The Pamir Highway is a high-altitude road that bypasses some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in Central Asia. Traversing the Roof of the World, this spectacular ribbon of pavement winds between craggy peaks, past glistening lakes and through lunar landscapes.

Formally known as the M-41, the Pamir Highway extends from Osh in Kyrgyzstan to Mazar-i-Sharif in Afghanistan. Driving along the Pamir Highway is an ultimate road trip adventure for lovers of culture and off-the-beaten path wilderness.

PAMIR HIGHWAY: PLANNING AND LOGISTICS

After two weeks in Kyrgyzstan and southern Kazakhstan, I flew from Bishkek to Osh in order to begin my Pamir Highway road trip. By this point in my travels to Central Asia, Dan and Courtney had both returned to the United States. As a result, I found myself alone for the most adventurous leg of my month-long journey.

And what an adventure it was.

Traveling the Pamirs is not easy.

Roads–even along the main thoroughfare–are in in terrible shape. Homestays are rudimentary. Hygiene standards are foreign concepts. And even for those who think they’ve penned down their perfect route, altitude sickness, landslides and severe weather can turn carefully-planned itineraries upside down.

• HOW TO TRAVEL THE PAMIRS

There are several ways to travel the Pamir Highway. Some budget travelers choose to hitchhike or rely on limited public transport between larger towns. Others choose to cycle the high altitude road in a show of mental fortitude and physical strength.

Most, however choose to hire a driver to take them from Osh to Khorog on a road trip varying between four and ten days.

Knowing I wanted to hire a vehicle for the route, I began scouring forums and reading travel blogs in preparation for my trip. With the help of the Internet, I found three other people—a Dutch/Polish couple and a solo Malay traveler—with whom to share the journey. We met at the Osh Guesthouse and finalized logistics.

Two days later, with a jeep full of newfound friends, a bag full of layered clothing, a head full of apprehension and heart yearning for adventure, I set out into the unknown.

We organized a five day tour with Visit Alay–a company that focuses on travel to southern Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

• PAMIR HIGHWAY TRAVEL COSTS

The cost of traveling along the Pamir Highway varies depending on number of people, length of time and total kilometers traveled. Between the four of us, we payed $225 per person for five days. The price included transportation, as well as meals and lodging for our driver. It excluded our own meals and accommodation, which usually ranged between $15-20 extra per day.

• VISAS AND PERMITS FOR THE PAMIR ROAD TRIP

Traveling the Pamirs requires a bit of advanced planning. As an American, I needed to organize a Tajikistan e-visa and GBAO Permit before crossing the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. 

The GBAO Permit is a document that allows for travel through Tajikistan’s Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Province. Both the visa and permit can be easily obtained online in a couple days. 

PAMIR HIGHWAY: ROUTE AND ITINERARY

Our five day Pamir Highway itinerary brought us from Osh to Khorog via the Wakhan Valley. From Khorog, we hired a 4X4 shared taxi to take us the remaining 600km to Dushanbe–Tajikistan’s capital city.

Over the course of five days, we ogled at the snow-capped Peak Lenin, meandered through yak-studded pastures and peered into Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor.

• DAY 1: OSH TO PEAK LENIN BASE CAMP

The first leg of our journey brought us to the Alay Region of southern Kyrgyzstan. Home to undulating golden landscapes and soaring mountain peaks, this spectacular area of the country cemented my love for Kyrgyzstan as a trekking destination. 

From Osh, we joined the M-41 and began our steady climb into the Pamirs. As we drove higher and higher toward the Roof of the World, the scenery grew more breathtaking by the minute.

Along the way, we watched daily life unfold. We passed by red rock canyons, winding mountain passes and tiny villages where time seems to have stood still. There were few other vehicles traveling the Pamir Highway. Most roadblocks we encountered consisted of herders leading their cows and sheep to water.

On our first night along the Pamir Highway, we stayed in yurts at the Peak Lenin Base Camp near Sary Mogul. The yurt camp sits along the shores of Turparkol Lake, nestled among rolling hills of golden grass. 

We arrived at Peak Lenin with time to settle into our yurts, enjoy a short walk along the lake, and soak in the surrounding views.

The camp’s lakeside setting is magical in all directions. Treeless golden hills undulate under the vast sky, spanning out in all directions. To the north, a ring of purple mountains linger on the horizon. To the south, Peak Lenin’s towering massif looms overhead.

• DAY 2: PEAK LENIN TO KARAKUL

On the second morning of our Pamir Highway tour, we woke up to a layer of snow blanketing the surrounding mountains. Our Pamir Highway itinerary afforded us a bit of time to explore the area prior to hitting the road, so I set off into Peak Lenin’s wilderness for a few hours. 

From the yurt camp, a trail leads toward Traveler’s Pass. At every step of the way,  gold-gilded mountains and snow-capped peaks took my breath away. I had difficulty putting my camera down.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to complete the trail before leaving. A combination of lack of time and breathlessness from the altitude forced me to turn back after a few kilometers. The vistas I saw, however, were some of the most extraordinary of the entire trip.

Upon leaving Peak Lenin, we continued skyward, toward the Tajikistan border. As we climbed in elevation, the golden grasses of Kyrgyzstan gave way to Tajikistan’s lunar landscapes. For the next few days, I felt as though I was cruising along the surface of the moon.

A few hours after crossing the Tajikistan border, we arrived in Karakul–an expansive mountain-ringed lake situated within an impact crater. The mud-brick village of Karakul lies along the shores of the lake. The town is small and eerily quiet. Though we were visiting in late summer, temperatures were near freezing and we could see smoke rising from the chimneys of the mud-walled houses.

My companions and I bundled in our warmest clothes, meandered through the village and walked to the shores of the lake. When our fingers and faces stung from the cold, we retired to our cozy homestay for dinner and a cup of warm tea.

• DAY 3: KARAKUL TO ALICHUR

The following morning, we left Karakul and sailed past scree-covered valleys, toward Murghab. Though it was summer, harsh winds bit at my face. Snowflakes danced about, slowly covering the ground in a thin layer of white.

The third day of our Pamir Highway road trip brought us to the highest point on our journey–the 4655 meter Akbaital Pass. We crossed the pass and admired the sweeping views of the barren valley, careful to avoid physical exertion at every cost. The altitude was not only visible, it was also tangible. As we soared higher and higher into the Tajik Mountains, we could feel the air grow thinner. Our breaths accelerated in rapid succession. When we ran out of the car for a bathroom breaks, we would often find ourselves gasping for air.

After crossing the pass, we descended to the village of Murghab for a lunch break. Our driver–a friendly Tajik from Murghab–invited us to his home for lunch and a chance to meet his family.

For a few hours, we interacted with our driver’s hospitable wife and kids. Then, giving him a little privacy with his family, we set out to explore Murghab’s shipping container market before continuing to our homestay in Alichur.

Murghab sits at a cross-roads. Positioned between China and Afghanistan, this makeshift town was a 1895 Soviet military outpost that signified the farthest reaches of the Soviet Empire. Seemingly at the edge of civilization, it has a temporary frontier feel.

The landscape surrounding Murghab is bleak, with not a tree or shrub in sight. In all directions, the scenery is empty. Eerie. Desolate.

The Pamiri women of Murghab wear scarves wrapped around their entire heads–revealing only a small slit for the eyes–to shield against the wind and dust. As we walked around town, the wind bit at my face. It was not even Autumn yet, and still we had to battle the elements.

I could only begin to imagine the harsh reality of life in the Pamirs.

• DAY 4: ALICHUR TO LANGAR

The fourth day of our Pamir Highway tour consisted of vast glassy lakes, wide open skies and yak-studded pastures. We covered a relatively short stretch of road during the fourth day of our road trip. In this section, we took short hikes around glistening lakes and frequently got out of the car to stretch our legs.

Lakes Bulunkul and Yasilkul lie a few kilometers off of the M-41. We took the detour toward the lakes and were asked to pay a small fee before reaching the Yasilkul lookout. The fee (paid to a local man from a small village near the road turnoff), seemed like a ploy to make a couple dollars off of tourists.

Regardless, I happily handed over two dollars in exchange for views over the lake’s sky-blue waters. In the high altitude lunar landscapes of the Pamirs, the lakes look like mirages–their placid surfaces reflecting the massive skies overhead.

From the chain of lakes, we continued toward the Afghan border.

There, we handed over our documents at a checkpoint, turned onto a particularly bumpy stretch of road and caught our first glimpses of Afghanistan from across the river.

• DAY 5: LANGAR TO KHOROG VIA THE WAKHAN CORRIDOR

The Wakhan Valley is a popular detour from the M-41. The bumpy gravel road follows the Panj river as it winds between some of Central Asia’s tallest peaks.

