Kyrgyzstan World Nomad Games Tour 2026 – New Departure added!
Experience Kyrgyzstan like never before during the World Nomad Games 2026, a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of nomadic culture and tradition!
This World Nomad Games tour combines the excitement of the Games with the breathtaking beauty of Kyrgyzstan’s wild landscapes: from the alpine shores of Issyk Kul Lake to the serene high-altitude pastures of Son Kul.
Along the way, you’ll explore ancient canyons, hike through mountain valleys, witness eagle hunting and horseback games, and spend the night in traditional yurts, surrounded by stars and silence. Perfect for travelers seeking both cultural immersion and adventure in the heart of Central Asia.
Due to high demand, we’ve just added an additional departure with a different itinerary and travel dates.
NEW DATES Kyrgyzstan World Nomad Games Tour 2026:
Departure 3 : August 30th – September 6th (departure confirmed, reserve your place now!)
Tour cost: €1650 per person
View all tour info and 8-day itinerary details below
Kyrgyzstan World Nomad Games Tour 2026 (SOLD OUT!)
Departure 1 (sold out): August 30th – September 5th – €1500 per person
Already booked on this departure?→ view 7-day itinerary
Departure 2 (sold out): August 31st – September 8th – €1800 per person
Already booked on this departure?→ view 9-day itinerary
REVIEWS: What travelers say about my adventure tours in Kyrgyzstan
Below are the reviews of travelers who joined my previous tours in partnership with E2 Travel
Tour Overview: What to expect on the World Nomad Games Tour?
- When:
- August 30th – September 6th, 2026 (new departure, still availability)
- August 30th – September 5th, 2026 (sold out)
- August 31st – September 8th, 2026 (sold out)
The tour will be guided by my local English-speaking guides from E2 Travel.
- Start & Finish: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
- Maximum group size: 10 people
- Housing & lodging: hotel, guesthouses, yurt camp
- Transport: Van with experienced driver
- Who can join: The World Nomad Games Tour 2026 is suitable for adventurous travelers aged 18 and above. The average age of the travelers who joined my tours so far is between 20 and 65 years. The participants are usually solo travelers, friends, and couples. Families with kids who have an adventurous mindset are also welcome.
The tours offer the ideal combination to explore the culture and nature of Kyrgyzstan. This tour is for you if:
- you are open-minded and comfortable with unexpected events that an adventure trip might bring
- you’re interested in learning about the history and culture of Kyrgyzstan
- you like city tours and love spending time in nature
- you’re in good physical shape to go on a few (easy and medium-hard) day hikes
- you feel comfortable sharing a room at the guesthouses with 1 to 2 people from the group and a yurt for 1 night with 4 people from the group
These tours are timed around the World Nomad Games 2026, one of the most extraordinary cultural events in Central Asia.
The 8-day World Nomad Games Tour combines the very best of Kyrgyzstan’s spectacular landscapes, nomadic culture, and the excitement of the world’s largest celebration of nomadic heritage.
Your adventure begins in Bishkek, the country’s vibrant capital, before taking you deep into the heart of the Tien Shan Mountains.
Travel to the high-altitude shores of Song Kul Lake, where nomadic families still spend their summers grazing livestock on vast alpine pastures. Sleep in traditional yurts, share homemade meals with local hosts, and experience the peaceful rhythm of life on the steppe.
From Song Kul, continue to Issyk Kul Lake, often called the “Pearl of Central Asia”. Journey along its wild southern shores, surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, red sandstone canyons, and remote villages where centuries-old traditions are still part of everyday life. Explore the mountain town of Karakol, meet local artisans and shepherds, and discover the rich culture that has shaped Kyrgyzstan for generations.
The final three days of the tour are dedicated to the World Nomad Games, a spectacular international event that brings together athletes, performers, and spectators from across the nomadic world.
Witness thrilling competitions such as Kok Boru, horseback wrestling, eagle hunting demonstrations, traditional archery, and many other cultural performances that showcase the heritage of the Eurasian steppes.
The journey culminates with the closing ceremony of the World Nomad Games, an unforgettable celebration of nomadic culture and tradition.
Blending culture, nature, and connection, the World Nomad Games tour offers a real Kyrgyz experience, one that celebrates freedom, tradition, and the boundless spirit of the nomadic world.
