_520-Main.jpg "Photo by Ak-Sai Travel")
Overview:
This tour offers you the opportunity to visit the 3rd World Nomad Games - a celebration of nomadic culture, traditions and sport with competitors coming to Kyrgyzstan from all over the world. During the tour you will visit the main sights and stunning landscapes of Kyrgyzstan and have the chance to meet and eat with local Kyrgyz families. The World Nomad Games only take place every two years, so this is an opportunity to experience Kyrgyz nomadic culture that is not to be missed!
| Departure |
Return |
| 31 August 2018 |
09 September 2018 |
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1 (01 SEP): Manas International Airport – Bishkek – Sary Oy
You will be met by your guide at the airport before being transferred to your hotel in Bishkek. After breakfast, we will set out on a tour to see some of the main sights of the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, including the Manas Monument, Art Museum, Kurmanjan Datka Monument, the Old Square and Parliament House.
After this, we drive to Issyk Kul Lake where we will have lunch with a local Kazakh family.
We return to the hotel in Bishkek by driving along the Northern Side of Issyk-Kul Lake. As we drive, we will be able to take in the beautiful views of the lake and the Tien Shan mountains.
Dinner and overnight in Sary Oy at the Karven Four Seasons 4* Hotel or similar.
Day 2 (02 SEP): Sary Oy – Cholpon Ata – Sary Oy
After breakfast, we will head to Cholpon-Ata to visit the Stone Garden, an open-air museum of Ancient Petroglyph carvings dating from the 9th century BC to the 3rd century AD.
We will also have time for a visit to the Local History and Ethnography Museum
Lunch and dinner in a local café. Time to explore Issyk-Kul Lake.
At around 20.30, we will attend the incredible opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games.
Overnight in Sary Oy at the Karven Four Seasons 4* Hotel or similar.
Day 3 (03 SEP): Sary Oy – Hippodrome – Kyrchyn Jailoo – Sary Oy
After breakfast, we will take in the beautiful views on a 1-hour boat cruise on Issyk Kul Lake.
After this, we will drive to Kyrchyn Jailoo, continuing to the Hippodrome at Cholpon Ata to watch the 3rd World Nomad Games. The Games were founded in 2014 as a way to celebrate and promote the nomadic games and cultures of Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia and beyond. They now take place every 2 years and are becoming more popular, both locally and internationally.
Lunch in a local café.
The World Nomad Games include events such as:
Toguz Korgool: A board game somewhat similar to chess/checkers
Kyrgyz Kurosh/Alysh Wrestling: Two varieties of wrestling which involve wrestling the opponent to the ground by the belt.
Ordo: A game similar to boules or pétanque, using the knuckle bones of a horse or cow.
Kok Boru: One of the most popular events in the games. The sport has some similarities to polo with opposing teams on horseback trying to take a goat carcass (the “ball”) into the goal at the other end of the pitch.
Er Enish: A form of wrestling on horseback
Kyz Kuumai: The sport/performance, known as “girl chasing”, is a traditional sport among Turkic nomadic people such as Azerbaijanis, Kazakhs and Kyrgyz. It is a race with competitors “chasing” a girl riding on horseback.
Tyiyn Enmei: A demonstration of equestrian skill as competitors have to ride past a coin and pick it up at top speed.
Dinner at local café.
Overnight in Sary Oy at Karven Four Seasons 4* Hotel or similar.
Day 4 (04 SEP): Sary Oy – Kyrchyn Jailoo – Sary Oy
After breakfast, we travel to Kyrchyn Jailoo to admire the Salburun festival. This festival is a display of hunting, falconry and archery and brings together masters from all over Kyrgyzstan.
Lunch in Kyrchyn Jailoo.
During the festival, we also experience traditional Kyrgyz music and folk dance, including a performance by the Kyrgyz National Philharmonic and theatrical performances. We also get the chance to try Kyrgyzstan’s unique cuisine and admire traditional Kyrgyz national dress. We will finish by watching a speed yurt-building competition.
Dinner in a local café.
Overnight in Sary Oy at Karven Four Seasons 4* Hotel or similar.
Day 5 (05 SEP): Sary Oy – Tepke – Karakol
This morning, we visit an eco-farm in Tepke village to experience the day-to-day life of a Kyrgyz farmer.
Homemade organic lunch from the eco-farm, by Jyrgalan river.
On the way to Karakol, we will visit the Przhevalsky Museum, named after the geographer and explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky. We continue to Karakol and visit two famous places of worship: the Dungan Mosque and Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.
Dinner with a Dungan family.
Overnight in Karakol at Green Yard 3* or similar.
Day 6 (06 SEP): Karakol – Song Kul Lake
Today we head to Song Kul Lake via Djety-Oguz gorge. In the Kyrgyz language “Djety-Oguz” means Seven Bulls, named after the unique red sandstone geological formations. The views here are stunning, and we enjoy them as we hike up the main gorge along the river. On the way, we pay a visit to some local nomadic families and, at the finish of the walk, we end by the impressive waterfall: an unforgettable experience.