The entire corridor on either side of the river is speckled with mud-walled villages that are nestled in fertile plots of cultivated land. Unlike the lunar landscapes we had encountered on days 2-4 of our Pamir Highway tour, the Wakhan Valley is home to trees and patches of green earth. Beyond these fertile slivers of green, towering valley walls give way to glimpses of the Hindu Kush mountains.

Small human settlements lie along the river, strung together by patches of arable land. Among these villages, ruins of caravanserais and forts stand as a testament to the area’s storied past.

The main highlight along the Wakhan Corridor the Yamchun Fortress–a stone structure that dates back to the 3rd century BC and overlooks fertile lands on either side of the Panj.

Apart from the beauty of the journey, the Wakhan Corridor’s proximity to Afghanistan makes it a fascinating detour from the M-41.

Villages along the Wakhan Corridor look as though they’ve remained untouched for centuries. I was so close to Afghanistan, that I could practically touch its soil with my outstretched arms. Across, the river, I waved at Afghan caravans leading their herds to the water. I watched women wash their clothes along the riverbanks. I glimpsed children running about, playing as though they had not a care in the world.

It was an eye-opening window into a forbidden and hauntingly beautiful country. A country that I one day hope is safe enough to explore.

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A road trip along the Pamir Highway is not for the inexperienced traveler. For those accustomed to luxuries on the road, the Pamir Highway can be a challenge. There is little variety in the food, accommodation is rudimentary at best, and toilet facilities are among the most revolting I’ve ever come across.

But travelers willing to step outside of their comfort zones, will find that there are few adventures more rewarding than a road trip along the Roof of the World.

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Boasting turquoise alpine lakes, cow-studded pastures, craggy mountain ridges and dramatic windswept rock formations, Kyrgyzstan is a country defined by its beauty. Kyrgyzstan’s wild and unspoiled scenery remains raw and relatively untouched by mass tourism. Mountains cover eighty percent of the country’s surface area and beckon hikers with dramatic vistas and abundant photo opportunities. Nestled at the heart of this dramatic wonderland, lies crystal-clear Lake Issyk Kul–the world’s second-largest high-altitude lake and the center of Kyrgyzstan’s burgeoning tourism industry.

There are endless things to do around Lake Issyk Kul. In summer months, beaches along the lakeshore attract sunbathers and swimmers. Beyond the shores of the lake, activities include horseback riding and some of the best trekking in Central Asia.

After four incredible days in southern Kazakhstan, Dan, Courtney and I traveled to Kyrgyzstan for the third biennial World Nomad Games. Since the nomadic games took place in Cholpon Ata at the north end of Lake Issyk Kul, we decided to focus our Kyrgyzstan itinerary on the plentiful things to see and do nearby.

With nearly a week in this stunning area of Kyrgyzstan, we soaked in hot springs, strolled through jailoos, relaxed by the water’s edge and trekked among Kyrgyzstan’s snowcapped peaks.

Karakol: Gateway to the Kyrgyz Mountains

When we arrived in Kyrgyzstan, we had a full day to spare before the start of the World Nomad Games. Hoping to make the most of our time near Lake Issyk Kul, we headed to Karakol. The sprawling city of Karakol is Kyrgyzstan’s primary mountain gateway. Karakol sits on the eastern edge of the lake and is a launching pad for excursions to Altyn Arashan and Jyrgalan.

While in Karakol, we spent two nights at the Evergreen Guesthouse–a lovely family-run establishment with impeccable rooms, a hearty free breakfast and a friendly host that offered up information on things to see and do around Lake Issyk Kul. It was, by far, the best place we stayed during our three weeks in Central Asia.

Karakol is a pleasant city with shaded streets, low-rise houses, plenty of green spaces and some excellent eateries. It is a town with limited sights, but lots of nearby activities. The city’s most famous attraction is the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church–a 19th century structure that is said to have been built without the use of a single nail.

Fires and earthquakes destroyed the church mere decades after it was built. What stands today, is a largely rebuilt replica of the original masterpiece.

Still, the church’s exquisite exterior is a must-see when in Karakol.

From the cathedral, my travel companions and I took a taxi to the Karakol Livestock Market. As we milled about the market, we watched men and women haggle over cows, goats, sheep and horses.

Karakol’s renowned market takes place every Sunday. It attracts vendors and buyers from surrounding communities, as well as a few odd tourists.

