3-Day Private Horseback Riding and Hiking Tour in Kolsay

Kolsay is best seen slowly, on horseback and on foot, far from the easy roadside viewpoints. This three-day trip takes you from Almaty into the Kungey Alatau mountains, using horses, mountain trails, a hut, and tents to reach the lakes in a more rugged way. Guides Darya, Alex, and Gulnaz shape the trip around safety, comfort, and the group’s pace.

I like the mix of riding and hiking, which gives you a break from the saddle and lets you see the mountains at walking speed. I also like the local start in Baiseit, where you can buy tandyr bread, fruit, vegetables, samsa, lagman, and shashlyk before heading into the hills. The main catch is the price: $1,900 per person is a serious sum for three days, and you still need to bring a sleeping bag, outdoor clothing, insurance, snacks, and personal items.

Key points

• A real mountain route: You travel through the Kungey Alatau by horse and on foot, rather than simply stopping at a lake viewpoint.
• A long first day: The drive from Almaty to Kurmenty covers about 285 kilometers and includes a market stop in Baiseit.
• Simple overnight stays: The package includes a mountain hut, a tent place, sleeping pad, meals, and trekking poles, but not a sleeping bag.
• Three Kolsay settings: The route includes time around the upper or middle lake area and a hike toward Lower Kolsay Lake.
• Private and flexible: Only your group participates, with private transport and group discounts available.
• Good preparation matters: The days run from about eight to twelve hours and require moderate physical fitness.

Why This Kolsay Trip Feels Different

Many visits to Kolsay Lakes are built around a quick drive, a short walk, and a photo stop. This trip asks more of you, but it also gives you more time in the mountains. You ride across rough trails, cross small passes, sleep in basic conditions, and walk between parts of the lake system.

That matters because the best part of Kolsay is not one single viewpoint. It is the change in pace as the road ends and the route becomes quieter. You hear less traffic, spend more time outside, and get a better sense of how people once moved through the mountains with horses and simple supplies.

The trip also has a useful local touch. Before the mountain section, you stop in Baiseit, a Uigur village known for its food market and home-style cooking. Buying bread, fruit, and vegetables here is not just a practical food stop. It gives the trip a human beginning before the wilderness takes over.

The 6:00 a.m. Start From Almaty

The meeting point is the Magnum Hypermarket at 3 Demyan Bednogo Street in Almaty. Pickup is offered, but the listed start time is an early 6:00 a.m., so you should be ready before sunrise and confirm the exact pickup arrangement when booking.

The first day is built around transport. You travel by SUV or minibus toward Kurmenty, about 285 kilometers away. That distance makes the morning departure sensible, but it also means Day 1 feels more like a transfer day than a full riding day.

Your transport is private, which is valuable for a long drive. You are not waiting for a large coach to gather people at several hotels, and your group can make the journey at its own pace within the planned schedule. Still, twelve hours is a long day, especially when you are also preparing for several days outdoors.

Pack water, a small day bag, and something comfortable for the vehicle. Snacks are not included, so bring your own. The provider supplies meals during the program, but personal snacks and alcohol are your responsibility.

Baiseit: A Food Stop With a Local Feel

Baiseit is one of the more memorable details of the trip. The village is known for its fruit and vegetable market, tandyr bread, onion bread, samsa, chebureki, lagman, and shashlyk.

This is a good place to notice how the mountain trip begins with food. You can pick up fresh produce and bread before the remote section, and you get a brief look at daily life outside Almaty. The stop lasts about thirty minutes, so keep your expectations realistic. It is a short market visit, not a full village tour.

I would use the stop to buy items that travel well and to sample something fresh. The meal plan includes breakfast twice, lunch three times, and dinner three times, but Baiseit gives you a chance to add local flavors and extra snacks.

After the market, the drive continues to Kurmenty. The supplied plan does not give a precise arrival time or a detailed description of the first night’s setup, so you should ask in advance whether your first evening is in the hut, at the tent site, or split between both arrangements.

