Asia
Kyrgyzstan
Issyk Kul Province
Karakol
Karakol Attractions
Jyrgalan Valley
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Jyrgalan Valley

See all things to do
See all things to do
Jyrgalan Valley
5
27 reviews
#9 of 42 things to do in Karakol
Ski & Snowboard Areas • Valleys
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About
Jyrgalan Valley is located 60 km east to Karakol, Ysyk Kol Province, Kyrgyzstan. Stunning nature, waterfalls, mountains. Summer tourism: hiking, trekking, base yurt camps, horseback riding, kymyz (mares' milk) treatment. Winter tourism: freeride skiing, snowshoe tours, snowcat and snowmobile tours, avalanche safety equipment.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
1 within 5 kms
Peak Restaurant
1.8 kmItalian • Bar • Asian • Pub
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
27 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
3
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Jessica S
Amsterdam, The Netherlands4 contributions
2 days tour from Karakol. Organized by Travel Firever company
Nov 2019 • Business
Jyrgalan is best destination for winter time as well. We did tour from Karakol, contacted on Facebook with Travel Forever. In the morning English speaking driver pick up us from the hitel drive to Jyrgalan valley, afternoon we did horseback riding around yurt camp. In yurt we slept very well, beds very comfortable. I think In winter time best place for freeride skiing. You can contact ask all information in Travel Forever. Highly recommend place in winter time nature lovers
Written 11 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
paraglydingisfun
Hanoi, Vietnam23 contributions
Absolutely Amazing!
Jun 2019
One of the most beautiful places to visit if you like the outdoors. It's back to nature and away from technology.
Written 12 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
BrixPen
15 contributions
3 day trek - really good experience
Jul 2019 • Friends
My friend and I went on a three day guided trek in Jyrgalan earlier this month. It was an amazing experience. We went through beautiful valleys, over a pass with views to Kazakhstan, and sat by reflective glacier lakes with no other tourists in sight. We did find some of the up hill parts difficult (neither of us being that fit) but it was definitely worth the struggle. They were also very accommodating at managing last minute issues (delays due to missing luggage) and provided food and a never ending supply of tea. I would gladly return to try another trek.
Written 22 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
urosdernovsek
Celje, Slovenia1,164 contributions
J-Fest
Aug 2018 • Couples
In Karakol we saw that there is J-Fest festival in Jyrgalan. Booked all together (transport there, back, festival and lunch). Was great, villagers are nice, great, nature is amazing. They showed a lot of traditions, horse games, ...
Written 6 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pierre W
Brussels, Belgium19,864 contributions
Scenic trekking but not as spectacular as just above Karakol
Aug 2018 • Solo
I want to damp the enthusiasm a bit about Jyrgalan. It is beautiful and I enjoyed the Keskenkija trek. However the mountains are not as high and it is not as spectacular as Alakul and the glaciers under Peak Karakol. Of course, you can do both (as I did) ! As for welcoming herders in the mountains, unfortunately their dogs are not welcoming at all !
Independent backpackers can easily do the Keskenkija trek in 3 days, even 2 and a half days. The ford of the Tip River is not an issue end August, although the ice cold water is painful. The weather turned bad in the afternoon, so I rather recommend to start hiking very early morning and to end the day early too.
Written 30 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pieterzeist
Zeist, The Netherlands9 contributions
Such a lovely green valleys
Aug 2018 • Solo
After staying in Karakol, which surroundings are beautifull, but crowded, it was for me a different green valley world. On the treks I met horses, sheep, just a few jurts and a few people. And no tourists like me. In the guesthouses there were tourists.
Written 5 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alejandro
Darwin, Australia32 contributions
Spectacular hiking and horse riding experience
Jul 2018 • Couples
We will recommend the Jyrgalan Valley to all friends coming to Kyrgyzstan. The valley is a short journey from Karakol, but largely untouched by tourism. The scenery is spectacular, with green meadows, wildflowers, pristine lakes, snowy peaks and dramatic views in all directions. We loved the 3-day Box Uchuk lakes hike, with the highlight being a river crossing on horseback and being accompanied by two mares (+ horse porters) and their foals! Anyone who enjoys trekking will love this place!
Written 4 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mika o
Kazakhstan96 contributions
spent my childhood there, good to visist again and again
Aug 2017 • Family
I have spent my childhood summers in the area. So happy to see the place being discovered by travellers and the community benefitting from it. I highly recommed to visit this place - be it summer or winter. In the summer take a hike to the glacier lake in the mountains, to the Tulpar Tash. With three of my children we went to Tulpar Tash (the big stone) - it was an easy hike even for my 7 year old (August 2017)

Do not try to climb the stone - it may look easy to climb it, but believe me it is then quite a challenge to get down. So be careful.
Written 21 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Asel O
Kyrgyzstan65 contributions
Horse treks, Treks, good food, comfy stays
Oct 2017 • Family
Visited Jyrgalan first time in summer 2016 and returned in October 2017. Easy to get from Karakol by local marshrutka (mini bus) that takes to the Jyrgalan entry gates in 1 hour max. Did horseback riding and lots of trekking from the village to alpine lakes. Beautiful! Need to return in winter to do some freeride!
Written 6 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JaroZao
Czech Republic5 contributions
Not what I expected
Jul 2017 • Solo
Visited this place during the summer, with plans to do some hikes here.
First problem - hard to find public transport.
Second problem - hard to contact anyone up there from Karakol.
Third problem - Guesthouse where I stayed called up guesthouse up there asking directions and make a reservation. Owner, Emeel said he didn't have time explaining anything.

Ended up not going there and doing lovely 5 day trekking around Ala-Kel lake.
Written 17 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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JYRGALAN VALLEY (Karakol) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Jyrgalan Valley
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