5 Days Horse Riding Through Tian Shan Mountains
About this tour
Experience the wild beauty of Kazakhstan on a 5-day horseback riding adventure through the Tian Shan Mountains, combining spectacular alpine lakes, mountain valleys, open steppe, remote gorges and authentic nomadic landscapes. This carefully designed horse riding tour takes you from Almaty to Bestobe Lake, Orta Merki Gorge, Tanbaly Jailau, Kaindy Lake, Saty Village and Upper Kolsay Lake, before returning to Almaty.
Led by experienced local horse-riding guides and mountain experts, this adventure is ideal for travelers who want to explore the spectacular nature of southeastern Kazakhstan away from the usual tourist routes. Ride through some of the most beautiful landscapes of the Tian Shan mountain range, experience traditional yurt accommodation, and discover the famous alpine lakes of the Kolsay and Kaindy region.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Almaty, Kazakhstan
• 08:00 – Departure from Almaty • 12:30 – Arrive at Bestobe Lake • Meet the horse team and prepare the horses • Begin horseback riding through mountain and steppe landscapes • Ride toward Orta Merki Gorge • Approx. 4–5 hours riding • Evening arrival at the yurt camp • Dinner and overnight
Day 2
• Breakfast at the yurt • Begin riding toward Shet Merki and Tanbaly Jailau • Full day riding through mountain valleys, open steppe and scenic gorges • Approx. 6–7 hours riding • Picnic lunch during the route • Continue toward Tanbaly • Evening arrival at the camp • Dinner and overnight
Day 3
• Breakfast and departure on horseback • Ride toward spectacular Kaindy Lake • Enjoy the famous submerged spruce forest and surrounding Tian Shan scenery • Some sections around Kaindy may be explored on foot, depending on trail and horse access • Continue toward Saty Village • Approx. 6–7 hours riding • Evening arrival in Saty • Dinner and rest Overnight: Saty Village — Guesthouse
Day 4
Early breakfast in Saty • Transfer to the Kurmeti area • Prepare the horses and begin riding • Ride through beautiful mountain valleys and alpine landscapes toward Upper Kolsay Lake • Picnic lunch in the mountains • Continue horseback riding toward the upper Kolsay area • Enjoy the spectacular scenery and mountain surroundings • Approx. 5–6 hours riding • Evening arrival at the mountain/yurt camp • Dinner and overnight
Day 5
• Early breakfast • Morning horseback ride around the Upper Kolsay area • Enjoy the mountain scenery and take photographs • Ride back toward Kurmeti • Approx. 3–4 hours riding • Meet the vehicle in Kurmeti • Drive back toward Almaty • Lunch stop on the way • Continue to Almaty • Evening arrival in Almaty
What's included
Languages spoken
Route & locations
Almaty, Kazakhstan