Trekking in Kyrgyzstan: A How-To Information For The Keskenkija Path in Jyrgalan

Trekking in Kyrgyzstan: A How-To Information For The Keskenkija Path in Jyrgalan

Jyrgalan. You’ve presumably in no way heard of it, nonetheless quickly it might really develop right into a broadly recognized title among the many many many adventurous. The time to journey to the Village of Jyrgalan is now. That is the ultimate phrase off-track trekking journey spot in Kyrgyzstan and with the mannequin new Keskenkija Loop Path presently marked by yours really, take into consideration me, it’s an epic hike you gained’t should miss!

We first acquired proper right here to this rugged and unspoiled nation as soon as extra in 2013 and we had hopes of getting far off monitor. Each to our dismay and our assist, Kyrgyzstan had a well-trodden vacationer path. It was laborious to get away from it with so many very good selections inside straightforward attain.

📝 NOTE: For any inquiries about Jyrgalan, the Keskenkija Loop Path or completely completely different experiences and actions all through the home, please be fully happy to Contact Us with any questions. We’ll reply as quickly as potential.

Nonetheless for individuals who crave the unknown, have a thirst for journey and need to discover a slice of mountain paradise all to themselves, we have now now now a secret, nevertheless it absolutely actually gained’t be a secret for extended. For many who need to get off the overwhelmed path in Kyrgyzstan, then Jyrgalan should function on the middle of your itinerary and for the ultra-intrepid, the Keskenkija Loop Path is ready for you with enticing views and hard, excessive altitude mountain passes.

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Correct proper right here’s my how-to information for trekking the Keskenkija Loop Path in Jyrgalan, Kyrgyzstan.

how to trek the keskenkija trail in jyrgalan kyrgyzstanTrekking in Kyrgyzstan: A How-To Information For The Keskenkija Path in Jyrgalan
Merely a few of the unbelievable atmosphere you would presumably uncover on the Keskenkija Trek

Planning, Packing & Making ready

On this half I’ll fill you in on the worth, the logistics, what to pack and what to anticipate on this unimaginable loop trek. All of it appears daunting at first, nonetheless whilst you hit the path and as well as you breath in that newest Kyrgyz mountain air, you’ll understand it was worth the entire planning, plus the DMO (vacationer workplace) in Jyrgalan, makes planning this trek a breeze.

Prices:

There are 3 strategies to hike the Keskenkija Loop:

1. Mountaineering on foot independently. 

Worth: Free. Take into account that there are locations the place the path nonetheless isn’t marked very efficiently, so all the time have your eyes open for pink arrows and alway attempt to regulate to the obvious path. Plus, make certain that to have a map and a compass with you.

2. Mountaineering on foot with an information. 

Worth per day: Trekking information is 2,000som ($28.75, Kyrgyz talking), 2,500som ($36, Russian talking), 3,000som ($43, English talking). For 2 or additional folks, add one completely different 700som ($10) / particular particular person / day.

3. Mountaineering on foot with an information, pack horse and put collectively dinner.

Worth per day: Trekking information is 2,000som ($28.75, Kyrgyz talking), 2,500som ($36, Russian talking), 3,000som ( $43, English talking). For 2 or additional folks, add one completely different 700som ($10) / particular particular person / day.

  • Pack horse – 1,300som ($18.50).
  • Put collectively dinner – 1,500som ($21.50).
  • Meals – 350som ($5) lunch, 350som ($5) dinner, 300som ($4.30) breakfast and snacks.

Gear rental if needed: 1,000som ($14.40) for backpack, tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat.

Total: 6,800som ($97.70) per day for 1 particular particular person, together with devices rental. This trek takes 4 days, for an entire of 27,200som ($391), roughly $100 / day.

Phrase: For two trekkers, the entire worth will improve by $150, making the entire price $550 for a 4 day trek for two folks. For 3 folks, the worth is diminished slightly extra. For 4+ trekkers, additional pack horses would must be employed.

