Day 1 – August 31st: Arrival in Bishkek – Bishkek City Tour – Opening Ceremony World Nomad Games
Day 2 – September 1st: Transfer to Cholpon Ata – World Nomad Games
Day 3 – September 2nd: World Nomad Games
Day 4 – September 3rd : World Nomad Games – Karakol
Day 5 – September 4th : Day hike to Karakol Gorge (16km)
Day 6 – September 5th: Karakol – South Shore Issyk Kul – Bokonbaevo
Day 7 – September 6th: Bokonbaevo – Kochkor
Day 8 – September 7th: Kochkor – Son Kul
Day 9 – September 8th: Son Kul – Bishkek
Day 1: Bishkek City Tour & World Nomad Games Opening Ceremony
Your adventure begins in the early afternoon as you meet the group at the hotel in Bishkek and set out to explore the highlights of Bishkek, a lively capital surrounded by mountains. Our city tour includes Ala-Too Square, Oak Park, the Gallery of Artists, the Old Square, and the White House, a mix of Soviet-era architecture, leafy boulevards, and open-air art.
August 31 is Kyrgyzstan’s Independence Day, one of the country’s most festive holidays. We’ll witness the city’s vibrant energy as people gather for parades, music, and celebrations. In the evening, we attend the official opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games, a spectacular event showcasing nomadic traditions, music, and dance. Overnight stay in Bishkek.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shared room in hotel.
Facilities: Electricity, Wi-fi, hot shower
Day 2: Bishkek – Cholpon Ata – World Nomad Games
After breakfast, we drive east toward the northern shore of Issyk Kul Lake, the world’s second-largest alpine lake and a centerpiece of Kyrgyz culture. The scenic road winds through mountain passes and valleys before revealing the vast turquoise waters of Issyk Kul.
The World Nomad Games take place here: a grand celebration of nomadic heritage with competitions in traditional sports, eagle hunting, horseback archery, and more. We’ll spend the day immersed in the festivities, soaking up the atmosphere and the cultural displays. Overnight in a guesthouse near Cholpon Ata.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse.
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower
day 3: World Nomad Games
We continue our experience at the World Nomad Games, where the spirit of the steppe comes alive. Watch athletes compete in centuries-old games like kok-boru (goat polo) and wrestling, or wander among the traditional yurt camps to witness music, crafts, and cuisine from across the nomadic world.
This is a rare opportunity to see Kyrgyzstan’s cultural identity in motion, a gathering that connects people from all over Central Asia and beyond. Enjoy another full day of exploration before returning to your accommodation near Cholpon Ata.
Meals included: Breakfast.
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse.
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, indoor toilets.
Day 4: World NOmad Games – Karakol
After breakfast, we bring one last visit to the World Nomad Games in the morning. In the early afternoon, we set off for Karakol, the main town of the Issyk Kul region.
We check-in at our guesthouse and head out again to go on a guided city tour to visit the highlights of Karakol in the afternoon. In the evening, we go to a restaurant and taste the local cuisine and specialties of this region.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse.
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, indoor toilets.
day 5: Day Hike to the Karakol Gorge
Today we’ll head into nature again and go on an easy day-hike (16km – 6 hours) to the picturesque Karakol gorge. You’ll see the stunning beauty of this mountain gorge by walking along the river that comes from the glaciers further in the Tian Shan Mountain Range.
The rich vegetation with its vivid colors and beautiful landscapes will be a pleasure for the eyes! We’ll hike to a roaring waterfall and then hike the trail back to the starting point, from where we return by car to Karakol and spend another evening in the guesthouse there.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse.
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, indoor toilets.
Day 6: Karakol – Jeti Oguz – Skazka Canyon – Bokonbaevo
After our breakfast at the guesthouse, we pack up and hit the road again to travel along the southern shore of Issyk Kul where we’re going to visit some of its remarkable natural highlights.
Our first stop is at Jeti Oguz, a magnificent red rock formation, which translates from Kyrgyz language as “Seven bulls”. We’ll go on a short walk to get a panoramic view of the rock formation and the surrounding valley.
We hit the road again and stop at another wonderful destination: the Skazka Canyon. It’s nicknamed “Fairytale Canyon” because of its irregular rock formations that resemble animals, fantastical characters and castles.
Not only the shapes in this canyon are remarkable, but also the colors of the rocks are very unique. You’ll find yourself in a world of red, pink, orange and yellow and it almost feels like you’re walking in a very colorful painting!
After a short one-hour walk in the canyon, we continue our way to Bokonbaevo. We spend the night in a small guesthouse and you’ll have some free time to visit the village in the late afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse.
Facilities: Limited Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, indoor toilets.
Day 7: Bokonbaevo -Shatyly Panorama – Kochkor
We start the day with a short hike to Shatyly, a panoramic spot from where we get fantastic views of lake Issyk Kul.
After our morning walk, we return to Bokonbaevo, where we attent a felt-making class and learn all about the art of making felt carpets. You can even participate in the process if you like!
After having lunch in the village, we pack up and go on a 3-hour drive to the village of Kochkor, where we will spend the evening in a small guesthouse.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse.
Facilities: Limited Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower, indoor toilets.
Day 8: Kochkor – Son Kul
After having breakfast at the guesthouse, we go on a 3-hour drive to Son Kul, Kyrgyzstan’s second largest alpine lake, located at an altitude of 3000 meters. We arrive at our yurt camp near the shores of the lake around noon.
After having lunch at the yurt camp, we go on a walk to explore and enjoy the peace, quiet and beauty of this area. You’ll also have the option to go on a short horse riding trip.
Son Kul lake is an important jailoo – summer pasture – in Kyrgyzstan, where the nomads bring their herds of animals during the summer months. You’ll see lots of sheep, cows and horses.
Dinner is shared with the group at the yurt camp and we spend the night in a shared yurt. On a clear night, you’ll get treated to a spectacular starry night sky!
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Accommodation: Shared yurt.
Facilities: No wi-fi, no electricity, no hot shower, outdoor toilets
Day 9: son Kul – bishkek
Enjoy a peaceful morning by Son Kul Lake, soaking in the stillness and pristine mountain air. This is the perfect moment to reflect on the journey, the landscapes, the culture, and the spirit of the nomads that define Kyrgyzstan.
After breakfast, we begin our scenic drive back to Bishkek (approximately 7 hours), passing through dramatic valleys and rural villages along the way. Upon arrival in the capital, you’ll be dropped off at a central location. The tour finishes around 6pm. Optional farewell dinner with the group in the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch.
Most international flights from Bishkek leave in the early morning. You can choose to spend the evening in Bishkek before going to the airport after the farewell dinner or stay an extra night at a ho(s)tel in Bishkek and leave the day after. We can help organizing your accommodation in Bishkek.
Note: This itinerary can be modified in case of weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances.