Nomad’s Land / Travel Circles
Past departure
Trail Running Camp 2–11 August 2026
A women's-only alpine traverse in Kyrgyzstan
The departure / Dates have passed
A conversation before a commitment.
How the price is shaped
$1310 - for 8 pax
$1380 - for 7 pax
$1470 - for 6 pax
Over ten days, this immersive trail running camp brings together adventure, culture and community across the mountains, valleys and villages of Kyrgyzstan. Each day begins with movement through spectacular landscapes, from alpine valleys and small summits to canyons, lakes and open pastures.
Along the way, you will discover Kyrgyz culture through people who keep living traditions alive. Meet local families, learn about yurt construction and decoration, taste dairy products shaped by nomadic life, and encounter practices such as eagle hunting through the communities that preserve them. Several moments are designed as participatory workshops, giving you the chance to try, ask, listen and take part rather than simply observe.
This women-only Circle also opens space for conversations about contemporary Kyrgyzstan. You will meet female community leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and aspiring athletes, and hear how women are shaping local life, sport and opportunity in mountain regions today.
The group setting is part of the experience. Shared runs, meals, questions and quiet moments create a comfortable atmosphere for deeper exchange between travelers and the inspiring women met along the way.
You leave with more than memories of running through extraordinary scenery. You leave with new bonds, a closer understanding of Kyrgyz hospitality, and the feeling of having crossed a landscape that stays with people long after they return home.
The shared rhythm
How we travel together
This is a women-only Travel Circle with an active mountain rhythm, simple comfort and a strong sense of shared road. Expect early starts, changing weather, trail runs and fast hikes, meals together, local encounters and time in open landscapes. The spirit is supportive rather than competitive: each traveler brings her own strength, and the group moves with respect for the mountains, the guide team and each other.
You’ll feel at home if…
This Circle is for women who enjoy active days in the mountains, trail running at a steady pace and the simple comfort of life on the road. You do not need to race, but you should be comfortable running or fast-hiking on uneven terrain, spending several hours outside, and sharing the rhythm of a small group. It is a good fit for travelers who want sport, landscapes, cultural encounters and quiet moments in Kyrgyzstan to belong to the same journey.
Worth knowing before you join
This Circle is not designed as a competitive race, a luxury retreat or a slow sightseeing tour. It may not be the right fit if you prefer full comfort every night, private arrangements throughout the trip, very flexible start times, or a program with little physical effort. Weather, mountain roads and local conditions can change the plan, so travelers should be ready for simple logistics, shared decisions and active days outside.
The landscape between us
Places on the journey
On the road
The programme
10 days
This Travel Circle follows an active alpine route through Kyrgyzstan, combining daily trail runs or fast hikes with cultural stops, village encounters and simple mountain accommodation. The program includes guided running days, transfers between regions, participatory cultural workshops, meetings with women community leaders and time to rest, share meals and adapt to local conditions. Exact daily distances and route choices may vary depending on weather, group pace and mountain access.
Sunday, August 2 - Bishkek - Chong Kemin
You will be picked up from the airport and taken to a woman-owned art guesthouse in Bishkek. Later in the morning, we will have a Welcome Orientation and City Walking Tour, where you will learn about the area’s rich history spanning the Silk Road, Russian Empire, Soviet Union and independence. After lunch, you will have time to stop by an outdoor gear store in case you need to purchase anything before we hit the road to our first mountain destination, Chong Kemin! Upon arrival in the village Chong Kemin, we will jog up to a bird’s-eye view of the valley just in time for dawn.
Running distance: 12km, Elevation gain: 675m
Monday, August 3 - Chong Kemin
In the morning, we will run into one of the nearby picturesque valleys. Includes a small river crossing. After breakfast back at the guesthouse, we will go to a nature reserve to learn about traditional herb collecting. In the afternoon, we will get a tour of a local bee keeper’s hives and learn about honey production. In the evening, there will be optional group yoga to stretch out your legs, and then we will try out cooking a traditional Kyrgyz dinner for ourselves (with the help of an experienced chef, of course).
Running distance: 16km, Elevation gain: 775m
Tuesday, August 4 - Chong Kemin - Tura Suu
For those of you who’d like to squeeze a run in before we hit the road, there will be time for a longer, flatter run before breakfast. Then we will drive to the stunning Canyon Konorchek*, a landscape drastically different from Chong Kemin valley. Other exciting stops include a camel farm and participatory yurt-building class. Finally, we will arrive at an eagle master’s home on the south shore of lake Issyk Kul, where we will enjoy dinner and a musical evening.
*If it rains, we will have to skip Konorchek
Running distance: 15-20km, Elevation gain: 100m
Wednesday, August 5 - Tura Suu
There will be a morning run from the guest house towards Tong Pass, paralleling the Tong River. We will drive down to lake Issyk Kul, the second largest alpine lake in the world, to wash off our sweat and dirt, splash around, and relax on the beach. In the evening we will see a berkut (Golden Eagle) show. These majestic animals have played a key role in supporting nomadic livelihoods for centuries.
Running distance: 18km, Elevation gain: 750m
Thursday, August 6 - Tura Suu - Song Kul
After a panoramic trail run from the eagle master’s guesthouse, we will pack up and head to Kochkor, where we will meet the founder of a local woman’s entrepreneurship organization. In addition to discussing the challenges and achievements of female entrepreneurs in rural Kyrgyzstan, we will make our own small ornamental felt mat. Then we will drive to the famous Song Kul lake, renowned for its breathtaking landscape and peaceful nomadic atmosphere.
Running distance: 4.5 km, Elevation gain: 175m
Friday, August 7 - Djaman Echki
Today you will get a taste of Kyrgyz nomadic life. In the morning, we will run into Djaman Echki valley and up a small peak to get an all-encompassing view of Song Kul and the surrounding mountains. After showering and refueling at the guest house, we will immerse ourselves in nomadic activities such as playing traditional games, learning how to make dairy products unique to Central Asian mountain cultures, and more.
Running distance: 13km, Elevation gain: 700m
Saturday, August 8 - Djaman Echki
We will have a relaxing day today, jogging down to the shore of Song Kol for a picnic. On the way back to the guest house, you may choose to ride a horse. Before dinner, we will practice yoga in the pristine mountain air.
Running distance: 4km, Elevation gain: 0m
Sunday, August 9 - Djaman Echki - Kyzyl Oy
Today is a long day packed with a variety of landscapes, from the dark greens and blues of lake Song Kul to the warm red and ochre hues of Kökömeren Canyon. We will leave Song Kul by running over Djalgyz Karagay pass, meeting our van on the other side. This will be an intense but rewarding run – and we will celebrate with a sauna session! Before arriving in the village Kyzyl Oy for the night, we will stop by Kökömeren gorge and canyon for a short walk and taking pictures.
Running distance: 15km, Elevation gain: 525m
Monday, August 10 - Kyzyl Oy - Bishkek
On our final full day together, we will return to Bishkek around noon and meet up for a city jog with a team of local young women runners who train with Juniper Kyz, a running community for girls and women which your guide, Lily, co-founded. After lunch, there will be free time for banya, last-minute shopping, and anything else. Finally, we will have a farewell dinner, where we will reflect on our time together and hopefully make plans to cross paths again!
Running distance: 5-6km, Elevation gain: 50m
Sunday, August 11 - Bishkek - Airport
Transfers from hotel to airport according to departure flight time.