Itinerary

Sunday 30 August – Bishkek

• Pick up from airport and transfer to the hotel
• Welcome dinner and meet your local guide and CultureRoad tour leader.
• Overnight stay in Bishkek.

Monday 31 August – Bishkek – World Nomad Games opening ceremony

• After breakfast we’ll have a city tour in Bishkek with sightseeing;
  • We’ll walk across Ala-Too Square, the central hub of Bishkek, surrounded by grand Soviet-era buildings and Kyrgyz flags.
  • Visit the Historical Museum to learn about Kyrgyz nomadic culture, the Silk Road, and Soviet history.
  • Check out Victory square, here you can find the victory monument, dedicated to World War II, shaped like a traditional yurt.
  • We’ll stroll through the Osh Bazaar, a bustling maze filled with spices, dried fruits, handmade felt crafts, and colorful fabrics.
• Highlight: Witness the spectacular opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games. A grand celebration of nomadic culture and tradition, featuring colorful parades, music, and dance. 
• Overnight stay in Bishkek

Tuesday 1 September – Bishkek – Konorchek Canyons – World Nomad Games (Cholpon Ata)

• This morning we leave the capital and drive towards the Issyk Kul lake. Issyk Kul is the second largest high-altitude lake in the world after Lake Titicaca. 
• On the way, we will visit the Burana Tower (10th century, Karakhanid period). One of the most important historical monuments on the Great Silk Road. 
• After a touch of history, we continue driving to the stunning Konorchek Canyons.
• Highlight: We’ll enjoy a hike through the red sandstone landscapes, shaped by wind and time into breathtaking natural sculptures. Depending on the schedule, we will have a picnic along the way.
• In the afternoon, we will drive to Cholpon Ata, where the sport events of the World Nomad Games take place. 
• Overnight stay in Cholpon Ata.

Wednesday 2 September – World Nomad Games (Cholpon Ata)

• Today it’s all about the World Nomad Games. We will be attending different games and visit the hippodrome, where traditional horse games and kok-boru take place.
• Highlight: Enjoy, participate, and immerse yourself in the spirit of the World Nomad Games.
• Meet local athletes, try traditional activities, and discover Kyrgyz culture through games, music and food.
• The events of the day will be scheduled closer to the time, but may include horse racing, Kok-Boru (polo), wrestling, falconry and archery.
• Overnight stay in Cholpon Ata.

Thursday 3 September – World Nomad Games (Cholpon Ata)

• Today we’ll have another full day at the festival grounds with various games to attend.
• Highlight: The events of the day will be scheduled closer to the time, but may include horse racing, Kok-Boru (polo), wrestling, falconry and archery.
• Overnight stay in Cholpon Ata.

Friday 4 September –  Kochkor – Song Kol Lake

• We will set off towards Song Kul Lake, crossing the impressive Kalmak Ashuu Pass. Situated at an altitude of 3,000 meters.
• Along the way we stop at Kochkor, a large village famous for its nomadic traditions.
• Highlight: Song Kol Lake is one of Kyrgyzstan’s most iconic alpine lakes. It is surrounded by green meadows and snow-capped peaks. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings, the crystal-clear waters of the lake, wide-open pastures, and high peaks in the distance. We will spend the afternoon learning about the nomadic lifestyle and meet local shepherd families who live in yurts.
• You can’t leave Kyrgyzstan without spending a night in a yurt. Today we are invited to a traditional yurt camp, have dinner and rest under a sky filled with stars.
• Overnight in a yurt camp.

Saturday 5 September – Song Kol Lake – Bishkek

• Highlight: We’ll enjoy a last view of the peaceful lake and the wide pastures before saying goodbye to the nomadic families.
• We will return back to Bishkek.
• Drop off at the airport/hotel.
• End of the tour.