3-Day Private Horseback Riding and Hiking Tour in Kolsay

Wild rides, clear lakes, simple camps. This three-day private trip reaches the Kungey Alatau mountains by SUV, horse, and foot, giving you a much more personal taste of Kazakhstan than a quick lakeside stop. I like the remote mountain routes and the mix of horseback travel with hiking. I also like that Darya, Alex, and Gulnaz put real care into the guiding and comfort of the group.

The main tradeoff is time and effort. You leave Almaty at 6:00 in the morning, spend about 12 hours on the first day, and face long mountain days after that. You also need to bring your own sleeping bag, outdoor clothing, snacks, and insurance. This is an authentic outdoor trip, not a soft sightseeing tour.

What makes this Kolsay trip special

• Three ways to travel: SUV or minibus, horseback, and hiking are all part of the route.
• A local food stop: Baiseit offers tandyr bread, samsa, chebureki, lagman, shashlyk, fruit, and vegetables.
• A private format: Only your own group takes part, with guide support and horse breeders along the route.
• Mountain hut and tent nights: You get a hut stay, a tent place, sleeping pad, and included meals.
• Quiet routes around Kolsay: The tour aims for less-used trails instead of only the busiest viewpoints.
• Good preparation matters: A sleeping bag, weather-ready clothing, personal snacks, and moderate fitness are essential.

Why this Kolsay trip feels different

Kolsay Lakes are often treated as a scenic stop, but this experience asks you to slow down and travel through the mountains themselves. You spend part of the route in the saddle, part on foot, and part around a simple camp. That combination gives the trip more character than a drive, photo stop, and return to Almaty.

The setting is the Kungey Alatau mountain range, where the appeal comes from open slopes, forested sections, mountain passes, and the chain of Kolsay Lakes. The route is designed to avoid crowded and heavily touristed places as much as possible. That does not mean you will have the mountains entirely to yourself, but it does mean the trip is built around movement and quiet scenery rather than a packed sightseeing schedule.

I especially like the private setup. You are not folded into a large coach group, and the only people taking part are those in your booking. That can make a real difference on horseback, where the guide needs to watch how everyone is handling the animals and the terrain.

The company also has a strong human side. Darya is repeatedly praised for her care, energy, and attention to safety and comfort. Alex and Gulnaz are also named as part of the team. The guiding style appears to be warm and hands-on, which matters on a remote trip where small problems can quickly become bigger ones.

Day one: Baiseit food and a long road to Kurmenty

Your day begins at 6:00 in the morning at the Magnum Hypermarket on Demyan Bednogo Street in Almaty. From there, you travel roughly 285 kilometers toward Kurmenty village by SUV or minibus. The road transfer takes most of the day, with about 12 hours assigned to the full first-day program.

That sounds long because it is long. Still, the stop in Baiseit breaks up the journey in a useful way. This Uigur village is known for its produce market and local food. You can pick up fresh fruit, vegetables, and bread for the mountain portion of the trip. The food stop is not filler. It gives you a look at everyday local life and lets you prepare for a few days away from ordinary shops.

Look for tandyr bread and onion bread, along with samsa, chebureki, lagman, and shashlyk. These foods are practical for a road stop and a good introduction to the flavors of the region. Fresh bread and fruit are also handy for the trail, though snacks beyond the included meals are your responsibility.

After Baiseit, the route continues to Kurmenty village. The mountain travel begins in earnest after this transfer, so you should treat day one as both a cultural introduction and a travel day. If you dislike long drives, this is the part most likely to test your patience. If you enjoy watching the scenery change from city to village to mountain country, the journey helps you understand the scale of the region.

The accommodation arrangement includes a mountain hut and a place in a tent. The details of which night uses which option are not specified, so ask the operator before departure if that matters to you. A sleeping pad is included, but a sleeping bag is not.

Day two: horseback routes toward Middle Kolsay

After breakfast, you prepare for the horseback section. The route heads from the hut toward Middle Kolsay Lake and crosses two small passes. On a clear day, the higher ground opens up views across the surrounding mountains and toward the lakes.

This is the heart of the experience. You are not simply riding for a short photo opportunity. Horseback travel is used as a practical way to cover mountain trails, with walking included when the route or your own comfort calls for it. The horse breeder service is included, as is the guide service, so you are not expected to manage the animals without support.

One point to keep in mind is that horses do not always move at the pace you imagine. A previous participant found the horses somewhat lazy at first and noted that they needed encouragement to speed up. That is not necessarily a flaw. Mountain horses often move carefully, and a slower pace can be more comfortable on uneven trails. Still, if you want a fast riding adventure, this may feel restrained.

The day lasts about nine hours, so expect a full outdoor schedule. Even if the riding itself is manageable, time in the saddle can leave you tired in places you did not expect. Moderate physical fitness is required, and you should be comfortable spending most of the day outside.

Middle Kolsay is a major reward for the effort. The lake is framed by mountain slopes and forest, with the kind of clean, open setting that makes a simple tea break feel memorable. The route also gives you the chance to see the area from changing heights rather than from one fixed viewpoint.

Meals are included throughout the mountain portion: breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided on the relevant days. The food is described as good and nourishing, but you should still bring personal snacks if you need extra energy between meals. Alcoholic drinks and personal purchases are not included.

