Past trip · World Nomad Games 2026
World Nomad Games 2026: Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan
This trip ran from 28 August to 8 September 2026. Our 2027 Central Asia trips follow a new route without the Games. See Central Asia 2027 or register interest in future trips.
The highlight of this journey was the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan, experienced as part of a small group trip through Central Asia. We watched traditional nomadic sports such as kok boru, er enish, eagle hunting and archery, alongside craft traditions and Kyrgyz food.
We began in Almaty, a leafy mountain city set against the Tien Shan, then headed out through red rock canyons, high valleys and quiet lake country in southeastern Kazakhstan. Crossing into Kyrgyzstan, we went deeper into nomadic terrain: Karakol and its Silk Road history, remote pasturelands, the vast blue edge of Issyk-Kul, nights in traditional yurts and a horse trek through the high summer jailoos.
Over 35, or rather go at your own pace? Try our DIY trip kit or bespoke trip planning, which cover the same route.
Highlights
- World Nomad Games events: kok boru, eagle hunting, archery and wrestling
- A night camping under desert skies near Charyn Canyon
- A trek through alpine meadows to remote mountain hot springs
- A two-day horse trek across summer pastures to Song-Kul Lake
- Nights in traditional yurts on the open plateau
- A home-cooked dinner with a local family in Karakol
Good to know
What are the World Nomad Games?
The World Nomad Games are one of the world’s most distinctive cultural festivals, held in Kyrgyzstan and only every two years. Created as an international platform for ethnosport, ethnoculture and traditional knowledge, they bring together horse games, hunting traditions, archery, wrestling, yurt camps, crafts and ceremony in a rare celebration of nomadic heritage on a global stage.
Day by day
Route
- AlmatyDays 1–2
- Charyn CanyonDay 3
- KarakolDay 4
- Hot springs trekDay 5
- World Nomad GamesDays 6–8
- Horse trekDay 9
- Song-Kul LakeDay 10
- BishkekDays 11–12
Day 1 · Arrival in Almaty
Almaty
Arrive in Kazakhstan’s leafy, mountain-backed capital of culture and the original birthplace of the apple (Alma-Ata means “father of apples”). Arrive before 4pm if you can.
Day 2 · Exploring Almaty
Almaty
Wander Almaty’s colourful markets, leafy parks, Soviet-era architecture and café-lined streets, with mountain views at every turn.
Day 3 · Alpine lake and canyon camp
Charyn Canyon
Leave the city for a turquoise alpine lake framed by forested slopes, then a picnic lunch and short walks in a nearby gorge. Swim if you’re ready for glacier-fed water. In the afternoon, continue east to one of Kazakhstan’s most dramatic canyon landscapes and camp under wide desert skies.
Day 4 · Border crossing to Karakol
Karakol
Explore the canyon in the early morning light, then cross the mountain border into Kyrgyzstan. Drive through sweeping highland scenery to Karakol for a home-cooked dinner with a local family.
Day 5 · Trek to the hot springs
Mountains
Trek uphill through alpine meadows, pine forests and snow-dusted peaks to a remote hot spring. Spend the afternoon soaking and the night stargazing from a simple mountain guesthouse.
Day 6 · Arriving at the World Nomad Games
Issyk-Kul
Head back down the valley towards the lakeside region hosting the Games. In the afternoon, visit the ethno-village for traditional music, crafts, games and cultural demonstrations.
Day 7 · A day at the Games
Issyk-Kul
A full day at the World Nomad Games, watching eagle hunting, horseback archery, wrestling or kok boru depending on the schedule. In the evening, transfer to a nearby lakeside town for dinner and rest.
Day 8 · Final morning at the Games
Mountain village
One more morning of horse sports or arena events, then drive inland to a mountain village to prepare for the horse trek.
Day 9 · Horse trek to a high-altitude lake
Highlands
Saddle up for a full day riding through open pasture and rolling hills, or hike if you prefer. Spend the evening under big skies with grazing horses, and sleep in a traditional yurt.
Day 10 · Song-Kul Lake
Song-Kul Lake
Continue by horse or on foot to one of Kyrgyzstan’s most iconic high-altitude lakes, surrounded by the summer pastures where semi-nomadic families graze their herds. Settle into a yurt camp and spend the evening walking by the lake.
Day 11 · Over the passes to Bishkek
Bishkek
A slow morning at the lake, then a drive through mountain passes and open valleys to Bishkek, arriving late afternoon for a group farewell dinner.
Day 12 · Departure day
Bishkek
Flights or onward travel. Leave after 2pm if you can, to fit in a last look at Bishkek. Airport transfer included, or a bus ticket back to Almaty (if flying home from Almaty, fly on day 13).
This is the route we ran in 2026, timed around the Games schedule.
What’s included
11 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 dinners. Some travel days mean a lighter packed meal.
Shared rooms with individual beds. In the remote mountains and summer pastures, stays are simple and rustic, with limited electricity, no WiFi and shared toilets. Private rooms aren’t available on this route.
Shared and private jeeps, a private vehicle, public transport, airport transfers, and some former Soviet-era military vehicles.
World Nomad Games tickets, guided trek, hot springs, Charyn Canyon and all national park, lake and museum fees, Kok Tobe, a round of drinks in Almaty and the 2-day horse trek.
An experienced leader plus local guides in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Interested in leading? Tell us when you apply and we’ll assess you on the trip.
Optional extra: ride a horse up to the hot springs instead of hiking (about 5 hours each way), roughly $50 USD per day paid in cash to the owner. Not included: international flights to the start and from the end of the trip, visas, travel insurance, personal expenses, and optional add-ons beyond the group itinerary.
Travel with us next
Our 2027 Central Asia trips run 26 June to 7 July and 28 August to 8 September 2027, with horse treks, yurt stays and big mountain scenery. They don’t include the World Nomad Games. Want to hear when we plan our next Games trip? Register your interest.
Why travel with OTW
Built for 18 to 35s, never more than 10, so you travel as new friends.
Access built on years of local knowledge and trusted contacts.
We work directly with communities and local organisations.
Mentorship, and the chance to come back as a leader and travel free.
Central Asia 2027 from £1,850
Our 2027 Central Asia trips