Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan:
World Nomad Games 2026
Overview
A major highlight of this journey is the chance to experience the World Nomad Games 2026 in Kyrgyzstan as part of a curated small group trip through Central Asia. We’ll aim to witness traditional and thrilling nomadic sports such as kok boru, er enish, eagle hunting and archery, alongside craft traditions and Kyrgyz food. As festival schedules can shift, the exact routing may be refined closer to departure, but the focus remains the same: a thoughtfully designed overland journey combining big scenery, nomadic heritage and time at one of Central Asia’s most distinctive events. The trip also explores wider landscapes and culture across Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
We will begin our journey in Kazakhkstan’s Almaty, a leafy mountain city set against the majestic Tien Shan mountain range. From there the landscape opens out fast: red rock canyons, high valleys and quiet lake country in Southeastern Kazakhstan, where forested slopes and clear mountain water sit beneath wide open skies.
Crossing into Kyrgyzstan, the trip moves deeper into nomadic terrain. In Karakol, a frontier town shaped by Soviet, Dungan (Chinese Muslim) and Kyrgyz influences, wooden mosques, Orthodox churches and mountain views speak to the layered history of the Silk Road. Further on, the route follows remote pasturelands and the vast blue edge of Issyk-Kul, with opportunities for light hikes, lakeside swims and a stay in traditional yurts. There will also be the option for horse trekking through the high summer jailoos, where horses still feel part of everyday life rather than a tourist activity.
What are the World Nomad Games?
The World Nomad Games 2026 are one of the world’s most distinctive cultural festivals, returning to Kyrgyzstan for an event that takes place only every two years. Created as an international platform for ethnosport, ethnoculture and traditional knowledge, the Games bring together horse games, hunting traditions, archery, wrestling, yurt camps, crafts and ceremony in a rare celebration of nomadic heritage on a global stage. This trip is designed for travellers who want to experience the World Nomad Games 2026 as part of a small group journey, while going deeper into the landscapes and cultures of Central Asia.
This scenic overland journey brings together the best of Central Asia’s nomadic nature and culture – from canyons and alpine lakes to remote summer pastures, with yurt stays, horse treks, traditional games and local food woven throughout.
Start: Almaty, Kazakhstan
End: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
A key part of the trip is timing it around the World Nomad Games, a major celebration of steppe culture and traditional sport that only happens once every 2 years. Depending on the final schedule, we will experience events such as kok boru, a fast and intense horseback team game; er enish, mounted wrestling; eagle hunting demonstrations; archery; and other nomadic competitions, alongside yurt stays, craft traditions and local food.
As official tickets are typically not released until soon before the Games begin, the exact day-by-day itinerary may shift slightly.
Along the way, we also plan to spend time in remote mountain valleys, summer pastureland, the Karkara region, Karakol and Lake Issyk-Kul.
See below for the latest day-by-day itinerary (timings / order may be subject to change)
Day 1: Arrival in Almaty
Arrive in Kazakhstan’s leafy mountain-backed capital of culture, the original birthplace of the apple (Alma-Ata literally means ‘father of apples’ in Kazakh). Airport transfer included. Arrive before 4pm if possible.
Included: Airport transfer, welcome dinner
Day 2: Almaty
Explore the sights and sounds in and around Almaty. Wander the city’s colourful markets, leafy parks, Soviet-era architecture and café-lined streets and admire the mountain views.
Included activities: City exploration
Day 3: Charyn Canyon
Leave the city behind and drive towards a turquoise alpine lake framed by forested slopes. Continue into a nearby gorge for a picnic lunch, short walks and time to enjoy the scenery. Option to swim if you’re prepared for chilly glacier-fed water.
In the afternoon, continue east towards one of Kazakhstan’s most dramatic canyon landscapes. Spend the night camping under wide desert skies.
Included activities: Lake visit, light hiking, camping
Day 4: Land border crossing into Kyrgyzstan
Wake up early to explore the canyon in the morning light before continuing towards the mountain border with Kyrgyzstan.
After crossing into Kyrgyzstan, drive through sweeping highland scenery to Karakol, known for its mix of cultures, mountain views and traditional food. In the evening, sit down for a home-cooked dinner with a local family.
