Itinerary
- Day 1
Bishkek
You'll arrive in Bishkek early morning and head to your hotel for check-in with breakfast included. After resting from your journey, meet your guide in the afternoon for a walking tour through Kyrgyzstan's capital. The tour covers Ala Too Square, the National Philharmonic Hall, State Historical Museum, Oak Park, Museum of Fine Arts, Frunze Museum, ZUM department store, and Victory Square. Wrap up the day with dinner at a local restaurant.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Early check-in breakfast included), Dinner (Dinner at a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Bishkek with local guide
- Visit National Philharmonic Hall
- Visit Ala Too Square
- Visit State Historical Museum
- Visit Oak Park
- Visit Museum of Fine Arts
- Visit Frunze Museum
- Visit ZUM central department store
- Visit Victory Square
Landmarks/POIs National Philharmonic Hall Ala Too Square State Historical Museum Oak Park Museum of Fine Arts Frunze Museum ZUM Victory Square - Day 2
Ala Archa National Park
Transfer to Ala Archa National Park, roughly an hour from Bishkek in the Tian Shan Mountains. You can either tackle the hike to the waterfall (about 2.5 hours up, 2 hours down, 950m elevation gain) or take a leisurely walk around the lower park. Grab lunch at a local restaurant after exploring, then head back to Bishkek. Later that evening, catch the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games with delegations in national costumes, plus music, dancing, and light displays.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local restaurant), Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided exploration of Ala Archa National Park
- World Nomad Games Opening Ceremony and show
Optional Activities
- Hike to waterfall in Ala Archa National Park (approximately 2.5 hours ascent, 2 hours descent)
- Leisurely walk around lower part of Ala Archa National Park
Landmarks/POIs Ala Archa National Park Tian Shan Mountains - Day 3
Cholpon Ata (Issyk-Kul Lake)
Drive north toward Issyk-Kul's shore, stopping to visit the ancient Burana Tower along the way, a striking Silk Road relic. Continue on to the yurt city where World Nomad Games competitors and spectators are gathered, plus the stadium on the lake's northern shore. You'll arrive in Cholpon Ata and take in the cultural events celebrating nomadic traditions, music, and artistry. Check into your hotel for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Burana Tower
- World Nomad Games cultural events
Landmarks/POIs Burana Tower Issyk-Kul Lake - Day 4
Cholpon Ata (World Nomad Games)
Spend your day at the World Nomad Games, watching thrilling competitions like horse racing, Kok Boru (a horseback game similar to polo), wrestling, archery, and falconry. The atmosphere includes music, dance, and cultural exhibitions showcasing nomadic heritage. The exact schedule of events will be confirmed closer to your travel dates.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- World Nomad Games - Horse racing
- World Nomad Games - Kok Boru
- World Nomad Games - Wrestling
- World Nomad Games - Archery
- World Nomad Games - Falconry
- World Nomad Games - Music and dance performances
- World Nomad Games - Cultural exhibitions
Landmarks/POIs World Nomad Games Stadium - Day 5
Cholpon Ata (World Nomad Games)
Another full day at the World Nomad Games. You'll see horse racing, Kok Boru, wrestling, archery, and falconry competitions, with vibrant music, dance, and cultural exhibitions throughout the grounds. The program of events will be confirmed nearer to the time.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- World Nomad Games - Horse racing
- World Nomad Games - Kok Boru
- World Nomad Games - Wrestling
- World Nomad Games - Archery
- World Nomad Games - Falconry
- World Nomad Games - Music and dance performances
- World Nomad Games - Cultural exhibitions
Landmarks/POIs World Nomad Games Stadium - Day 6
Tashrabat
Drive south for 346km (about 6 hours) along the snow-capped Tian Shan Mountains toward remote regions. Stop in the village of Acha-Kayindy for lunch and a felt show at a local family's home. Then continue 3 hours to Tashrabat, an ancient Silk Road caravanserai just two days' travel from the Chinese border. Explore the thick stone buildings and imagine the traders who passed through starting in the 1400s. Stay at a yurt camp with dinner prepared by the lodge.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at local family home in Acha-Kayindy), Dinner (Fantastic dinner prepared by the lodge)
Included Activities
- Felt show at local family home in Acha-Kayindy
- Guided exploration of Tashrabat Caravanserai
Landmarks/POIs Tashrabat Caravanserai Acha-Kayindy - Day 7
Tashrabat
A combination of riding and walking takes you up winding valley trails to a 4000m pass with views of Chatyr-Kol Lake (weather dependent). This leisurely route goes there and back with time for photo stops. You can ride the flatter sections (14km total) and hike the steeper parts (8km with 950m ascent). Beginner riders are welcome, or explore the foothills around the Caravanserai instead. You'll spend a second night at the yurt camp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hiking to high pass and Chatyr-Kol Lake viewpoint
Optional Activities
- Horse riding to high pass (additional cost, suitable for beginner riders)
- Leisurely exploration of foothills around Caravanserai
Landmarks/POIs Chatyr-Kol Lake High Pass - Day 8
Son-Kol Lake
Travel the winding road 249km up to Kyrgyzstan's hidden plateau to reach Son-Kol (meaning 'last lake' in Kyrgyz), situated at 3016m in Naryn Province. The lake is one of the most beautiful in the country and serves as summer ground for nomadic shepherds with their flocks. Stay in a traditional nomad yurt camp on the southern shore, spending time with the family who runs it, playing with local children, and trying local cuisine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Delicious local cuisine)
Included Activities
- Guided travel to Son-Kol Lake
- Time with local nomadic family
Landmarks/POIs Son-Kol Lake - Day 9
Son-Kol Lake
A full day of leisure in this remote wilderness. You can hike, go horse riding for a small fee, relax with a book, or simply breathe the clean air. Wildlife spotting might bring deer, foxes, marmots, Marco Polo sheep, birds of prey, or even leopards and wolves. Watch incredible sunrises and sunsets, and the Milky Way on clear nights. Spend time with people at yurt camps along the shores. You'll stay a second night at Son-Kol.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Hiking around Son-Kol Lake
- Horse riding (for a small fee)
- Wildlife spotting (deer, foxes, marmots, Marco Polo sheep, birds of prey, leopards, wolves)
- Interaction with local nomadic people
Landmarks/POIs Son-Kol Lake - Day 10
Bishkek
Leave the yurts behind and drive 360km back to Bishkek (about 5 to 6 hours). Pause for lunch at a family home in Kochkor before continuing to the capital. End your adventure with a group dinner in Bishkek, reflecting on your time through this unique country.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at family home in Kochkor), Dinner (Group celebration dinner in Bishkek)
Included Activities
- Group celebration dinner in Bishkek
Landmarks/POIs Kochkor - Day 11
Bishkek
After your unforgettable journey through the World Nomad Games and across Kyrgyzstan, fly out from Bishkek with lasting memories of the country's culture, landscapes, and traditions.
- Meals
- Breakfast