Day three: hiking from Middle Kolsay to Lower Kolsay

The final day starts with breakfast and packing. You hike back toward Middle Kolsay, stop there for snacks and tea, then follow the path toward Lower Kolsay, also called First Kolsay Lake.

This is an eight-hour day, so it is not a casual morning walk. The route gives you a different feel from the previous day because your own feet carry you through the mountain scenery. Trekking poles are included, which is useful on long descents and uneven ground. The walking can also be a welcome change after hours on horseback.

The stop at Middle Kolsay for tea is a small but valuable detail. It divides the day and gives you time to rest before continuing toward the lower lake. Mountain trips are often remembered through these pauses: hot tea, simple food, clear air, and a view that does not need much decoration.

Lower Kolsay completes the three-lake experience. The route lets you compare the lakes and the surrounding terrain rather than seeing only one famous viewpoint. You should expect the final day to feel physically demanding, especially after the long riding and hiking days before it.

The trip returns to the original meeting point in Almaty. Exact return timing is not provided, so do not schedule a tight evening flight or important appointment without checking first.

What the $1,900 price includes

At $1,900 per person, this is an expensive trip. Its value depends on what you want from Kazakhstan. You are paying for a private mountain experience with transport from Almaty, horses, horse handlers, guides, accommodation, meals, camping equipment, and route planning.

Included are:

• Private transportation
• Horse rental and horse breeder services
• Guide services
• Mountain hut accommodation
• A tent place
• Sleeping pad
• Trekking poles
• Two breakfasts
• Three lunches
• Three dinners
• All fees and taxes

That package is more substantial than a basic day tour. You are also paying for the logistics of moving people, horses, food, and equipment through a remote area. The private format adds value if you want flexibility and close guide attention, especially as a solo participant or a small family group.

Still, the price does not cover everything. You need your own sleeping bag, outdoor clothing, insurance, snacks, alcoholic drinks, and other personal expenses. Those extras can add to the total, especially if you are not already equipped for camping.

Group discounts are available, though the exact discount is not provided. It is worth asking about the price for your party before booking. The trip is booked, on average, 71 days ahead, so planning early is sensible if you need a particular date.

Food, camping, and comfort in the mountains

The food plan makes this trip easier than a fully self-supported trek. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, and the stop in Baiseit gives you a chance to buy extra fruit, vegetables, and bread before heading into the mountains.

You should not expect hotel comfort. A hut and a tent place are part of the arrangement, and a sleeping pad is supplied. A sleeping bag is not, so pack one suitable for mountain nights. Outdoor clothing is also your responsibility. Conditions in the mountains can change, and the tour requires good weather, so practical layers and sturdy footwear are important.

The simple camp life is part of the point. You get a taste of nomadic travel rather than a polished resort version of the mountains. That can be deeply rewarding if you enjoy basic accommodation, shared meals, and days shaped by weather and daylight.

It can also be uncomfortable if you need private rooms, reliable indoor facilities, or a predictable schedule. Be honest with yourself before paying the deposit.

Who should book this horse and hiking tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to people who want an active, small-scale mountain experience and are curious about Kazakhstan beyond the main city sights. Solo participants can fit well into the private arrangement, since the company has placed solo clients with other participants when needed.

It also suits families with older children or teenagers who can manage long outdoor days. One trip was described as a memorable experience for a parent, child, and grandparent group, but you should still judge your family’s fitness carefully. The nine-hour riding day and eight-hour hiking day are not minor outings.

This is a good choice for you if you:

• Enjoy horses but do not need a fast-paced riding program
• Like hiking through remote mountain areas
• Are comfortable with a hut or tent
• Want local food and village contact
• Prefer a private group to a large tour
• Can handle long driving and full outdoor days

I would look elsewhere if your priority is luxury accommodation, short transfers, or a relaxed schedule. The price is high, and the physical demands are real.

Booking, weather, and practical details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and pickup is offered from the stated meeting point in Almaty. The trip ends back at that same meeting point. Service animals are allowed, though you should confirm how that works with horses, mountain transport, and tent accommodation before booking.

The activity depends on good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

Pack a sleeping bag, proper outdoor clothing, personal snacks, and any medication you need. A water filter may also be useful, since one participant specifically recommended bringing one for the mountain water. The supplied information does not promise water treatment, so do not rely on every stream being ready to drink.

Should you book the Kolsay horse and hiking trip?

Book this if you want the lakes as part of a real mountain journey, not just as a quick scenic stop. The mix of horses, hiking, village food, hut life, and tent camping gives the trip a strong sense of place, while Darya and the wider guide team add personal care and safety support.

Skip it if you want a soft adventure or a low price. At $1,900 per person, with your own sleeping bag and clothing still required, the cost needs careful thought. But for an active private trip through the Kungey Alatau mountains, with three days of organized transport, meals, horses, and guides, it offers a distinctive way to see Kolsay.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Magnum Hypermarket, Demyan Bednogo Street 3, Almaty 050018, Kazakhstan.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 6:00 in the morning.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Almaty.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group takes part in the activity.

How long is the experience?

The tour lasts approximately three days.

How much physical fitness do I need?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The program includes a riding day of about nine hours and a hiking day of about eight hours.

Are horses included?

Yes. Horse rental and horse breeder services are included in the price.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. The package includes accommodation in a mountain hut and a place in a tent. A sleeping pad is also supplied.

Is a sleeping bag included?

No. You must bring or arrange your own sleeping bag.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.