9 day horseback riding tour

9 day horseback riding tour

9 Days Starting and ending in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Visiting: Almaty, Narynkol, Bayankol, Tekes Waterfall, Shalkode, Ketmen', Charyn Canyon National Park

Tour operator:

Steppe & Sky Travel

Tour code:

5

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 6

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

18-99

Special diets catered:

Halal

Tour operated in:
English
Private Available:

Request A Private Tour

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Together with us, you will go back into the centuries into the time of Great Silk Way, the main trade artery connecting Asia and Europe; you will visit the ancient towns and pass through the history of Great Steppe, from the tribes of nomads, Kazakh Khanate, the Soviet heritage to the sovereign Kazakhstan. Explore Undiscovered Zhetysu – from desert to snow peaks of Tien Shan. During this tour you will visit moraine lakes (Akkol and Karakol). You will be able to observe amazing landscapes "Martian hills" and relic willows

Places You'll See

9 Day Horseback Riding Tour

9 Day Horseback Riding Tour

9 Day Horseback Riding Tour

9 Day Horseback Riding Tour

Itinerary

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Day 1 : Almaty – Narynkol /5 Hours Driving/3 Hours Horse Ride
Location: Almaty, Narynkol, Bayankol
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Camping
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast and meeting with your driver. Transfer to Narynkol town.
After reaching frontier post and checking the documents we will stop at the small place during the Soviet time used to be camp for climbers located at the bottom of Khan Tengri (2300 m above the sea level). Here you can have lunch and meet with your guide then you will get instructions on horseback riding.
The starting point of your horse riding (3 hours) is fantastic site along the Akkol river, along the forest scenic zone to the moraine lake Akkol, where the height is 3080 m above the sea level. Return. Dinner & night at the camp.

Day 2 : Bayankol (25Km) /4-5Hrs Horse Ride
Location: Bayankol
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This entire day dedicated to another moraine lake - Karakol. After breakfast, we move along the gorge to Karakol lake. Here you can see all the diversity and beauty of The Tien Shan. You can see famous Khan Tengri peak – the highest mountain in Kazakhstan located on the Kazakhstan – Kyrgyzstan – China border and belongs to Tien Shan Mountain range, it is 7010 m (23000 ft) high. A lot of brave men attempt to ascend Khan Tengri, despite the dangerous rock and almost vertical slopes. During this tour you will see how the landscape changes at different altitudes, how conifer forests and alpine meadows pass to tundra and to a zone of permanent snow. Return, dinner & night at the camp.