8-day tour Itinerary
Please note: The official program of the World Nomad Games has not yet been finalized. While the schedule published in this itinerary is based on the latest information provided by the organizers, changes to the program, competition schedule, and event locations may still occur.
The closing ceremonies are currently scheduled to take place on September 5th in the evening at the Ethno Village and on September 6th in the morning in Cholpon-Ata. However, these dates, times, and locations may be modified by the World Nomad Games organizing committee. Any changes will be communicated to participants as soon as we receive updated information.
As the official event program is managed by the organizers of the World Nomad Games, these schedule changes are beyond our control.
Day 1 – August 30th: Arrival in Bishkek – Bishkek City Tour
Day 2 – August 31st: Bishkek – Song Kul
Day 3 – September 1st: Song Kul – Kochkor
Day 4 – September 2nd: Kochkor – Bokonbaevo
Day 5 – September 3rd : Bokonbaevo – Karakol
Day 6 – September 4th: Karakol – World Nomad Games (Kyrchyn Gorge/ Cholpon Ata)
Day 7 – September 5th: World Nomad Games
Day 8 – September 6th: World Nomad Games – return to Bishkek
Day 1: Arrival in Bishkek & City Tour
Your adventure begins in the early afternoon as you meet your guide and fellow travelers in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan’s vibrant capital city. Surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan Mountains, Bishkek offers a fascinating introduction to the country, blending Soviet history with modern Kyrgyz culture.
During a guided city tour, you’ll explore some of Bishkek’s main landmarks, including Ala-Too Square, Oak Park, the Gallery of Artists, the Old Square, and the White House. Stroll along the city’s leafy boulevards, discover its lively atmosphere, and get your first taste of life in Kyrgyzstan.
In the evening, you’ll enjoy a welcome dinner together and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation: Shared room in hotel
Facilities: Electricity, Wi-Fi, hot shower
Day 2: Bishkek – Song Kul Lake
After breakfast, you leave the capital behind and head deep into the heart of the Kyrgyz countryside. Your destination is Song Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan’s most famous alpine lake, located at an altitude of over 3,000 meters.
The journey itself is an adventure, taking you through dramatic mountain landscapes, high passes, and remote valleys. Upon arrival at Song Kul, you’ll immediately understand why this place is considered one of Kyrgyzstan’s greatest natural treasures.
You’ll have time to explore the lakeshore on foot, or relax in the peaceful surroundings. During summer, Song Kul serves as a jailoo (summer pasture), where nomadic families live in traditional yurts while tending their herds of horses, sheep, and cattle.
As night falls, you’ll enjoy a traditional dinner and spend the night in a yurt beneath one of the clearest star-filled skies in Central Asia.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Shared yurt
Facilities: No Wi-Fi, limited electricity, outdoor toilets
Day 3: Son Kul Lake – Kochkor
Wake up to the sounds of grazing horses and enjoy a peaceful morning by the lake before we continue our journey. After breakfast, you have the option to go on a horse riding trip or a hike to the surrounding hills.
After a final lunch at the yurt camp, you descend from the high mountain pastures and travel to Kochkor, a traditional village known as one of Kyrgyzstan’s centers of handicrafts and felt-making.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy beautiful mountain scenery and gain further insight into rural life in Kyrgyzstan. Upon arrival in Kochkor, you’ll have free time to explore the village and settle into the guesthouse for the evening.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower
Day 4: Kochkor – Bokonbaevo
This morning, you’ll continue your journey towards the southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake and the village of Bokonbaevo. You’ll stop along the way for hike to the panoramic viewpoint of Shatyly, where spectacular views open up over Issyk Kul, often called the “Pearl of Central Asia”.
After lunch at your guesthouse, you’re invited to join a workshop and learn more about one of Kyrgyzstan’s oldest traditions during a felt-making workshop. Felt plays an important role in nomadic culture and is still used today to create carpets, decorations, and the coverings of traditional yurts.
You spend the night in a small guesthouse and you’ll have some free time to visit the village.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse
Facilities: Limited Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower
Day 5: Bokonbaevo – Skazka Canyon – Jeti Oguz – Karakol
Today you travel along the scenic southern shore of Issyk Kul Lake while visiting some of the region’s most spectacular natural landmarks.
