Step into the heart of nomadic culture on this fully-inclusive tour through Kyrgyzstan, timed to coincide with the 2026 World Nomad Games. This extraordinary international festival, held once every two years, celebrates the rich culture, sports, and traditions of nomadic peoples, primarily from Central Asia.
Beyond the games, discover Kyrgyzstan's breathtaking landscapes — from towering mountains and red rock canyons to vast alpine lakes — while enjoying the warm hospitality of its people. This tour combines the very best of Kyrgyzstan with a front-row seat to one of the world's most remarkable events, showcasing the nomadic way of life.
Interested in Uzbekistan too? Our 2 September departure can be combined with our 11 day fully inclusive Ultimate Uzbekistan tour, showcasing the best of both countries.
Our Kyrgyzstan & the World Nomad Games tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.
Kyrgyzstan's capital, known for its Soviet-era architecture and bustling bazaars
Discover the iconic “Seven Bulls” rock formation and serene landscapes
Kyrgyzstan’s largest lake, sitting at an altitude of over 1,600 metres
Wander among striking red rock formations
Feel the adrenaline at the 2026 World Nomad Games, witnessing thrilling horseback wrestling, fast-paced Kok-Boru, and daring golden eagle hunting competitions. Either experience the vibrant Opening or grand Closing Ceremony.
Experience the nomadic lifestyle in comfort, staying in a yurt camp with private en suite bathroom. Wake up by Issyk-Kul Lake, surrounded by stunning mountain scenery.
Join the locals in Karakol as you soak in a naturally warm, mineral-rich hot spring, surrounded by the mountain. A simple, traditional way to relax and recharge.
Fly overnight to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. Early check-in is included. The rest of the day is yours to relax before dinner.
Begin the day surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of Ala-Archa National Park, a stunning alpine haven in the Tian Shan mountains. Enjoy a leisurely walk among rugged peaks, sparkling streams, and breathtaking gorges. Return to Bishkek for lunch, then discover the city's highlights: Central Square, the iconic Manas Monument, and a vibrant bazaar. This evening, watch the spectacular Opening Ceremony of the VI World Nomad Games.
Travel by road to the sparkling northern shores of Issyk Kul, the world's second-largest mountain lake. Its salty waters never freeze, earning it the name 'warm lake'. Enjoy a boat ride on the lake. Check in to your hotel in Cholpon-Ata for a 2-night stay.
Spend a full day at the 2026 World Nomad Games at the Cholpon-Ata Hippodrome, the beating heart of the Games. Immerse yourself in the excitement of traditional nomadic sports as riders compete in the fast-paced, adrenaline-fuelled Kok-Boru — Central Asia’s iconic horseback team sport. Experience the power and precision of horseback wrestling (Er Enish), where strength, balance, and horsemanship are put to the ultimate test. Beyond the main arena, enjoy captivating displays of traditional archery and be awed by eagle demonstrations showcasing the deep bond between hunters and their magnificent golden eagles. The atmosphere is electric, with thundering hooves, cheering crowds, and the raw spirit of nomadic heritage on full display. Programme may vary depending on the day's events.
After breakfast, journey east along the shoreline of Issyk Kul to Karakol, stopping in the village of Tup for a tour and a tasting of the region's famous Kyrgyz cheese, Kurut, a hard, salty cheese ball made from dried, fermented milk. Discover Karakol's highlights on arrival, including the Dungan Mosque, the wooden Russian Orthodox Church, and the lively bazaar. Spend the afternoon relaxing in a local hot spring, an essential part of the Karakol lifestyle. This evening, join a welcoming Uyghur family for a delicious home-cooked dinner of lagman. Overnight in Karakol.
After breakfast, travel along the scenic southern shore of Issyk Kul to the village of Tamga. En route, visit the spectacular Jeti-Oguz Gorge, famed for its striking red sandstone formations — the 'Broken Heart' and the towering 'Seven Bulls'. Enjoy an easy one-hour walk to admire sweeping views of the gorge before stopping for lunch. Continue to Tamga, where you'll check in to your yurt camp with private ensuite for the next 2-nights.
Enjoy a day of exploring. First, visit Skazka Canyon and enjoy a walk among its dramatic red rock formations. Continue to Kadji-Sai village for lunch with a local family of musicians, accompanied by a lively folklore performance. In the afternoon, explore Barskoon Gorge and see the famous 'Tears of the Snow Leopard' waterfall. Return to the yurt camp for a hands-on manty cooking class with a chef.
