Kyrgyzstan & the World Nomad Games - Opening Ceremony

Flight Inclusive rates only: These include airline fuel surcharge and taxes. Correct as of 15 January 2026.

Please note supplements may apply if lead in economy rates are not available.

Customary tipping amount of approximately US$100pp is paid locally in Kyrgyzstan.

Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.

Flight Inclusive rates only: Based on departures from Auckland. Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available on request.

Single Supplement from $880

Land Only from $9, 680

Price listed is based on new bookings only

VISAS:

Travel to Kyrgyzstan (for stays under 30 days) are visa free for New Zealand passport holders.

Please be advised that your passport must have at least six months validity left on it when you arrive back into New Zealand.

All information with regards to visas will be updated regularly on our website as we find visas process’ are changing on regular basis.

For the latest information on visa procedures, processing times and requirements, please kindly refer to our website https://www.wendywutours.co.nz/help-and-advice/passports-and-visas/

INSURANCE:

It is a condition of your booking that you are insured for the duration of your trip. We recommend comprehensive travel insurance to cover cancellation, medical requirements, luggage, repatriations and additional expenses. At a minimum, the policy is required to cover medical requirements including medical evacuations / repatriations. The choice of insurer is yours.

We strongly suggest you purchase insurance at the time you pay your deposit. This is because cancellation fees and charges are payable from that time. We may request you to provide evidence that you have taken out and paid for a policy to comply with this condition. If you fail to provide a certificate of currency of insurance within a reasonable time after our request, then this will be deemed a cancellation by you and standard cancellation fees will apply.

ACCOMMODATION:

Your accommodation throughout the tour has been carefully selected for its convenient location, comfort, and authentic character. Standards tend to be simpler than what you may be accustomed to. Properties are generally rated at a local three- to four-star standard; however, hotels and camps do not follow an international rating system, so facilities and quality may vary from those in New Zealand. Should you have any concerns during your stay, your National Escort will be happy to assist.

Yurt– A yurt, locally known as a “boz ui”, is the traditional home of nomads across Kyrgyzstan. Constructed from a wooden frame covered with felt and canvas and often raised on wooden platforms, these circular tents are designed to withstand the region’s harsh mountain climate. Inside, you’ll find warm fabrics, furs, and beautifully crafted wooden furniture that combine comfort and practicality. Yurts typically feature two or three single wooden beds with linens, a heating stove, thick blankets, a low table with chairs, and one electrical socket, offering a cozy and authentic nomadic experience. This tour features a stay in a yurt including its own ensuite bathroom.

Guesthouse – These provide basic yet comfortable rooms in a small guesthouse. Every couple/single person will have their own room, with private western facilities. Breakfast and dinner is served in the restaurant.

EATING IN CENTRAL ASIA:

All meals are included in our fully inclusive Classic tours, from the groups’ arrival until the day of departure. Our schedule of meals is designed so that you can experience the local dishes, their individual flavours as well as different ways they are prepared and cooked.

Kyrgyz cuisine is influenced by Middle Eastern and Turkic traditions, featuring ingredients such as yoghurt, dried fruit, legumes, fruit vinegars, and mild spices like cumin. Common dishes include lagman (handmade noodles), shashlyk (kebabs), naan (flatbread), and plov (rice pilaf). Mutton and chicken are the main meats available and feature in most meals. Local breakfasts often include naan with airan (a yoghurt-based drink), savoury noodles with vinegar, and green tea. You may also be served a fried egg, jam, honey, or toast. Black tea and coffee are usually available, though fresh cow’s milk is generally not served.

Vegetarian only alternatives are not usually available in Kyrgyzstan. There are always plenty of salads, vegetables and bread offered at most meals. In remote areas, lunch may be prepared as ‘picnic style’ by the hotel that morning, or your guides may organise a simple meal at a local restaurant. Lunch is the main meal of the day, with dinner usually a lighter version of lunch. If you have any food allergies or any other preferences, please let us know at time of booking. Your guide will do their best to ensure that your requirements are met, however, ‘no guarantees can be made’. Long driving distances, road conditions or flight times may delay or alter your meal times, which could mean a dedicated meal is replaced by those supplied on the aircraft.

Despite the Muslim culture, drinking alcohol is acceptable and expected in this ex-Soviet region, Kyrgyzstan more so than Uzbekistan. Expect to be offered vodka (not included in your tour price) at every meal! The most popular mealtime drink is Chay (green tea) and is available at most meals, usually straight a large block of sugar crystal may be added to the pot, or even your glass. Black tea and coffee are not always served, however can usually be requested.