The Karakol Livestock Market–one of the largest in Central Asia–is reminiscent of the Friday Cattle Market in Nizwa, Oman. The sprawling market offers a fascinating glimpse into Kyrgyz society.

Day Trip to the Altyn Arashan Hot Springs

After visiting the livestock market and the Holy Trinity Cathedral, we hired a driver to take us to the Altyn Arashan Hot Springs. Altyn Arashan is the most popular trekking destination within easy reach of Karakol. Set in a postcard-perfect alpine valley, the yurt-studded jailoo is breathtaking.

Many travelers to Altyn Arashan visit the area as part of a three day hike to Ala Kol Lake. Since we only had a day in Karakol before the start of the games, however, we settled on an afternoon trip to the hot springs instead.

The road to Altyn Arashan is among the worst I’ve ever seen. Resembling nothing more than an uneven hiking trail, the drive up the root-covered, rocky path  is a hair-raising, body-beating adventure.

As we climbed the mountainside in our seatbelt-less UAZ-452, we bounced up and down, side to side. Along the way we passed hikers, sheepherders and jaw-dropping vistas of the surrounding mountains.

Two bruising hours later, our driver dropped us off at an Eco Yurt Camp near the hot springs. As soon as we reached Altyn Arashan, we fell in love with the idyllic valley. Sitting in the shadow of Palatka Peak and flanked by forested mountains on either side, the grassy jailoo is home to a series of thermal springs that lie along the river.

Altyn Arashan contains both indoor bath houses and outdoor hot springs. We initially soaked in a frog-shaped outdoor pool by the river. But the water in the frog’s mouth was lukewarm at best.

After half an hour of bathing in the open-air spring, we paid a small fee to access a steamy indoor pool attached to the yurt camp.

We may not have done much hiking in Altyn Arashan, but our banged-up bodies sure enjoyed the therapeutic water.

Jyrgalan: Kyrgyzstan’s Trekking Paradise

Following our day trip to Altyn Arashan and three days cheering on the athletes at the World Nomad Games in Cholpon Ata, Dan, Courtney and I returned to eastern Issyk Kul for a few days of trekking in Jyrgalan. Natural beauty fills the Jyrgalan Valley. Emerald hills and pastures roll outward, ringed by craggy snowcapped peaks. Lakes, rivers and waterfalls bisect this lush landscape and sparkle in warm summer sunshine.

We spent two days in Jyrgalan–soaking in the mountain scenery and basking in the solitude of this sleepy mountain community.

While many travelers to Jyrgalan opt to set off on multi-day treks in the area, we chose to stay at the Jyrgalan Yurt Lodge and take day hikes into the surrounding pastures and mountains.

On our first day in Jyrgylan, we meandered past village streams and cow-studded pastures to the Kok Bel Waterfall.

On our second day in Jyrgalan, we heeded the advice of the local Community Based Tourism (CBT) office and set out to visit Turnaluu Kol Lake–a shimmering body of water that lies 2,700 meters above sea-level.

Though we were equipped with step-by-step directions, we didn’t quite make it to the lake. The path–well marked with arrows for the first mile or so–simply disintegrates into the lush farmlands outside of town.

With no clear path to the lake, we spent the rest of the afternoon walking through pastures, fording mountain streams, and enjoying the surrounding scenery.

The Southern Shores of Lake Issyk Kul

From Jyrgalan, Dan made the long journey back to the United States for work. Courtney and I still had a few days to spare before our return flights, so we ventured to the southern end of Lake Issyk Kul.

While we explored southern Issyk Kul, we stayed at the Bel Tam Yurt Camp near Tong. The yurt camp sits on the shores of the crystal-clear lake and boasts a mountainous backdrop, a laidback communal area and delicious nightly dinners.

A trip around the entirety of Lake Issyk Kul reveals the diversity of things to do in this area of Kyrgyzstan. On the southern shores of the lake, we swapped lush green mountains for cracked red desert.

As a day trip from the Bel Tam Yurt Camp, we spent an afternoon at the colorful Skazka Canyon. Also known as the Fairy Tale Canyon, this geologic wonder is a place where iron-rich rocks have eroded into photogenic corridors and spires. It is one of the most impressive attractions near Lake Issyk Kul.

Part Valley of Fire in Nevada, part Painted Hills in Oregon, this colorful landscape is a swirling melange of reds, pinks, yellows and oranges –a striking contrast to the cobalt lake waters that lie beyond.

