Horse trails meet lake views.

This private 3-day adventure sends you from Almaty into the Kungey Alatau mountains for a mix of horseback riding and hiking to the Kolsay Lakes, focusing on lesser-used trails and an unplugged camping rhythm. I like that the trip is built around real motion in the mountains, not just photo stops, and I also like the hands-on support: horses, horse breeder services, a guide, and the food handled for you. One consideration: it starts early at 6:00 am, and the hiking has a real “moderate fitness” level, so it is not the best pick if you want an easy stroll.

On day 1 you’ll do a food-and-culture warm-up in Baiseit and then head toward Kurmety by SUV or minibus (285 km). I like the way that sets the tone: you get Uigur village snacks like tandyr and onion bread and samsa before you swap pavement for mountain trail. In the mountains, the simple hut-and-tent camping life keeps things authentic, and the guided route helps you move through passes and ridgelines without constantly checking what’s next.

The main drawback is gear and comfort planning. A sleeping bag is not included, and outdoor clothing isn’t provided—so you will want to show up ready for cold nights and sweaty saddle time. Also, the tour depends on good weather, so you should keep your schedule flexible.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Private guiding in the Kungey Alatau: horses, horse breeder services, and a guide are part of the package.
• Quiet trails to the lakes: the focus is on less crowded, lesser-touristed routes.
• Camping with real mountain basics: mountain hut stays plus tent time, with a sleeping pad.
• Riding through passes, then hiking down: day 2 climbs by horse to Upper Kolsai Lake, day 3 continues on foot to Lower Kolsai Lake.
• Village food on day 1: Baiseit is built into the experience with local market time.

Kolsay Lakes, but in the quiet way: horse + hiking

This tour is designed for people who want the Kolsay Lakes area without the “stand here, move on, repeat” energy. The big idea is a mixed route: you ride where horses make sense, then you get off and hike where your legs are the best tool. That blend matters because it changes how the day feels. Riding lets you cover ground efficiently; hiking lets you slow down, look closely, and enjoy the terrain as it turns from trail into open lake views.

You also get a strong connection to the everyday mountain rhythm. The trip includes accommodation in a mountain hut and a place in a tent, plus a sleeping pad—so you are not just touring the wilderness, you’re living it for a couple nights. The meals are handled too: breakfast (2), lunch (3), and dinner (3). That adds up quickly in real-world value, because food planning is one of the hidden costs of outdoor trips.

One more thing: the route is described as avoiding crowded, touristic places and taking more “wild and unknown” trails. Even if you can’t measure crowd levels yourself, the practical outcome is this: you spend more time in motion and less time in bottlenecks, which makes the lake days feel earned.

Day 1: Baiseit and Kurmety before you saddle up

Day 1 is all about transition. You start in Almaty at Magnum Hyperулица Демьяна Бедного 3, Almaty 050018 with a 6:00 am start time. From there, the trip moves toward Kurmety by SUV or minibus over 285 km. That early departure is not random—it buys you daylight in the mountains later and gives the day a clean flow.

Before you fully step into the backcountry, you stop in Baiseit, a Uigur village with hospitable locals and a recognizable food culture. You get time to visit the vegetable and fruit market and to sample bread-and-pastry staples like tandyr and onion bread, plus samsa, chebureki, lagman, and shashlyk. The stop is listed as 30 minutes and admission is free. Translation: it’s enough time to taste the place without turning it into a slow day.

Then you move on to Kurmety, where you meet up with the guide (the guide is part of your included services). Practically, this helps if you’re someone who likes structure. You are not wandering around trying to guess what comes next, and you’re not stuck waiting for horse logistics to get sorted.

Day 2: Upper Kolsai Lake via two small passes

Day 2 is the “make it real” day. After breakfast, you ride horseback to the Middle Kolsay Lake area. The trail from the hut to the lake runs through two small passes, and in clear weather you get expansive mountain views along the way. That pass detail is important: passes usually mean more exposed sections and steeper effort, even when the ride does the heavy lifting.

You should expect a long day on the move. The program lists about 9 hours for the lake riding portion, and this is where comfort planning matters. You’ll want to dress for both temperatures: cool mornings at altitude, warmer sun on the trail, and the possibility of wind around passes.

You also get a sense of local mountain life, because the route starts at a hut and uses a horse-based travel rhythm. The horses are not just transportation; the experience includes horses rental and horse breeder services, which usually means someone is actively managing the horse end of the operation so you can focus on the ride and scenery.

By the time you reach the Middle Kolsay Lake zone, the day’s payoff is the combination of effort and scenery. You are not merely looking at water; you’re seeing it after a ride that takes you over real terrain.

