Travel and horseback riding in Kazakhstan

Exploring the mountains and steppes of Kazakhstan on horseback is an unforgettable and authentic experience, but organizing a trek in this vast country can be complex.

From finding reliable providers to choosing the right routes, proper preparation is essential.

In this article, I’ll share some practical tips to help you organize your equestrian adventure, ensuring you fully enjoy the wild beauty of Kazakhstan.

Why discover Kazakhstan on horseback?

Kazakh people, traditionally horse breeders, have always viewed these animals as essential companions, witnesses to their history and culture.

Even today, riding offers privileged access to breathtaking landscapes, from expansive steppes to majestic mountains, often unreachable by other means. This allows you not only to admire the country's wild beauty but also to feel the deep connection between the Kazakh people and their land.

🐎In Kazakhstan, at the open-air ethnographic museum Botai-Burabay, archaeological research has shown that horses were domesticated 1,000 years earlier than previously believed!

What to know before embarking on a horseback trek in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is a vast country with many wild regions: you can travel hundreds of kilometers without encountering a village.

This isolated nature makes horseback adventures even more exhilarating but also poses risks.

Therefore, it is quite dangerous to venture without an experienced local guide who knows the terrain and local customs.

Additionally, buying good horses locally can be challenging. Unlike other more well-known equestrian destinations, purchasing horses in Kazakhstan is not common. Local horses are often bred for work or milk rather than riding, making it difficult to find suitable mounts for trekking.

Despite these challenges, don’t be discouraged. With good planning and the right resources, a horseback adventure in Kazakhstan can be an unforgettable experience.

How to organize a horseback trek in Kazakhstan

The best approach is to find a local partner specializing in horseback travel.

While equestrian sports are booming in the country and many stables exist, not all offer long treks or have experience hosting foreign tourists, which may lead to language barriers.

⚠️ I emphasize the importance of working with trusted local guides and not settling for the first stable you find. As everywhere, while horses are a major symbol of Kazakhstan, some stables may mistreat them.

Several excursions are available, primarily in the Almaty region:

• 2-hour rides in the mountains or steppe
• Full-day excursions of 5 to 8 hours, where you’ll have the chance to learn to ride
• Treks of 2 to 7 days with overnight stays in yurts in the mountains

Multi-day treks are still quite rare in Kazakhstan compared to neighboring countries like Kyrgyzstan or Mongolia.

Yet, they are the best way to discover the ancient Kazakhstan and meet nomads (possibly even joining them for a game of kokpar, a traditional sport).

That’s why I frequently organize these treks with a trusted local partner near Almaty.

Follow me on Instagram to stay updated on upcoming expeditions or send me a message on Whatsapp or by email (easternpathsdata@gmail.com) to learn about the next dates. Several expeditions are already planned for 2025!

📚 You may be interested in these readings:

Travelling to Kazakhstan as a single woman

Do you need a visa to go to Kazakhstan?

Is Kazakhstan dangerous?

Visit Charyn Canyon in Kazakhstan

Budget to go to Kazakhstan