Courtney and I spent two blissful days at the Bel Tam Yurt Camp. After a week of being constantly on the move, we reveled in the serenity of the camp’s lakeside location.

Aside from our day trip to the Skazka Canyon, we did very little sightseeing during our final days in northeastern Kyrgyzstan.

Instead, we simply enjoyed reading at the beach, chatting with fellow travelers and falling asleep to the sound of lapping waves.

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The area around Lake Issyk Kul is a wonderland for hikers, sunbathers and nature-lovers. Our week around Kyrgyzstan’s largest lake showcased some of the most extraordinary scenery that this landlocked Central Asian country has to offer.

Based on travelogues and google photos, I had high expectations before visiting Kyrgyzstan. I knew the country would be visually stunning and culturally vibrant.

What I didn’t realize, is that the ease of traveling in Kyrgyzstan would be facilitated by a comprehensive public transportation system, easy visa-free travel, plentiful things to see and do and some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met.

The post Things to See near Kyrgyzstan’s Lake Issyk Kul appeared first on Erika's Travels .

The World Nomad Games is an event unlike any other. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Olympics of the Nomads,’ the week-long celebration of Central Asian athletics is a stunning display of epic proportions.

Since its inception in 2014, the popularity of the nomadic competition has soared. After all, where else can you see such a dizzying array of people from countries whose names you can’t even pronounce? Or watch men on horseback sling headless goat carcasses into hoops? Or cheer on Team USA as it tries to compete with falconers and horseback wrestlers who have perfected their sport for millennia?

THE THIRD BIENNIAL WORLD NOMAD GAMES

Kyrgyzstan launched the inaugural World Nomad Games in 2014. The purpose of the games was to showcase Kyrgyzstan’s tourism potential to audiences abroad, while instilling a sense of pride in local communities who have struggled to define themselves in the wake of Soviet occupation. By hosting an event that would bring people together for a week of athletic competitions, dance performances, singing and craftsmanship, the organizers hoped to keep the nomadic traditions of Central Asia alive

And since its inception, the World Nomad Games has been a huge success. In 2014, the event attracted 600 athletes from 19 countries. Four years later, the third edition of the biennial event showcased nearly 2,000 competitors from 74 countries.

TRAVELING TO THE WORLD NOMAD GAMES

When I first heard about the World Nomad Games in 2016, I knew that I would have to travel to Kyrgyzstan for the 2018 competition. The event simply sounded too spectacular to pass up. Without even considering the rugged beauty of nearby Lake Issyk Kul or the endless trekking opportunities in the Tian Shan Mountains, the World Nomad Games catapulted Kyrgyzstan to the top of my travel wish-list.

Dan, Courtney and I traveled to the third biennial World Nomad Games in Cholpon Ata, after four incredible days exploring the deserts and lakes of southern Kazakhstan.

To reach the event from Almaty, we took a minibus via the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek. Fourteen hours later, we arrived in Cholpon Ata physically exhausted, yet brimming with anticipation.

Prior to arriving in Kyrgyzstan, I stalked forums and websites online in order to find more information on the World Nomad Games. I was hooked. Yet, information on the sporting competition–even on the event’s own website–was scarce. It was not until mid-July, that I could confirm the event would be held in Cholpon Ata between September 2nd and September 8th.

By the time I arrived in Kyrgyzstan for the start of the games, I’d spent so much time searching for photos and descriptions online, that I began to worry that I’d overhyped the event in my head.

I figured the World Nomad Games could be one of two things: it could be as amazing as everyone promised, or it could be an inauthentic, touristy Disneyland of sorts.

We stayed in Cholpon Ata for three days during the World Nomad Games. While there, we divided our time between the hippodrome in Cholpon Ata and the sweeping jailoo of the Kyrchyn Gorge.

I immediately realized that my fears of inauthenticity and Disney-style displays were unfounded. What I encountered during our three days at the World Nomad Games, was a dazzling display of Olympic-style showmanship, with a Kyrgyz twist.

I need not have worried about the authenticity of the games; the event was nothing short of spectacular.

EVENTS AT THE KYRCHYN GORGE JAILOO

During the World Nomad Games, the Kyrchyn Gorge Jailoo northeast of Cholpon-Ata transformed into a nomadic encampment of epic proportions. A jailoo, which translates to ‘summer pasture,’ is a place where nomads bring their flocks to graze during warmer months. During the games, the jailoo at Kyrchyn became home to hundreds of yurts, many of them exquisitely decorated.

