3-Day Private Horseback Riding and Hiking Tour in Kolsay

Kolsay is best seen slowly, with a horse beneath you and a mountain trail ahead. This three-day trip takes you from Almaty into the Kungey Alatau, using backcountry paths toward Middle and Lower Kolsay Lakes rather than sticking to the easiest sightseeing route. I like the mix of horseback riding and hiking, plus the chance to sleep in a mountain hut and tent instead of returning to town each night.

I also like the human touches: a food stop in Baiseit, fresh bread and fruit for the trail, and guides such as Darya and Gulnaz who focus on comfort and safety. The main drawback is the pace. Day one is about 12 hours, much of it spent driving 285 kilometers from Almaty, and the riding and walking days require moderate fitness.

Key points before you book

• Three days in the Kungey Alatau: You reach Middle and Lower Kolsay Lakes on foot and horseback.
• A long first day: Pickup starts at 6:00 am, with a lengthy drive to Kurmenty village.
• Local food in Baiseit: Stop for tandyr bread, samsa, chebureki, lagman, shashlyk, fruit, and vegetables.
• Simple mountain nights: Accommodation includes a mountain hut, a tent place, sleeping pad, meals, and horse support.
• Private and flexible in feel: Only your group takes part, with private transport and guide service.
• Bring your own sleeping bag: Outdoor clothing, insurance, snacks, and personal expenses are also your responsibility.

Why this Kolsay trip feels different

Many visits to Kolsay Lakes are built around a quick drive, a short walk, and a few photographs. This trip asks more from you, but it also gives you more time in the mountains. You travel with horses, cross small passes, camp simply, and move through the country at a pace closer to old nomadic travel than standard sightseeing.

That does not mean this is a luxury horseback holiday. You should expect long hours outside, basic sleeping arrangements, and changing mountain weather. The reward is a stronger sense of place. You are not only looking at the lakes. You are following trails between them and learning how much effort it takes to move through this high country.

The private format matters. Your group is not folded into a large coach tour once you leave Almaty. The guide team can focus on your pace, your confidence around horses, and how you are handling the walking. Darya has been singled out for her care and energy, while Gulnaz and other Powder Nomads guides may also be involved, depending on the arrangement.

Baiseit brings Kazakhstan to the table

The journey begins early, at 6:00 am, from Magnum Hypermarket on Demyan Bednogo Street in Almaty. From there, private transport heads toward Kurmenty village, about 285 kilometers away.

That drive is a major part of the first day, so set your expectations correctly. This is not a quick transfer followed by an afternoon ride. You spend much of the day on the road, with the mountain portion coming later.

Baiseit is the useful and tasty break. This Uigur village is known for its market and local food. You can buy fruit, vegetables, and fresh bread before heading farther into the mountains. Look for tandyr and onion bread, samsa, chebureki, lagman, and shashlyk.

I like this stop because it gives the trip a local starting point. You are not simply handed packaged trail food at the edge of a national park. You can see what people buy, eat warm bread, and help stock provisions for the days ahead. It also gives you a practical chance to buy snacks, since personal snacks are not included in the tour price.

The transport is by SUV or minibus. You meet the guide in Almaty and continue to Kurmenty, where the mountain section begins. The exact arrival time is not stated, so you should be ready for a late finish to day one.

Day two: horses, passes, and Middle Kolsay

After breakfast, you prepare for the ride toward Middle Kolsay Lake. The route from the mountain hut crosses two small passes, giving you changing views as you gain and lose height.

The itinerary also refers to Upper Kolsai, but the described riding route leads to Middle Kolsay. That wording is worth clarifying with the operator before departure if the distinction matters to you. The central point remains the same: this is a full mountain day, not a short ride beside the road.

Horse rental and horse breeder support are included. That support is useful for anyone with limited riding experience, but you should not expect the horses to race along the trail. One account describes the horses as somewhat lazy, with encouragement needed to make them move faster. For many people, that is a benefit. You have time to look around and take in the views. If you want an athletic gallop, this may not be the right style of ride.

The day lasts about nine hours. You will need to be comfortable sitting in a saddle, walking on uneven ground, and spending most of the day outside. The horse carries part of the load, but it does not remove the physical demands of mountain travel.

Clear weather can reveal broad views over the surrounding peaks and valleys. The route is prized for its quiet character and less-used trails, but conditions control what you see. Cloud, rain, or poor visibility can change the day completely. The operator can cancel or change the date if the weather is unsafe.

Meals are included throughout the tour: two breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners. That makes the $1,900 price easier to assess, since it covers food, horses, guides, transport, and mountain lodging rather than only the activity itself.

A hut and a tent, not a resort

Accommodation is part of the adventure, and it is also where you need to be realistic. The package includes a mountain hut, a place in a tent, and a sleeping pad. It does not include a sleeping bag.