Your first stop is Skazka Canyon, also known as Fairytale Canyon. Here, centuries of erosion have sculpted colorful sandstone formations into shapes resembling castles, animals, and mythical creatures. During a short walk through the canyon, you’ll find yourself surrounded by vibrant shades of red, orange, pink, and yellow.
You then continue to Jeti Oguz, one of Kyrgyzstan’s most iconic landscapes. The name translates as “Seven Bulls” and refers to the striking red sandstone cliffs that dominate the valley. A short walk rewards us with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and forests.
In the afternoon, you arrive in Karakol, a charming mountain town famous for its multicultural heritage, a which you’ll discover during a guided city tour, and spectacular setting at the foot of the Tian Shan Mountains.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower
Day 6: Karakol – World Nomad Games
After breakfast, you begin your journey towards the World Nomad Games, one of the largest celebrations of nomadic culture in the world.
Upon arrival, you’ll get your first taste of the festival atmosphere as athletes, performers, and visitors from across Central Asia and beyond gather to celebrate their shared nomadic heritage.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower
Day 7: World Nomad Games & Closing Ceremony
Today is dedicated entirely to the World Nomad Games.
Throughout the day, you’ll have the opportunity to watch traditional sports such as archery, eagle-hunting demonstrations, and many other competitions that have been practiced on the Eurasian steppes for centuries.
Beyond the sporting events, the Games offer a unique cultural experience with traditional music, dance performances, handicrafts, and yurt villages representing different nomadic cultures.
In the evening, you’ll attend the spectacular closing ceremony at the Kyrchyn Gorge, a celebration of culture, history, and identity that brings the World Nomad Games to a memorable conclusion.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Shared room in guesthouse
Facilities: Wi-Fi, electricity, hot shower
Day 8: World Nomad Games – Bishkek
You spend one final morning at the World Nomad Games in Cholpon-Ata to soak up the atmosphere one last time.
After lunch, you begin your journey back to Bishkek. Along the way, you’ll reflect on an unforgettable week of mountain landscapes, nomadic traditions, and cultural experiences.
The tour concludes in Bishkek in the early evening.
Meals included: Breakfast
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.
FAQ: WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW about THE World Nomad Games TOUR
In case you have more questions about this tour, don’t hesitate to contact me.
TOur Costs
Price for the 8-day World Nomad Games Tour: €1650 per person
What’s included in this price?
- English-speaking tour leader
- All transportation: van with experienced driver
- All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary (shared rooms)
- All meals mentioned in the itinerary
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees for the World Nomad Games and all sites listed in the itinerary
What’s not included in this price?
- International airfares to and from Kyrgyzstan
- Airport transfer to and from the airport (you’ll receive an info guide with detailed information on how to get from and to the airport)
- Visa fees if applicable
- Medical or travel insurance (mandatory to join this tour). I recommend SafetyWing, HeyMondo or IATI Backpacker if you want a good insurance provider (in case you don’t have one yet).
- Accommodation in Bishkek on final day of the tour (you’ll receive recommendations in the info guide upon booking)
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
- Personal expenses (such as souvenirs, snacks,…)
- Optional activities like horse riding at Son Kul Lake
Booking & Cancellation
Confirm your participation with a deposit of €350 per person.
Deposits can be made via a standard bank transfer in EUR or via online transfer (Wise) in EUR or USD.
As soon as I receive your booking, I’ll send out the payment details. You have 48 hours to pay the deposit. If not, I have to cancel your participation and reserve the place for the next person who books.
The remaining tour costs can be paid either in cash on the first day of the tour or via online transfer (a 2% fee might apply) at the latest three weeks before the start of the trip.
If you have any more questions or want more info, please contact me here!
Cancellation policy
If for any reason you can’t join this tour, we’ll refund your deposit – minus €100 administrative costs – if you cancel at the latest 3 months before the start date of the tour.
In case we have to cancel this tour due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control (pandemic, political reasons, natural disasters,…), you’ll receive a full refund of the tour costs (minus transaction costs). We’re not responsible for and therefore don’t refund any flight cancellations and/or flight expenses.
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