mountains.
Unchartered territories in addition to the thrill of solitude proved to hold out also attractive for many explorers to ignore. Trekking was to a greater extent than than exactly something to practice – it was a way of life.
In recent years these hiking hotspots guide maintain been inundated with thousands of tourists, who are also finding themselves drawn to life inward the mountains.
Those that wanted to larn off the beaten path would guide maintain to search deeper, farther in addition to longer to detect the untouched environments that are scattered some our planet.
Since the autumn of the Soviet Union i province has been gathering traction every bit i of the best in addition to most unique trekking destinations around.
Tucked away inward the pump of Central Asia, where ancient merchandise routes in addition to conquerors crossed paths over millennia, Kyrgyz Republic is a truthful paradise that is exactly beingness rediscovered.
With 93% of the landlocked nation covered inward mountains, some of them reaching over 7000m to a higher house ocean level, it is piece of cake to run across why Kyrgyzstan’s guide chances tourism marketplace is growing exponentially every year.
The affordable cost of living in addition to visa-free move for most nationalities, along with the stable safety situation, has resulted inward to a greater extent than in addition to to a greater extent than people flocking to the gem of Central Asia.
While most tourists are fascinated with the curious history in addition to welcoming civilization that tin hold out establish there, expertly showcased inward the bi-annual World Nomad Games, it is the outdoor activities that captivates the majority. Mountain biking, rafting, fishing, Equus caballus riding in addition to trekking offering a little sense of savour of the wonders waiting to hold out tackled with the peaks.
Some areas similar Altyn Arashan in addition to Ala Archa are most every bit pop every bit it gets for a province already off the beaten path, but a novel share has exactly been pose on the map that is waiting to hold out explored.
Located a brusque distance from the bustling town of Karakol inward Eastern Kyrgyzstan, the Jyrgalan Valley has lately opened upwards to tourism. Overshadowed yesteryear the immense lake Issyk Kul in addition to other its various landscapes, Jyrgalan is directly nether development.
The potential for guide chances inward Jyrgalan is unrivalled – globe shape trekking in addition to skiing inward the middle of the Tian Shan mount range is all accessed from the quaint hamlet inward the pump of the valley. As the years go yesteryear no dubiety to a greater extent than activities volition hold out added to the potential listing of things to practice inward Jyrgalan.
UPDATE – We exactly returned from Jyrgalan again, where this fourth dimension nosotros were the initiative of all people to every hike along a novel trail. We marked in addition to mapped out the Keskenkija Loop Trek, in addition to this 64km, 4-day hike is guaranteed to blow minds!
We travelled to Kyrgyz Republic i time again before this twelvemonth to banking concern check out the World Nomad Games, but before nosotros moved towards this cultural extravaganza nosotros couldn’t resist spending some to a greater extent than fourth dimension inward the mountains.
Hiking In Jyrgalan
We started our latest journeying to Kyrgyzstan in Bishkek, which is notwithstanding to this twenty-four hours i of our favourite Asian cities. It was exactly a quick stopover though, every bit nosotros teamed upwards with our swain trekkers in addition to friends Dan in addition to Audrey from Uncornered Market in addition to made the long drive out towards Jyrgalan. Our goal was to tackle a novel 58km trek that had alone exactly been developed.
It takes a long fourth dimension to larn anywhere inward Kyrgyzstan, in addition to after a brief stopover for luncheon in addition to to pick upwards supplies inward Karakol, nosotros finally made it to the hamlet 12 hours after nosotros left the uppercase city.
Night had good in addition to genuinely laid inward when nosotros arrived at the Alakol Jyrgalan Guesthouse. Our grouping was accompanied yesteryear Tynch, the executive manager of Destination Jyrgalan, in addition to Kyle, a USAID consultant. Despite working difficult inward the area, it was their initiative of all fourth dimension into the mountains every bit good in addition to excitement was high.
Alakol Jyrgalan Guesthouse was amidst some of the nicest family-run accommodations nosotros had ever come upwards across inward Central Asia. For alone $20 per somebody nosotros were given a individual room, hot showers, wifi (albeit slow), a delicious dinner in addition to breakfast. Run yesteryear the affable Emil in addition to his married adult woman Gulmira, they are helping to force the standards of accommodation inward Jyrgalan to novel heights spell boosting tourism.
Want to remain at Alakol Jyrgalan Guesthouse? Book your room hither with Booking.com
After a delicious breakfast nosotros could finally grab a glimpse of the Jyrgalan hamlet that had been covered yesteryear nightfall when nosotros arrived.
Unpaved roads twisted their way betwixt creature yards in addition to mixed stuff houses. Horses in addition to cows wandered freely against a stunning backdrop of rolling hills. It was but glorious.
Our conception was to trek 58km from Jyrgalan village at 2260m to a higher house ocean level, over the mountains (peaking at 3515m) in addition to goal upwards inward Boz Uchuk 3 days later.
Besides our grouping of trekkers nosotros also had a Pb guide Sacha, an assistant guide who was nether training, Murat in addition to Nazira, a lovely duad who were working every bit cooks, in addition to ii horsemen Azamat in addition to Jenish who would assist carry our equipment.
We laid out into the wilderness, leaving the hamlet behind. The get-go of the Jyrgalan trek, officially known every bit the Boz Uchuk Trek, took us through pastures filled with sheep in addition to cows grazing nether the watchful optic of the shepherds.
It didn’t guide maintain long before presently fifty-fifty they were gone, in addition to nosotros were completely on our own.
The footstep was steady in addition to nosotros chatted away spell crossing rivers in addition to passing beneath towering summits. We stayed beneath the treeline for much of the initiative of all day.
Just before luncheon nosotros took a 5km detour upwards to a little lake. The trek uphill was steep in addition to arduous, but the vantage was good worth the effort.
The finally few hours had us next a glacial river. The H2O was crystal clear in addition to the steady audio of a flowing creek tumbling over rocks became the soundtrack to our hike.
Eventually nosotros reached the location of our initiative of all campsite. We all pitched inward to laid upwards the tents, in addition to before also long Murat in addition to Nazira were cooking upwards a delicious feast inward our dining tent. Dan cracked opened upwards a bottle of whiskey in addition to nosotros chatted away beneath the open sky.
As presently every bit nighttime came the temperature plummeted. Tired in addition to cold, nosotros all retired early, wrapping ourselves inward every slice of article of apparel nosotros owned.
The 2nd morning time brought frost. It had been a shivering nighttime for everyone inward our political party every bit the mercury dropped below freezing.
By the fourth dimension nosotros had managed to crawl out of our tents Murat in addition to Nazira were already brewing pipe hot cups of chai for us. We couldn’t hold out to a greater extent than thankful!
We prolonged packing upwards our tents every bit long every bit possible (because there’s few things nosotros relish less than packing a tent covered inward H2O ice with no gloves) in addition to hitting the trail every bit presently every bit nosotros were ready.
The 2nd twenty-four hours would show to hold out the most tiring, tackling ii mount passes over 17km. And it all started with an immediate ascent to the top of the highest pass, Terim Tor Bulak at 3467m.
The weather condition was much ameliorate this day, in addition to every bit presently every bit nosotros exited the shadows cast from the mountains our bodies warmed upwards in addition to nosotros were shedding layers.
Step after measuring nosotros trudged on the side of Terim Tor Bulak Pass, panting every bit nosotros gained altitude. As it ever is with things similar this though, the minute nosotros caught sight of the snow-capped peaks on the other side it was completely worth it.
After a brief residual halt it was fourth dimension to force on deeper into the mountains. The descent was fifty-fifty steeper than the ascent, in addition to nosotros gingerly crept downward towards flatter ground.
Grass made way for shrubs, in addition to soon we hitting the Tiorgei Ak-Suu River. The color was unreal, fed from springs in addition to snowmelt far inward the distance, collecting minerals every bit it went. We crossed the dilapidated span in addition to naturally had to halt for a few to a greater extent than photos.
Onwards in addition to upwards, nosotros followed a makeshift trail to our 2nd pass. This side of the valley was quite different, with a river spilling downward from an unseen source.
We stopped for lunch, stocked upwards on unloose energy in addition to headed off for the concluding stretch to some other lake.
Despite having lived in addition to worked inward the Jyrgalan surface area for years, Sacha had never really been to this 2nd lake. Curiosity had gotten the ameliorate of him in addition to he was determined to detect out what was feeding the river.
We were all also eager to bring together him, in addition to aimed for a distant bowl surrounded yesteryear jagged peaks.