If you want an English talking information, phrase that you will want to tell the tourism workplace (DMO) in Jyrgalan forward of time.

*Please phrase that these costs are all approximate in the mean time because of the Journey spot Selling and promoting and advertising Workplace (DMO) are engaged on finalizing the prices. As rapidly as these are finalized, we’ll substitute this textual content material!

I personally suppose that due to this path is so new (we really merely plotted it out on June 15, 2017), it’s most attention-grabbing to have an information with you. Throughout the event you select this attribute, you then have to search out out whether or not or not or not you might pack your personal meals, cooking and tenting gear, or if you happen to occur to’ll lease devices and have the information put collectively dinner for you.

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Having an information for the mannequin new Keskenkija Path is an environment friendly suggestion in our opinion

What to Pack

The tenting devices for lease in Jyrgalan is in superb situation. We had a model new RedFox tent and two sleeping baggage that had merely come out of the packaging. The sleeping mats had been old-ish, nonetheless that doesn’t matter. Evidently should you don’t have a pack-horse, you might be carrying all your gear in your as soon as extra, so light-weight objects are key.

When tenting all through the mountains, the native climate can change instantly. Even by the use of the spring / summer time season months. It’s essential to be ready for all situations. When trekking in June, Nick slept in a +4°c consolation stage sleeping bag, and I slept in a 0° consolation stage bag. Our tent was 4-seasons and we slept with our heat clothes on.

For many who’ll be packing your personal devices for the trek, correct proper right here’s my advisable itemizing of points to convey. Even should you’re hiring gear, you’ll nonetheless ought to pack your personal clothes and private belongings:

  • Cozy backpack. You’ll be carrying this every day so be sure you have a pack that distributes the burden appropriately and matches you comfortably. An correct trekking, extreme loading pack may very well be most attention-grabbing, nonetheless we trekked with our Osprey Farpoints they typically had been comfy and obtained the job executed. Throughout the event you’re packing your personal meals, the burden will add up shortly and whereas the Farpoint would nonetheless work, it’s more likely to be clever to find out on a bag with elevated assist.
  • Light-weight tent (3 or 4 season). A sturdy tent that can care for the local weather is essential on this trek, and on any trek. Chances are high you will need rain, hail, snow or should you’re fortunate, pure sunshine! A 4 season tent is most attention-grabbing, nonetheless a 3 season will do in case you would have a heat enough sleeping bag.

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  • Light-weight sleeping bag. A sleeping bag is a very extremely efficient challenge you’ll pack. Throughout the event you’re too chilly at night time, you’ll be depressing and exhausted from having no sleep. A light-weight-weight sleeping bag is essential (moreover you’ve got acquired a pack-horse). Nick is a “scorching” sleeper and was high-quality in a +4° bag, whereas I used to be comfy in a 0° bag. Even so, we slept with our heat clothes on at night time. I might counsel a 0° consolation stage sleeping bag at minimal.
  • Sleeping mat / floor mat. A mat will make your sleep additional comfy, nonetheless it might really furthermore assist to care for you hotter at night time because of it raises you off of the underside.
  • Trekking poles. These aren’t mainly a ought to have, nonetheless to assist with river crossings, slippery slopes and uneven terrain, they grow to be useful for certain.
  • Headlamp. When the photograph voltaic goes down, there isn’t a delicate in the marketplace. You’ll need one for the night time time and folk late-night toilet breaks.
  • Water bottles. I say bottles plural due to though there are pretty a few water sources in the marketplace, they appear to be a bit unfold out in some locations. It’s a superb suggestion to have two, 2L bottles on you. There’s furthermore very restricted shade on this 4 day trek, so it’s essential that you just simply drink a variety of water to keep away from warmth stroke and dehydration.
  • Steri-Pen or water purification tablets. The water alongside the path is clear and clear, nonetheless there may be livestock shut by so it’s a clever thought to purify the water. A UV air air air purifier akin to a Steri-Pen cleans the water shortly, whereas purification tablets take half-hour to an hour.
  • Sturdy mountaineering sneakers and sandals. Within the midst of the day you’ll should positioned on a comfy, sturdy mountaineering boot. In case your sneakers are new, or don’t match appropriately, you’ll find yourself with blisters which might fully smash your trek. Ideally your mountaineering sneakers may very well be waterproof. All through the evenings, you’ll should take your boots off and positioned on a pair of sandals. I positioned on Merrells, Nick wears Keens. 