Lunch boxes provided.
In the afternoon, we continue along the Southern Shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, passing the Orto-Tokoi water reservoir on our way to Kochkor. On arrival, we visit a handicraft museum, where there is an opportunity to purchase traditional Kyrgyz crafts. We then carry on through the Kalmak-Auu pass back to Song Kul Lake to our yurt camp, where we will spend the night in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt.
Dinner and overnight in a shared yurt at Ak-Sai Yurt Camp.
Day 7 (07 SEP): Song Kul Lake
Today we have the chance to experience the life of a Kyrgyz nomad for ourselves.
There are a number of activities available:
1) Milking a mare or cow
2) Visiting local nomads
3) Hunting for ancient petroglyphs
4) Yurt building show (for supplement)
5) Horse-riding and games (for supplement)
Lunch and dinner at the yurt camp.
Overnight in shared yurt at Ak-Sai Yurt Camp.
Day 8 (08 SEP): Son Kul Lake – Burana Tower – Bishkek
After breakfast, we will start the journey back to Bishkek. We will pass through Boom Gorge, connecting the Chui and Issyk Kul regions of Kyrgyzstan. Here we can drive alongside one of the few railway lines in Kyrgyzstan and the wild Chu river.
Lunch with a local Kyrgyz family.
Before we reach Bishkek, we stop off at Burana Tower, near Tokmok. Burana Tower is found in the ruins of the ancient city of Balasagun, one of the most important trading posts on the Silk Road and capital of the Kara-Khanid Khanate. We will inspect the ruins and take a look at the various ancient stone carvings, petroglyphs and bal-bals (Turkic tomb-stone carvings).
Dinner in a restaurant in Bishkek.
Overnight in Bishkek at Green City 3* Hotel or similar.
Day 9 (09 SEP): Bishkek – Manas International Airport
After breakfast in the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.
Day 1 (01 SEP)
Manas International Airport – Bishkek – Sary Oy
You will be met by your guide at the airport before being transferred to your hotel in Bishkek. After breakfast we will set out on a tour to see some of the main sights of the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek, including: Manas Monument, Art Museum, Kurmanjan Datka Monument, the Old Square and Parliament House.
After this, we drive to Issyk Kul Lake where we will have lunch with a local Kazakh family.
We return to the hotel in Bishkek by driving along the Northern Side of Issyk-Kul Lake. As we drive, we will be able to take in the beautiful views of the lake and the Tien Shan mountains.
Dinner and overnight in Sary Oy at the Karven Four Seasons 4* Hotel or similar.
Day 2 (02 SEP)
Sary Oy – Cholpon Ata – Sary Oy
After Breakfast we will head to Cholpon-Ata to visit the Stone Garden, an open-air museum of Ancient Petroglyph carvings dating from the 9th century BC to the 3rd century AD.
We also recommend a visit to the Local History and Ethnography Museum
Lunch and dinner in a local café. Time to explore Issyk-Kul Lake.
At around 20.30, we will attend the incredible opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games.
Overnight in Sary Oy at the Karven Four Seasons 4* Hotel or similar.
Day 3 (03 SEP)
Sary Oy – Hippodrome – Kyrchyn Jailoo – Sary Oy
After breakfast, we will take in the beautiful views on a 1-hour boat cruise on Issyk Kul Lake.
After this, we will drive to Kyrchyn Jailoo and then continue to the Hippodrome at Cholpon Ata to watch the 3rd World Nomad Games. The Games were founded in 2014 as a way to celebrate and promote the nomadic games and cultures of Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia and beyond. They now take place every 2 years and are becoming more popular both locally and internationally.
Lunch in a local café.
The World Nomad Games includes events such as:
Toguz Korgool: A board game somewhat similar to chess/checkers
Kyrgyz Kurosh/Alysh Wrestling: Two varieties of wrestling which involve wrestling the opponent to the ground by the belt.
Ordo: A game similar to boules or pétanque using the knuckle bones of a horse or cow.
Kok Boru: One of the most popular events in the games. The sport has some similarities to polo with opposing teams on horseback trying to take a goat carcass (the “ball”) into the goal at the other end of the pitch.
Er Enish: A form of wrestling on horseback
Kyz Kuumai: The sport/performance, known as “girl chasing”, is a traditional sport among Turkic nomadic people such as Azerbaijanis, Kazakhs and Kyrgyz. It is a race with competitors “chasing” a girl riding on horseback.
Tyiyn Enmei: A demonstration of equestrian skill as competitors have to ride past a coin and pick it up at top speed.
Dinner at local café.
Overnight in Sary Oy at Karven Four Seasons 4* Hotel or similar.