Included activities: Charyn Canyon
Day 5: Trek to Mountain Hot Springs
Head into the mountains for a trek to a remote hot springs.
Trek uphill through beautiful alpine meadows, pine forests and snow-dusted peaks. Spend the afternoon soaking in natural hot springs and admire the stars overnight at a simple mountain guesthouse.
Included activities: Mountain transfer and guided trek, hot springs
Day 6: Arrival at the World Nomad Games
After breakfast in the mountains, make your way back down the valley and continue towards the lakeside region hosting the World Nomad Games.
In the afternoon, visit the ethno-village to experience traditional music, crafts, games and cultural demonstrations in a spectacular mountain setting.
Included activities: Guided trek, World Nomad Games cultural events
Day 7: World Nomad Games
Spend the day immersed in the atmosphere of the World Nomad Games. Watch traditional competitions such as eagle hunting, horseback archery, wrestling or Kok Boru, depending on the day’s schedule.
In the evening, transfer to a nearby lakeside town for dinner and a well-earned rest.
Included activities: World Nomad Games events, cultural demonstrations
Day 8: Mountain Village
Enjoy a final morning at the World Nomad Games, with another chance to watch traditional horse sports or arena events.
In the afternoon, drive inland towards a mountain village, your gateway to the next part of the adventure. Settle into a guesthouse and prepare for the horse trek ahead.
Included activities: World Nomad Games event, scenic transfer
Day 9: High-Altitude Lake Horse Trek
Saddle up for a full day’s horse trek into the mountains. Ride through open pasture, rolling hills and highland scenery. Option to hike if you’d prefer.
Arrive in the afternoon and spend the evening surrounded by big skies, grazing horses and peaceful mountain views. Overnight in a traditional yurt.
Included activities: Guided horse trek (or hike), yurt stay
Day 10: Song-Kul Lake
Wake up in the mountains and continue the journey by horse, or on foot if preferred, towards one of Kyrgyzstan’s most iconic high-altitude lakes, surrounded by jailoo – the summer pastures where semi-nomadic herding families bring horses, sheep, cows and goats to graze during the warmer months.
Arrive in the afternoon and settle into a yurt camp on the open plateau. Spend the evening walking by the lake, drinking tea and soaking up the silence.
Included activities: Guided horse trek or supported hike, yurt stay
Day 11: Bishkek
Spend a slow morning at the lake before driving towards the capital. The journey takes you through mountain passes, open valleys and small roadside settlements, with a lunch stop along the way.
Arrive in Bishkek in the late afternoon for a final evening in the city and a group farewell dinner.
Included activities: Scenic mountain drive, farewell dinner
Day 12: Bishkek Departure Day
Flights or onward travel. Leave after 2pm if possible so there is more time for a quick explore in Bishkek before your departure.
Airport transfer included or a bus ticket back to Almaty (if flying back from Almaty please fly on day 13).
We can recommend extensions, extra nights, hiking routes or onward travel through Central Asia – just ask.
More details
At a glance
Food
32 meals (11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners)
Accommodation
Hotels / guesthouses, Yurts / camping, Homestays (specific nights in each type of accommodation to be confirmed once itinerary is set)
Note: accommodation type may change based on room availability
Transport
Shared / Private Jeeps, Private Vehicle, Public transport, Transport to group activities and dinners if not within walking distance
Airport transfers to / from the hotel included on arrival and departure
Permits and guides
24/7 OTW trip leader
Additional local guides for Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
Activities
- Guided trek
- World Nomad Games events and tickets
- Hot springs
- Charyn Canyon admission fee
- All national park, lake and museum admission fees
- Local driver / guides and transport including former Soviet-era military vehicles
- 1 round of drinks at a bar in Almaty
- Kok Tobe
- 1 night 2 day horse trek
Optional extras (for an additional fee unless specified):
- Instead of hiking up to the hot springs (approx 5 hours uphill and 5 hours downhill) you can take a horse, payment will be in cash direct to the owner, approx $50 USD per day
What’s included
You’ll be backpacking and on the move – we keep things comfortable but real, and put the budget where it matters: local culture, meaningful encounters, and experiences you can’t book on Google.
Food
Three meals a day are included. Some days with early starts or where we’re on the move may mean a lighter packed meal on the go.
Accommodation
Shared rooms with individual beds across guesthouses, hostels, homestays and mid-range hotels. We prioritise places rated 8.5+ on major booking platforms, and when we go off-grid to family-run stays (where online ratings don’t exist), we choose places with the same level of care and comfort. On this route private rooms are not available.
In some parts of the trip, especially in remote mountain areas and high summer pastures, accommodation options are extremely limited. In these places, there may be no real choice beyond simple local guesthouses, homestays or yurt camps. Facilities can be rustic, with shared rooms, simple bedding, limited electricity, no WiFi, wood-burning stoves, and outside or shared toilets. Hot showers may not always be available.
Please come prepared for a few nights of simple living in beautiful, isolated places – the remoteness is part of the experience.
Transport
All domestic travel is covered – planes, trains, taxis, buses, jeeps, and whatever else it takes to get you into the places most travellers never reach.
Permits and local guides
We handle all of this for you, plus coordinate with local community tourism partners who know the region inside out. This means no hassles with bureaucracy, no wasted time, and access to experiences most travellers can’t arrange on their own – from hidden village walks to sacred lakes and community homestays. Tips for local guides are included, though you’re welcome to give extra if someone goes above and beyond.
Support
24/7 on-the-ground support from your experienced OTW trip leader
Opportunities to lead
If you’re up for it, you can apply to be a trip leader. You’ll be assessed on your first trip and if you pass the assessment, you’ll be able to lead future trips and travel for free (we’ll cover your costs on the ground, you cover your flights and extras). If you’re interested, let us know when signing up.
What’s not included
International flights to / from the start and end locations, visas, travel insurance, personal expenses, and optional add-ons beyond the group itinerary.
Why choose us over the big operators?
Groups that make sense – We’re for 18–35s who want to get to know the places they’re visiting, not tick off a cookie-cutter itinerary. Everyone’s at a similar stage in life, keeping the energy active, curious, and ready to engage. Plus, we keep our groups small (no more than 8 people), which means you get to know each other and travel as new friends.
Experiences you can’t find elsewhere – From hidden corners to unique local encounters, our trips include activities and access built from years of local knowledge and trusted contacts. Some experiences aren’t even bookable on Google.
Leadership opportunities – Come back as a team leader and travel for free while gaining hands-on experience running a trip.
Give back for real – We work directly with communities. Volunteer and learn from local organisations to understand challenges in the places we’re visiting.
A community beyond the trip – Meet like-minded travellers who often become lifelong friends or adventure partners.
Mentorship – The team is around if you want guidance before, during, or after the trip.
Everything essential included – All group activities, 3 meals a day and experiences on the itinerary are covered unless specified. Add-ons exist, but only if you want them.
August 28th 2026 – September 8th 2026
12 days, 11 nights
Deadline: July 28th 2026
Price
£1990 ($2662 USD) / £1850 if you sign up before June 5th 2026 (can’t be combined with other offers)
More dates and destinations to be announced, let us know your availability here: https://www.otwtravels.com/future-trips/
We’re not your standard “book and go” travel company. We create trips for curious, open-minded travellers who want real experiences. Our groups are small, so it’s important that everyone gets along and knows what to expect before committing.
There are two ways to join:
1. Join as a Traveller
If you want to relax and enjoy the trip, knowing everything is taken care of:
Step 1: Sign up using the application form below
Step 2: We’ll schedule a quick call so we can make sure this is the right trip fro you. Feel free to ask any questions
Step 3: Once you’re ready, we’ll send a link to pay your deposit and secure your spot (non-refundable once confirmed)
Step 4: The full balance is due at least one month before departure – we’ll send you a reminder
2. Join as a Future Trip Leader
If you want to take on more responsibility — leading groups, creating content, or being part of the community behind the scenes:
- Step 1: Submit the same application form
- Step 2: If shortlisted, you’ll have a short video chat with our founder
- Step 3: If it’s a fit, we’ll confirm your place, and you’ll be assessed during the trip