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  • T-shirt for by the use of the day. Even though it is likely to be cool at night time, it’s often heat and sunny by the use of the day (all through the spring / summer time season). A skinny, extended sleeve shirt could even defend the obvious photograph voltaic off your arms.
  • Thermal baselayer extreme. For these cool evenings, every spherical camp or for sleeping, you’ll need as many layers as potential. We all the time have our baselayers with us.
  • Light-weight fleece extreme. Layers are essential when trekking and whilst you presumably gained’t want your fleece by the use of the day, it may very well be best to have it for the chilly evenings at altitude.
  • Windproof / waterproof jacket. If it’s raining, you’ll should toss this on, nonetheless in one other case, it would really assist in opposition to the wind and add one completely different layer for evenings.
  • Down jacket. A must when trekking all through the mountains. You need to undoubtedly protect your down jacket dry and don’t positioned on it if it’s raining. You’ll should positioned on the jacket all through the night time time spherical camp to care for you heat. We positioned on artificial down jackets they typically do the job efficiently (though they don’t pack as small as exact down does).
  • Mountaineering Pants. Some folks trek in shorts, we all the time positioned on pants (for the photograph voltaic, prickly bush, and so forth.). I positioned on pants by Prana, Nick wears a fundamental trekking pant by Columbia. 
  • Thermal leggings. A fleece-lined pair of leggings (extended john’s) may very well be wanted on the path. You’ll should positioned on these at night time if you happen to occur to’re sleeping. In truth, this was all we wore on our backside half by the use of the night time and we had been heat enough.
  • Rainproof / windproof pants. You possibly can decide to positioned on these if it’s raining by the use of the day, nonetheless we usually defend them dry and put them on all through the evenings spherical camp to care for us heat. Search for a unfastened pair you might throw on over one completely different pair of pants. They shouldn’t be “fitted”.
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Trekking outfits (change the sandals with boots!)
  • Beenie (toque). A must for when it’s chilly at night time. I slept with mine on!
  • Shades. It’s wise and sunny. Enough acknowledged.
  • A hat. The photograph voltaic at altitude is awfully intense. We each (stupidly) didn’t have hats for this trek and we each burned our scalps.
  • Sunscreen. As quickly as further, at altitude, the photograph voltaic is at its most intense, be sure you lather up.
  • Bandaids / plasters. Blisters are inevitable. You need to undoubtedly have various these. Second Skins are an ideal diversified to Bandaids and work elevated for blisters. A blister bundle like this one might need second skins, bandaids and the entire thing it’s good to guard your toes from exploding.
  • Antibiotic ointment. To maintain up any cuts or scrapes from getting contaminated.
  • Anti-inflamatory / ache killers. For sore muscle tissues, points, ache.
  • Bismuth / upset abdomen medication. You in no way know…
  • Booze. For heat all through the night time time, killing potential micro organism…and pleasing.
  • Baby wipes. There are usually not any showers alongside the path. Baby wipes are a good way to “bathe” off on the tip of every day.
  • Lavatory paper. Make certain if you happen to occur to do your on-line enterprise that you just simply’re efficiently away from rivers and camps. Dig a distinct segment and bury your waste when you find yourself completed. Adopted by placing a few rocks on extreme.
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste. No clarification wanted.
  • Meals (if you happen to occur to’re bringing your personal). Some solutions: Instant noodles, on the spot mashed potatoes, greens, cheese, sausage, muesli, dehydrated milk, granola bars, nuts, dried fruit, Snickers bars, tea, and so forth. Phrase that there’s just one small retailer in Jyrgalan and should you propose to rearrange dinner to your self, you should buy your meals forward of time in Bishkek or Karakol.