Day 3: Lower Kolsai Lake and tea on the return

Day 3 brings the hiking. After breakfast and packing, you hike back to the Middle Kolsai Lake and then continue on the path leading to the Low (First) Kolsay Lake. The key detail here is the stop at the Middle Lake area for snacks and tea before you push onward.

That tea stop is more than a nice touch. It is a practical reset point. When you’ve spent the day (and the day before) working up to altitude and spending time outdoors, planned breaks help you stay steady. And because the tour includes lunch and dinner (and the snack/tea moment on day 3), you’re not trying to ration supplies you carried yourself.

The hike is listed at about 8 hours. If you’ve been saddle-sore, this is your chance to even things out, but it will still take effort. This is why the tour asks for moderate physical fitness. You do not need to be a trail athlete, but you do need to be comfortable walking for hours on uneven mountain terrain.

At the end of the activity, the experience returns you back to the Almaty meeting point area. So day 3 is also your travel-to-home wrap-up, not just a morning hike and done.

Price and value: what $1,900 covers in the mountains

The price is $1,900.00 per person for a 3-day private horseback riding and hiking tour. For some people, that number looks steep until you break down what’s actually included.

You get:

• Private transportation (including the long transfer by SUV/minibus)
• All fees and taxes
• Horses rental plus horse breeder services
• Guide services
• Mountain hut accommodation and tent space, plus a sleeping pad
• Trekking poles
• Meals: 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners

That matters because outdoor trips often add up fast once you price horses, guiding, and food. Here, the structure is already built. You can show up with a bag and clothes and let the trip handle the core logistics.

Two small value notes:

• The experience includes pickup offered and a mobile ticket, so you are not stuck coordinating every micro-step yourself.
• It has group discounts, which can help if you’re booking more than one person and want the private format without paying solo-prime rates.

One more practical reality: the tour is booked about 71 days in advance on average, which suggests you should plan ahead rather than hoping for a last-minute slot.

Packing for a no-suitcase wilderness camp

Based on what is included, you should plan around what is not.

Not included:

• Sleeping bag
• Outdoor gear and clothing
• Insurance
• Snacks (only snacks/tea are mentioned on day 3 as part of the experience, but extra snacks are not guaranteed beyond that)
• Alcoholic beverages

So you’ll want to bring:

• A sleeping bag suitable for cold nights (mountain temperatures can surprise you)
• Layers for changing weather (morning starts, wind around passes, and warm afternoon sun)
• Rain protection if you tend to get caught in drizzle
• A water approach: one practical tip from past participants is to bring a water filter for mountain water (it’s an easy add that can save you stress)

You should also plan for saddle time. Even when the program provides trekking poles for hiking, saddle days are their own kind of workout. Comfortable socks and a plan for chafing go a long way.

Who this fits, and who should skip

This tour is best for you if you:

• Want horse + hiking in the same trip, not just one or the other
• Like being outdoors for days with basic accommodations and full meals planned
• Prefer a more guided, safety-minded route through the mountains
• Have moderate physical fitness and can handle walking hours on trail

It may be a mismatch if you:

• Want an ultra-relaxing day with minimal walking (the program is long: roughly 9 hours day 2 and 8 hours day 3)
• Travel with a gear-light mindset—because the sleeping bag and outdoor clothing are on you
• Hate early starts; you are meeting at 6:00 am

Should I book this 3-day private Kolsay tour?

If you want Kolsay Lakes with a real mountain rhythm—horse rides over passes, hikes to different lake levels, mountain hut and tent nights—this is a strong choice. The biggest reason to book is that the essentials are handled: guiding, horses, meals, lodging basics, and trekking poles. That lets you focus on the scenery and the experience instead of logistics.

I’d book if your fitness matches moderate effort and you’re ready to bring your own sleeping bag and outdoor clothing. I would hesitate only if you need guaranteed comfort, short hiking days, or you’re traveling without the right cold-weather basics.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 3 days (approx.).

What time and where is the meeting point in Almaty?

You meet at Magnum Hyper улица Демьяна Бедного 3, Almaty 050018 with a start time of 6:00 am.

Is transportation to the mountains included?

Yes. Private transportation is included.

Are horses provided?

Yes. Horses rental is included, along with horse breeder services.

What meals and accommodations are included?

Included are breakfast (2), lunch (3), and dinner (3). For sleeping, you have accommodation in the mountain hut, place in the tent, and a sleeping pad.

Do I need to bring a sleeping bag?

Yes. A sleeping bag is not included.

What is the fitness level requirement?

You should have moderate physical fitness.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It is private, and only your group participates.

Does the tour run in any weather?

The experience requires good weather. If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.