The lake, naturally, was spectacular, in addition to i time nosotros had snapped our shots nosotros started to build our way towards our 2nd campsite for the night.
Surrounded yesteryear cows nosotros pitched our tents in addition to resumed our green positions of drinking chai in addition to conversing. I had an amazing chat with Azamat in addition to Jenish most life inward the mountains, their families in addition to hunting.
They didn’t verbalize English, in addition to I know no Russian or Kyrgyz, but miming, drawing in addition to pictures on their mobile phones helped the conversation remain fluid.
Dinner was delicious, expectedly, in addition to nosotros headed off to bed exactly after sunset.
The 2nd nighttime was non every bit cold, which meant nosotros all got a ameliorate sleep. This proved to hold out a blessing, because nosotros had decided to climb upwards to a serial of lakes to a higher house our campsite before heading dorsum to civilisation, pregnant our total trekking distance would hold out 20km for the day.
As presently every bit military camp was packed nosotros trudged uphill for the finally time, circling ii large lakes that had bridged together, in addition to scrambling over some sketchy boulders. The view dorsum towards military camp was sensational, but the concluding lake was yesteryear far the most impressive nosotros had seen.
Dead calm in addition to protected from the wind, the stillness on the H2O transformed it into a mirror, reflecting the clouds in addition to mountains with absolute clarity.
Clambering dorsum downward from the finally lake in addition to yesteryear our campsite meant the concluding stretch towards Boz Uchuk. Our unloose energy levels dwindled every bit nosotros dropped closer to town.
The scenery became less dramatic but to a greater extent than interesting every bit trees replaced high alpine grass in addition to the rivers grew larger in addition to to a greater extent than fierce.
Murat in addition to Nazira had opted non to become to the finally lake, in addition to when nosotros came across them a few hours afterwards they had prepared an ample repast for lunch. This duad were non alone incredibly friendly in addition to warm, but heroes inward our eyes!
Stomachs total nosotros eventually hitting a stone oil dirt route in addition to followed it downward to Boz Uchuk in addition to our waiting transport. Seeing the van was bitter sweet. While our legs were burning in addition to nosotros couldn’t hold off to guide maintain a hot shower, it was distressing to hold out leaving the mountains that had been our habitation for 2 nights.
The Jyrgalan trek was i of the most amazing experiences nosotros accomplished inward 2016. Knowing that nosotros were amidst the really initiative of all tourists to ever run across this fabled landscape was genuinely humbling.
We can’t hold off to hear how this share develops, in addition to how hiking inward Jyrgalan volition assist transform the community in addition to practice goodness the enterprising locals there. No dubiety in that location are large things on the horizon, in addition to nosotros can’t hold off to supply to run across this initiative of all hand.
Tips in addition to Advice for the Jyrgalan Trek
As the Jyrgalan trek inward Kyrgyz Republic is notwithstanding completely new, in that location is express data out in that location most it. Luckily some enthusiastic operators inward Karakol in addition to the hamlet of Jyrgalan are working difficult on making this guide chances to a greater extent than accessible to all travellers.
Your initiative of all betoken of telephone proper name upwards should hold out to Tynchtykbek Zhanadylov (Tynch for short) in addition to the squad at the Jyrgalan DMO. Their novel website has all the best tips you’d require most trekking inward Jyrgalan, every bit good every bit data on how to organise it.
It is absolutely possible to but demonstrate upwards inward Karakol or Jyrgalan in addition to start making your plans from there. However it volition assist with logistics if yous at to the lowest degree guide maintain an thought of what to expect.
Here are some of our best tips in addition to advice to assist yous organise your ain Jyrgalan trek.
Karakol To Jyrgalan Transportation
During summertime a marshrutka goes from Karakol to Jyrgalan iii times a day. This is yesteryear far the most cost effective in addition to convenient way to attain Jyrgalan.
Once yous guide maintain planned your trek Tynch volition hold out able to organise the best way for yous to larn dorsum to Karakol, depending on where yous goal up.
- Schedule: 08:30, 13:30 in addition to 17:30
- Cost: lxxx Som (US$1.20) per person
- Time: Expect some 1.5 – 2 hours
- Bus Station: Ak-Tilek Bazaar at the intersection of Derbishev in addition to Bektenov Streets
- Taxi: About 1300 Som (US$19) for 4 people
How Much Does the Jyrgalan Trek Cost?
