THE GRAND EXPEDITION: GAMES & GLACIERS

01Expedition Overview

This is the ultimate 18-day adventure for those who want to see it all. Witness the majestic Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the World Nomad Games and dive deep into the untamed beauty of the Tien Shan mountains. You will embark on multi-day treks through the fir forests of Chon-Kemin, conquer the 3,467m Terim Tor Bulak Pass in Jyrgalan, marvel at turquoise alpine lakes, and sleep under the stars at the 3,016m high Son-Kul Lake. Combining intense cultural immersion with challenging wilderness trekking, this tour is not just a vacation—it's an expedition of a lifetime.

🏟️

WNG VIP Access

Opening, Closing Ceremonies & Kok-Boru Finals

🥾

Deep Trekking

Multi-day hikes in Chon-Kemin and Jyrgalan valleys

⛺

Wild Camping

Nights in tents by high-altitude trapezoidal lakes

🦅

Nomadic Heritage

Eagle hunters, felt workshops, and Son-Kul yurts

02Detailed Itinerary

Aug 30

Arrival in Bishkek

📍 Bishkek

Welcome to Kyrgyzstan! Meet your team at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest after your flight, then enjoy a welcome dinner and an evening walk around the capital to feel the pre-Games excitement.

Arrival

Aug 31

Independence Day & WNG Opening

📍 Bishkek – Chunkurchak

Bishkek comes alive today to celebrate Independence Day at Ala-Too Square. In the evening, attend the spectacular World Nomad Games Opening Ceremony. After the fireworks, we escape the city to the peaceful Chunkurchak Gorge for a quiet night.

Opening Ceremony

Sep 01

Waterfalls & Ancient Minarets

📍 Chunkurchak – Kegety – Burana – Chon Kemin

Start with a walk to Chunkurchak waterfall, then drive to the impressive Kegety waterfall. Visit the 11th-century Burana Tower (ancient Balasagyn). We arrive at the beautiful Chon Kemin gorge, rich in flora and fauna, to prepare for our trek.

Burana

Sep 02

Trek: Chon Kemin to Toru Aigyr

📍 Chon Kemin – Toru Aigyr

Transfer to the starting point along the Chong-Kemin River. Slopes here are covered by fir forests. We hike through the woods, have a picnic on the trail, and reach Toru-Aigyr to set up our first camp. Overnight in tents.

TrekkingTents

Sep 03

Trek: Lake Kol-Kogur

📍 Toru Aigyr – Kol Kogur

Hike towards Kol-Kogur lake at 2,500m. This mountain lake has a unique trapezoidal shape. We set up camp right on the shore, surrounded by stunning scenery. Overnight in tents.

Alpine Lake

Sep 04

Over the Pass to Issyk-Kul

📍 Kol Kogur – Cholpon Ata

Final day of this trek. We ascend to Tamchy Pass (3,400m). After crossing, we descend to Achyk-Tash Jailoo where our vehicle awaits to take us to the shores of Issyk-Kul Lake. Enjoy a refreshing swim after days of hiking. Accommodation in a hotel.

Pass 3400m

Sep 05

Kyrchyn Ethno-Village

📍 Cholpon Ata – Kyrchyn Gorge

Dive into the World Nomad Games culture at the Kyrchyn gorge ethno-village. See hundreds of yurts, eagle hunting, and folk games. It's a living museum of nomadic life. Return to Cholpon-Ata for the night.

WNG Culture

Sep 06

Kok-Boru Finals & Closing Ceremony

📍 Cholpon Ata

Rest by the lake in the morning. Later, witness the fierce finals of Kok-Boru (the famous horseback game) at the Hippodrome, followed by the grand WNG Closing Ceremony.

FinalsClosing

Sep 07

Petroglyphs & Journey to Jyrgalan

📍 Cholpon Ata – Jyrgalan

Visit the Ruh Ordo cultural center and the open-air petroglyphs museum (500 BC - 100 AD). Drive along the lake to the remote, untouched Jyrgalan Valley. Prepare for tomorrow's trek in a family guesthouse.