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Easy methods to Get to Jyrgalan

To start with, should you’re making an attempt on GoogleMaps.com, it’s not going the place it says it’s! They spelled it Jergalan and positioned it all through the unsuitable location. Click on on on the hyperlink above or view the map beneath to see the true location.

Throughout the event you’re making an attempt on Maps.me, it’s spelled Dzhergalan. Throughout the event you research the topographical maps, it’s spelled Jyrgalan. Troublesome, I do know.

The Village of Jyrgalan is positioned roughly 47 kilometers northeast of the town of Karakol.

To get to Jyrgalan from Karakol, you merely get on a marshrutka (mini bus) from the primary bus station. These run 4 circumstances a day and the worth is spherical $1 per particular particular person. The journey takes roughly 45 minutes. Throughout the event you’re not sure of suggestions on recommendations on easy methods to catch the bus to Jyrgalan, discuss to the DMO in Karakol, which is positioned subsequent to Fats Cat Cafe at 22, Gagarin Freeway. They could furthermore will let you prepare any excursions in Jyrgalan from this workplace.

Throughout the event you’re coming from Bishkek, you’ll ought to take the 400 kilometer bus journey to Karakol, which prices spherical $4.50 and takes roughly 8 hours. From there, you’ll want to switch buses for Jyrgalan.

Arriving all through the village, you’ll see a “Welcome To Jyrgalan” signal greeting you on the doorway. Everytime you’re dropped off you might merely be capable to uncover your guesthouse. The village may be very small, and the guesthouses have plaques on the ground wall that appear like the image beneath. If unsure, merely ask spherical. By the aim you research this, there should be a map close to the welcome signal that parts out every buyer home and factors to see on the town.

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Knowledgeable Tip: Having a translation app in your cellphone that works offline or a Russian phrasebook will certainly grow to be useful as not many individuals discuss English all through the home.

The place to Protect in Jyrgalan

As of October, 2016, there in the meanwhile are 5 guesthouses in the marketplace for travellers, and 64 beds! Earlier to this, there was only one guesthouse. The costs for rooms and meals varies relying on the place you keep, which is good as all funds ranges are catered to.

  1. Alakol Eco-Coronary coronary heart, which is run by Emil and Gulmira (and is the place we stayed) prices 1,500som ($21) / night time together with breakfast. Lunch and dinner is an additional 450som ($6.50).
  2. Salamat Guesthouse – the worth correct proper right here is 1,500som ($21), together with three meals.
  3. Rahat Guesthouse – the worth correct proper right here is 1,500som ($21) together with breakfast. Lunch is 350som ($5) and dinner is 350som ($5).
  4. Baibol Guesthouse – the worth correct proper right here is 800som ($11.50), together with breakfast. Lunch is 350som ($5) and dinner is 350 som ($5).
  5. Ulan Guesthouse – the worth correct proper right here is 800som ($11.50), together with breakfast. Lunch is 350som ($5) and dinner is 350 som ($5).

Rooms in the slightest degree of those guesthouses are clear and cozy and staying in an house lodging is an expertise you’ll always consider. The yurt at Alakol Eco-Coronary coronary heart is an excellent choice as efficiently!

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The Ala Kol Eco Coronary coronary heart – the yurt we slept in is on the very as soon as extra, the kitchen is on the doorway and the picture is taken from the newly renovated rooms

Getting Began

Whilst you’ve discovered your lodging and are settled in, head off to the Jyrgalan Journey spot Selling and promoting and advertising Workplace. Presently, that is on the Alakol Eco-Coronary coronary heart Guesthouse. Throughout the event you’re attempting to lease an information and/or a horse for the trek, you may go to the Alakol Eco Coronary coronary heart, contact Tynch at journey spot.jyrgalan@gmail.com or attempt the new Journey spot Jyrgalan web site.

Listed beneath are the main points of the Keskenkija Loop Path, which is taken into consideration an intermediate trek.

  • Interval: 4 days
  • Distance: 64 kilometers
  • Max elevation: 3380m
  • Min elevation: 2260m (Jyrgyalan, on the Buyer Residence)
  • Total Buy/Loss: 1120m

Within the midst of the hike, you’re looking for rocks painted with wise pink arrows or dots. The trekking route appears to be like barely one issue like this:

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Marking the way in which through which whereby for future travellers and trekking guides in Jyrgalan

Trekking The Keskenkija Loop (Itinerary)

This trek affords breathtaking landscapes, mountain atmosphere, pretty rivers and a few fairly powerful passes. Throughout the event you’re planning on doing this trek by your self, make certain that to be looking for markings (they’re nonetheless scarce in some locations) and skim this information totally. I’m going to interrupt the trek down day-by-day to present you a greater understanding of what to anticipate.

Day #1

  • Interval: 8 hours
  • Distance: 18km
  • Max Elevation: 2970m
  • Min Elevation: 2260m
  • Total Buy/Loss: 710m

Leaving your guesthouses on the far finish of the village, you’ll cross a small bridge. Instantly all by from the bridge there’s an correct filth freeway you might take, or, you may veer south alongside one among many many goat and horse tracks alongside the river (which we did).

Correct proper right here you’ll trek over small, rolling inexperienced hills with pine timber in your appropriate, snowy mountain peaks looming overhead and the sound of the dashing river to your left. You’ll most likely spot some shepherds herding livestock correct proper right here and some cows and horses grazing on the colourful inexperienced grass.

You’ll regulate to the suitable aspect of the river for some time, ahead of reducing up the hill throughout the route of {{{the electrical}}} tower and into the thicker pine forest.

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Having merely crossed the bridge out-of-town, head throughout the route of {{{the electrical}}} tower (merely to the suitable of the tall tree, see it?)

As rapidly as on the extreme of the ridge, you might meet up with the freeway and as well as you’ll be following it for someday. There are usually not any autos on this freeway and it’s additional a mud path than one factor, nevertheless it absolutely actually’s straightforward to regulate to.

Persevering with on alongside the freeway, you’ll cross a wood bridge ahead of climbing barely little little bit of a hill and arriving on the Eki Chat Valley. You’ll uncover some herders correct proper right here, together with a relaxation yurt for vacationers. Take a second to cease and say hiya to Danik and his household, who run this vacationer cease. You possibly can request a meal should you’d like, or have a fast snack and proceed on up the hill.

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Heading throughout the route of Eki Chat you’ll cross a small wood bridge

Take a second correct proper right here to soak in your ambiance. The Eki Chat Valley cuts between jagged peaks to your appropriate, whereas the freeway you’ll be taking continues up into beautiful pine forests. There’s a river reducing alongside one aspect of Danik’s camp and his yurts have been erected in a really picturesque setting.

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Yurt at Eki Chat

Shifting by the use of the Jyrgalan Valley, with the river in your righthand aspect, you’ll trek for spherical 9 kilometers from Eki Chat ahead of arriving at a fork all through the freeway. There’s a red-painted rock correct proper right here pointing you to the left. Don’t take this flip merely nonetheless. Go searching for a spot with some flat floor in its place.

This can be your campsite for the night time, with a slender path winding its technique as quite a bit as a result of the three,332m Jyrgalan Switch (Ak Kiya) in your left, and the magnificent Tuz Gorge in your appropriate.

Day #2

  • Interval: 6 hours
  • Distance: 10km
  • Max Elevation: 3332m
  • Min Elevation: 2700m
  • Total Buy/Loss: 632m

Proper now you’ll be crossing the Jyrgalan Switch (Ak Kiya as some locals title it) at 3,332m. The cross is a reasonably gradual incline and isn’t all that highly effective. It should take you 1.5 – 2 hours to cross. On the extreme, geared up there isn’t any cloud security, you’ll be greeted with expansive views all by you.