As this trek is notwithstanding build novel in addition to nether development, exact costs are notwithstanding beingness worked out. It really depends on how much back upwards yous are looking to guide maintain with yous inward terms of cooks in addition to horsemen.
For a full general thought though aspect to pay some $50 per somebody per day, including a guide, basic food, a cook, pack Equus caballus in addition to horseman to carry your gear. This could fluctuate yesteryear $20 either way depending on your needs in addition to whether yous require to rent a tent in addition to sleeping gear every bit well.
In our sentiment this is incredible value. With to a greater extent than people this cost tin become down, but delight proceed inward take away heed that having i create for 10 people puts an unnecessary strain on them. Hire plenty people to proceed the workload manageable.
How Many Days For Trekking In Jyrgalan?
The trek nosotros did was spread out over 3 days, 2 nights, but this tin hold out personalised to whatever length of fourth dimension yous are interested in.
For twenty-four hours hikes it is best to move to Jyrgalan yourself in addition to remain at i of the beautiful guesthouses inward town. From in that location yous tin wander some the hamlet in addition to upwards into some of the nearby valleys.
This also gives a swell insight into local Kyrgyz life, in addition to yous could fifty-fifty consider spending a few days inward the hamlet before yous start out your hike.
However proceed inward take away heed in that location aren’t whatsoever trail markers or paths, so remain closed to town in addition to pay extra attending to where yous go.
Single overnight treks are also offered, which tin hold out extended correct upwards to five days depending on your fitness levels in addition to time.
Do I Really Need Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Guide?
Depends. If yous are really experienced inward trekking, guide maintain all your ain equipment, are prepared for all kinds of conditions (it tin snowfall inward the mountains, fifty-fifty inward the middle of summer) in addition to tin larn your hands on a really detailed topographical map, so no, yous powerfulness non require a guide.
If this doesn’t audio similar you, so yes, nosotros recommend yous larn a guide for the Jyrgalan trek.
As this is a newly opened area, in that location are no trails, no markers in addition to no support. There is no telephone reception at whatsoever betoken during the trek in addition to assist is a long way away.
The alone people yous volition come upwards across volition hold out shepherds in addition to nomads, in addition to fifty-fifty so that is non a guarantee.
So nosotros highly advise that at the really to the lowest degree yous larn a licensed in addition to experienced guide.
What About Pack Horses And Cooks?
This i is totally upwards to you. Having pack horses to carry your gear is a luxury that tin hold out greatly appreciated on the trail. Having all your camping ground gear, nutrient in addition to heavy article of apparel transported for yous agency yous tin move lite in addition to really focus on the beautiful scenery some yous (and of class snapping lots of photos).
Being lite also agency yous tin guide maintain to a greater extent than detours in addition to side trips to many of the gorgeous lakes that are tucked away off the chief route.
Hiring a create i time again depends on your trend in addition to ability. If yous are an experienced trekker in addition to know your way some military camp nutrient so yous tin likely exactly practice this yourself.
But if yous guide maintain a few people with yous it industrial plant out to hold out really budget-friendly to guide maintain a create in that location to pose together some tasty in addition to delicious meals every bit yous go.
To larn the most enjoyment out of your trek, in addition to if yous don’t consider yourself to hold out an adept trekker, nosotros recommend at to the lowest degree looking into getting a pack horse, horseman in addition to create to assist yous on the trail. Talk to Tynch most these options.
What Should I Bring?
As lilliputian every bit possible. Packing lite is i of the best pieces of advice nosotros tin give you. The long days hiking combined with the height tin really guide maintain it out of you, so having less things to carry is paramount to having a swell experience.
The initiative of all thing to recollect is that the weather condition tin alter drastically inward the mountains. It tin become from beingness t-shirt weather condition nether a pounding Sun to snowing inward a thing of minutes.
At nighttime the temperatures can, in addition to practice every bit nosotros experienced, drib to below freezing. So convey proper clothe that yous tin layer depending on conditions, every bit good every bit a waterproof jacket (and pants if yous guide maintain them).
Good hiking shoes are also necessary. Alesha in addition to I completed the entire Jyrgalan trek inward a pair of lite running sneakers. While nosotros did fine, it is non recommended, in addition to a company pair of waterproof boots would guide maintain made our fourth dimension much safer in addition to enjoyable.
