In the Footsteps of Ella Maillart
14-day horseback exploration following the 1932 itinerary of Swiss adventurer Ella Maillart through the Tian Shan.
Who it's for
Riders comfortable trotting and short cantering. Half-day to full-day saddle time. Prior horse experience strongly recommended.
Guides
French-speaking lead plus local horseback guide on every riding day.
Accommodation
Family homestays and yurts; one or two hotel nights.
Luggage
Soft duffel + small daypack/saddle bag; main luggage moves by vehicle.
In the Footsteps of Ella Maillart
14-day horseback exploration following the 1932 itinerary of Swiss adventurer Ella Maillart through the Tian Shan.
In the Footsteps of Ella Maillart — 14 days on horseback
Following the 1932 Kyrgyzstan itinerary of Swiss adventurer Ella Maillart through the Tian Shan: Karakol, the high jailoos of the Naryn region, Tash Rabat, Lake Song-Kol. Daily horseback days (4–6 hours saddle time) connecting yurt-stay nights and family guesthouses.
17 days, 17 camps
Bishkek arrival
Arrival, transfer to hotel, briefing on the riding programme.
Bishkek to Karakol
Long drive (7h) to Karakol, with stops along Issyk-Kul Lake.
Karakol — Jeti-Oguz day ride
Half-day ride into the Jeti-Oguz red-rock valley. Get to know your horse for the trek ahead.
Karakol to Telety Pass — first long ride
Saddle up for the climb toward the foot of Telety Pass. ~5h riding through spruce forest. Camp.
Telety Pass to On-Tor
Cross Telety Pass (3,759 m) on horseback. Descend to On-Tor camp.
On-Tor to Lake Ala-Kol
Continue along the Kourgak-Tor valley to the shore of Lake Ala-Kol.
Ala-Kol to Altyn-Arashan
Cross down to the Altyn-Arashan valley and the hot springs.
Altyn-Arashan to Karakol — descent
Final ride back to Karakol. Hot showers and rest.
Karakol to Kochkor
Long drive west to Kochkor; visit the women’s felt cooperative.
Kochkor to Lake Song-Kol on horseback
Five-hour ride over the Kalmak-Ashuu Pass to Song-Kol.
Song-Kol full day
Day exploring the lake on horseback. Evening with herder family.
Song-Kol to Bishkek
Horseback descent then long road transfer to Bishkek.
Bishkek city day
Half-day in Ala-Archa National Park. Afternoon Bishkek city tour.
Departure
Transfer to Manas Airport, return flight.
International return flight
Arrival home.
Notes
- Riding days range 4–6 hours; pace adapted to group.
- Helmets provided; we strongly recommend wearing them.
En raison de conditions climatiques ou d’évènements imprévus
- En raison de conditions climatiques ou d’évènements imprévus, l’itinéraire pourra être modifié.
- Les altitudes indiquées restent approximatives, à quelques dizaines de mètres près.
Included
- National-park permits and entry fees
- Accommodation throughout the trip
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Local guide on each day
- All ground transport during the trip
- La location of the horses durant le trek
Not included
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for guides and drivers
Where you sleep
Bishkek hotel; guesthouses in Karakol and Kochkor; tents on Ala-Kol trek; yurts at Altyn-Arashan and Song-Kol.
Nuraly Turganbaev
Nuraly is a French language professor at the National University and also the director of our tourism company. His love for nature and the environment has inspired him since 1996 to travel across Kyrgyzstan with foreign travelers as a guide and interpreter (Kyrgyz – Russian – French). Over the years, he has worked with several tourism agencies and gained extensive experience in tourism, guiding, and interpretation. Thanks to his deep knowledge of the country, nomadic culture, and local traditions, Nuraly is today the main tour leader and one of the key figures of our company.
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