Day 4 (04 SEP)
Sary Oy – Kyrchyn Jailoo – Sary Oy
After breakfast, we travel to Kyrchyn Jailoo to admire the Salburun festival. This festival is a display of hunting, falconry and archery and brings together masters from all over Kyrgyzstan.
Lunch in Kyrchyn Jailoo.
During the festival, we also experience traditional Kyrgyz music and folk dance including a performance by the Kyrgyz National Philharmonic and theatrical performances. We also get the chance to try Kyrgyzstan’s unique cuisine and admire traditional Kyrgyz national dress. We will finish by watching a speed yurt-building competition.
Dinner in a local café.
Overnight in Sary Oy at Karven Four Seasons 4* Hotel or similar.
Day 5 (05 SEP)
Sary Oy – Tepke – Karakol
This morning, we visit an eco-farm in Tepke village to experience the day-to-day life of a Kyrgyz farmer.
Homemade organic lunch from the eco-farm by Jyrgalan river.
On the way to Karakol we will visit the Przhevalsky Museum – named after the geographer and explorer Nikolai Przhevalsky. We will then continue to Karakol and visit two famous places of worship – the Dungan Mosque and Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.
Dinner with a Dungan family.
Overnight in Karakol at Green Yard 3* or similar.
Day 6 (06 SEP)
Karakol – Song Kul Lake
Today we head to Song Kul Lake via Djety-Oguz gorge. In the Kyrgyz language “Djety-Oguz” means Seven Bulls, named after the unique red sandstone geological formations. The views here are stunning, and we will enjoy them as we hike up the main gorge along the river. On the way, we pay a visit to some local nomadic families and, at the finish of the walk, we end by the impressive waterfall: an unforgettable experience.
Lunch boxes provided.
In the afternoon, we continue along the Southern Shore of Issyk-Kul Lake, passing the Orto-Tokoi water reservoir on our way to Kochkor. On arrival, we visit a handicraft museum, where there is an opportunity to purchase traditional Kyrgyz crafts. We then carry on through the Kalmak-Auu pass back to Song Kul Lake to our yurt camp, where we will spend the night in a traditional Kyrgyz yurt.
Dinner and overnight in a shared yurt at Ak-Sai Yurt Camp.
Day 7 (07 SEP)
Song Kul Lake
Today we have the chance to experience the life of a Kyrgyz nomad for ourselves.
There are a number of activities available:
1) Milking a mare or cow
2) Visiting local nomads
3) Hunting for ancient petroglyphs
4) Yurt building show (for supplement)
5) Horse-riding and games (for supplement)
Lunch and dinner at the yurt camp.
Overnight in shared yurt at Ak-Sai Yurt Camp.
Day 8 (08 SEP)
Son Kul Lake – Burana Tower – Bishkek
After breakfast, we will start the journey back to Bishkek. We will pass through Boom Gorge connecting the Chui and Issyk Kul regions of Kyrgyzstan. Here we can drive alongside one of the few railway lines in Kyrgyzstan and the wild Chu river.
Lunch with a local Kyrgyz family.
Before we reach Bishkek, we stop off at Burana Tower near Tokmok. Burana Tower is found in the ruins of the ancient city of Balasagun, one of the most important trading posts on the Silk Road and capital of the Kara-Khanid Khanate. We will inspect the ruins and take a look at the various ancient stone carvings, petroglyphs and bal-bals (Turkic tomb-stone carvings).
Dinner in a restaurant in Bishkek.
Overnight in Bishkek at Green City 3* Hotel or similar.
Day 9 (09 SEP)
Bishkek – Manas International Airport
After breakfast in the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your return flight home.
Package Includes:
- Connecting return flights from London to Bishkek via Istanbul or Moscow (flights from other airports available on request)
- 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler (up to 23 kg)
- 7 nights' accommodation in 3-4 star hotels
- 2 nights' accommodation at a Yurt Camp
- Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Transportation throughout the tour, as dsecribed in the itinerary
- Entrance and ecological fees
- 1-hour boat cruise on Issyk Kul Lake
- Excursion to Eco Farm, Reyna Kench
- Ticket to the World Nomad Games
- Professional English-speaking tour guide thoroughout the trip.
- 1 litre mineral water per person per day
- 24 hour emergency service
- ATOL protection
- All taxes
Connecting return flights from London to Bishkek via Istanbul or Moscow (flights from other airports available on request)
1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler (up to 23 kg)
7 nights' accommodation in 3-4 star hotels
2 nights' accommodation at a Yurt Camp
Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Transportation throughout the tour as dsecribed in the itinerary
Entrance and ecological fees
1-hour boat cruise on Issyk Kul Lake
Excursion to eco far Reyna Kench
Ticket to the World Nomad Games
Professional English-speaking tour guide thorought the trip.
1 litre mineral water per person per day
24 hour emergency service
ATOL protection
All taxes
Enquire now »