After breakfast in your yurt, travel to Chon-Kemin Nature Park. Along the way, meet an eagle hunter and see the training process of these magnificent birds. Stop in Kyzyl-Tuu village to visit a local family and learn about the traditional craft of yurt-making, a village famous for its skilled artisans. Enjoy lunch with the family before continuing to Chon-Kemin, where you'll check in at your guesthouse for the evening.
Start the day with a walk in Chon-Kemin Nature Park, followed by a hands-on cooking class making Boorsok, traditional Kyrgyz bread, for lunch. Travel to Bishkek with a stop at Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret offering panoramic views of the Chuy Valley, and explore the open-air museum with ancient balbals. Check in to your hotel, enjoy some free time, and finish the day with a farewell dinner and drinks. Overnight in Bishkek.
You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Late checkout is not included.
Fly overnight to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. Early check-in is included. The rest of the day is yours to relax before dinner.
Begin the day surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of Ala-Archa National Park, a stunning alpine haven in the Tian Shan mountains. Enjoy a leisurely walk among rugged peaks, sparkling streams, and breathtaking gorges. Return to Bishkek for lunch, then discover the city's highlights: Central Square, the iconic Manas Monument, and a vibrant bazaar. This evening, watch the spectacular Opening Ceremony of the World Nomad Games.
After breakfast, travel to the sparkling northern shores of Issyk Kul, the world's second-largest mountain lake. Its salty waters never freeze, earning it the name 'warm lake'. This afternoon, visit the Cholpon-Ata Hippodrom where you'll have the opportunity to see the World Nomad Games commence. Time permitting, enjoy a boat ride on the lake. Programme will vary depending on the day's events. Check in to your hotel in Cholpon-Ata for a 2-night stay.
Spend a full day at the 2026 World Nomad Games held in Kyrchyn Gorge, a celebration of nomadic culture and traditional sports. Witness thrilling competitions including belt wrestling (alysh), horseback wrestling (Er Enish), and the fast-paced Kok-Boru. Enjoy archery displays, golden eagle hunting, and meet taigans (ancient sighthounds) at the lively ethnographic village in Kyrchyn Gorge. Programme will vary depending on the day's events.
After breakfast, journey east along the shoreline of Issyk Kul to Karakol, stopping in the village of Tup for a tour and a tasting of the region's famous Kyrgyz cheese, Kurut, a hard, salty cheese ball made from dried, fermented milk. Discover Karakol's highlights on arrival, including the Dungan Mosque, the wooden Russian Orthodox Church, and the lively bazaar. Spend the afternoon relaxing in a local hot spring, an essential part of the Karakol lifestyle. This evening, join a welcoming Uyghur family for a delicious home-cooked dinner of lagman. Overnight in Karakol.
After breakfast, travel along the scenic southern shore of Issyk Kul to the village of Tamga. En route, visit the spectacular Jeti-Oguz Gorge, famed for its striking red sandstone formations — the 'Broken Heart' and the towering 'Seven Bulls'. Enjoy an easy one-hour walk to admire sweeping views of the gorge before stopping for lunch. Continue to Tamga, where you'll check in to your yurt camp with private ensuite for the next 2-nights.
Enjoy a day of exploring. First, visit Skazka Canyon and enjoy a walk among its dramatic red rock formations. Continue to Kadji-Sai village for lunch with a local family of musicians, accompanied by a lively folklore performance. In the afternoon, explore Barskoon Gorge and see the famous 'Tears of the Snow Leopard' waterfall. Return to the yurt camp for a hands-on manty cooking class with a chef.
After breakfast in your yurt, travel to Chon-Kemin Nature Park. Along the way, meet an eagle hunter and see the training process of these magnificent birds. Stop in Kyzyl-Tuu village to visit a local family and learn about the traditional craft of yurt-making, a village famous for its skilled artisans. Enjoy lunch with the family before continuing to Chon-Kemin, where you'll check in at your guesthouse for the evening.
Start the day with a walk in Chon-Kemin Nature Park, followed by a hands-on cooking class making Boorsok, traditional Kyrgyz bread, for lunch. Travel to Bishkek with a stop at Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret offering panoramic views of the Chuy Valley, and explore the open-air museum with ancient balbals. Check in to your hotel, enjoy some free time, and finish the day with a farewell dinner and drinks. Overnight in Bishkek.
You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Late checkout is not included.
29 August 2026 - Opening Ceremony - Download Detailed Itinerary 2 September 2026- Closing Ceremony - Download Detailed Itinerary
Fly overnight to the city of Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. The rest of the day is yours to relax before dinner.
