Day 9 (26 May 2026) Karakol → Jyrgalan Village → Barskoon
Our 9th day involved one of the longest drives of our journey in Kyrgyzstan. We covered approximately 215 km over 5 hours, travelling from Karakol to Jyrgalan Village before retracing our route and continuing west to Barskoon, where we would spend the night at Altygat Lodge.
As usual, we began the day with another hearty breakfast at Sierra Hotel. The morning was cool and mostly cloudy, with the temperature hovering around 9°C —ideal weather for travelling. Soon after leaving Karakol, we noticed extensive highway improvement works being carried out by a Chinese construction company, a sign of the continuing development of Kyrgyzstan's road infrastructure.
Our first destination was Jyrgalan, located about 62km east of Karakol. The journey took around one and a half hours through beautiful mountain scenery.
Before entering the village, we stopped at a monument featuring a miner holding a pickaxe, mounted on a stone pedestal with a Russian inscription. From this vantage point, we enjoyed sweeping views across the valley, with Jyrgalan nestled among rolling hills and mountain peaks.
Driving into the village, we paused again in an open field where several pieces of road-construction equipment stood against the backdrop of the surrounding landscape. The peaceful setting highlighted the contrast between modern development and the traditional rural character of the village.
We then explored the remains of Jyrgalan's former coal-mining industry. Established in 1932 during the Soviet era, Jyrgalan was once a thriving mining town. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, however, many of its concrete industrial buildings and mining facilities were abandoned, leaving behind haunting reminders of a once-prosperous community. Walking among these weathered structures offered a fascinating glimpse into the region's industrial past and the dramatic changes that followed independence.
After exploring Jyrgalan, we retraced our route back through Karakol before continuing west along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake towards Barskoon.
Along the way, we stopped for lunch at Kausar Café, where we enjoyed a freshly baked cheese pizza served on a wooden board and cut into eight generous slices—simple, delicious, and perfect for sharing after a long morning on the road.
Following a total of about five hours of driving, we finally arrived at Altygat Lodge in the late afternoon. Welcomed with hot tea, we relaxed after the day's journey while enjoying the peaceful mountain surroundings.
As dinner preparations got underway, several of the ladies in our group joined our gracious host in the kitchen, lending a hand with the cooking. It was a wonderful opportunity to share laughter, exchange recipes, and experience the warmth of Kyrgyz hospitality firsthand. The evening ended with a delicious home-cooked meal enjoyed together, bringing another memorable day of our Silk Road adventure to a close.
9th night accommodation: Altygat Lodge, Barskoon, Kyrgyzstan 
Our 9th day involved one of the longest drives of our journey in Kyrgyzstan. We covered approximately 215 km over 5 hours, travelling from Karakol to Jyrgalan Village before retracing our route and continuing west to Barskoon, where we would spend the night at Altygat Lodge. 
As usual, we began the day with another hearty breakfast at Sierra Hotel.
We began the day with another hearty breakfast at Sierra Hotel.
We began the day with another hearty breakfast at Sierra Hotel.
We began the day with another hearty breakfast at Sierra Hotel.
Our breakfast at Sierra Hotel in Karakol.
Our breakfast at Sierra Hotel in Karakol.
Our breakfast at Sierra Hotel in Karakol.
Our breakfast at Sierra Hotel in Karakol.
After our breakfast at Sierra Hotel in Karakol, waiting for our van.
The morning was cool and cloudy, with the temperature around 9°C —ideal weather for traveling.
The morning was cool and cloudy, with the temperature around 9°C —ideal weather for traveling.
The lush green fields and rolling hills on the road to Jyrgalan.
Ching Neng Bin is sitting next to the driver, who is highly concentrated on the road ahead.
Ching Neng Bin takes a photo of a large flock of sheep traveling down a road.
A quiet rural road in Karakol, with snow-capped mountains visible in the distance.
The mosque has a gold dome, a tall minaret, and arched windows.
Soon after leaving Karakol, we noticed extensive highway improvement works being carried out by a Chinese construction company, a sign of the continuing development of Kyrgyzstan's road infrastructure.
Highway improvement works are being carried out by a Chinese construction company.
Highway improvement works are being carried out by a Chinese construction company.
A panorama of lush evergreen forests stretching to snow-capped peaks in the distance.