Day 2: Riding Toward the Middle Kolsay Area

Day 2 is the active heart of the trip. After breakfast and preparation, you set out on horseback toward the Kolsay lakes. The route from the hut to the lake crosses two small passes, and clear weather can reveal wide mountain views along the way.

The day is listed at about nine hours. That tells you more than the phrase horseback riding does. You need to be comfortable spending a large part of the day outside, sitting on a horse, walking at times, and handling changes in trail conditions.

The stop is labeled Upper Kolsay Lake, while the route description focuses on horseback riding to Middle Kolsay Lake. I would clarify the exact overnight and lake sequence before departure, especially if seeing all three lakes is your main reason for booking. The program clearly includes the Middle and Lower Kolsay areas, but the wording leaves some room for confusion about how far toward the upper lake the route goes.

You do not need to be an expert rider based on the stated requirements, but you do need moderate fitness. The horses are part of the working trip, not simply a short photo ride. One useful expectation comes from the experience itself: some horses may move at a relaxed pace, and you may need patience and gentle encouragement rather than expecting a fast gallop.

That slower rhythm can be a plus. You have time to watch the trail and mountain scenery instead of rushing through it. But if you want a sporty, fast-moving riding tour, this is probably not the right match.

Mountain Nights: Hut, Tent, and Basic Comfort

The package includes accommodation in a mountain hut, a place in a tent, and a sleeping pad. That combination points to a simple outdoor setup rather than a polished mountain lodge.

A sleeping bag is not included. This is one of the most important packing points in the whole trip. You need to arrange your own sleeping bag and bring outdoor clothing suitable for changing mountain weather. The provider also excludes insurance, snacks, personal expenses, and alcohol.

The basic camp style is part of the appeal. You are not returning to a city hotel after each outing. You are spending the night close to the route, which makes the trip feel like a real expedition rather than a string of day tours.

It also limits comfort. If you sleep poorly outdoors, dislike shared or basic facilities, or need a private room each night, the $1,900 price may feel hard to justify. The cost pays for logistics, private transport, horses, guides, meals, and access to a remote route, not luxury accommodation.

Day 3: Hiking Back Toward Lower Kolsay

The final day begins with breakfast and packing. You hike back toward Middle Kolsay Lake, stop near the lake for snacks and tea, then follow the trail toward Lower Kolsay Lake, also called First Kolsay Lake.

This eight-hour day is a good reason to take the fitness requirement seriously. Hiking after two demanding days can feel different from hiking fresh from a hotel. You should expect a full outdoor day with a pack, uneven paths, and limited chance to shorten the route once you are underway.

The stop for tea and snacks near Middle Kolsay adds a welcome pause. Meals are included, including the lunches needed for the route, but you should still carry personal snacks because your appetite may be greater than usual after riding and walking.

Lower Kolsay gives the trip a different finish from simply retracing one viewpoint. The lake sequence helps you understand the area as a connected mountain region rather than a single scenic stop. After the route, the activity ends back at the original meeting point in Almaty, though the supplied schedule does not state the exact return time.

What the Guides Add to the Experience

Darya is the main guide name associated with the trip, with Alex and Gulnaz also involved in the broader guiding team. The strongest practical impression is careful attention to the group, safety, food, and comfort.

That matters on a private wilderness trip. You are relying on the guides not only to lead the horses but also to manage transport, meals, camping arrangements, changing weather, and the pace of the group. The program includes a horse breeder service, which suggests that the horse team is supported by someone focused on the animals as well as the route.

You should still ask direct questions before departure. Confirm the planned lake sequence, the sleeping arrangements, what clothing is needed, and what happens if weather changes. The trip requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

The private format is a real benefit for families, couples, or a small group of friends. It also helps solo bookers who want a more personal trip, though the price per person remains high. Group discounts may improve the value if several people book together.

Food, Water, and What to Pack

Food is one of the more reassuring parts of the package. You receive two breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners, and the Baiseit stop gives you access to fresh local ingredients before the mountain section.

