Tien Shan on horseback: Saty, Kolsai, Kaindy
Ride from Saty to the middle Kolsai lake, camp at 2,250 m and return by Kaindy.
- Starts and ends
- Almaty
- Distance
- 700 km by road
- Length
- 4 days, 3 nights
- Start time
- 07:00
- Season
- June to September
- Language
- English, Russian
- Level
- Hard
- Options
- Group or private
Group: join others on a fixed date. Private: your own guide and car on your date.
Horse trek, 4 days
Kazakh horses are small, calm and very sure on stone. You ride six hours a day with a wrangler from the village. You need no riding experience. You need to be happy to be sore.
Itinerary
Day 1: Saty
- Almaty to Saty
- Meet your horse and wrangler
- Guesthouse dinner
Day 2: To the lakes
- Ride to the lower Kolsai lake
- Climb to the middle lake
- Camp at 2,250 m
Day 3: High pasture
- Ride the ridge trail
- Lunch with a shepherd family
- Camp
Day 4: Kaindy
- Ride down to Kaindy
- Walk the sunken forest
- Back in Almaty
Times are a guide and can shift with season and road conditions. If weather or a road closure blocks a stop, your guide offers another one. Refunds do not apply to a stop skipped for safety.
Included
- Horse and wrangler
- Guide
- Tents, sleeping bags and mats
- All meals on trek
Not included
- Tips
- Personal gear
Group or private
Prices are in US dollars. The deposit and balance rules are below.
Group
$540per person, adults and youths 13 and over.
Children 5 to 12: $432.
Under 5: not on this trip.
Small group, up to 12 guests. Meeting point: Hotel pick-up in central Almaty.
Book a group seatPrivate
One group of travellers, no one else. Total price for the whole party.
| Guests | Total | Each, about | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $1,800 | $900 | 4x4 or minivan |
| 3 | $1,835 | $612 | 4x4 or minivan |
| 4 | $1,870 | $468 | 4x4 or minivan |
| 5 | $1,945 | $389 | Minivan |
| 6 to 7 | $2,520 | $360 | Van |
| 8 to 12 | $3,420 | $285 | Minibus |
More than 12? Send us a message for a custom price.
Book privatePick a date
There are no group dates in the next five months. Private trips run on any date in season.
Want your own date? Book private
Know this
- Weight limit for riders is 95 kg.
- Bring your original passport for the border zone.
Not for everyone
- Not recommended for back, knee or heart problems.
- Not allowed for guests under 14.
Deposit and changes
- Group: 30% deposit. Free change up to 24 hours before.
- Private: $100 per booking. Free change up to 72 hours before.
- We cancel a group 48 hours ahead if fewer than 4 guests book or if weather or roads block it. You choose a new date or a refund.
- Balance goes to your guide on day one.