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Trekking Jyrgalan: Boz Uchuk Lakes
Jyrgalan is a town most people traveling to Kyrgyzstan have never heard of, even the locals in Kyrgyzstan! Jyrgalan was once a prosperous mining town during the Soviet era, but suffered financially in the 90s and 2000s. Years ago, Jyrgalan had absolutely 0 tourism, but in 2016, six families came together to form the Jyrgalan Destination Management Organization (DMO). Their mission, according to Jyrgalan.com is to: Build a tourism industry that would bring economic opportunities to the local community, create jobs, and increase the quality of life for local residents. Together, with the assistance of USAID (United States Agency for International Development), Jyrgalan has turned into an off the beaten track…
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How to Get to Jyrgalan From Karakol
Getting from Jyrgalan from Karakol can be done in two ways, taxi or marshrutka. The distance is 47 kilometers and takes roughly an hour and a half by marshrutka. By taxi, it will cost around 1,300 soms. You can have your hotel book the taxi for the best rate. To get to Jyrgalan from Karakol by marshrutka you’ll need to head to the Ak-Tilek Market (the Big Bazaar) bus station, which is located at the intersection of Bektenova and Zhamansariev streets. There are 3 buses per day. In the summer, buses leave at 8:30, 13:30 and 17:30, and in the winter, 8:30, 13:30, and 16:30. Take marshrutka 331, which costs 80 soms. Accommodation here is limited, so it’s best…
