3-Day Private Horseback Riding and Hiking Tour in Kolsay

The best part of this trip is its wild mountain setting. You travel on horseback and on foot through the Kungey Alatau, sleeping simply and using trails that avoid the busiest tourist routes. It feels less like a sightseeing transfer and more like a short expedition.

I like the mix of riding and hiking, since you are not stuck in a saddle for three straight days. I also like the local start in Baiseit, where you can buy fresh bread, fruit, vegetables, and regional food before heading into the mountains. The main drawback is the effort: each day is long, and the price is high at $1,900 per person.

Key points to know

• Three demanding days in the Kungey Alatau: Expect about 12 hours on the first day, 9 hours on the second, and 8 hours on the third.
• Horseback riding and hiking are combined: You ride toward Middle Kolsay, then hike back through the lake system.
• Simple mountain sleeping: The package includes a hut, a tent place, sleeping pad, and meals, but not a sleeping bag.
• Baiseit adds a local food stop: Look for tandyr bread, onion bread, samsa, chebureki, lagman, and shashlyk.
• Darya is a central guide contact: The supplied feedback repeatedly highlights her care, energy, and attention to safety and comfort.
• You need moderate fitness: The trails include two small passes, long days, and remote conditions.

Why this Kolsay trip feels different

Kolsay Lakes are among Kazakhstan’s best-known mountain sights, but this experience is built around reaching them in a slower, less polished way. You are not simply driven to a viewpoint, handed a short walking route, and returned to the city. You travel with horses, pass through mountain terrain, eat basic camp meals, and spend the night close to the route.

That matters if you want more than a photograph beside a lake. The appeal here is the rhythm of an old mountain journey: pack what you need, follow a trail, stop for tea, and let the day unfold at walking and riding speed.

The tour is private, so only your group takes part. That can make a real difference in the mountains. You have more room to discuss your pace and needs with the guide, rather than trying to keep up with a large bus group.

At the same time, private does not mean easy. The program calls for a moderate level of physical fitness, and the timetable is full. You should be comfortable with long hours outside, uneven trails, basic sleeping arrangements, and changing mountain weather.

Day one: Baiseit food, a long road, and Kurmenty

The first morning begins at 6:00 at Magnum Hypermarket on Demyan Bednogo Street in Almaty. That early start is necessary because the drive to Kurmenty covers about 285 kilometers. The day is listed at roughly 12 hours, so you should treat this as a full travel day rather than a gentle introduction.

The stop in Baiseit gives the long drive some character. This Uigur village is known for its produce market and local food. You can pick up fresh fruit, vegetables, bread, and other provisions before heading farther into the mountains.

The food is part of the experience. Look for tandyr bread and onion bread, along with samsa, chebureki, lagman, and shashlyk. If you are used to packaged snacks from a city supermarket, this is a better way to stock up. It also gives you a taste of regional cooking before the trip shifts to mountain meals.

After Baiseit, you continue to Kurmenty by SUV or minibus. The vehicle is private transportation, which is useful for a small group carrying outdoor gear. The road distance is significant, and the first day may feel more like an approach to the mountains than an adventure on foot.

You meet the guide in Almaty before departure, and Darya is the guide most closely associated with the experience. Alex is also named by the operator in connection with mountain trips. If you are booking, ask who will lead your exact departure and how the sleeping arrangements will be divided between the hut and tent.

The first night is in or near the mountain base area, with accommodation in a mountain hut included. This is a practical transition from the city to the backcountry. Do not expect hotel comfort. The value is being positioned close to the trail for an early start, not enjoying resort facilities.

Day two: riding through passes toward Middle Kolsay

After breakfast, you prepare for the horseback section. The route heads toward Middle Kolsay, with the trail running through two small passes from the hut to the lake area. The itinerary also refers to Upper Kolsay, but the detailed description focuses on the ride to Middle Kolsay, so you should confirm the exact route before booking if reaching the upper lake is essential to you.

This is the day when the trip’s unusual format makes the most sense. A horse lets you cover mountain ground without walking every kilometer, while hiking gives you more contact with the trail and a better chance to stop and take in the views.

In clear weather, the route offers broad mountain views. The scenery is the main reward, but the passes also explain the fitness requirement. A small pass on a map can still mean a steady climb, uneven ground, and a slow descent. Riding experience is helpful, but you do not need to treat this as a fast equestrian outing. It is a mountain journey first.

Horse behavior can vary. One useful practical note from the supplied feedback is that the horses may be lazy at first. You may need patience and encouragement to keep a steady pace. That is not necessarily a flaw, but it means you should not picture a galloping horseback adventure. The horses are working animals for transport along a rough route.

A horse breeder is included, as are horse rental and guide services. That support is important for anyone new to riding in mountain terrain. You should still tell the guide about your riding background, confidence level, and any concerns before setting out.

Day two lasts about nine hours. That is a serious outdoor day, even if part of it is spent in the saddle. Bring water, sun protection, warm layers, and gloves suitable for holding reins. The tour includes lunch and dinner, but snacks are not included, so use the Baiseit stop to buy food you know you will eat.

The evening brings you closer to the simple camping side of the trip. A place in a tent and a sleeping pad are included. A sleeping bag is not. This is one of the most important packing points, since a mountain night can feel cold even after a warm day.

Day three: from Middle Kolsay to the Lower Lake

The final day begins with breakfast, packing, and a hike back toward Middle Kolsay. From there, the route follows the path to Lower Kolsay, also called First Kolsay.

