After visiting the Eki-Chat Yurt Camp in the morning, we set off after lunch to drive to the 500 km remote Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. This article describes our journey from Jyrgalan to Cholpon-Ata, our first stop at the north coast of Issyk-Kul. So the route leads us back to Mikhaylovka, where we turn […]
Tulpar-Tash and Eki Chat Yurt Camp
Before leaving Jyrgalan, we have the opportunity to visit a high pasture area. After we cross the little creek that flows through Jyrgalan, we come to a steeply rutted uphill sand road. Our driver Sergej has to concentrate to not sit-up the car somewhere. We drive through a small piece of woodland and arrive on […]
Kok-Boru – Horse Games at Summer J-Fest
The highlight of the summer festival in Jyrgalan is the horse and rider competition, Kok-Boru. Kok-Boru is the Kyrgyz national sport. The riders and the audience are looking forward to the event and a victory is associated with great honor. The games start with horseback wrestling. The riders try to pull the opponent with their […]
Summer Festival in Jyrgalan Valley
The Kyrgyz people love to celebrate and they would like to share this joy with the tourists. Thus, they held a summer festival in August in Jyrgalan. It is a mixture of culture, art, skilled crafts and sports. But right from the beginning!The persons responsible for the village and Kyle Gunther, on behalf of USAID, […]
Bird’s Eye View of Jyrgalan
We came to Jyrgalan at the right time to attend the summer festival. The Jyrgalan summer festival is an event with cultural, artistic and sporting elements. Singers, musicians, and dancers perform. One shows craft products and makes a fashion show. There is a Manaschi and games, involving the spectators. Highlights are horse games, such as […]
From Karakol to Jyrgalan and Alakol-Jyrgalan Eco Center
We drive from Karakol to Jyrgalan, to the easternmost point of our journey to Central Asia. Jyrgalan Jyrgalan is a former miner village, approx. 60 km east of Karakol that was set up for a coal mine. But for environmental protection reasons the mine was closed. Since 2013, Jyrgalan has been being developed for tourism […]