★4.9Aidos Serikov
Senior guide, mountain routes
Tour from Almaty
Ten days on horseback through Katon-Karagay: passes, fords, and camps near Belukha. Horse, saddle, and guide for the group included; be prepared for six to seven hours in the saddle, weight limit 110 kg.
Program
Group meeting at the start of the route, safety briefing and introduction to the guide. Gear check and horse assignment. In the evening, transfer by jeep to Katon-Karagay.
Transfer to the foot of Katon-Karagay, check-in at the starting camp. First horseback rides to adapt to the horses and the altitude. Briefing on horse handling and route specifics.
Daily rides of 6–7 hours: mountain passes, river crossings, mountain trails. Overnight stays in tent camps, meals cooked over a campfire. Gradual progress toward Belukha; in good weather, views of the mountain open up.
Ride to the foot of Belukha, setting up camp by the mountain. Radial hikes to explore the surroundings, and if possible, an approach to the glaciers. In the evening, rest and a photo session.
The return journey follows the same route but with different campsites. Rides of 6–7 hours, overnight stays in familiar places. Arrival at the starting camp, handover of horses and gear.
Return transfer from the base camp, farewell to the group and exchange of contacts. In the evening, the end of the tour.
What's included
Already included in the tour price
Optional, on site
To make the day comfortable
Team
Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.
★4.9Aidos Serikov
Senior guide, mountain routes
★5Dinara Kassymova
Guide-lecturer in Almaty
★4.8Marat Zhunussov
Trekking instructor
★4.9Oleg Kim
Driver-guide, jeep tours
★4.8Zhanna Abenova
Tour manager
★4.9Timur Beketov
Multi-day tour guide
★5Aliya Nurlan
Group coordinator
★4.8Sergey Volkov
Instructor, ski tours
Reviews
I spent a long time choosing between trekking and a horse tour, and in the end I settled on horses — and didn't regret it. In August the weather in Katon-Karagay was dry, warm during the day, but at night in the tent it was noticeably cold, so a warm sleeping bag is a must. The first days it was hard to get used to six-hour treks, but then I got into it. Aidos as the senior guide was always nearby on difficult sections, advising how to sit correctly in the saddle on descents and fords. I'll separately note the camp at the foot of Belukha — for such views it was worth enduring the blisters. The food was simple but filling, cooked over a campfire. The way back was easier, though the camps were different. Overall, the tour is for those who are ready for physical exertion but want to see the mountains for real.
We went with my wife in June, wanted to try something new. The horses are calm, six or seven hours in the saddle were hard, but the views of Belukha were worth it.
In June it's cool at night, bring warm clothes. The horses are calm, the route to Belukha is beautiful.
My husband and I had long wanted to try a horse tour, and when we saw the program to Belukha, we decided right away — it was a gift for our anniversary. In June the weather was changeable: during the day the sun was hot, and by evening it became cool in the mountains, so warm clothes came in handy. Six or seven hours in the saddle were not easy at first, but the horses are calm, and the views at the passes are worth it. I liked that everything was organized clearly, without fuss.
We went as a family in September, wanted to show the mountains to the kids. Aidos gave an excellent safety briefing on the passes.
My wife and I had long dreamed of such an adventure, and on our wedding anniversary we finally decided to go for it. The guide helped us pick the dates and explained everything. The weather was great, but the nights were cold.
We chose this tour together with my husband in August, because we both love hiking in the mountains, and riding horses was a new experience. The nature of Katon-Karagay is amazing, warm during the day, cool at night, so don't forget to bring warm clothes. The first days it was hard to sit on a horse for six or seven hours, but gradually we got used to it. The food was cooked over a campfire, tasty and filling. Overnighting at the foot of Belukha is a special impression, the mountain views are stunning. Overall the organization was good, but on some days the weather was changeable. On the way back we passed through familiar places, but the stops were different. I would recommend such a tour to my friends too.
In June we went on this horse tour with colleagues, wanted to unwind after a year of work. The weather was changeable, sun during the day, and cool in the mountains in the evening. The horses are calm, six- to seven-hour treks weren't easy at first, but the views of Belukha made up for everything. I liked that we overnighted in tents and ate by the campfire.
Aidos as the senior guide gave instructions on horse handling very clearly, with him it was calm at the crossings. In June the nights in tents are cool, bring a warm sleeping bag.
Eto byl nash pervyj konnyj tur, i my ne pozhaleli. Pogoda v iyune byla prohladnaya, no vidy na Beluhu prosto klass!
My brother and I went in August, wanted to test ourselves in the saddle. Timur as a guide for multi-day tours was always in touch and helped with the horses.