If you like, you can bring some supplements with you from home. Tea/coffee bags, instant soups or noodles, biscuits, energy bars, milk powder sachets, are all a good idea – consider your luggage weight though! There are numerous small supermarkets and shops in every town and village along the way where you can buy odd items e.g. instant noodles, muesli and chocolate bars, biscuits, drinks, chips, cakes and sweets.

DEVELOPMENT IN KYRGYZSTAN AND WHAT TO EXPECT:

Travelling in Kyrgyzstan offers both rewards and challenges. While the country is developing rapidly, it still differs from New Zealand in terms of civil infrastructure and tourist facilities. Concepts of personal responsibility and safety may not always match those at home. For example, you may encounter road hazards such as uneven surfaces, unmarked holes, or minimal safety barriers. All Wendy Wu Tours suppliers meet local safety standards as a minimum, prioritising your wellbeing throughout the journey.

Kyrgyzstan’s infrastructure reflects its Soviet history and mountainous terrain. Roads can be in poor condition, and levels of English outside hotels are limited. Newly built hotels may have excellent facilities but staff with less experience in international tourism. Cyrillic is the standard alphabet, so your guides will be indispensable for navigating and communicating. Travellers with a sense of humour and flexibility are often those who find the experience most rewarding.

Wendy Wu Tours, together with trusted local partners, carefully designs itineraries to offer the best-paced sightseeing possible. However, factors such as weather, road conditions, and occasional closures may affect the schedule. Your National Escort will do everything possible to minimise disruption but cannot guarantee against delays, changes, or, in rare cases, cancellations of parts of the itinerary.

TIPPING POLICY:

Tipping while on holiday is common in most parts of the world and Central Asia is no exception. However, it is not always clear who it is appropriate to tip and how much. Furthermore, travellers may not have the right amounts of cash available at the right time. In order to avoid any inconvenience, Wendy Wu Tours operates a tipping policy where a stated amount is given to your National Escort at the beginning of your tour and tips are disbursed to local guides and drivers throughout your tour. The amount is designed to be at a reasonable level for travellers while being fair to the local people and includes a gratuity for the National Escort.

We generally find that most customers appreciate the convenience of our tipping policy but we do recognise that it may not suit everyone. However, as this is a group tour we ask that everyone follows the same protocol to be fair to other group members and to ensure smooth operation of your tour.

TRANSPORT:

Road conditions in Kyrgyzstan are generally poor, with some routes being rough, narrow, or unpaved, particularly in mountainous regions. Travel times may be longer than expected, so journeys require flexibility and patience.

Coaches – Unless road conditions prevent it, an air-conditioned coach will be used throughout the tour to provide comfortable transfers and sightseeing travel.

VACCINATIONS AND YOUR HEALTH:

Wendy Wu does not give specific health advice, but we do recommend you see your doctor at least six weeks prior to travel for advice and to allow time for any necessary vaccinations. Please remember to take your itinerary with you. Safe travel has a comprehensive website that you may also find useful www.safetravel.govt.nz

WEATHER:

September is one of the best months to visit Kyrgyzstan, with generally mild to warm daytime temperatures and cooler nights. Daytime temperatures typically range from 15°C to 25°C, while mountain areas can be significantly cooler, especially in the mornings and evenings. Layered clothing is recommended, including a warm jacket, gloves, and sturdy walking shoes, to adapt to temperature changes.

Rainfall is relatively low, though occasional showers can occur, so a light waterproof jacket is advisable. Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous terrain means weather can change quickly, so travellers should be prepared for a range of conditions during excursions.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE:

We strongly recommend registering your travel plans with www.safetravel.govt.nz as in the event of an emergency, New Zealand Consular assistance will be more readily available.

Up until the day you travel, it is vital you keep up to date and familiarised with the entry requirements as these can change at short notice. You are personally responsible for completing any entry forms, conducting any covid tests (if necessary), etc and adhering to countries' specific entry requirements.

You can also access the New Zealand Government’s travel advisory service for up-to-date information about your destination on the same website.

AFTER YOUR BOOKING:

Once you have booked with Wendy Wu Tours, you will receive a confirmation invoice including a visa application form (if applicable), and a help sheet. Your final documentation pack will be sent to you approximately 2-3 weeks before departure.