As we meandered between the yurt camp, we stopped to admire acrobats, musicians and dancers. Locals–often decked out from head to toe in traditional dress–milled about with tourists. Their enthusiasm for the event was palpable, as they broke out into song, photographed themselves riding camels and cheered on their favorite athletes.

Various stages around the jailoo hosted live performances, meaning that entertainment abounded at all hours of the day. Competing athletes clopped by on horseback, interacting with visitors. Tightrope walkers and magicians performed their skills for gaping observers. Music notes floated into the crisp mountain air.

Aside from its exhibits of Kyrgyz music and art, the jailoo at the Kyrchyn Gorge was one of the main places where competitions occurred. Horseback archery, falconry, dog hunting and ordo—a bocce-like game that consists of dislodging sheep bones from a circle—took place at the edge of a grassy knoll, near the cultural village.

The Kyrchyn Gorge blew our expectations out of the water. With its theatrical performances, sporting events and decorated yurts, the jailoo evoked a nomadic encampment from a bygone era.

Considering the World Nomad Games was free to attend, I often found myself wondering how the event managed to remain so undiscovered.

And then I remembered we were in Kyrgyzstan–a country that most people from North America and Europe have likely never even heard of.

How lucky we were, to attend the World Nomad Games before it became flooded with kitschy souvenirs and busloads of tour groups.

WORLD NOMAD GAMES HIPPODROME EVENTS

While the Kyrchyn Gorge Jailoo hosted some of the most fascinating Kyrgyz sports competitions, many of the high-profile events at the World Nomad Games took place at the hippodrome in Cholpon Ata. Beautifully positioned at the edge of Lake Issyk Kul, the hippodrome hosted competitions of horseback wrestling, horse racing and kok boru.

Horseback wrestling, or ‘Er Enish‘ is perhaps the most brutal of all events at the games. A violent show of brute strength, the sport consists of bare-chested men attempting to fling each other off their horses and into the dirt.

Er Enish drew sizable crowds to the hippodrome stadium. It was a clear favorite among locals and tourists alike. But while Er Enish competitions filled the grandstands, kok boru was the undeniable highlight of the  at the World Nomad Games.

Kok boru is a traditional game in which two teams on horseback compete to rack up points. The game–like a form of rugby on horseback–consists of players slinging around a beheaded goat, in an attempt to fling it into large circular rings.

To those who don’t understand the sport, kok boru looks like pure chaos. Horses charge at each other from every direction, protesting and neighing and sending flying dust into the air. It is the type of sport that causes Western tourists to gape, and animal-lovers to cringe.

Kok boru is the hallmark event of the World Nomad Games, so we made sure to watch a few matches from the grandstands at the hippodrome. We even got to cheer on Team USA as it got clobbered (both literally and figuratively) by its Central Asian opponents. Unsurprisingly, the Wyoming cowboys from Team USA lost by nearly 30 points in each of the matches we attended. Nevertheless, it was a fun surprise to see my home country compete in an event that most of my fellow Americans are unaware exists.

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Attending the World Nomad Games was one of the undeniable travel highlights of my life. And I don’t say that lightly. In a world that often focuses on cultural divisions and extremism within Islam, Kyrgyzstan’s celebration of nomadic life highlighted the commonalities that bring people together in both Central Asia and the world at large. The weeklong celebration of nomadic culture allowed me—a tourist—to have multiple meaningful connections with competitors, artists, musicians and dancers from Central Asia.

At Kyrgyzstan’s World Nomad Games, the line between tourist and local blurred as we danced together, laughed together and, together, cheered on those who were competing in the nomadic games.

I could have so easily imagined everything being different. I could have easily imagined the event charging steep entrance fees to attract tourist dollars and ward off local visitors. I could have easily imagined touts asking for money, or vendors hassling tourists to buy cheap nicknacks and souvenirs.

But what we encountered instead, was an event that was as genuine and inclusive as it was captivating. One in which everyone—locals and tourists alike—reveled in the festive atmosphere and came together in celebration of nomadic life.

In 2021, the World Nomad Games will take place in Turkey for the first time (delayed by a year because of the pandemic). With the additional tourism and press coverage that will undoubtedly follow, I just hope that the world’s largest nomadic sporting event can manage to maintain its authenticity.

The post The World Nomad Games: A Celebration of Nomadic Life appeared first on Erika's Travels .