Our first destination was Jyrgalan, located about 62km east of Karakol. The journey took around one and a half hours through beautiful mountain scenery.
Jyrgalang is a settlement in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Region, specifically in the Ak-Suu District. It is situated on the right side of the Jyrgalang River. It was founded in 1964 to support the operations of the Jyrgalan coal mine. The population was 1,033 in 2021. Until 2012, it was primarily an urban settlement.
The elevation of Jyrgalang is 2,477 meters.
Before entering the village, we stopped at a monument featuring a miner holding a pickaxe, mounted on a stone pedestal with a Russian inscription. From this vantage point, we enjoyed sweeping views across the valley, with Jyrgalan nestled among rolling hills and mountain peaks.
From this vantage point, we enjoyed sweeping views across the valley, with Jyrgalan nestled among rolling hills and mountain peaks.
Jyrgalang is a settlement in Kyrgyzstan's Issyk-Kul Region, specifically in the Ak-Suu District. It is situated on the right side of the Jyrgalang River. It was founded in 1964 to support the operations of the Jyrgalan coal mine.
We paused at an open field where several pieces of road construction equipment stood against the backdrop of the surrounding landscape
A colorful graffiti mural painted on a metal structure in the Jyrgalan Village area.
Dump trucks on a dirt road in the Jyrgalan Village area, with cows and horses standing nearby. 
Dump truck on a dirt road in the Jyrgalan Village area.
Jyrgalan Village area, with several yurts elevated on wooden platforms and grazing cattle.
The lush green meadows of the Jyrgalan are framed by dense evergreen forests.
Heavy-duty equipment and specialized tools are used to pack, shape, and remove debris.
The Jyrgalan meadows are dotted with grazing animals and framed by dense evergreen forests.
A portable toilet connected to a metal office container.
"Don't eat yellow snow" is a popular, humorous phrase warning that yellow-colored snow is likely stained by animal or human urine. It serves as a literal reminder to avoid contaminated ice and, metaphorically, as slang for avoiding obviously bad choices.
Silk Road Freeride is Central Asia's flagship freeride competition series, run by a non-profit charity. It is primarily headquartered in Kyrgyzstan's Tien Shan mountains and aims to promote mountain tourism, supply gear to local guides, and connect Central Asian riders with the worldwide ski community.
Silk Road Freeride is Central Asia's flagship freeride competition series, run by a non-profit charity. It is primarily headquartered in Kyrgyzstan's Tien Shan mountains and aims to promote mountain tourism, supply gear to local guides, and connect Central Asian riders with the worldwide ski community.
Ryce Travel is a non-profit adventure travel organization and foundation based in the Netherlands. It specializes in community-based tourism and off-the-beaten-path winter sports adventures, particularly in developing countries along the Silk Road such as Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and China.
A brown horse stands in a lush green field next to a tiny creek, with trees in the background.
Ching Neng Bin is speaking with a worker on the side of the road.
A group photograph taken in Jyrgalan Village.
A group photograph taken in Jyrgalan Village.
A mosque in Jyrgalan Village.
The peaceful setting highlighted the contrast between modern development and the traditional rural character of the Jyrgalan village.
Houses in Jyrgalan village.
Houses in Jyrgalan village.
We then explored the remains of Jyrgalan's former coal-mining industry. Established in 1932 during the Soviet era, Jyrgalan was once a thriving mining town. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, however, many of its concrete industrial buildings and mining facilities were abandoned, leaving behind haunting reminders of a once-prosperous community. Walking among these weathered structures offered a fascinating glimpse into the region's industrial past and the dramatic changes that followed independence. 
The remains of Jyrgalan's former coal-mining industry. 
The remains of Jyrgalan's former coal-mining industry. 
The remains of Jyrgalan's former coal-mining industry. 
The remains of Jyrgalan's former coal-mining industry. 
The remains of Jyrgalan's former coal-mining industry. 
A motorcyclist riding near a weathered wooden shelter, with its leaning roof and exposed beams.
The rustic structure, with its leaning roof and exposed beams, stands as a relic of the area’s rural past.
On the way out, we pass through road construction quarters.
Extensive highway improvement works are being carried out by a Chinese construction company, a sign of the continuing development of Kyrgyzstan's road infrastructure.
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