You should not rely on the included meals for every small need. Snacks are excluded, and one useful suggestion is to carry a water filter if you plan to use fresh mountain water. That recommendation is especially practical because water access and treatment are important on a route lasting eight to twelve hours per day.

Your essential list should include:

• Sleeping bag
• Warm and weather-ready outdoor clothing
• Comfortable hiking shoes
• Personal snacks
• Water bottle and, ideally, a filter
• Travel insurance
• Personal medicines and toiletries

Trekking poles and a sleeping pad are supplied. Horses and horse breeder services are also included, along with private transport, guide services, and entry fees.

The supplied gear reduces your load, but it does not remove the need for proper clothing. Do not treat a summer mountain trip as a city break with one light jacket. Conditions can change, and you will spend long hours outside.

Is $1,900 a Fair Price?

At $1,900 per person, this is not a budget excursion. You are paying for three days, but the service includes more than a basic sightseeing package: private transport from Almaty, horses, horse support, guides, accommodation, meals, trekking poles, sleeping pad, and park-related fees.

The value is strongest if you want a private, organized route into a remote mountain setting and would otherwise need to arrange a vehicle, horse team, accommodation, food, and local leadership yourself. The logistics would be difficult to piece together independently, especially if you do not speak the local language or know the trails.

The value is weaker if you mainly want to see Kolsay Lakes from an easy viewpoint. In that case, a shorter and cheaper tour may suit you better. This experience is aimed at people who care about the journey, the horses, the camping, and the time away from roads.

Remember the extra costs. You still pay for insurance, sleeping bag, outdoor gear, snacks, alcohol, and personal items. Ask about group discounts if you are booking with several people.

Who Should Book This Kolsay Adventure?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want:

• A private mountain trip rather than a large group outing
• A blend of horseback riding and hiking
• Quiet trails and basic camping
• Long days outside
• Local food and a village market stop
• A guide-led route with meals and transport arranged
• A first serious experience in a wild mountain setting

I would hesitate if you need hotel comfort, dislike early starts, or have limited fitness. The first day lasts about twelve hours, and the next two include roughly nine and eight hours of outdoor activity.

Families can enjoy the trip, but the fitness and camping demands still apply. The experience has worked for younger and older family members, yet you should judge your own group by stamina, riding comfort, and ability to sleep in basic conditions.

Booking Details and Cancellation

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour is private, with only your group participating. Service animals are allowed. The activity is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 71 days, so planning early makes sense.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Since good weather is required, a weather cancellation offers a different date or a full refund.

Should You Book the 3-Day Kolsay Horseback and Hiking Tour?

Book it if you want Kolsay as an outdoor journey, not just a quick stop. The horses, two small passes, mountain hut, tent night, local food, and long walks give you a fuller connection to the area than a standard sightseeing visit.

Skip it if your priority is comfort or low cost. The price is high, the sleeping arrangements are basic, and the first and final days demand real stamina. For the right person, though, the private setup and careful guiding from Darya, Alex, and Gulnaz make the expense easier to understand. Bring your sleeping bag, prepare for simple camp life, carry a water filter, and confirm the exact lake route before paying.

FAQ

How long is the Kolsay horseback riding and hiking tour?

The experience lasts approximately three days. The listed activity days run for about twelve hours on Day 1, nine hours on Day 2, and eight hours on Day 3.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Magnum Hypermarket at 3 Demyan Bednogo Street in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The listed start time is 6:00 a.m., and pickup is offered.

Does the tour visit all three Kolsay Lakes?

The program includes the Middle Kolsay area and Lower Kolsay Lake, also called First Kolsay Lake. Day 2 is labeled Upper Kolsay Lake, but its route description refers to riding toward Middle Kolsay, so confirm the exact lake sequence before booking.

Are horses included in the price?

Yes. Horse rental and horse breeder services are included, along with guide services and private transportation.

Is accommodation included?

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

What meals are included?

The price includes two breakfasts, three lunches, and three dinners. Snacks are not included, and you should bring your own if needed.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

Because the experience requires good weather, a cancellation caused by poor conditions offers you a different date or a full refund.