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A ravishing, nonetheless ominous attempting view

From correct proper right here you’ll really actually really feel akin to you’re really within the midst of nowhere, with nothing nonetheless icy peaks, small sections of alpine forests and impossibly inexperienced, grass-covered hills stretching outward for so far as the attention can see.

Head down from the cross on the small path to your appropriate, which follows the ridge. Proceed on this freeway, following the pink markers into the valley down beneath. You’ll ought to cross one small river (attempt to rock-hop), ahead of in the long run arriving on the massive Tup River in your left-hand aspect.

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Wanting as soon as extra on the Jyrgalan Switch. See the little path on the left, that’s the one you might take when coming down from the cross

Relying on the time of yr, this river would possibly presumably be a straightforward crossing, or a tough one. For many who’re trekking independently, it’s essential to notice that you need to have an alpine rope with you (40m minimal) and be comfy (and aware of) crossing a most likely harmful river on foot.

In June, as a result of melting of snow, the river was too quick and too excessive for us to cross by foot. Fortunately, we had horses with us and had been able to cross on horseback.

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The Tup River crossing shall be highly effective by the use of the spring runoff

Whilst you’re safely all by the Tup River, (relying on the time of yr) you’ll see a pretty meadow blanketed in an entire lot of tons of of tiny dandelions and buttercups, their yellow pedals bringing the valley flooring to life. Proceed strolling till you uncover a flat spot to pitch your tent. Not solely is that this an idyllic location, nevertheless it absolutely actually’s appropriate close to a water present, with the beautiful Tup river roaring beside the jailoo.

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Uncover a flat campsite and revenue from the buttercups and dandelions

Day #3

  • Interval: 5 hours
  • Distance: 12-15km
  • Max Elevation: 3380m
  • Min Elevation: 2700m
  • Total Buy/Loss: 680m

Day 3 begins with you strolling by the use of the participating valley that you just simply merely spent the night time in. Butterflies may very well be dancing between the flowers that blanket the meadow and birds may very well be chirping all through the pine timber to your appropriate.

The atmosphere on this trek is usually a few of the perfect!

After packing up your camp, regulate to the Tup River as soon as extra the way in which through which whereby you obtain proper right here (nonetheless now on the selection aspect of it), with the river in your left-hand aspect. You’ll stroll by the use of the flower speckled grasslands for about 2 kilometers, ahead of heading up the hill to your appropriate alongside a horse path.

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Taking a break ahead of heading up the hill to the suitable, there’s a small horse path correct proper right here

Shield following the horse path (and the pink markings) by the use of the pine timber ahead of in the long run arriving at a plateau / jailoo at spherical 3,000m. In your technique, you’ll cross by a river flowing from excessive up all through the mountains, making it an ideal place to fill your bottles.

Throughout the event you’re trekking by the use of the summer time season months, there may be often a shepherd correct proper right here on the plateau alongside alongside along with his household and most undoubtedly, they could share some meals or a drink with you. It is a good completely different to expertise true (and actual) Kyrgyz hospitality.

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By way of the pine timber we go. Shield your eyes peeled for pink arrows
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The jailoo (clearing) you’ll arrive at, appropriate close to the shepherd household

Leaving the household and the jailoo behind, there’s a small river crossing. As rapidly as all by, regulate to the horse path alongside the ridge ahead of reaching one completely different clearing at spherical 3,100m. Take a second to take pleasure in the great thing about the red-ish brown colored canyon ahead of you! There are surprisingly common columns and rounded cones climbing up the aspect of a multicoloured mountain. This scene is worth a number of photos for certain.

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The red-ish brown canyon is a pretty sight

Subsequent up is a steep climb.

Proceed alongside the mountain ridge to your appropriate, and don’t descend. In one other case, you’ll merely must ascend as quickly as further. Strolling alongside the ridge means you’ll be strolling on a slant, nevertheless it absolutely actually’s elevated than going “up and down, up and down”. From the canyon clearing, the cross may very well be further up the mountain, to the left, nonetheless the path up isn’t seen till you hike half technique all through the perimeter on the suitable aspect of the canyon.