We were choosing a tour for a family vacation, wanted to show the mountains to the kids. In August the weather was excellent, hot during the day but cool at night. The horses are calm, the guides experienced. The route is interesting, the passes and fords were memorable. The food cooked on the fire is simple but tasty. The only thing is you don't get used to the saddle right away, but then it's fine. The views of Belukha are impressive. Thanks for the organization!
My friends and I decided to diversify the summer, took this tour. In July it's hot during the day, but cool in the mountains. The horses are excellent, nature is super!
I was on this tour in July. I liked everything except the mosquitoes at the camps. The horses are good, the instructors experienced.
We went on a horse tour with our family in July. Aliya added us to the group and told us the meeting place. The weather was good along the way, the mountains are wonderful. The horses are calm, the guides experienced.
In June I went on a horse tour to Belukha with friends during vacation. The nature of Katon-Karagay is beautiful, but on the first day the weather was changeable, it rained and got cold in the evening. Riding six or seven hours a day is not easy, especially when crossing fords. However, the mountain views, especially overnighting at the foot of Belukha, left a wonderful impression. The food was cooked over a campfire, it was tasty. The downside is that on some days the pace was too high, little time was given for rest. Overall I liked the tour, I give it 4 points.
My sister and I had long dreamed of such an adventure and chose the horse tour to Belukha. The group coordinator helped us get ready, explained the meeting point, and kept in touch on the road, which was very helpful. In the mountains it's warm during the day, but at night in the tent it's cold, warm clothes saved us. The first days it was hard to sit in the saddle for six or seven hours, but then we got used to it. The passes and fords were the most memorable. The camp at the foot of Belukha is a story of its own, the views were stunning. The food cooked over the fire was simple but tasty. The way back went through familiar places, but with different camps. Overall, the trip left a strong impression, despite the fatigue.
I went with my friend to celebrate my birthday. In June there are rains, but we got lucky. The horses are smart, the guides are attentive.
Poehali s bratom v sentyabre, hoteli zakonchit sezon pohodom. Pogoda byla solnechnaya, no uzhe prohladno. Loshadi poslushnye, marshrut k Beluhe velikolepnyj.
My husband had long wanted to go to the mountains, and I was afraid of horses. We went in August, the weather was excellent. They gave us instructions, the horses are calm. The passes were hard, but the views are worth it. Overnight stays in tents, we were fed well. On the way back we were tired but happy. I recommend it to those who like active recreation.
My friend and I decided to take this tour in June to change the scenery after winter. In the mountains it's hot during the day and cool in the evening, windbreakers saved us. I liked that the horses are calm, the program is rich. Tents, campfire, views of Belukha — everything as promised.
My husband and I went to celebrate our vacation, chose the horse tour to Belukha. In June the weather is changeable, but we got lucky. The horses are obedient, the guides are caring. The route is beautiful, especially at the foot. The only downside is that on the first day we rode a long time to the camp, got tired. Otherwise we liked everything, rating 4.
FAQ
We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.
Ask a questionOn the main crossings through Katon-Karagay you will be on horseback for six to seven hours a day. The first days at the starting camp are short rides to adapt to the horse and the altitude. If you have never ridden before, the load is noticeable, but the guide gives instructions on how to control the horse before setting off.
Yes, experience is not required: the programme includes acclimatisation days and separate instructions on how to control the horse. But it is important to understand that further on there are mountain passes, river crossings and mountain trails with six to seven hours in the saddle. If you are unsure about your strength, write to us on WhatsApp — we will discuss it for your date.
Clothing and footwear should be comfortable and suitable for the weather, plus take a hat, sun protection, a supply of water and a light snack, and a charged phone or camera. You will sleep in tents and meals are cooked over a campfire, so warm clothes and a raincoat will definitely come in handy. We will confirm the exact list for your date on WhatsApp.
Yes, riders must weigh no more than 110 kg — it's a firm condition of the tour. A horse, saddle and a wrangler for the group are included, and horses are assigned on the first day, when the group meets. If your weight is close to the limit, message us on WhatsApp in advance and we'll discuss it before booking.
On the first day the group meets at the start of the route: you will have a safety briefing, meet the guide, and also check equipment and decide who gets which horse. In the evening the group sets off by jeep for Katon-Karagay. We will confirm the exact place and time for your date on WhatsApp.
This amount covers transport along the whole route, an experienced guide, the organisation of the route and campsites, plus a horse, saddle and a wrangler for the group. On top of that, budget for personal expenses, meals unless the programme says otherwise, and entrance tickets to individual sites. We'll clarify the details for your date on WhatsApp.
The tour is a group tour, but for your group composition and dates write on WhatsApp — we will discuss your company for the required departure. Booking without prepayment: just a message on WhatsApp, you pay on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card or in cash. Cancellation of the booking is free.
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