- The easiest place to meet eagle hunters (berkutchi) is Bokonbaevo on the south shore of Issyk-Kul, ≈4–5 h from Bishkek; demonstrations are booked in advance.
- The 6th World Nomad Games took place 31 August – 6 September 2026, opening in Bishkek with main events on Issyk-Kul.
- Kok-boru (team horse game with a goat carcass) is played at holidays and summer festivals; ask locally about matches.
- Culture add-ons: felt (shyrdak) workshops in Kochkor, yurt camps at Song-Kul, Manas epic recitals.
The best place to see Kyrgyz nomad culture up close is the south shore of Issyk-Kul: in Bokonbaevo, about 230 km (4–5 hours) from Bishkek, local berkutchi show how golden eagles are trained to hunt. Add a kok-boru match, a night in a yurt and a felt workshop, and you have a full picture of nomadic life. The 6th World Nomad Games ran from 31 August to 6 September 2026, opening in Bishkek with the main schedule on Issyk-Kul.
Where to see eagle hunters in Kyrgyzstan
Eagle hunting (salbuurun) is a traditional winter activity: a trained golden eagle hunts foxes and hares in snowy steppe. For visitors, families around Bokonbaevo and the villages of the south shore of Issyk-Kul offer demonstrations: the hunter explains how a young eagle is taken and trained, you can hold the bird on a leather glove, and then watch it fly to a lure. Some families also show taigan hunting dogs and archery from horseback. Demonstrations are booked in advance through guesthouses, yurt camps or operators.
| Experience | Where | When | Price guide (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle hunter demonstration | Bokonbaevo, south shore | All year (best Sep–Mar) | Per group, a few thousand som — confirm |
| Kok-boru match | Villages, hippodromes, festivals | Holidays, summer festivals | Usually free to watch |
| Felt / shyrdak workshop | Kochkor, Bokonbaevo | All year | ≈500–1,500 som pp |
| Yurt camp night | Song-Kul, south shore | Jun – Sep | ≈2,500–4,500 som pp with meals |
| World Nomad Games | Bishkek + Issyk-Kul | Every 2 years; 2026: 31 Aug – 6 Sep | Many events free; ceremonies ticketed |
Kok-boru and horse games
Kok-boru (or ulak tartysh) is the Kyrgyz national horse game: two teams of riders fight for a goat carcass and score by throwing it into the opponent’s goal. It is fast, rough and spectacular. You can see it at Nooruz (21 March), Independence Day (31 August), local festivals and weddings in villages, and at regional hippodromes. Other horse games include kyz kuumai (a riding chase between a young man and woman) and at chabysh long-distance races.
World Nomad Games 2026
The World Nomad Games were founded in Kyrgyzstan in 2014, held here again in 2016 and 2018, then hosted by Turkey (2022) and Kazakhstan (2024). The 6th edition returned to Kyrgyzstan from 31 August to 6 September 2026: the opening took place in Bishkek and most competitions were held around Issyk-Kul. The programme included kok-boru, horseback archery, wrestling on horseback, salbuurun with eagles and an ethno-village with yurts. Future dates will be announced by the organisers; during the Games, accommodation on Issyk-Kul fills up months in advance.
Yurts, felt and the Manas epic
Most families on summer pastures still live in yurts, and you can stay in one at Song-Kul or on the south shore (see yurt stays). In Kochkor, women’s cooperatives make shyrdak felt carpets and offer short workshops. Ask your host or guide about a manaschi — a reciter of the Manas epic, one of the longest oral epics in the world. The craftsmanship of the Kyrgyz yurt and the kok-boru game are recognised in UNESCO’s intangible heritage lists.
Etiquette and ethical tips
- Always ask before photographing people; a small tip after a demonstration is appreciated.
- Eagle shows should keep birds in good condition — if a bird looks stressed or injured, say so to your operator.
- In a yurt, the place of honour (tör) is opposite the door; wait to be seated.
- Paying through your booking platform or by QR keeps income transparent for host families.
Combine an eagle show with the Skazka canyon on the 3-day Issyk-Kul loop, or ride to shepherd camps on a horse trek. Ask for a culture-focused plan via Plan my trip.
FAQ
Where can I see eagle hunters in Kyrgyzstan?
Mainly in Bokonbaevo and nearby villages on the south shore of Issyk-Kul, about 4–5 hours from Bishkek. Demonstrations are arranged in advance via guesthouses, yurt camps or tour operators and are offered year-round.
When were the World Nomad Games 2026?
From 31 August to 6 September 2026 — the 6th edition. The opening ceremony took place in Bishkek and the main competitions around Issyk-Kul. Earlier editions were in Kyrgyzstan (2014, 2016, 2018), Turkey (2022) and Kazakhstan (2024).
Where can tourists watch kok-boru?
At national holidays such as Nooruz (21 March) and Independence Day (31 August), at summer festivals, at regional hippodromes and during the World Nomad Games. Ask your guesthouse about local matches.
How much does an eagle hunting show cost?
Prices are set per group and vary by village and group size — usually a few thousand som. Confirm the price and duration when booking, and add a tip if the show was good.