WORLD NOMAD GAMES & NOMADIC KYRGYZSTAN DISCOVERY TOUR

An 8-Day Journey Through Nomadic Culture and Mountain Landscapes

Arrival at Manas International Airport, where your guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Bishkek.
Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a short introduction to the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Discover Ala-Too Square, Oak Park, the National Philharmonic Hall, the White Central Mosque, and other landmarks reflecting the country’s rich history and modern identity.
In the afternoon, prepare for one of the most anticipated cultural events in Central Asia — the Opening Ceremony of the World Nomad Games. Experience a spectacular celebration of nomadic heritage featuring traditional horsemen, cultural performances, music, and participants from across the nomadic world.
Accommodation: Guesthouse / Hotel in Bishkek
Meals: Dinner
Distance: City transfers
Altitude: 800 m
Optional: Guided visit to Osh Bazaar / Evening walk in Oak Park

After breakfast, depart for the northern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, often called the “Pearl of Kyrgyzstan.” Travel through the scenic Boom Gorge before arriving at the country’s most famous alpine lake, surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains.
Upon arrival in Cholpon-Ata, check in to your hotel and begin exploring the World Nomad Games venues according to the official event schedule. Attend traditional horseback competitions, wrestling events, cultural performances, and exhibitions celebrating the living heritage of the nomadic peoples of Eurasia.
Accommodation: Guesthouse / Hotel in Cholpon-Ata
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 270 km / 4–5 hours driving
Altitude: 1,600 m
Optional: Open-air Petroglyph Museum / Sunset walk along the Issyk-Kul lakeshore

Spend a full day immersed in the unique atmosphere of the World Nomad Games.
Attend some of the most exciting traditional competitions, including Kok-Boru, Er Enish horseback wrestling, traditional archery, Alysh belt wrestling, eagle hunting demonstrations, and Kyz Kuumai, a traditional horseback courtship game. Between competitions, explore artisan markets, cultural pavilions, folk performances, and workshops showcasing the traditions of participating countries.
Accommodation: Guesthouse / Hotel in Cholpon-Ata
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: Approximately 30 km / 40 minutes between venues
Altitude: 1,600 m
Optional: Traditional handicraft workshop with local artisans

Today visit Kyrchyn Gorge, transformed during the World Nomad Games into a spectacular open-air nomadic city featuring hundreds of traditional yurts, cultural pavilions, artisan workshops, horse shows, and folk performances from across the nomadic world.
Spend the day exploring the heart of the Games' cultural program. Discover traditional crafts, watch demonstrations of nomadic skills, meet artisans and local families, and learn about the customs and traditions that have shaped life on the Central Asian steppes for centuries.
Visit thematic exhibition areas showcasing traditional Kyrgyz yurts, felt-making, handicrafts, music, and cuisine. Throughout the day, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of one of the world's largest celebrations of nomadic heritage.
In the late afternoon, return to Cholpon-Ata along the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake.
Accommodation: Guesthouse / Hotel in Cholpon-Ata
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: Approximately 60 km / 1 hour driving
Altitude: 1,900 m (Kyrchyn Gorge)
Optional Experiences:
• Horseback riding in Kyrchyn Gorge
• Traditional costume photography session
• Folk music performance with komuz musicians
• Traditional handicraft workshop

Leave the World Nomad Games behind and continue your journey around the eastern and southern shores of Issyk-Kul Lake.
Begin with a visit to Karakol, a historic Silk Road town known for its multicultural heritage. Explore the wooden Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral and the unique Dungan Mosque, built entirely without nails by Chinese Muslim craftsmen in 1910.
Continue to Jety-Oguz Gorge, famous for its dramatic red sandstone formations known as the Seven Bulls and Broken Heart. Enjoy short walks and panoramic viewpoints before travelling along the southern shore of Issyk-Kul to Skazka (Fairy Tale) Canyon. Here, take an easy hike through colourful rock formations sculpted by wind and erosion into fantastic shapes.
Arrive in Ton Village and settle into a family-run guesthouse overlooking the peaceful southern shore of Issyk-Kul Lake.
Accommodation: Family Guesthouse, Ton
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 300 km / 5–6 hours driving
Altitude: 1,600 m – 2,300 m
Optional: Hot spring visit near Karakol / Eagle hunting demonstration

This morning travel along the quieter southern shoreline of Issyk-Kul Lake. Weather permitting, enjoy a short walk through Ak-Say Canyon and take in panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
After lunch, continue through the scenic heart of Kyrgyzstan via Orto-Tokoi Reservoir and the spectacular Kalmak-Ashuu Pass. As the road climbs higher into the mountains, vast alpine landscapes unfold before reaching Son-Kul Lake, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most iconic natural treasures.
Spend the evening experiencing authentic nomadic life among shepherd families living in traditional yurts on the summer pastures.
Accommodation: Traditional Yurt Camp, Son-Kul
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: 250 km / 5–6 hours driving
Altitude: 3,060 m
Optional: Panoramic hike near Ak-Say Canyon / Swimming in Issyk-Kul Lake

Enjoy a full day surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of Son-Kul Lake.
Take time to explore the lakeshore, observe the daily life of nomadic shepherds, photograph grazing horses and vast mountain pastures, or simply relax and enjoy the tranquillity of this remote alpine environment.
For those seeking a deeper connection with nomadic culture, horseback riding offers the perfect way to explore the surrounding jailoos (summer pastures). In the evening, enjoy one of Central Asia’s most spectacular night skies far from any urban light pollution.
Accommodation: Traditional Yurt Camp, Son-Kul
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Altitude: 3,060 m
Optional: Horseback riding across the jailoos

After breakfast, begin your journey back to Bishkek through the scenic valleys of central Kyrgyzstan.
En route, visit the ancient Burana Tower, one of the country’s most important Silk Road monuments and the former capital of the Karakhanid Empire. Explore the archaeological complex and learn about the region’s fascinating medieval history.
Following lunch, continue to Bishkek. Depending on your departure schedule, transfer to Manas International Airport or your hotel in the city.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance: 320 km / 5–6 hours driving
Altitude: 800 m
Optional: Traditional Shyrdak felt-making workshop in Kochkor

End of program.