3-Day Private Horseback Riding and Hiking Tour in Kolsay

Wild trails make Kolsay feel wonderfully far away. This three-day trip mixes horseback riding and hiking in the Kungey Alatau mountains, taking you toward the Kolsay Lakes by routes that avoid the busiest tourist paths. I like the small-scale private format and the chance to see simple mountain life, including a hut stay, tent camping, local food, horses, and long days outside. The main caution is the physical demand: you need moderate fitness, and the first and second days run for about 12 and 9 hours.

I also like the human touch. Guide Darya is repeatedly praised for her care, energy, and attention to safety, while the horse breeders help manage the riding side of the trip. The trade-off is price: at $1,900 per person, this is a serious investment, even though private transport, meals, horses, accommodation, equipment, and guide services are included.

Key points at a glance

• Remote routes toward three Kolsay Lakes: The trip favors wild trails instead of the most crowded paths.
• A real horse-and-hike combination: You ride between mountain sections, then hike where walking gives you better access.
• A 6:00 am departure from Almaty: The early start supports a long drive and a full first day.
• Local food in Baiseit: Buy fresh bread, fruit, and vegetables in a Uyghur village before entering the mountains.
• Simple overnight arrangements: You sleep in a mountain hut and a tent, with a sleeping pad provided but no sleeping bag.
• Strong personal guidance: Darya is praised for her care, organization, and enthusiasm in the mountains.

Why this Kolsay trip feels different

Kolsay Lakes are among Kazakhstan’s best-known mountain sights, but this is not a quick photo stop. You spend three days moving through the Kungey Alatau by SUV or minibus, horse, and foot. That slower rhythm is the point.

The route lets you see how a mountain trip works beyond a standard sightseeing bus. You prepare animals, carry basic camping equipment, cross small passes, stop for tea and snacks, and spend nights in simple accommodation. You get scenery, but also the daily work behind reaching it.

The private setup matters. Only your own party takes part, so the pace and group atmosphere should feel more personal than a large coach excursion. Group discounts are available, and solo visitors may be matched with other participants if the operator arranges it, as happened on one similar Kolsay trip.

The trip is best understood as an outdoor expedition with support, not a gentle ride through a park. The horses make long distances possible, but you still hike for hours. If you want a polished hotel-based holiday, choose another plan. If you want mud, mountain air, basic camps, and a strong sense of place, this is the right direction.

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

Your day begins at 6:00 am at Magnum Hypermarket on Demyan Bednogo Street in Almaty. The exact departure time matters because Kurmenty is about 285 kilometers away, and the first day includes both the drive and the move into the mountain area.

The journey is by private SUV or minibus. That is useful for a private party carrying outdoor equipment, food, and personal bags. It also means a large part of day one is spent on the road, so you should not expect to reach the mountains early and have a relaxed afternoon.

The planned stop in Baiseit adds a worthwhile local detail. This Uyghur village is known for its fruit and vegetable market, tandyr bread, onion bread, samsa, chebureki, lagman, and shashlyk. You have time to look around and buy fresh bread, produce, and other food for the route.

I like this stop because it connects the mountain trip with everyday regional life. Rather than treating Almaty as a simple pickup point, the tour gives you a taste of the food culture east of the city. Fresh market supplies also make practical sense before several days outdoors.

Do not expect a long guided cultural program in Baiseit. The stop is listed at about 30 minutes, so think of it as a quick food and supply break. If you want to try local dishes, move with purpose.

From Baiseit, you continue toward Kurmenty. Arrival details are not fully specified, but the schedule presents this as the base for the mountain portion. Dinner is included, and the first overnight is in a mountain hut.

A hut is more basic than a hotel, but that is part of the appeal. It gives you shelter before the riding begins while keeping you close to the mountain setting. Pack for simple conditions, and do not assume private hotel-style facilities.

Day two: Riding over passes toward Middle Kolsay

After breakfast, you prepare for the horseback ride toward Middle Kolsay Lake. The route from the hut crosses two small passes, with wide mountain views when the weather is clear.

This is the trip’s main riding day, lasting about nine hours. The horses reduce the effort needed to cover the distance, but riding for much of a day still requires comfort in the saddle and the ability to handle changing mountain conditions.

The horse breeder service is included, along with horse rental and a guide. That combination is important if you are new to long-distance riding. You are not simply handed an animal and sent uphill without support.

One useful detail comes from direct experience shared about the horses: they can be lazy at first. You may need to encourage them to keep moving, especially if you expect a fast pace. The riding pace is not presented as a race, and the mountain route is better suited to steady progress than speed.

As you climb, the two small passes provide changing views of the Kungey Alatau. On a clear day, this is where the trip earns its price in scenery. In poor weather, visibility can shrink, and the route may feel far less dramatic. The operator requires suitable weather and may offer another date or a refund if conditions force cancellation.

The day includes lunch and dinner. Meals are a major part of the value because remote mountain food is not easy to arrange independently. You still need to bring or buy your own snacks, and alcohol is not included.

Accommodation shifts from the hut to a tent or camping place. A sleeping pad is supplied, but a sleeping bag is not. That is one of the most important packing facts in the whole program. You also receive trekking poles, which are useful for the hiking sections and for balance on uneven ground.

The schedule says Upper Kolsai Lake, while the route description focuses on riding toward Middle Kolsay Lake. Ask the operator to confirm the exact overnight location and daily route before departure. Mountain names and lake sections can be described differently, and clarity will help you pack and set expectations.

Day three: Hiking from Middle Kolsay to Lower Kolsay

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

This is an approximately eight-hour day, so it is not a short farewell walk. You should expect a full mountain outing with a mix of steady walking, breaks, and changing ground. Trekking poles are included, but proper shoes and outdoor clothing are your responsibility.

