World Nomad Games Tour 2024

Itinerary

Saturday 7 September – Astana

• Arrival in Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, known for its modern architecture and home of the 2024 World Nomad Games.
• Airport pick up.
• Meet your group at the hotel before we head for a welcome dinner and learn about the World Nomad Games from our local guide.
• Overnight stay in Astana.

Sunday 8 September – Astana – World Nomad Games

• Highlight: Today is a big day! We will attend the grand Opening Ceremony of the World Nomad Games, expect spectacle, important officials and an amazing atmosphere.
• Depending on the final schedule, we’ll watch the first traditional nomadic games.
• We head back to the city for a city tour.
• Highlight: We’ll start at Independence Square, the main square of Astana. Here you’ll see the Kazak Yeli, also known as the Independence Monument and the Palace of Independence.
• See the Baiterek Monument, which represents the tree of life.
• Marvel at the 62-meter-high Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, a creation designed by the renowned architect Norman Foster.
• We check out the triumphal arch Mangilik Yel, a popular place for newlyweds.
• See the Singing Fountain, with next to it Kazakhstan’s largest ferris wheel.
• Overnight stay in Astana.

Monday 9 September – Astana – World Nomad Games

• Highlight: We head to the futuristic EXPO-2017 Complex with its Nur Alem Museum of Future Energy. The complex featured various pavilions, displays, and events from participating countries, highlighting their contributions to shaping a sustainable future. Expect robots and even an aero tube.
• We return to the World Nomad Games grounds.
• Highlight: One of the sports we will witness is Zhamby Atu (horseback archery) competitions. For many locals, this is one of the highlights of the games.
• Highlight: In the afternoon, we experience the thrilling Kokpar competitions, where participants fiercely compete for a billy-goat carcass. The sport is played all around Central Asia and often known as Kokpar, Bushkashi or dead-goat polo.
• Overnight stay in Astana.

Tuesday 10 September – Astana – Burabay National Park

• Today we will leave the city and make our way to Burabay National Park, also known as Borovoe. This is one of the most beautiful national parks around Astana.
• Learn at the National Park’s info center, about the diverse flora and fauna of Burabay National Park, some of which are endangered and listed in the Red List.
• Highlight: Check out the Okzhetpes Cliff, shaped like an elephant.
• Make a stop at the Abylaikhan’s glade. This place showcases the history of Abylaikhan, who was the ruler of the Kazakh people.
• Kenesary Cave. A former Kazakh ruler who fought for independence, justice and loved to hunt spent his nights in this cave.
• Time to head back to Astana.
• Overnight stay in Astana.

Wednesday 11 September – Astana – World Nomad Games

• We start the day with a visit to an eagle hunter’s family. We discover how eagles are cared for, raised, fed, and trained for hunting.
• Highlight: Once again, we return to the World Nomad Games 2024, this time we will attend the falconry show, Kusbegilik.
• Highlight: Attend a traditional nomadic Kurash wrestling competition. Here participants use various holds and techniques to throw their opponents off balance and gain points.
• To wrap up the day we’ll take a wine tasting with 3 types of white and 3 types of red wines from Kazakhstan. Yes, they also have great wines here!
• Overnight stay in Astana.

Thursday 12 September – Astana – World Nomad Games

• We leave the capital to uncover the dark history of Kazakhstan at the ALZhIR Museum-Memorial Complex. This place was a former Soviet Gulag and is today a learning center.
• Highlight: At the World Nomad Games we try to experience the thrill of the Audaryspak competition, showcasing the tradition of horseback wrestling.
• Unwind in the evening with free time to explore the lively nightlife of Astana.
• Overnight stay in Astana.

Friday 13 September – Astana – World Nomad Games

• Highlight: We start the day with a tour of the old city, delving into the city’s history and looking at impressive examples of Russian Empire and USSR architecture.
• Visit the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, the largest mosque in Central Asia.
• Explore the history and leadership legacy of the first president at the Museum of the First president of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
• Highlight: Attend the Horse Racing Competitions, including Zhorga Zharys, a dynamic pacing race, and the long-distance races such as Kulaman Baige and Kunan Baige.
• Overnight stay in Astana.

Saturday 14 September –Astana – World Nomad Games

• Enjoy a free morning to explore the city on your own or do some last-minute shopping.
• Highlight: Experience a Russian Banya (bathhouse / spa). This is a traditional sauna ritual known for its rejuvenating qualities, including steam sessions, and refreshing plunges into cold water for an overall wellness of relaxation and well-being.
• Highlight: Time to head back to the World Nomad Games festival grounds for the closing ceremony.
• Conclude our journey with a Kazakh farewell dinner.
• Overnight stay in Astana.

Sunday 15 September – Astana

• Airport drop-off.
• End of the tour.