History

Sep 08

Trek: Jyrgalan to Terim Tor

📍 Jyrgalan – Terim Tor

Start hiking from 2,260m. Pass shepherds, sheep, and horses running through valleys. Ascend to an alpine lake, then descend tracking the river to our first campsite at 2,800m. Overnight in tents.

Trekking

Sep 09

Trek: Over Terim Tor Bulak

📍 Terim Tor – Turgon

A challenging day. Climb to Terim Tor Bulak Pass (3,467m) for stunning snow-covered views. Descend rapidly to the glacier-blue Torgey Ak-Suu river. Cross a wooden bridge and climb Boz Uchuk-Ashuu Pass (3,362m). Visit alpine lakes before camping. Overnight in tents.

Hard Trek

Sep 10

Trek: Boz Uchuk Lakes to Karakol

📍 Turgon – Boz Uchuk – Karakol

A 10km walk to a cluster of turquoise alpine lakes that once formed a massive glacier. The grand visual finale of the trek! Descend through the valley where our car picks us up for a transfer to Karakol. Rest in a comfortable hotel.

Glacier Lakes

Sep 11

Red Rocks & Russian Banya

📍 Karakol – Jeti Oguz – Skazka – Bel Tam

Drive to Jeti Oguz (Seven Bulls) and the Broken Heart rock. Visit Barskoon gorge (Tears of Snow Leopard waterfall). Explore the 'Chinese Wall' formations in Skazka Canyon. Finish at Bel Tam yurt camp with a hot Russian Banya.

CanyonsBanya

Sep 12

Eagle Hunters to High Plateaus

📍 Bel Tam – Ak Say – Son Kul

Visit Ak-Say canyons and meet a traditional eagle hunter. Stop in Kochkor to learn how wool 'shyrdak' carpets are made. Ascend to Son-Kul Lake (3,016m). Overnight in Yurts.

Eagle Hunter

Sep 13

Nomadic Life at Son-Kul

📍 Son Kul

A free day to experience authentic nomadic life. Ride horses across the vast jailoos, visit local families to taste Kymyz (fermented mare's milk), and watch herds of horses roam freely. Overnight in Yurts.

Horseback

Sep 14

Through Valleys to Bishkek

📍 Son Kul – Bishkek

Drive through the Kara-Keche coal mine and the picturesque Kokomeren Valley. Visit the museum of Kojomkul, the legendary 236cm-tall hero who could carry a 635kg stone. Arrive in Bishkek.

Road Trip

Sep 15

Rest & Capital Discoveries

📍 Bishkek

A relaxed day in Bishkek. Visit Osh Bazaar for souvenirs, spices, and dried fruits. Walk through Oak Park and Victory Square. Enjoy a grand farewell dinner to celebrate your epic 18-day journey.

Shopping

Sep 16

Departure

📍 Bishkek – Airport

Transfer to Manas International Airport. Take home memories of glaciers, nomad games, and endless mountains.

Departure

03Main Locations

🏙️

Bishkek

The capital, start/end point, and host of Independence Day.

1, 2, 16, 17, 18

🌲

Chon-Kemin

Fir forests and start of the first trek.

3, 4

🌊

Cholpon-Ata & Kyrchyn

The epicenter of the World Nomad Games.

6, 7, 8, 9

🧗

Jyrgalan

Remote valley for the challenging Terim Tor Bulak trek.

9, 10, 11

⛺

Son-Kul

High-altitude alpine lake for nomadic immersion.

14, 15

04Signature Activities

🎇

WNG Ceremonies

VIP access to Opening and Closing shows.

2, 8

🥾

Alpine Trekking

Multi-day hikes across passes over 3,400m.

4, 5, 10, 11

🐎

Horse Riding

Exploring the vast jailoos of Son-Kul.

🦅

Eagle Hunting

Private demonstration by a Berkutchi.

05What's Included

✓

All Accommodation (Hotels, Yurts, Tents)

✓

Full Board (Meals & Trekking food)

✓

All vehicle transfers

✓

English speaking guide

✓

Luggage carrying during trekking (porters/horses)

✓

Camping equipment rental (tents, mats)

✓

WNG Opening & Closing Ceremony Tickets

✓

National Park and Museum entry fees

✓

Horse Riding at Son-Kul & Eagle show

Sleeping bags (0°C<)

Insurance & Repatriation