What a wonderful event! The skill of the opening ceremonies riders, musicians and dancers was awe-inspiring. Such a marvelous kickoff for the Games. Well done Kyrgyzstan!!
The VI World Nomad Games will take place in Kyrgyzstan from August 31 to September 6, 2026.
Update (August 15): Temporary restrictions on the arrival and departure of passenger flights in Manas Airport will be in effect:
▪️August 31 — from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
▪️September 1 — from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
During these periods, the airport will receive and handle aircraft carrying heads of state and official delegations. Passenger flights will continue to be served outside these hours.
// end of update
Organizers expect approximately 3,000 athletes from 113 countries. The sporting program includes 43 traditional sports, covering horse games and racing, national wrestling styles, traditional archery, hunting traditions, strength contests, and intellectual games. According to the Ministry of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic, Kyrchyn Jailoo is expected to receive around 100,000 visitors per day during the World Nomad Games.
Main locations
Date/location
Events
August 31 — Bishkek Arena, Bishkek
Opening ceremony at 17:00
September 2–6 — Cholpon-Ata Hippodrome
Kok-boru, kokpar, horse racing, er enish, concerts and closing events
Cholpon-Ata sports complex
National wrestling styles
Rukh Ordo and Dordoi Nomad, Bosteri
Strength competitions, festivals, concerts and cultural programs
Kyrchyn Gorge
Traditional archery, salbuurun, ordo and the main ethnocultural village
The closing ceremony will be held in Cholpon-Ata at the hippodrome in Baktuu-Dolonotu (near Cholpon-Ata). Visitors attending both ceremonies should arrange accommodation in Bishkek for August 31 and near Cholpon-Ata for the main program. The drive from Bishkek to Cholpon-Ata is approximately 260 kilometers and normally takes four to five hours, but event traffic may considerably increase travel time.
Traffic and alternative viewing
The opening coincides with the SCO summit in Bishkek on August 31–September 1. Security measures and temporary traffic restrictions should be expected, but exact WNG road closures have not yet been officially published.
Bishkek will operate 11 public fan zones: the main zone on Ala-Too Square and ten additional locations across the city’s four districts. Bishkek City Hall describes the fan zones as public venues where residents and visitors can watch live broadcasts of the World Nomad Games opening ceremony and key SCO summit events. The announced facilities and activities include:large LED screens; concerts by Kyrgyz artists; food courts and rest areas; photo and exhibition zones; traditional games such as toguz korgool, chükö and besh tash; activities for children and adults.
Fan zone locations in Bishkek:
Ala-Too Square
Julius Fuchík Park — 6/1 Julius Fuchík Street
Ashar Square — Ak-Orgo residential area
Muun Square — Jal microdistrict
Cholponbay Tuleberdiev Park — intersection of Kokchetavskaya and Tuleberdiev streets
Handball court — 62 Toktonaliev Street
Tunguch-1 Square — Tunguch microdistrict
Yntymak-2 Park amphitheater — intersection of Absamat Masaliev Avenue and Toktonaliev Street
Alga Sports Complex — 200/1 Usenbaev Street
Secondary School No. 66 — 1A, Vostok-5 microdistrict
Secondary School No. 21 — 1, Enesay 1st Street
Issyk-Kul events
Access to Kyrchyn by private vehicle will be restricted. The announced arrangement is to leave vehicles at guarded parking areas and use free shuttle buses to the ethnovillage.
Essential contacts
Unified emergency service: 112
Police: 102
Ambulance: 103
Fire service: 101
Issyk-Kul Tourist Police, including WhatsApp: 996 705 00 91 02 English and Russian assistance is available.
Tourism Department reception: 996 312 62 18 61
Tourism Department address: 96A Kievskaya Street, Bishkek This is an information office, not an emergency service.
I usually arrive and depart from Manas 2 (VIP Terminal) so had not experienced the new Manas Terminal until Monday when my wife was departing to travel to the USA. She is not keen to pay the VIP fee so I went with her to see her off this past Monday 12 Oct. What a disappointment..! I don't know who designed the airport, which does look rather impressive but the International Check-In desks are hidden in a small space which is poorly signed and crowded when flights are checking in. There is so much open space in the airport building, why on earth did they have to shove the International Departure check-in into something akin to a broom cupboard?
Additionally, to make matters worse, once you have checked in you have to fight your way back against all the other people checking in. CRAZY
Another issues is the lack of general signage for information, security, toilets etc.
I'm heading back to the UK next week but from Manas 2 thank you very much
I've been looking to redo some small projects for my apartment and looking for a handyman/carpenter. Need some bunkbeds and simple drawers made. Also redo toilets . I can't for the life of me find as most folks deal with large projects and mine is to small. Any helpw where to find or ask would be appreciated thank you in advance. Remember few years back never had issues but Bishkek is growing fast and work is vast by looks of things.
I spent 2 weeks traveling across Kyrgyzstan from Bishkek to Osh, and wanted to share my itinerary since I had trouble finding a full route when I was planning.
The first week was a road trip with a driver, and the second week was a 4-day trek in the Alay Mountains. It was one of the most beautiful treks I've ever done!