Day 3 : Bayankol Gorge - Tekes Waterfall (20Km)/ /4-5Hrs Horse Ride
Location: Bayankol, Tekes Waterfall
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Horse riding over the Bayankol gorge -Tekes waterfall (40 km distance in total). Picnic/Lunch.
Bayankol gorge located on the northern macro slope of the Central Tien Shan. The origins of the river begin with glaciers flowing from the Saryjaz Ridge. These are the most accessible six-thousanders: the Marble Wall and the Plateau peak, and the five-thousanders: Border Guard, Karlytau, Kazakhstan, Bayankol and Semenova. Bayankol attracts dozens of tourists, mountaineers and just nature lovers who want to see Khan -Tengri. Bayankol is replete with many picturesque canyons, impressive density of coniferous forests. The fauna of this gorge is represented by a large variety of wild animals - the red deer or the maral, the Tien Shan arhars, the Siberian Mountain ibex or the Teke, the roe deer, the wild boar, the Tien Shan bear, the wolves. To visit the Bayankol gorge it is necessary to make a pass to the border zone. Overnight in tents on the river bank. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 4 : Bayankol Gorge - Tekes Waterfall (20Km)/ /4-5Hrs Horse Ride
Location: Bayankol, Tekes Waterfall
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Horse riding over the Bayankol gorge -Tekes waterfall. Picnic/Lunch.
The Tekes Waterfall has eroded the surrounding rocky slopes, forming a deep pool. Although it’s small, it is still a spectacular sight to behold. At first, you will see the waterfall from a height, and then you will need to carefully descend to it. Below, you will enjoy the chilled ambience, the shade, and the icy-cold mountain water, which after a long journey would feel heavenly.
Overnight in tents. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 5 : Tekes Waterfall - Tuzkol (15Km) /4-5Hrs Horse Ride
Location: Tekes Waterfall
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Horse riding over the Tekes waterfall – Tuzkol lake (30 km distance in total). Picnic/Lunch.
Lake Tuzkol is located in the inter montane depression between the Yelchin-Buiuryuk and Karatau mountains, which are spurs of the Ketmen ridge of the mountain system of the Northern Tien Shan. The lake is large - 5 km long, and the width in some places reaches 1 km. The area of the lake is 3.2 square km, and the depth reaches 3 m. The water is very salty, similar in composition to the Dead Sea, but the degree of salinity varies in seasons. Around the lake is a bare steppe. On the shore, sedge and hodgepodge grows. There are no large bushes and trees. But in general, the whole valley is surrounded by high mountains. There are wolves, lynx, sometimes bears. It is also the main place of nesting of waterfowl and water birds in the Kazakh part of the Central Tien Shan. A total of 35 species of birds lives here. The greatest value is ogar, gray crane and crane-belladonna. In addition to them, there are different kinds of ducks and wild geese, there are several breeding swan-nesting nests. In the mountains nest included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan steppe eagle and golden eagle. Overnight in tents. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 6 : Tekes Waterfall - Tuzkol (15Km)/ /4-5Hrs Horse Ride
Location: Tekes Waterfall
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Horse riding over the Tekes waterfall – Tuzkol lake. Picnic/Lunch.
Overnight in tents. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 7 : Tuzkol - Shalkodesu Valley (22 Km) /4Hrs Horse Ride
Location: Shalkode
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Horse riding over the Tuzkol lake – Shalkode valley.
Shalkodesu Valley - is the centre of transhumance, or as the Kazakhs say, it is zhailau. There is so beautiful in zhailau in summer, high grass and fresh air. From their ancestors - nomadic tribes and peoples inhabiting the expanses of Eurasia - Kazakhs inherited the yurt. This portable home according to its structure most suits to the nomadic way of life, and according to the design it has no equal. After long, harsh winter days, in the summer on the zhailau you can see the yurts of the shepherds. Here and there goats and sheep are grazing. A variety of relief forms make this place the best for rest. Picnic/Lunch. Overnight in tents.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 8 : Shalkodesu Valley - Ketmen Pass (50 Km) /5Hrs Horse Ride
Location: Shalkode, Ketmen'
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Horse riding over the Shalkode to Ketmen pass. Picnic/Lunch.
Despite its relatively close location to Almaty, the Ketmen mountains are rarely visited by tourists, adventurers and just fans of outdoor activities. Perhaps, that is why this corner of nature has preserved its pristine purity, all around grows alpine vegetation. A lot of rivulets with icy crystal water in hard-to-reach gorges are thrown down by small, but spectacular waterfalls, giving the tired travellers' coolness. It is said that here at an altitude of 3300m located a deposit of coal that functioned in the pre-war years.
The untouched wild nature of indescribable beauty, fresh air will make you love this place once and forever.
Overnight in tents. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Day 9 : Charyn Canyon – Almaty (310 Km) / 5Hr Driving
Location: Ketmen', Charyn Canyon National Park, Almaty
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Trip to Charyn canyon
The canyon has been described as the Grand Canyon’s little brother and is considered to be the floor of the ancient ocean Tethys. The erosion made by the river Charyn below and the elements created a dramatic and impressive landscape. The Charyn canyon itself is approximately 150 km and in some places up to 300 m deep. Free time. Departure to Almaty. Drive by car to Almaty.
Arrival to Almaty and transfer to the hotel. Meals: Breakfast/Lunch

What's Included

  • 1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation: 8 nights camping (camping tent for 2 pax each - sleeping bag, camping mat, sleeping setup, pillow)

  • Drinks with Meals

    Meals: full board

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees to Charyn National Park (except photo and video charges). Pass to the border zone

  • Fully Guided

    English speaking guide services

  • Horse rentals

  • Horseman

  • Rent of kitchen equipment and tents, mat

What's Not Included

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

  • Country Entry Visas

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • Personal insurance and items not mentioned above

  • Any services not included in the above itinerary

Check out our Q&As

  • Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?

    no

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    yes

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    no

  • Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?

    yes

  • Do you require a visa for this holiday?

    no

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    yes

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    yes

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    yes

  • Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?

    no

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    no

  • What currencies are required for this tour?

    KZT

  • Is the tour coach air conditioned?

    yes

  • What is the maximum group size?

    6 pax

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    yes

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    camping

  • Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?

    no

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    no

  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    meduim

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    yes

  • Company Instant Book

    yes

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    no

Want a private tour?

  • Personalise your trip

    Make changes to the itinerary, accommodation, or transport method

  • Travel more exclusively

    Your tour guide can focus all their attention on your group

  • Travel for a special occasion

    Celebrate an important event by only travelling with your friends or family

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Steppe & Sky Travel allows you to make 15 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 45 days before the start of the tour.

  • Low Deposit

    Steppe & Sky Travel requires a minimum deposit of 50% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 15 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of steppe & sky travel charges.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 10% of booking price.

    At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 40% of booking price.

    At 2 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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