3-Day Private Horseback Riding and Hiking Tour in Kolsay

Trade traffic for hoofprints and mountain silence. This three-day trip takes you from Almaty into the Kungey Alatau mountains, using horses and your own feet to reach the Kolsay Lakes by less-used mountain trails. I like the mix of horseback riding and hiking, and I like that the trip includes simple mountain accommodation, meals, guides, horses, and private transport rather than leaving you to arrange each piece yourself.

The long first day is the main drawback. You leave Almaty at 6:00 am and travel about 285 kilometers to Kurmenty, with roughly 12 hours on the road and in the village. The $1,900 price per person is also serious money, though the private setup and many included services make more sense for a small group than for a solo budget trip.

Key points before you book

• Three days, three Kolsay Lakes: The route connects the mountain hut, Middle Kolsay, and Lower Kolsay, with riding and hiking spread across the two active days.
• A real mountain trip: You sleep in a mountain hut and a tent, carry or use trekking gear, and spend long hours outdoors rather than simply stopping at viewpoints.
• A 6:00 am start from Almaty: The first day includes the long drive to Kurmenty, so expect a demanding travel day before the mountain portion begins.
• Local food in Baiseit: The stop includes a Uigur village market with tandyr and onion bread, samsa, chebureki, lagman, shashlyk, fruit, and vegetables.
• Private, guide-led travel: Only your group participates, with guide support, horse breeders, private transport, and rented horses included.
• Pack your own sleeping bag: A sleeping pad is supplied, but a sleeping bag, outdoor clothing, snacks, insurance, and personal costs are not.

Why this Kolsay trip feels different

Kolsay Lakes are often approached as a straightforward sightseeing outing. This trip asks more of you and gives you more in return. Instead of treating the lakes as a quick photo stop, it uses horses, hiking trails, mountain passes, hut accommodation, and tent camping to make the journey part of the experience.

I like that balance. You are not tied to a coach schedule once you reach the mountains, and you are not expected to be an expert rider or mountaineer. The plan combines riding with walking, which gives you a change of pace during long days outside.

The experience also aims for a quieter side of the Kungey Alatau mountains. The description emphasizes wild trails away from crowded, heavily touristed places. That does not mean complete solitude is guaranteed, but it does signal a trip built around remote mountain travel rather than polished resort comforts.

Guides named in the tour material include Darya, Gulnaz, and Alex. Darya receives particular praise for her care, energy, and attention to comfort and safety. That matters here because a private mountain trip depends heavily on the people managing horses, food, route choices, and daily pace.

Day 1: Almaty to Kurmenty, with Baiseit food along the way

Your meeting point is Magnum Hyper on Demyan Bednogo Street in Almaty, with departure at 6:00 am. The drive to Kurmenty is about 285 kilometers and takes much of the day, with the full day listed at roughly 12 hours.

This is not a minor transfer. You should think of Day 1 as a proper road journey followed by arrival in the mountain region. Private transportation by SUV or minibus is included, which is especially useful for a group carrying outdoor clothing and personal equipment.

The worthwhile break comes at Baiseit, a Uigur village known for its food market and welcoming local character. You can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, and bread for the mountain days. The local specialties listed include tandyr and onion bread, samsa, chebureki, lagman, and shashlyk.

That stop gives the trip a useful local touch. You are not simply eating prepacked food from Almaty before heading uphill. You have a chance to see what is being sold locally and add fresh supplies to the journey.

There is also a practical reason to pay attention here. Snacks are not included, so Baiseit may be your best chance to buy extra food for the trail. Ask your guide what is suitable to carry and how much you will need.

After reaching Kurmenty, the trip moves into its mountain phase. Accommodation includes a mountain hut and a place in a tent, but the supplied details do not assign each night to a specific type. You should confirm the sleeping arrangement before departure, especially if you have strong preferences about camping.

Day 2: Riding toward Middle Kolsay and the upper mountain country

After breakfast, you prepare for the horseback portion of the trip. The route from the hut toward Middle Kolsay runs over two small passes. In clear weather, you can expect broad mountain views along the way, with the lake country opening up as you gain height.

The itinerary labels this day Upper Kolsay, while its description focuses on horseback riding to Middle Kolsay. That wording is worth clarifying with the operator before you go. The essential point is that Day 2 is the main riding day, with a mountain route lasting about nine hours.

Nine hours outdoors is substantial. Even though a horse carries much of the effort, you still need to be comfortable with long periods in the saddle, changes in temperature, uneven ground, and the physical work of getting on and off the horse. The tour asks for moderate physical fitness, not advanced athletic ability, but you should not treat it as a gentle riding lesson.

One useful detail from the trip feedback is that the horses can be lazy. You may need to encourage your horse to maintain its pace, with guidance from the horse breeder and tour leader. That is not necessarily a fault. Horses used on mountain routes may move at a cautious pace, and a slower ride can be welcome on steep or uneven trails. Still, anyone expecting a fast gallop should reset those expectations.

The route passes through two small mountain passes, so weather affects what you see. Clear conditions can produce the best views, but mountain weather is not a minor detail. The operator requires suitable weather and may offer another date or a full refund if poor conditions force cancellation.

Lunch and dinner are included on this day, as is breakfast. Meals are an important part of the value because you are spending the day away from shops and restaurants. The food is described positively, with good nutrition singled out as part of the experience. Snacks remain your responsibility, and alcohol is not included.

Day 3: From Middle Kolsay down to Lower Kolsay

Day 3 begins with breakfast and packing. You hike back toward Middle Kolsay, then follow the path to Lower Kolsay, also called First Kolsay. The day is listed at about eight hours, so this is another full mountain day rather than a short final stroll.