Here’s how it broke down:
Days 1–2: Bishkek. Mostly rest and adjusting to the time zone. If you have more energy than I did, Ala-Too Square, Panfilov Park, and Osh Bazaar are the main sights.
Day 3: Karakol. ~7 hours by car, with stops at Burana Tower (a 10th-century minaret you can climb) and the Open Air Petroglyph Museum in Cholpon Ata.
Day 4: Kok-Jaiyk Valley. Hike to a view of Oguz-Bashi Peak, then a night in a yurt camp by the river. Halfway through the hike, a local grandmother invited us in for tea and fresh bread with jam - a simple experience but a major highlight of the trip.
Day 5: Bokonbaevo. Barskoon Waterfall, Fairytale Canyon, and a yurt camp right on Issyk Kul Lake. Bell Tam Yurt Camp has a pioneer town vibe, plus hot rain showers and 15-euro massages.
Day 6: Song Kul Lake. Eagle hunting masterclass on the way, then a yurt stay at 3,000m+ with horses everywhere. Horseback riding along the lake is a popular activity.
Day 7: Kazarman. A 7–8 hour drive over Tuz Ashuu Pass with so many opportunities to pull over for stunning photos.
Day 8: Arslanbob. Waterfalls and the world’s largest walnut forest. While I enjoyed this stop, it did feel a bit overtouristed, especially around the Big Waterfall (one of the main attractions). If I went back, I'd probably skip this.
Day 9: Osh. Rest before the trek. Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain and Jayma Bazaar are both in the city if you have time.
Day 10: Tulpar Kul Lake. ~5 hours down the Pamir Highway to a yurt camp with Lenin Peak (7,134m) behind it. Definitely wake up early here for the gorgeous sunrise.
Days 11–14: Heights of Alay trek. Kyzyl Bel Trail → Sary Mogul Village → Sary Mogul Pass (4,306m) → Kosh Moinok Valley → Sarybell Pass → Kojokelen Village, then back to Osh. Sary Mogul Pass was my favorite view of the entire trip (though I encountered unexpected snow in June!).
I know this looks fast-paced. Everything in Kyrgyzstan is very spread out, so the one-night stops break up long drives.
If you want to cut anything, I’d skip Kazarman and Arslanbob. Just know that makes the drive from Song Kul to Osh about 14 hours, so I’d head back to Bishkek after Song Kul and fly to Osh instead. You can also cut a night in Bishkek.
Has anyone else done a Bishkek to Osh route? What were the highlights for you?
Hello! I recently came back from living in Bishkek and I’m especially missing maksym. I can’t stop thinking about it but I’m in the UK and would love if anyone knows if (by any chance) I can find it somewhere online which ships to UK, or even, a recipe for this. I’d love to try and make it myself! Thanks :)
I’m not sure what else to do, so I’ve decided to reach out here, thinking that maybe, just maybe, it‘ll work out and a little miracle would happen. It‘a just - My heart is breaking for them.
I found three tiny kittens in Bishkek, each no bigger than the palm of hand. Eyes are swollen and producing green pus.
Unfortunately, my mom absolutely cannot tolerate cats, to put it mildly, and because of that, I’m unable to keep them . I also don’t have a car or enough money to cover their treatment.
If anyone knows people who could foster these kittens, animal rescue volunteers or organizations that could take them in, or even someone who has always dreamed of having a pet and would be willing to give these little ones a loving home, I would be incredibly grateful for your help.
I have just 1,000 KGS left to my name, and I’m willing to give every last som of it toward helping these little ones. I can hand the kittens over along with that money if it means they’ll get the care they desperately need.
All I want is for them to be helped.
I want to apologise for bothering you, and express my gratitude in adwan to everyone who has taken the time to read this and to everyone cares enough to help. Every little act of kindness means the world 🙏🏻
I am a 31'M and would like to explore Kyrgyzstan in November, i know November is not so idea but wanna experiece some snowfall and I m mostly into Bike Rides ? Is it advisable to do rent bikes in Bishkek and explore places.
Hello! I'm from Argentina, and I always dreamed of visiting central asia. It just makes me very curious, you never get any information on central asia down here, but everything I learn about the different cultures and language seems really interesting. I recently got a new job that would allow me to travel if I save up for two or three more years, plus it's remote so I could continue to work from anywhere in the world. It makes me very excited because I can see my dream slowly turning into an actual plan.
Originally, I planned on visiting only Russia, which, I know, is controversial. I'm not "pro-Russia", I'm not pro any country. I'm really just curious about its linguistic and cultural diversity (I'm an anthropology student), but if you read this and roll your eyes and think "ew", I'd actually love to hear your thoughts. I don't seek to spark controversy but I would love to know more about people's relationship with Russia, precisely because I want to avoid offending anyone. Anyway, I mention this because I want to explain how I got to Kyrgyzstan: I learned people there speak russian, they're less homophobic than russians (I'm a trans man), and I looked it up, saw a few photos and thought "holy shit this looks amazing". I haven't fully discarded Russia yet, but I'm seriously considering visiting Kyrgyztan (and Kazakhstan) instead. Learning russian is important to me for several reasons: it's spoken in many countries and it would allow me to travel, it would allow me access to lots of academic discussions, I want to get into russian literature but prefer reading in the original language etc. So when I found out the most widely spoken language of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan was russian, I thought, wait, this could actually work.