The 2nd thing to recollect is that yous volition hold out out inward the elements the entire time, in addition to in that location are no cabins to slumber inward upwards inward the mountains.
Tents are required. Luckily these tin hold out rented from Emil in addition to Gulmira at Alakol Guest House. (along with sleeping bags, mats, backpacks in addition to exactly most anything else yous could need) for a really affordable price.
If yous are non hiring a create yous volition require to convey all your ain food. Pick this upwards inward Karakol, every bit in that location are no shops inward Jyrgalan. We also recommend bringing snacks to larn yous through the day.
Fresh H2O tin hold out establish all throughout the mountains, but having a SteriPEN (our favourite item) or H2O sterilization tablets or drops is recommended due to the amount of animals that alive upwards in that location inward the summer.
If yous don’t move with trekking gear this is non a problem, every bit yous tin rent everything from Alakol Guest House.
Lastly proceed inward take away heed that yous volition hold out out inward nature. This agency in that location is no power, no telephone reception in addition to no amenities. Bring spare batteries for your camera, or a powerfulness pack to accuse things on the go. And lose the modesty in addition to larn ready to practice your line concern out inward the open.
Best Time of Year to Go Trekking inward Jyrgalan
Due to the high height mountains in addition to long, harsh winter, hiking accessibility to the Jyrgalan share is alone ideal for 3 months of the year, from June 20 to September 20. During the summertime yous tin detect shepherds grazing their livestock in addition to wildflowers blossoming.
In autumn in addition to restrain in that location is notwithstanding also much snowfall on the Earth to navigate your way into the higher sections in addition to over mount passes. But this abundance of snowfall alludes to Jyrgalan’s other adventurous secret…..
Skiing In Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan has been steadily gaining a reputation every bit the best up-and-coming ski destination on the planet. There are 3 chief ski resorts inward the country: Orlovka nigh Bishkek, Suusamyr inward the Chui Valley, in addition to Karakol, which is arguably the best ski resort inward Kyrgyzstan.
The championship of Kyrgyzstan’s skiing Mecca could alter hands presently with Jyrgalan hamlet implementing some really exciting wintertime evolution plans.
This includes creating backcountry ski routes, edifice chairlifts on some of the to a greater extent than premium slopes, in addition to bringing inward a snowfall truthful cat to run trips into the mountains. That’s correct – truthful cat skiing inward Kyrgyzstan!
Jyrgalan volition hold out the base of operations for this wintertime wonderland. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 winter-focused festival volition hold out held on Nov 19th, 2016 to kickstart the plans. 2017 is going to show to hold out a really progressive twelvemonth for this little mount village!
Where To Stay In Jyrgalan
When nosotros visited Jyrgalan inward August 2016 in that location were a duad of guesthouses nether development, with the largest in addition to most developed i beingness Alakol Jyrgalan Guesthouse (note: this Facebook page is for their guesthouse inward Karakol, but it is business office of the same business).
Run yesteryear Emil in addition to Gulmira, who are considered pioneers of tourism inward the town, this amazing family-run line concern has individual rooms, hot showers in addition to fifty-fifty wifi.
The other guesthouses inward town were opened upwards for business, but notwithstanding beingness renovated in addition to improved at the fourth dimension of our visit. The finally nosotros heard (October 2016) they were almost all opened upwards for line concern inward fourth dimension for the wintertime season.
From June 2017 aspect in that location to hold out quite a few options of where to remain inward Jyrgalan, ranging from basic accommodation correct through to modern, comfortable habitation stays.
Prices volition start at 500 Som per somebody ($7.50), in addition to rising upwards to 1000 Som (US$15) per person, per nighttime including breakfast. Camping volition also hold out available.
Contact Information
If yous are interested inward tackling the Jyrgalan trek yourself, or are exactly interested inward visiting this off the beaten rails destination inward Kyrgyzstan, your best bet is to larn inward acquit upon with Tynch inward Karakol. He volition hold out able to organise all activities for you.
There is a website nether development, in addition to nosotros volition update this spider web log post every bit presently every bit it is ready.
Destination Jyrgalan Valley Association
- Gulmira at Alakol Guest House
- Phone in addition to Whatsapp: +996551916924
- E-mail: destination.jyrgalan@gmail.com
- Facebook: Destination Jyrgalan
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