I spent 3 summers living and working in Jyrgalan and personally have walked every single trail in the valley. Here’s my guide to the best day hikes from Jyrgalan.
Jyrgalan is a small village in the far east of Kyrgyzstan, at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountain range.
During Soviet times the village was very prosperous due to its coal mine, which provided many jobs to the local population.
While some of the locals still affectionately refer to the village as “Shaktar” (Russian word for “mine”), the mine has been closed since the fall of the Soviet Union, causing many to abandon the village in search of new work.
Today Jyrgalan is a sleepy village, full of charm and friendly welcoming people. The kind of place people go to spend a few days and end up staying a week.
Surrounded by mountains and spectacular valleys, it’s not surprising this village has became a hidden gem for those looking for outdoor activities (trekking, mountain biking, horse riding, and skiing).
Jyrgalan has developed a reputation for offering some of the best multi-day treks in Kyrgyzstan, including the Keskenkija Loop, Boz-Uchuk Lakes, and most recently Bulak-Ashuu Lakes.
The Best Jyrgalan Day Hikes
Fortunately for those without the time or inclination for a multi-day trek, the village offers a number of beautifully scenic one-day hikes suitable for all abilities.
These Jyrgalan day hikes are also excellent for acclimatising prior to tackling some of the high-altitude treks in the area.
READ MORE: Check out our comprehensive guide to travelling to Kyrgyzstan!
Char Jon Panorama
- Distance: 16km (approx 6-7 hours)
- Altitude gain/loss: 800m
Char Jon is the peak to the north of Jyrgalan. While it’s a reasonably strenuous hike up it offers one of the best views in the local area.
It is the perfect choice for those looking for one of the more challenging Jyrgalan day hikes.
This trek starts from the upper section of the Jyrgalan Village.
From the houses here you will see a ridge with some electricity poles going up towards a small building (cell tower).
Head up the ridge, which after an initial climb eases to a more gentle walk along undulating hills.
Keep going along the ridge past the cell tower and you eventually come to a final steeper section.
After around 150m climbing this steep section flattens out, congratulations you have reached the summit!
At the peak you will have 360-degree panoramic…
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