Anyway, I know next to nothing about Kyrgyzstan, and while I plan on doing my own research, I also thought it would be fun to ask the people living there about their hometowns! Do you like the town/city you're from? Can you tell me about it? I just want to get something to start researching. Also, how's the situation for trans people in Kyrgyzstan? In particular, hormone treatment. I don't plan on disclosing my identity to anyone, but I would need to continue with my hormone replacement therapy. Will doctors prescribe it? Will I be able to travel around with testosterone patches? Hope that's okay to ask! Thank you!
A few tips from a local for anyone planning to visit Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬
Hey everyone!
I'm from Bishkek, and I've also worked in the tourism industry here. Having been a tourist in a few other countries, I feel like I know the usual struggles. So I thought I'd share a few tips that might save you some money and trouble.
Download 2GIS instead of relying only on Google Maps.
Google Maps isn't nearly as detailed or widely used here as it is in many other countries. Plenty of restaurants, cafes, shops, and smaller businesses are either missing or have very few reviews.
2GIS is much more useful for finding places, checking reviews, opening hours, and getting around the city. It also has an English interface, so don't worry about not speaking Russian. It's widely used among locals.
Don't immediately accept the first price a tour agency offers you.
I've worked in the tourism industry, and I can tell you that some agencies put pretty significant markups on their tours, especially private ones.
There's often room for negotiation, so don't be afraid to ask for a better price or compare offers from different agencies. Just make sure you're comparing what's actually included in the package.
Use Yandex Go for taxis.
Especially when arriving at the airport. You can see the price before booking, and it's generally a much better idea than negotiating with random taxi drivers outside.
Always carry some cash.
You can pay by card in most supermarkets, malls, and larger restaurants in Bishkek, but don't expect the same everywhere else.
If you're heading to the mountains, villages, or smaller towns, make sure you have enough cash with you.
Consider getting a local SIM card.
Mobile internet is relatively cheap here, and getting a local SIM card can save you quite a bit compared to international roaming. Just keep in mind that mobile coverage can be unreliable in remote mountain areas.
Don't underestimate travel times.
Kyrgyzstan is mountainous, and a relatively short distance on the map doesn't necessarily mean a quick drive. Always allow some extra time when traveling between destinations, especially in remote areas.
And finally, don't hesitate to ask locals for help. People here are generally very welcoming, and even if there's a language barrier, most will try their best to help you out.
Hi! I was recently in Kyrgyztan and loved seabuckthorn tea and so I bought this seabuckthorn powder. I don’t know how to prepare this one tho. Do I just mix it with hot water like an instant coffee or do I put it through a filter? How much should I put each cup? Any help will be greatly appreciated!
Бир-эки жума мурун сыгыт боюнча суроолор пайда болгон. Анын астында көпчүлүгү "андай бизде жок" деп жооп беришкен. Сыгыт же көмөкөй кай (throat singing) бар болгонун далили:
My and my friend are planning my first international trip with a friend from December 3 to December 13, departing from the UAE. Our budget is around AED 6,000 per person maximum, including flights, accommodation, transport, food, and activities.
We initially planned to visit Georgia, but after checking with people in the Georgia subreddit, I’m concerned that Gudauri’s ski season may not have started yet and access to Kazbegi and other mountain areas could be affected by winter conditions. So I’m considering saving Georgia for next year to experience more of it.
Right now, I’m considering Armenia, Thailand, or maybe Georgia. Our main priority is nature and beautiful scenery - mountains, forests, lakes, waterfalls, and dramatic landscapes. Historical monuments and city sightseeing come second.
Which destination would you recommend for these dates and our budget? We’re happy to hire private drivers when needed, but we won’t be driving ourselves.
If you’ve visited any of these places in early December, I’d really appreciate your advice, recommendations for scenic places, and a suggested 10-day itinerary.
I live in Salt Lake City, Utah and I am planning on spending a couple weeks here in summer next year. What are reasonable flight prices I should buy if I see?
Hi, I’m M24, from Germany, traveling around Central Asia right now. I’m planning to go hiking and camping near by Bischkek. Do someone has tips? Or is someone down to come with me?
Looking for advice traveling to Kyrgzstan in the 3rd week of October.
Which attractions, day trips, horse treks are not accessible after mid October?
Is the “Golden Autumn” as pretty as it looks in instagram?
Вообще я не часто пользуюсь общественным транспортом, но когда приходится то постоянно они забиты, частые пробки в городе, слишком душно внутри как в бане, конфликты, крики, плачь детей.
Я вообще не представляю как это выносят например студенты или те кто по 2 раза ездят в день в них. Это не автобус, а реально пыточная. Это же унижение человеческого достоинства.
Вау ребята, как вы это терпите вообще? Нам не какие то бесполезные шосы, игры кочевников(варваров) или стадионы с шакирой нужны. Нам нужно решение вот таких каждодневных проблем. Скоро там они собираются метро начать строить?!
