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If weather or road conditions disrupt the route, we will offer the nearest safe alternative.
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4 days
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4 days
A horseback journey through the mountains of the Kolsai Lakes is not just an amusing ride; it is an active form of recreation with elements of moderate adventure. On mountain rides on horseback, all the muscles of the body work, especially the legs. You feel new mixed feelings and emotions — delight and moments of fear. A special feature of this tour is that most of the horse route runs through the pristine nature of the mountains of Kazakhstan, where a tourist’s foot has stepped only very rarely. The route to the second Kolsai Lake follows special hunting trails, and from there, with stunning panoramic views, it continues on to the third Kolsai Lake. All three Kolsai Lakes will appear before you in a new and unusual light. The return along rocky trails will fill you with admiration for the horses as you watch how skillfully they pick their way between the stones. It seems impossible to walk here on foot, let alone on horseback. But that is not so! The horses know the way well and feel in the mountains like fish in water. Before the horseback ride, the tour program includes a visit to Charyn Canyon, and after the ride it includes a visit to Kaindy Lake. Tents, campfire, stars, silence, grazing horses, hot dinner, tea and a warm sleeping bag. And in the morning — the freshness of mountain air, new views and impressions.
| Season | March-November |
| Travel time one way/total | – |
| Tour duration | 4 days |
| On asphalt | 700 km. |
| Off-road | 100 km. |
| Group | up to 4 people |
Day one:
Departure from Almaty in the morning.
Drive to Charyn Canyon, 3 hrs.
Lunch on the way, lunch box.
Walk through the canyon, about 2 hrs.
Drive to Saty village, 3 hrs.
In Saty village, an overnight stop at a guesthouse.
Preparing gear and food for the horseback journey.
Shower. Rest. Dinner. Sleep.
Day two:
Wake up, hearty breakfast.
Drive to Kurmenty village, 1.5 hrs. Dirt road.
Meeting the horses. Ascent to the “Besmoynak” ridge, 2 hrs.
Panoramic views open up over the gorge with the Kolsai Lakes.
Stop near the hunting lodge.
Lunch. Short rest. In bad weather, an overnight stay in the hunting lodge is possible.
Trek to Kolsai Lake 2, 2.5 hrs.
Stop for an overnight stay at a tent camp. Short evening walk. Campfire.
Rest. Dinner. Sleep.
Day three:
Wake up. Hearty breakfast.
Hike to Kolsai Lake 3 – 2 hrs.
Walk and rest at Kolsai Lake 3.
Lunch at Kolsai Lake 3.
Return to the camp at Kolsai Lake 2 – 2 hrs.
Packing up the tent camp.
Descent to Kolsai Lake 1 – 2 hrs. 30 min.
Drive to Saty village – 30 min.
Shower. Rest. Dinner. Sleep.
Day four:
Wake up, hearty breakfast.
Drive to Kaindy Lake, 1.15 hrs. Dirt road.
Walk around the lake, 2 hrs.
Return to Saty village.
Lunch at the guesthouse.
Return to Almaty, 4.5 hrs. including stops, snack on the way, lunch box.
Almaty city – Shelek town – Baiseit village – Kokpek Pass – Charyn Canyon (Valley of Castles) – Zhalanash village – Saty village.
Upon request, an additional guide service is available: the guide will tell you about this excursion in detail. Price: Russian-speaking guide from KZT 30,000 per day; English-speaking guide from KZT 50,000 per day. The guide’s meals and accommodation are paid separately.
Dear residents and guests of the Republic of Kazakhstan, we hereby inform you that under paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 39 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On the State Border of the Republic of Kazakhstan” dated 16.01.2013, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan establishes a border zone within the territory of border administrative-territorial units, where the border regime defined by this Law shall apply.
The border regime is the established procedure for entry, temporary stay, residence or movement, as well as for holding socio-political, cultural or other events within the border zone.
In this regard, the Border Guard Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan asks citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan and foreign nationals to stay alert and pay attention to warning signs and information stands when visiting mountain areas (natural sites) located in the border districts of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Additional information on the course of the state border line and the limits of the border zone can be obtained from tour operator representatives or the Border Guard Service of the NSC of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The leadership of the Karasai Border Detachment of the Border Guard Service of the National Security Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Before payment we lock in the route, group size, price format and all the terms, so your trip is clear from the very first message.
If weather or road conditions disrupt the route, we will offer the nearest safe alternative.
We agree on refund timelines and deduction terms in advance, with no fine print.
The guide stays in touch, monitors the road and can adjust the itinerary as the situation requires.
We state the price for the group, for one or two people, and what is already included.
Need to clarify the terms of a specific tour? Write to us and we will advise on the route and dates.
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