A stop near Middle Kolsay provides time for snacks and tea. That small pause matters. It breaks up the long walk and gives you a chance to enjoy the lake rather than treating it as something to pass quickly.

Lower Kolsay gives the trip a satisfying endpoint because you see more than one part of the lake system. The route is not just a ride to a single viewpoint, followed by a return to the city. You connect the lakes on foot and spend enough time in the area to notice differences in terrain and atmosphere.

Lunch and dinner are included on the final day. After the mountain portion, the activity returns to the original meeting point in Almaty. The exact return time is not given, so keep your evening flexible.

Food, camping, and what you must pack

The package includes two breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners. That is a strong practical benefit for a remote trip, where buying food along the way is not realistic.

The Baiseit stop adds fresh bread, vegetables, and fruit to the supplies. Reviews also praise the quality of the food and the overall care given to meals. Still, snacks are not included, so bring favorites that travel well and match your energy needs.

The equipment list is helpful but not complete. You receive:

• A sleeping pad
• Trekking poles
• Horse rental and horse breeder support
• Mountain hut accommodation
• A tent place
• Private transportation
• Guide services
• All listed fees and taxes

You must provide a sleeping bag, outdoor clothing, and other personal gear. Insurance is also excluded. The supplied information does not specify temperatures, tent type, toilet facilities, or shower access, so ask before leaving Almaty.

Fresh mountain water was praised during a similar trip, but one useful suggestion was to bring a filter. Treat that as sensible preparation, not a promise that every water source is ready to drink. Snacks, water treatment, sun protection, warm layers, and sturdy footwear deserve space in your bag.

Darya, safety, and the private group format

The strongest praise centers on the guides, especially Darya. Her care for each person, attention to comfort, safety, and positive energy come through repeatedly. That is valuable on a route where weather, horses, fatigue, and remote conditions can change the day’s mood quickly.

The operator also lists professional horse breeder support. You benefit from having people who can help with the animals while the guide handles the route and group. The exact staffing can vary, so confirm who will lead your specific departure.

The trip requires moderate physical fitness. That phrase should be taken seriously. Day one is a 12-hour schedule with a long transfer, day two is about nine hours, and day three is about eight hours of riding or hiking activity. You do not need to be an elite athlete based on the information provided, but you should be comfortable with sustained outdoor effort.

The private format gives you control over who shares the experience. It can be a good fit for a family, a group of friends, or a couple seeking a quieter mountain trip. Group discounts may improve the cost for larger parties.

Solo visitors should ask how group matching works before paying. One solo participant was placed with a small group, which made the long trip more social. That arrangement can be pleasant, but it is not the same as having a fully private departure.

Is $1,900 per person a fair price?

At $1,900 per person, this tour is not a budget way to see Kolsay Lakes. The cost makes more sense when you add up the private vehicle, long-distance transport, guide, horse, horse breeder, hut, tent place, meals, trekking poles, sleeping pad, and park-related fees.

You are also paying for route planning in a remote setting. Organizing horses, food, transfers, and mountain accommodation on your own would take time and local contacts. The value is strongest for someone who wants an arranged adventure rather than a simple lake visit.

Still, several costs remain outside the package. You must supply a sleeping bag, clothing, insurance, snacks, drinks, and personal items. The price also becomes harder to justify if you mainly want photographs and do not care about riding, camping, or hiking.

Before booking, ask for a complete equipment checklist and confirm the number of people in your private group. Since the activity is usually booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 71 days, early planning may be sensible.

Who should choose this mountain adventure?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A private or small-group trip far from standard sightseeing routes
• A mix of horseback riding and hiking, rather than only one activity
• Several days in the mountains instead of a rushed day trip
• Simple hut and tent accommodation
• Local food stops and organized meals
• A guide-led experience with strong attention to safety and comfort

You should think twice if you dislike early starts, long transfers, basic sleeping arrangements, or changing weather. You should also reconsider if you want a soft saddle ride with little walking. This is an active trip, and the lakes are reached through effort.

Families can enjoy it, but fitness and comfort levels need to match. One particularly positive experience involved a parent, child, and grandparent, showing that a mixed-age group can make good memories here. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, so ask the operator before booking for children or older adults.

Practical details before you book

Pickup is offered, but the stated meeting point is Magnum Hypermarket, 3 Demyan Bednogo Street, Almaty. The activity ends back there as well.

Confirmation arrives at booking. Service animals are allowed. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time, while cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund.

The operator is Powder Nomads Freeride and Backcountry Trips in Kazakhstan. Conditions in the mountains can affect the route, so keep your plans flexible and ask about the exact forecast, lake route, accommodation, and equipment before departure.

Should you book the Kolsay horse and hike?

Book this tour if you want Kolsay as a real mountain journey, not just a scenic stop. The mix of horses, hiking, hut life, camping, market food, and remote trails gives you a fuller connection to the region, and Darya’s careful guiding is a major reason to feel confident.

Skip it if $1,900 feels too high for three days, or if you want comfort and easy access. For the right person, the price buys planning, transport, support, and a rare chance to move through the Kungey Alatau at a human pace. Bring a sleeping bag, prepare for long days, and arrive ready for an adventure that is beautiful partly because it is not effortless.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Magnum Hypermarket, 3 Demyan Bednogo Street, Almaty 050018, Kazakhstan. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 6:00 am.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation is included, with travel to Kurmenty by SUV or minibus.

Are horses and a guide included?

Yes. The package includes horse rental, horse breeder services, and guide services.

What accommodation is provided?

The tour includes accommodation in a mountain hut and a place in a tent. A sleeping pad is included, but a sleeping bag is not.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.