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.
5 stops
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.
See all tours led by this guide →Things people ask
To book an EcoNomad tour, fill out the contact form with your dates, group size and the tour you have in mind. We send a tailored quote within 48 hours. Your booking is confirmed once a 30% deposit is paid; the balance is due 30 days before departure.
A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your entry date is required. Citizens of the European Union, Switzerland, Canada and Australia travel visa-free for stays of up to 60 days. Some border zones (China, Tajikistan) require a special permit — EcoNomad helps you arrange these.
The main season runs from May to October. June–August is ideal for nomadic tours and high-altitude jailoos (summer pastures). July–August suits the high passes (above 3,500 m). March and April offer quieter spring landscapes. EcoNomad also runs ski-touring trips from December to March.
Our tours come in three grades: Easy (2–4h of walking a day, little elevation gain, family-friendly), Moderate (4–6h of walking or riding a day, passes above 3,000 m) and Demanding (technical hikes of 6–8h a day, passes above 3,500 m). Each tour page states the level required.
Accommodation varies by tour and stage: traditional yurts in the high mountains (summer), guesthouses or homestays in the villages, and 3-star hotels in the cities. This mix is intentional — it brings you closer to local people and the nomadic way of life.
All our tours include full board. Kyrgyz cuisine is generous: soups, grilled meats, fermented dairy and home-baked bread. Vegetarian diets are catered for on request at the time of booking. In the mountains, meals are prepared at camp by our team.
Travel insurance covering medical costs, repatriation and outdoor activities is mandatory. We recommend providers such as World Nomads, Allianz Travel or an equivalent. Make sure your policy covers horse riding and high-altitude trekking.
Several of our tours reach passes or camps above 3,500 m. Altitude sickness (AMS) is rare when acclimatisation is gradual — our itineraries build in gentle ascent days. Your guide explains the symptoms from day one and carries a first-aid kit and a pulse oximeter.
The local currency is the Kyrgyz som (KGS). Bishkek, Karakol and Osh have ATMs accepting Visa and Mastercard. In the mountains and remote villages, only cash is accepted. Bring the equivalent of €200–300 in soms for personal expenses.
4G covers Bishkek and most towns. Remote valleys and yurt camps have little or no signal. Your guide carries a satellite phone for emergencies in areas without coverage. Take the chance to truly disconnect.
Bring a day pack (20–25 L) and a soft duffel or travel bag for baggage transfers. A detailed packing list tailored to your tour is sent once your booking is confirmed. Golden rule: walk in already broken-in boots, not new ones.
Standard cancellation terms: 30% non-refundable (deposit), 50% of the total between 60 and 30 days before departure, 100% under 30 days. Free changes before the deposit is paid. In case of force majeure (extreme weather), we offer a postponement or a credit note.
