Hiking & Camping with horses

in kolsay lakes national park

Duration: 3 days
Season: June – October
Mountain Range: Kungey Alatau

About tour:

Explore the wilderness of Kungey Alatau mountains in one of our authentic and wild hiking trips to Kolsay Lakes with horses. You will explore wild and unknown trails avoiding crowded and touristic places, get an unusual experience of traveling by feet with horses carrying food and camping gear. During this adventure you will visit all three Kolsay Lakes, enjoy the simple camping life, try the lifestyle of Nomads and feel the spirit of discovery.

HIGHLIGHTS:

– exploring all three Kolsay lakes by unknown paths avoiding crowds

– immersion into the wild environment of Kungey Alatau

– feel yourself as a nomad by traveling in the mountains with horse

– experiencing hospitality of locals living in the countryside

– trying the taste of national cuisine

– staying in the wooden hut on the picturesque valley

– camping under starry skies on the shore of the lake

PRICE:

800$ per person for the group of 2
650$ per person for the group of 3
550$ per person for the group of 4-8
450$ per person for the group of 9-10

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MOUNTAIN RANGE:

Kungey Alatau

SEASON:

June – October

Highest point:

2900 m.a.s.l.

Duration:

3 days

Ability level:

intermediate, advanced/expert

Start point:

Almaty

meteoblue

Itinerary:

Almaty – Kurmety village – Kurmety gorge – Besmoinak pass – Kolsay lakes – Saty village – Baiseit village – Almaty.

Day by day Schedule:

Day 1

Almaty – Kurmety village – Besmoinak pass – Mountain hut.

Meeting the guide early morning in Almaty and departure to Kurmety village by SUV or minibus (285 km). Stop in the village of Baiseit on the way to explore local food market and buy fresh bread, vegetables and fruits. Arrival to Kurmety village. Tea and coffee break with snacks in the summerhouse. Preparations and packing the horses. Hiking to the mountain hut. On the way you will make stops for rest, snacks and taking pictures. Arrival to the hut. Rest. Hiking to the observation points, located nearby for watching panorama of Middle and Low Kolsay lakes. Return to the hut. Dinner and overnight in the hut.

Distance: 15 km.
Elevation gain/loss: +1250 meters/-120 meters.
Duration: 7 hours.
Campsite altitude: 2830 meters.

Day 2

Mountain hut – Middle Kolsay Lake – High Kolsay Lake.

After breakfast and preparations hiking to the Middle Kolsay Lake. From the hut to the lake, trail runs through the two small passes. In clear weather, along the way, you can see incredible landscapes of Kungey-Alatau mountain ridge, strewn with flowers and herbs. From one of the hills, the lake will appear in front of you. After wading the river and going through a dense forest with the Tien Shan spruces you will reach the shore of the lake. Here you will have a picnic with lake view, can relax and swim.
After the rest hiking to the Highest – Third Kolsay lake. The path will be going along the shore of the heart-shaped Middle Lake with a scenic view to surrounding mountain ridges. Then you will enter to the forest and will be going along the river stream till get to the shore of the Third Kolsay Lake. Setting up the tents. Walking along the lake’s shore. Rest and dinner near the fire. Overnight in the tents.

Distance: 14 km.
Elevation gain/loss: +700 meters/-900 meters.
Duration: 8 hours.
Highest point: 2860 meters.
Campsite altitude: 2650 meters.

Day 3

Third Kolsay Lake – Middle Kolsay Lake – Low Kolsay Lake – Saty village – Baiseit village – Almaty.

After breakfast and packing hiking back to the Middle Kolsay lake and then following the path leading to the Low (First) Kolsay Lake. On the way you will make stop near the Middle Lake for snacks and tea. Arrival to the southern shore of the Low Lake. Hiking to the opposite and most popular shore of the lake. Transfer back to Almaty. On the way you will make stop in the village of Baiseit for dinner. Return to Almaty by 8 pm.

Distance: 14 km.
Elevation gain/loss: +300 meters/-1000 meters.
Duration: 6 hours.
Highest point: 2650 meters.

Required clothing and equipment

– Trekking long pants or leggings;
– T-shirt or light shirt with long sleeve;
– Cap or panama hat for sun and heat protection;
– Neck gaiter;
– Hiking waterproof boots or similar with a good protector sole;
– Hiking gaiters (for feet protection in case of wet weather);
– Membrane or other water and wind resistant jacket;
– Raincoat poncho;
– Thermal base layer;
– Warm fleece jacket;
– Light down vest or jacket;
– Two pair of hiking socks;
– Light sandals or rubber slippers for wading the river;
– Beanie;
– Fleece or other thin gloves;
– Headlamp;
– Sunglasses;
– Sunscreen with high UVA protection;
– Personal dishes: fork, spoon, mug, bowl, knife;
– Personal hygiene items;
– Small towel;
– Swimsuit;
– Water container;
– Thermos;
– Trekking poles;
– Personal AID kit (pain and flu medication, adhesive tape, individual medications in case of having chronic diseases);
– Sleeping bag with temperature 0 – +5 degrees Celsius in comfort zone;
– Hiking backpack with volume 20-30 liters with raincover;
– Big hiking backpack or travel duffel bag with volume 50-60 liters with raincover;
– Energy, protein, muesli bars, dry fruits, nuts or other preferred snacks;
– Remedy for mosquitoes, flies, horseflies and ticks;
– Isothermal foil survival blanket;
– Matches or a lighter in waterproof package;
– Chargers and cords (power bank or compact solar panel).

Services included in the package:

1. English-speaking trekking guide.

2. Return transfer from Almaty.

3. Horses’ rental for carrying the food and camping gear.
4. Horse groomer services.
5. National Park environmental fee.

6. Camping food.
7. Shared 2 and 3 pax tents with sleeping pads.
8. Staying in the mountain hut.

Services does not included in the package:

1. Personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program.
2. Insurance policy.
3. Individual snacks.
4. Sleeping bag.

Please, note:

During all days of the program, having passport is required.
Part of the route passes area close to the border with Kyrgyzstan.

Depending on weather, health and physical condition of the participants, guide can make adjustments to the program.

The program can be canceled due to unfavorable weather conditions
or the real threat to life and health of the participants.

Apply for the tour