The best tours of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan! Experienced guides, diverse programs, comfort and safety, as well as exciting adventures and vivid memories!
The best tours of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan! Experienced guides, diverse programs, comfort and safety, as well as exciting adventures and vivid memories!
World Nomad Games 2026: Complete Guide to Sports, History and Traditions
Every few years Kyrgyzstan becomes the center of global tourism.
This is where the World Nomad Games (World Nomad Games Kyrgyzstan) take place — an international festival of traditional sport, culture and the heritage of the nomads of Central Asia.
This event unites dozens of countries, hundreds of athletes and thousands of travelers who come to see nomad sports in Kyrgyzstan and feel the atmosphere of the ancient Silk Road.
The first festival was held in 2014 and quickly became a global event.
The main goal of the World Nomad Games is to preserve and promote the traditions of the nomads of Central Asia.
The Games show the world:
the culture of nomadic civilization
ancient warrior skills
traditional sports and crafts
the philosophy of nomadic life
Today the Nomad Games of Central Asia are among the most unique festivals in the world.
The festival includes dozens of disciplines. Below are the key sports that we will cover in a separate series of articles.
The most spectacular part of the festival:
kok boru (kok boru Kyrgyzstan)
kokpar (kokpar Central Asia)
baige — long-distance horse racing
er enish — mounted wrestling
kyz kuumai — horseback chase
These games demonstrate the core value of nomadic culture — the horse as the center of nomadic life.
Traditional competitions of strength and intellect:
kyrgyz kurosh
kazakh kures
ordo — nomadic strategy game
toguz korgool — nomadic chess
These disciplines show how traditional sports developed in Central Asia.
The most atmospheric disciplines:
salbuurun — eagle hunting
horseback archery
tyyn enmey — picking up a coin at full gallop
These are part of ancient nomadic warrior traditions and survival skills.
The World Nomad Games Kyrgyzstan is more than sport.
It is the largest cultural and tourism festival in the region.
Visitors experience:
yurt camps and nomadic lifestyle
Kyrgyz national cuisine
craft markets
music, dance and festivals
travel through the mountains and lakes of the Tien Shan
That is why the festival is often called a must-visit event in Central Asia.
The best way to see the Nomad Games 2026 is to visit Kyrgyzstan with a ready-made itinerary.
XTRAVEL.KG organizes tours to the World Nomad Games Kyrgyzstan, combining the festival with travel across the country.
Tour programs include:
opening ceremony and main competitions
accommodation in yurt camps
trips through mountains and lakes
exploring nomadic culture and cuisine
accompanied by local guides
This is a chance to see the Nomad Games 2026 and discover the country at the same time.
Interest in World Nomad Games tours in Kyrgyzstan grows every year.
Places are limited and the best routes are booked early.
Now is the perfect time to start planning your journey.
This article is the beginning of our Nomad Games guide.
Next, we will tell you in detail about each sport and festival tradition.