You will need to bring a suitable sleeping bag along with outdoor clothing. The supplied information does not specify room arrangements, tent size, or washroom facilities, so ask the operator about those points before booking if they affect your comfort.

This simple setup is valuable because it keeps you near the trail. You do not lose hours returning to a hotel, and you get a better sense of mountain life after the day’s ride and hike. It also means less privacy and fewer comforts than you would have in Almaty.

The food program is a strong part of the package. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included as listed, and the Baiseit market stop adds fresh local supplies. Snacks and alcohol are not included. One useful tip is to bring more trail food than you think you need, especially if you prefer frequent small snacks on a long walking day.

Day three: from Middle Kolsay to Lower Kolsay

After breakfast and packing, you hike back toward Middle Kolsay Lake, then follow the path toward Lower Kolsay, also called First Kolsay Lake. This is an eight-hour day, so the final morning is not a gentle checkout followed by a short stroll.

A stop near Middle Kolsay provides time for tea and snacks. That break matters. It gives you a chance to rest, refill your energy, and take in the lake before continuing down the trail.

The route links two of the best-known lakes in the area, but the appeal is not only the destination. You experience the changes along the path, from the hut and upper mountain country toward the lower lake. Horseback riding is not the focus of this day, so be ready for sustained hiking.

Fresh mountain water has been praised as a memorable part of the outing, but you should still bring a water filter if you plan to rely on natural sources. The tour does not list a filter among the included equipment. Treat water safety as your own responsibility.

The final schedule is not fully detailed, so confirm how the return to Almaty is arranged and when you are expected back at the original meeting point. The activity ends there, at Magnum Hypermarket.

What the $1,900 price really covers

At $1,900 per person, this is an expensive tour. The private format explains part of the cost, as does the remote setting and the need to move people, horses, food, and equipment into the mountains.

You are paying for private transportation, guide services, horse rental, horse breeder support, taxes and fees, meals, a hut, a tent place, a sleeping pad, and trekking poles. That is a substantial package for a three-day trip, especially in a region where logistics are not simple.

Still, the price will not suit every budget. Sleeping bags, outdoor clothing, insurance, snacks, drinks, and personal expenses are extra. The package is good value for someone who wants a guided mountain trip with horses and does not want to organize transport, meals, animals, and camps separately.

It is less convincing for someone who mainly wants to see Kolsay Lakes with minimal effort. A shorter and simpler outing may cost less and suit your plans better. The real value here is the access, the guide support, and the slower route through remote mountain country.

Group discounts are offered, but the price shown is per person. Ask for the current rate for your group before paying.

Who should choose this adventure

This trip suits you if you enjoy long days, basic camping, and active travel. You should have moderate physical fitness and be comfortable with both horse riding and hiking. You do not need the profile of an expedition athlete, but you should not expect easy paths or hotel-level comfort.

It also works well for solo visitors who want a private arrangement but may be matched with others through the operator. One solo participant joined a small group arranged by Powder Nomads, which shows that the company may help create a workable party for a solo booking. Confirm the current arrangement directly.

Families can enjoy it if everyone can manage the physical demands. One account describes the trip as a memorable choice for a son and grandfather, but the tour still requires careful thought about fitness, saddle time, walking, and camping.

Service animals are allowed. The tour is private, and only your group participates, but the data does not give detailed accessibility information for mountain trails, horses, tents, or huts. Ask specific questions before booking if you have mobility needs.

What to pack and confirm

Bring a sleeping bag, warm and weather-ready outdoor clothing, sturdy footwear, personal snacks, and any medication you need. Trekking poles are supplied, but you may still want gloves, a water filter, and a day pack.

Ask about the exact horse route, the meaning of Upper Kolsai in the schedule, hut and tent arrangements, washing facilities, water access, and the expected return time. These questions are not signs of fussiness. They help you prepare for a remote trip with limited comfort.

The weather rule is important. Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund. If you cancel, you receive a full refund only when you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Kolsay horseback tour?

Book this trip if you want remote mountain travel with real effort, not a quick lake visit. The combination of horses, hiking, local food, hut and tent nights, and private guiding gives you a fuller connection to the Kolsay area.

Think twice if your priority is comfort, a short transfer from Almaty, or a predictable schedule. The first day is long, the mountain days are demanding, and the sleeping setup is basic. For the right person, though, the price buys more than views. It buys time on the trail and a rare chance to experience Kazakhstan’s mountains at a human pace.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately three days.

Where does the tour start?

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

What time does pickup begin?

The stated start time is 6:00 am.

Is transportation included?

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

Which Kolsay Lakes does the route visit?

The route includes Middle Kolsay Lake and Lower Kolsay Lake, also called First Kolsay Lake. The day two description also uses the name Upper Kolsai, so confirm the exact route with the operator.

Are horses included?

Yes. Horse rental and horse breeder services are included.

What accommodation is provided?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.