This section lets you see the lake area from a different angle than the horseback approach. You are now moving mainly on foot, and the changing route gives the day a clear sense of progress. The stop near Middle Kolsay for snacks and tea is a welcome pause, especially after the morning walk.

The day is planned for about eight hours. That is long enough that you should not schedule a demanding evening activity in Almaty. The tour ends back at the original meeting point, but the return timing is not specified. If you have a flight or fixed appointment, leave a generous buffer.

Lower Kolsay is the practical finish to the route. The day is less about rushing from one sight to another and more about completing the passage through the lake system. You get a final stretch of hiking, mountain views, and time outdoors before returning to city transport.

Fresh mountain water is mentioned in the supplied feedback, and one useful suggestion is to bring a water filter. The tour includes meals and guiding, but a filter is not listed among the supplied equipment. Treat it as optional personal gear rather than something guaranteed by the operator.

The food and sleeping arrangements

The package includes two breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners. That is a strong inclusion for a remote trip, since arranging food in the mountains can be difficult. Meals also help keep the price from climbing further through repeated restaurant stops.

The food is described as good and nutritious, but you should expect practical outdoor meals rather than a menu-driven dining experience. The Baiseit market is your best opportunity to add fruit, vegetables, bread, and snacks to suit your own taste.

Sleeping is basic. You receive mountain hut accommodation, a place in a tent, and a sleeping pad. You must bring your own sleeping bag, outdoor clothing, and other personal gear.

The list does not specify private rooms, tent capacity, bathroom arrangements, or shower facilities. Ask before departure if these details matter to you. A private tour gives you a private group, not necessarily private sleeping quarters.

Trekking poles are included, which is helpful on descents and uneven paths. You should still pack sturdy outdoor footwear and layers for changing conditions. The operator requires good weather for the activity, and mountain conditions can affect the schedule.

What the $1,900 price really covers

At $1,900 per person, this is an expensive three-day trip. The price makes more sense when you look at what is bundled: private transport, guide services, horse rental, a horse breeder, taxes and fees, two types of mountain accommodation, meals, a sleeping pad, and trekking poles.

You are paying for logistics in a remote setting, not just for a ride to a lake. Transport from Almaty, horses, food, route support, and mountain lodging all require planning. The private format also adds value for a group that wants its own pace and guide attention.

Still, the cost will not suit every budget. A simpler day trip to Kolsay or a larger shared excursion may cost less, though it would not offer the same combination of horseback travel, hiking, and basic camping.

I would consider this good value for a small group that specifically wants an authentic backcountry outing and does not want to organize horses, transport, food, and guides separately. I would not recommend it to someone who mainly wants a comfortable lake visit or a short scenic walk.

The booking pattern suggests planning ahead. The experience is booked, on average, 71 days in advance. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a useful warning for summer and other popular mountain periods.

Guidance, safety, and the human side of the trip

The strongest part of the experience is the guide support. Darya is repeatedly described as attentive, energetic, and careful about comfort and safety. That matters in a remote area where clear communication and sensible decisions are more important than a rushed schedule.

The supplied feedback also points to a professional approach in other mountain trips led by Powder Nomads. You should still ask direct questions before departure: who the guide is, how many people are in your private group, what happens if weather changes, and what equipment is available locally.

A private activity can work well for solo participants too, but the group makeup may vary. One solo participant joined two other people, while another group included five women. If you are traveling alone, ask whether the departure is strictly private for your booking or if the operator has arranged a shared group with other customers.

Service animals are allowed. The tour also requires moderate physical fitness, which is the more important practical issue for most people. The combination of long drives, riding, hiking, passes, cold nights, and remote conditions calls for preparation.

The cancellation terms are fairly clear. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this mountain journey

I would choose this tour if you want:

• A private trip rather than a large coach outing
• A mix of horseback riding and hiking
• Remote trails and simple camping
• Local food before entering the mountains
• A guide-led route where transport and meals are handled
• A three-day break with a strong sense of place

I would think twice if you need:

• Hotel-style accommodation
• Short, easy walking days
• A guaranteed upper-lake itinerary
• A low-cost way to see Kolsay
• A fully equipped camping package
• A fixed return time on the final day

The trip also suits families only if everyone is comfortable with the physical demands. A father and son and grandson used the route to make a memorable mountain outing, but the program is not designed as a soft family excursion. Children and older adults should be assessed against the long days and basic conditions.

Should you book the 3-Day Private Horseback Riding and Hiking Tour in Kolsay?

Book it if you want the journey itself to be the main attraction. The combination of horses, hiking, mountain hut and tent sleeping, local food, and quiet trails gives you a more lasting connection to Kolsay than a quick stop by the lakes.

Before paying $1,900, confirm the exact lake route, sleeping arrangements, guide assignment, and equipment list. Bring a sleeping bag, proper outdoor clothing, snacks, and possibly a water filter. If you accept long days and simple conditions, this is a strong choice for an active visitor who wants Kazakhstan’s mountains in a direct, practical way.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 6:00 am.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately three days.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation by SUV or minibus is included, with departure from Almaty to Kurmenty.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What meals are included?

The package includes two breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners.

Is a sleeping bag included?

No. You must bring or arrange your own sleeping bag. A sleeping pad is included.

What level of fitness is required?

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The program includes long days of horseback riding and hiking, two small passes, and routes between the Kolsay Lakes.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.