The hike up this cross is a bit powerful, nonetheless the views are spectacular. Observe the pink markings.

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The horses took a decrease route alongside the mountain, we advocate you keep larger up
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Staying larger up means strolling on a slant, nonetheless means you don’t must do as fairly a bit “down and up”
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Taking a break ahead of conquering Goatasaurus Switch which is the saddle on the far left

This cross is at 3,380m and has been dubbed “Goatasaurus Switch” by ourselves and our buddies and bloggers, Jarryd and Alesha from NOMADasaurus. Our guides acknowledged this cross isn’t formally named, so naturally, we claimed it! Revenue from the second and the implausible view ahead of persevering with over the saddle and down into the Keskenkija Valley beneath.

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Views from Goatasaurus Switch

Within the midst of the spring, there may very well be small ponds dotting the underside, created from the melting pockets of snow. They’re so glass calm that at optimistic angles you may see them mirror the clouds all through the sky and the spectacular mountain atmosphere spherical you, as throughout the event that that they’d been massive mirrors positioned all through the emerald inexperienced panorama.

Sticking to the left-hand aspect of the mountain, you’ll descend down and all by a really small stream, ahead of hugging the left aspect of the mountain and ascending gently alongside a horse path to the suitable. Shield your eye out for pink markers.

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Descending down from Goatasaurus Switch. There’s a small path on the far lefthand aspect of this picture, on the mountainside, head there

As you begin to descend, you’ll see a flat-ish home straight ahead of a really small river. This spot is awfully scenic and it has a water present, making it an ideal campsite (3,240m) – whatever the lumpy floor and slight slope downwards throughout the route of the valley beneath.

Because of the photograph voltaic objects behind the mountains, look out all by the valley on the jagged peaks. That’s Kazakhstan! At this diploma you’ve hiked for over 45 kilometers and as well as you’re appropriate alongside the Kazakh border. This spot is admittedly breathtaking, fairly a bit in order that it’s more likely to be laborious to depart the following morning.

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The second campsite by the use of the trek, a magnificence!

Day #4

  • Interval: 8 hours
  • Distance: 20km
  • Max Elevation: 3310m
  • Min Elevation: 2260m
  • Total Buy/Loss: 1050m

Breaking camp, be sure you don’t descend. You might have one completely different small cross to hike up very very very first thing, at 3,310m. That’s named Anvar Switch, and though small, it affords pretty views over the paths that you just simply traversed after conquering the Goatasaurus Switch the day ahead of, and unimaginable vistas of the rolling ridges that you just simply’re about to hike over on this, your closing closing of the trek.

Arriving on the extreme of the cross, search for the pink arrow pointing you down and left throughout the route of the valley flooring. You’ll be following slender horse trails now.

You need to undoubtedly keep excessive, and certainly not descend from camp
trekking jyrgalan kyrgyzstan keskenkija trektrekking jyrgalan kyrgyzstan keskenkija trek
Shield your eyes peeled for this rock funnelling you down into the gorge beneath

Your purpose is the underside of the gorge, with a dashing river. You’ll ought to cross this river so search for a terrific place! We constructed a rock bridge for you, so if you happen to occur to would possibly uncover it, take pleasure in! In one other case, you would possibly have to create your personal.

As rapidly as all by, proceed together with the river in your lefthand aspect. You’ll be mountaineering over uneven terrain, which shall be marshy if it’s been raining. Furthermore, take into account holes all through the bottom! Lastly, after mountaineering alongside the participating river, you’ll arrive at a horse path heading up the hillside and into the pine forest in your appropriate. You possibly can’t miss it.

trekking in kyrgyzstan jyrgalan valley keskenkijatrekking in kyrgyzstan jyrgalan valley keskenkija
Establishing a rock bridge to cross the river
trekking jyrgalan keskenkija trail kyrgyzstantrekking jyrgalan keskenkija trail kyrgyzstan
After mountaineering alongside the river, you’ll see this path veering to the suitable, you may’t miss it

This portion of the trek is totally enticing and the incline is easy. After spherical 45 minutes or so, you’ll arrive at a wonderful lookout diploma with Peak Koitor (or Tashtobe) in entrance of you. You’ll be mountaineering by the use of the forest correct proper right here, so that you just simply’ll have the most recent scent of pine and the breathtaking views of the valleys in entrance of you. As rapidly as looking, you’ll begin an an rising variety of steep descent.

how to trek the keskenkija trail in jyrgalan kyrgyzstanTrekking in Kyrgyzstan: A How-To Information For The Keskenkija Path in Jyrgalan

It’s all downhill from correct proper right here!

Lastly, you’ll arrive on the valley flooring with the dashing Tup River in your left and herders with their livestock. Proceed alongside the Chymynsai valley, sustaining the Tup River in your left, passing by pretty a few households, ahead of assembly up with a giant filth freeway. Observe this for some time ahead of you see a bridge crossing the Tup River.

Throughout the event you’ve opted to be picked up from correct proper right here, this can be the place the auto will arrive to take you as soon as extra to Jyrgalan.

trekking jyrgalan kyrgyzstan trekking jyrgalan kyrgyzstan
It’s all downhill into the valley beneath

Phrase: Throughout the event you plan to complete the loop, you’ve got acquired one completely different 15 kilometers ahead of arriving as soon as extra all through the village. You possibly can every push on throughout the present day, or presumably take into accounts spending the night time all through the valley. We achieved the loop as soon as extra to Jyrgalan and counsel that you just simply do as efficiently. That portion of the trek was beautiful and was filled with herdsmen, livestock and beautiful meadows. Plus, coming full circle felt like an accomplishment.

Nonetheless, this portion isn’t appropriately marked out nonetheless and gained’t be till the tip of the summer time season season, 2017. We had been following our horse information who had executed this route ahead of and that’s the one motive why we knew which method to go – there aren’t even any trails in some components. For many who’re eager about ending the route, you might undoubtedly need an information to degree out you the way in which through which whereby, or an excellent map.

Able to Hit The Path?!

Jyrgalan is the subsequent hot-spot for these with an adventurous spirit. This village is actual, the individuals are implausible and the ambiance are spectacular. Throughout the event you’re looking for a singular trekking journey spot in Kyrgyzstan, the Keskenkija path affords merely that. It’s thought-about one among many hikes you can do all through the village, nonetheless I can’t take into accounts an extra scenic and intrepid trek to do all through the house.

For additional information on trekking all through the Jyrgalan Valley, please ship us an e-mail with any questions, contact Tynch on the Journey spot Selling and promoting and advertising Workplace in Jyrgalan, or attempt the Journey spot Jyrgalan Fb Internet internet web page.

Need additional Kyrgyzstan? Try our earlier articles:

The Final Information to Backpacking Kyrgyzstan

Trekking in Jyrgalan: Our Expertise Marking the New Keskenkija Path

10 Factors To Do in Karakol (That Don’t Embody Trekking)

10 Causes Why Kyrgyzstan is OutSTANding

Trekking Ala-Kul and Altyn Arashan With out a Information

Horse Trekking to Lake Monitor Kul

Disclaimer: We really actually really feel so honoured to have been invited by Uncover Kyrgyzstan and USAID-BGI to search out Jyrgalan and share our expertise with you. Though this was a press journey, should you’ve been following our weblog, you’ll know that we’ve appreciated Kyrgyzstan ever since we visited as soon as extra in 2013, and that every one opinions on this textual content are completely our personal.

This journey was made potential by the assistance of the American folks by the use of america Agency for Worldwide Improvement (USAID). The contents are the one obligation of myself, the writer, and don’t mainly mirror the views of USAID or america Authorities.

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