Begin the day surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of Ala-Archa National Park, a stunning alpine haven in the Tian Shan mountains. Enjoy a leisurely walk among rugged peaks, sparkling streams, and breathtaking gorges. Return to Bishkek for lunch, then discover the city's highlights: Central Square, the iconic Manas Monument, and a vibrant bazaar.
Travel by road to the sparkling northern shores of Issyk Kul, the world's second-largest mountain lake. Its salty waters never freeze, earning it the name 'warm lake'. Enjoy a boat ride on the lake. Check in to your hotel in Cholpon-Ata for a 2-night stay.
Spend an unforgettable day at the 2026 World Nomad Games grand finals day at the Cholpon-Ata Hippodrome. Witness the thrilling finals of equestrian competitions and horse races, where skill, speed, and tradition come together in a spectacular display of horsemanship. Cheer as riders compete in Kok-Boru, horseback wrestling (Er Enish), and other classic nomadic sports, showcasing the power and agility of both horse and rider. The day concludes with the grand Closing Ceremony on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul, celebrating the Games with music, dance, and cultural performances — a fitting finale to this extraordinary event. Programme may vary depending on the day's events.
Drive to Karakol and explore Dungan Mosque, the wooden Russian Orthodox Church, and a lively bazaar. Spend the afternoon relaxing in a local hot spring, an essential part of the Karakol lifestyle. This evening, join a welcoming Uyghur family for a delicious home-cooked dinner of lagman. Overnight in Karakol.
After breakfast, travel along the scenic southern shore of Issyk Kul to the village of Tamga. En route, visit the spectacular Jeti-Oguz Gorge, famed for its striking red sandstone formations — the 'Broken Heart' and the towering 'Seven Bulls'. Enjoy an easy one-hour walk to admire sweeping views of the gorge before stopping for lunch. Continue to Tamga, where you'll check in to your yurt camp with private ensuite for the next 2-nights.
Enjoy a day of exploring. First, visit Skazka Canyon and enjoy a walk among its dramatic red rock formations. Continue to Kadji-Sai village for lunch with a local family of musicians, accompanied by a lively folklore performance. In the afternoon, explore Barskoon Gorge and see the famous 'Tears of the Snow Leopard' waterfall. Return to the yurt camp for a hands-on manty cooking class with a chef.
After breakfast in your yurt, travel to Chon-Kemin Nature Park. Along the way, meet an eagle hunter and see the training process of these magnificent birds. Stop in Kyzyl-Tuu village to visit a local family and learn about the traditional craft of yurt-making, a village famous for its skilled artisans. Enjoy lunch with the family before continuing to Chon-Kemin, where you'll check in at your guesthouse for the evening.
Start the day with a walk in Chon-Kemin Nature Park, followed by a hands-on cooking class making Boorsok, traditional Kyrgyz bread, for lunch. Travel to Bishkek with a stop at Burana Tower, an 11th-century minaret offering panoramic views of the Chuy Valley, and explore the open-air museum with ancient balbals. Check in to your hotel, enjoy some free time, and finish the day with a farewell dinner and drinks. Overnight in Bishkek.
You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Late checkout is not included.
29 August 2026 - Opening Ceremony - Download Detailed Itinerary 2 September 2026- Closing Ceremony - Download Detailed Itinerary
All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected
We have a selection of dedicated departures for solo travellers. These departures feature a maximum group size of 18 and exclusive benefits including a single room throughout your tour, complimentary return airport transfers (within 50km radius of major Australian airports) and a cocktail on arrival at your destination. Travellers from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne also receive a complimentary Australian airport lounge pass for use prior to departure.
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All of our tours offer a single room supplement, which means you’ll have a room to yourself throughout your chosen tour. Continue the check-out process for the applicable supplement.
On most tours, you can choose our 'Happy to Share' option, which may enable you to share a twin room with other solo customers of the same gender who also request Happy to Share. If a share partner is found, the Single Supplement will be removed from your booking. If a share partner is not found, the Single Supplement will remain and is payable with your final balance.
If you are booking on a Dedicated Solo departure, a single room is already included in the price and there are no additional single supplements to pay.
With our flight inclusive option, we'll do the planning for you and meet you on arrival.
We include airport pickup upon arrival at your destination and drop off at the end of your tour (on the scheduled tour arrival and departure days) and when booking pre or post tour accommodation with us.
We partner with established and reputable airlines for your international flights.
We can assist with upgrading your seat to premium or business class for an additional cost.
Our team will work with you to choose your ideal routing and if we make changes to your tour itinerary that impact flights, we’ll rebook them for you.
Our On-Tour Support Team is available to provide advice about how to handle flight changes.
