5 reasons you need to visit the 2026 World Nomad Games

1. They’re not a tourist trap.
Okay, the World Nomad Games are intended to attract tourists and boost tourism in their host country. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be drowning in a sea of obnoxious foreign tourists!

Are the 2026 World Nomad Games worth the trip? - Kyrgyz tourists at the 2016 World Nomad Games - 
I spy with my little eye… plenty of Kyrgyz tourists!

There were far more Kyrgyz people than foreigners at the World Nomad Games in 2016. Spectator and performer alike were excited to show off their culture, and oh were they a sight to behold.

A bossy old Kyrgyz man - Are the 2018 World Nomad Games worth the trip? - 

Plenty of nomadic families rolled in to set up yurts near the event. Men and women donned traditional clothes. Many a spectator were on horseback. Young, aspiring eagle hunters wandered through the crowds with tiny eaglets in tow.

Men with phones on horseback at the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan - 

Spectators on horseback - Are the 2018 World Nomad Games worth the trip? 
Talk about the best seats in the house!

   Spectators and eagles at the 2016 World Nomad Games - Are the 2026 World Nomad Games worth it?

Make room for the eagle, man.

It’s entirely possible you’ll enjoy watching the crowd more than the actual events!

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2. You’ll see all kinds of crazy things hard to find elsewhere in the world.
Let’s be real. Where else can you see sports involving headless goat carcasses, horseback wrestling, mounted archery, long-distance racing, and eagle hunting all in one place?

Kok buru in Kyrgyzstan - Are the 2018 World Nomad Games worth the trip? - Lost With Purpose
Headless goat sports, anyone? This popular nomad sport is known as kok buru in Kyrgyzstan.

Horseback archery at the World Nomad Games in 2016 - Are the 2018 World Nomad Games worth the trip? - 

   Women doing archery at the World Nomad Games in 2016 - 

What about massive yurt camps filled with people in nomadic garb?

Old women in traditional Kyrgyz clothes - Are the 2018 World Nomad Games worth the trip? - 

A Kyrgyz nomad girl in traditional clothes at the World Nomad Games in 2016 - 

Random camels wandering around?

Camel at the 2016 World Nomad Games - Are the 2018 World Nomad Games worth the trip? -

And most importantly, endless quantities of nomad noms?

Free nomadic food at the 2016 World Nomad Games - Are the 2018 World Nomad Games worth the trip? - 
We were invited into this yurt to come check out the food… which all turned out to be free!

How about event venues in jailoos, soaring alpine pastures, surrounded by mountains?

Yurt camp in a jailoo at the World Nomad Games in Kyrgyzstan - 
This will do just fine.

Or sports arenas on the shores of one of the largest lakes in the world?

Lake Issyk Kul - Are the 2018 World Nomad Games worth the trip? - 
As will this.  No, your television does not count.

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3. The 2018 World Nomad Games are guaranteed to be better than ever before.
At the 2016 World Nomad Games there were yellow-clad volunteers galore, ensuring attendees had as smooth an experience as possible. They spoke a variety of languages, from English to Russian to Kyrgyz to French, were happy to show people around (and translate!), and were well informed about the schedule… when possible.

But, to be honest, being well informed was easier said than done. A definitive schedule was the only thing missing from the 2016 World Nomad Games… and it led to a lot of confusion.

Is this kok buru match between Russia and Kazakhstan or America and Kyrgyzstan? Are the eagle speed trials today or tomorrow?

International flags at the 2016 World Nomad Games - 
Participants from 40 countries attended the games in 2016. Who knows how many countries there will be in 2018?

Part of it was due to a bit of bad weather at the start, and part of it was… well, typical Central Asian planning (or a lack thereof).

Paper signs on buildings at the 2016 World Nomad Games - 
Very official: taped paper signs on one of the sporting halls.

In the end, it wasn’t a big deal—there was always something interesting going on, though it wasn’t always what you expected. On the positive side, volunteers were constantly surveying attendees on how the event could be improved. Expect much improved organization and infrastructure in 2018!

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4. They’re epic. (Do you need any other reason?)
I’ve touched on this already, but it needs to be said again. The location and people of the World Nomad Games in 2016 were amazing, and the 2018 World Nomad Games are sure to be equally epic.

I won’t even bother trying to put words to this. Just take a look at these photos and see for yourself:

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5. With Nomads Travel Kyrgyzstan

Your trip will be organized by professional team of Nomads Travel. You will be able to discover nomads life and amazing nature of Kyrgyz Republic!!!