The VI World Nomad Games run August 31 to September 6, 2026 — a biennial event that's become the biggest showcase of traditional Central Asian nomadic sport and culture anywhere in the world. The opening ceremony is at Bishkek Arena; most of the competition and cultural programming happens on Issyk-Kul's north shore, centered on Cholpon-Ata and the Kyrchyn gorge ethno-complex, with more events at Rukh Ordo and the local hippodrome.
Kok-boru (horseback "polo" played with a goat carcass), er enish (horseback wrestling), alysh (belt wrestling), mounted and ground archery, eagle hunting demonstrations, and toguz korgool alongside horse racing — plus a full cultural program of komuz music, national dress, yurt-building competitions, and craft markets. Delegations come from dozens of countries.
Kyrchyn gorge and Cholpon-Ata are on Issyk-Kul's north shore — a full day's trip from Karakol around the lake, so most visitors either base themselves on the north shore for the event days or do it as an extended trip from Karakol. Given how close the dates are, message us as early as possible if you want to catch this.
Zoomy