The route gives you a different way to experience the lakes. Day 2 uses horses and passes; Day 3 puts the emphasis on walking and gradual movement between the lake areas. You can expect a slower rhythm, with more time to notice the trail and stop for views.

A snack and tea stop near Middle Kolsay is included in the plan. That small pause matters after several hours outside, particularly if the weather is cool or the trail feels demanding. Bring additional snacks you actually enjoy, since personal snacks are not supplied.

The trip ends by returning to the original meeting point in Almaty. Because the third day already lasts about eight hours, you should not plan a tight evening commitment unless the operator gives you a firm return time.

Horses, hiking, and the level of effort

This is a good choice if you want an active mountain trip without signing up for a technical expedition. You need moderate fitness and the ability to manage long days outside, but the horses reduce the amount of walking required on the main riding day.

The hiking still matters. You will walk on mountain trails, cross small passes on horseback, and cover the path between the Kolsay Lakes on foot. Trekking poles are included, which can help on uneven ground and on descents.

The tour is private, so your pace and group needs may be easier to manage than on a large departure. That is particularly useful for a mixed group, a family, or a small party with different levels of riding experience. Private does not mean effortless. It means the trip is arranged for your group rather than shared with unrelated participants.

The experience suits people who enjoy simple camping life and do not need a hotel room every night. If you want showers, reliable electricity, and soft beds, this is probably the wrong format. The appeal is the mountain hut, tent space, meals, horses, and time outside.

What the $1,900 price really covers

At $1,900 per person, this is not a casual day tour. The price makes more sense when you add up what is supplied:

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

That is a substantial package for a remote three-day trip. You are paying for transport from Almaty, staff, horses, meals, accommodation, and route support, not just access to the lakes.

Still, value depends on your group size and priorities. A private trip may be worthwhile for people who want their own arrangement and are happy to pay for hands-on support. A solo visitor focused mainly on seeing the lakes may find the price difficult to justify.

There are extra costs to plan for. A sleeping bag is not included, nor are outdoor clothing, insurance, snacks, alcohol, and other personal expenses. Do not assume the supplied sleeping pad replaces a sleeping bag. Ask what temperature rating is suitable for the dates of your trip.

Packing for the Kolsay mountains

The operator does not provide a full clothing kit, so your preparation matters. Pack outdoor clothing suitable for changing mountain conditions, along with sturdy footwear for hiking and clothing that works for horseback riding.

Your essential list should include:

• Sleeping bag
• Warm outdoor layers
• Weatherproof outer clothing
• Hiking shoes or boots
• Personal snacks
• Water treatment or a filter
• Sun protection
• Personal medication
• Travel insurance documents

One useful tip comes from the trip experience: fresh mountain water is memorable, but a water filter is worth bringing. Do not assume every water source is ready to drink without treatment.

You also need to be ready for basic camping conditions. The sleeping pad is included, but the tour does not promise hotel-style facilities. Pack with the idea that comfort comes from good equipment, warm food, and a dry place to sleep, not from luxury.

Food, safety, and guide support

Meals are included across the three days, and the food receives strong praise for being nourishing. That is important on a route with long riding and hiking hours. You will still want snacks for the gaps between meals, especially if you have dietary needs or prefer frequent small meals.

Darya is repeatedly associated with care, safety, energy, and attention to individual comfort. Gulnaz and Alex are also named among the people involved in the company’s trips. A guide’s role here goes well beyond pointing toward the next lake. The team coordinates transport, horses, meals, mountain accommodation, and the practical details of moving through remote country.

That support is one of the stronger reasons to choose an organized private trip. You avoid arranging a horse breeder, mountain transport, food, and overnight stops separately. You also have someone to help if weather or personal circumstances affect the plan.

Service animals are allowed. The tour confirmation is issued at booking, and the activity is private, with only your group participating.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A small-group or private mountain trip
• A mix of riding and hiking
• Remote trails rather than a quick lake visit
• Simple hut and tent accommodation
• Local food and village stops
• Guide support throughout a demanding route
• A three-day escape from Almaty with most major costs arranged

I would think twice if you dislike long road transfers, early starts, camping, changing weather, or sustained physical activity. The first day is especially demanding, and the next two days are full of outdoor movement.

Families may enjoy the horses and the scenery, but each person still needs moderate physical fitness. The experience can also work for a solo visitor if the private arrangement is suitable, though the price is much easier to accept when shared by a small group.

Should you book the Kolsay horse and hiking tour?

Book it if you want the journey to matter as much as the lakes. The best parts are the combination of horses and hiking, the quiet mountain routes, the Baiseit food stop, and the practical support from guides such as Darya.

Do not book it as a quick sightseeing trip. You will spend a full day reaching Kurmenty, then face two long days in the mountains. Bring a sleeping bag, proper outdoor clothing, snacks, and a water filter, and confirm the exact hut and tent arrangements before paying.

For the right person, the $1,900 cost buys an organized, private route into the Kolsay country with much of the difficult planning already handled. For anyone seeking comfort or a low-cost lake visit, a shorter option will be a better match.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately three days. Day 1 is about 12 hours, Day 2 about 9 hours, and Day 3 about 8 hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Magnum Hyper, 3 Demyan Bednogo Street, Almaty 050018, Kazakhstan, at 6:00 am.

Does the tour return to Almaty?

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

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation is included, using an SUV or minibus for the journey from Almaty toward Kurmenty.

Are meals included?

Yes. The package includes two breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners. Snacks and alcoholic drinks are not included.

Is a sleeping bag provided?

No. A sleeping bag is not included. A sleeping pad, a place in a tent, and mountain hut accommodation are included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience start time.