From Almaty: 3-Day Kolsai Lakes Horseback Riding Tour

Highlights

• Discover the beauty of the Tien Shan Mountains on a 3-day guided tour
• Ride a horse through the Kolsai Lakes and enjoy a picnic by the water
• Spend the night in a traditional yurt and experience the nomadic lifestyle
• Explore the Charyn Canyon and see its unique rock formations
• Enjoy a delicious lunch in the village of Saty and try Kazakh cuisine

Description

Day 1: Journey to the Turquoise Lakes and Nomadic Life Begin your adventure with a comfortable ride from Almaty to the mountain village of Saty. Enjoy a hearty homemade lunch featuring traditional Kazakh dishes. After lunch, head to the famous Kaindy Lake, where you’ll see dry trunks of Tien Shan firs rising from the turquoise water. Enjoy free time for a walk, contemplation, and stunning photo opportunities. Return to the camp and settle into authentic Kazakh yurts. Feel like a nomad as you enjoy the silence of the mountains and the pure air. End the day with a delicious hot dinner, heartfelt conversations, and a night in a colorful yurt under a starry sky. Day 2: Horseback Ascent to the Middle Kolsay After breakfast, meet your horse and receive a detailed riding briefing from an experienced guide. Begin your horseback ascent, riding through dense, ancient coniferous forests, inhaling the scent of pine, and admiring the majestic mountain panoramas. Arrive at the Middle Kolsay Lake (Mynzhylky), a hidden gem of the Tien Shan. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the wild shore, with time to walk around the lake, relax, and capture breathtaking photos. Descend back to camp on horseback, savoring the evening colors of the mountains. Spend the evening relaxing after an active day in the saddle. Day 3: Legendary Canyons of Charyn and Return to Almaty After breakfast, check out of the camp. If you wish, take a morning walk to the Lower Kolsay Lake for final memorable photos. Head back towards the city, stopping for an incredible tour of the famous canyons: • Black Canyon: a mesmerizing, deep, and harsh cliff with the roaring Charyn River at its bottom. • Moon Canyon (Yellow Canyon): a fantastic clay landscape reminiscent of another planet’s surface. • Charyn Canyon (Valley of Castles): legendary sedimentary rocks, shaped by wind and water into whimsical castles and towers. Walk along the bottom of the gorge. Return to Almaty in the evening, concluding your incredible three-day adventure.

Includes

Transport from and to Almaty Accommodation in traditional yurts Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) Horse riding experience Guided tour of Kaindy Lake Guided tour of Kolsai Lakes Guided tour of Charyn Canyon

Excludes

Personal expenses Travel insurance CAMP in Middle Kolsai lake (optional)

Important Information

• The tour involves horse riding and hiking, which require a moderate level of physical fitness. Weather can be unpredictable; pack accordingly. Accommodation is in traditional yurts, which may not have modern amenities.

Easy cancellation

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund