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Horseback Riding Kazakhstan's Katon-Karagay National Park
Kazakhstan
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Packing list
Grade:
Challenging
Type:
Activity
Transfers
Duration:
6 Nights
4 - 12
Group size
Leaders
Travel deep into the vast landscapes of Katon-Karagay National Park
Remote, wild and largely unknown to most travellers, the Kazakh Altai offers a rare opportunity to experience a mountain region that still feels genuinely untouched. This journey combines horseback riding and hiking through the dramatic landscapes of Katon-Karagay National Park, one of Central Asia’s most remarkable yet little-visited protected areas.
The adventure begins with a long but rewarding drive from Ust-Kamenogorsk, known in the Kazakh language as Öskemen, into the heart of Eastern Kazakhstan. Villages become fewer, valleys widen and forests thicken as the road pushes deeper into the Altai. Once the required border permits are collected in Uryl, phone signal disappears entirely. For many travellers, this is the moment the trip truly begins, a welcome step away from everyday distractions and into a quieter, more elemental landscape.
Horseback travel opens access to parts of the Altai that would otherwise be difficult to reach. Trails wind through cedar and fir forests, along remote river valleys and past alpine marshlands, revealing a landscape shaped by glaciers, water and time. One of the most striking landmarks along the route is the historic wooden “Devil’s Bridge”, built in 1938 and still standing over the rushing Belaya Berel River.
At the centre of the journey lies the powerful Kok-Kol Waterfall, the largest mountain waterfall in the Altai. A remote base camp nearby provides a comfortable place to explore the surrounding wilderness on foot. Alpine meadows, forest trails and mountain ridgelines lead to Lake Ravnovesiya, a high-altitude lake known for its calm surface and the possibility of seeing Mount Belukha reflected in its waters on clear days. Those keen for a little extra challenge can climb one of the nearby peaks Vera, Nadezhda or Lyubov.
Another highlight is a visit to the abandoned Kok-Kol molybdenum mine. Established in the late 1930s, the site now feels like an open-air museum scattered across the mountainside, with old machinery, rail carts and mining structures slowly being reclaimed by nature.
Evenings in the mountains are refreshingly simple: shared meals, the warmth of a traditional bathhouse and time around the campfire under the Altai night sky.
This journey is designed for travellers who value raw landscapes, cultural context and the quiet satisfaction of reaching places that remain difficult to access. By travelling in small groups and working closely with local communities, the experience supports the region while helping preserve the character and ecosystems that make the Altai so special.
Day 1: Meet your guide in Ust-Kamenogorsk
Transfer
Lunch
Guest house
Once you have arrived in Ust-Kamenogorsk (Öskemen), the largest city in Eastern Kazakhstan, your adventure will begin when you meet with your guide. From Ust-Kamenogorsk, we will take a scenic drive to the village of Karaairyk (Yazyovka) through the picturesque settlements of Katon-Karagay and Uryl. Along the way, we will make a stop in Uryl, to obtain the required border permit. From this point onward, mobile phone coverage will no longer be available, allowing you to fully immerse yourselves in the untouched nature of the Altai Mountains.
Travel distance: 450km
Accommodation: Local guesthouse
Day 2: Lake Yazevoye to Kok-Kol Waterfall
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
After an early breakfast, we depart towards Lake Yazevoye via a dirt road, entering the territory of Katon-Karagay National Park. Here we saddle up the horses and begin our journey through pristine wilderness. The route follows the lakeshore, crosses a short section of marshland, and continues along the scenic valley of the Belaya Berel River. After lunch at the traditional house of Sarsenbay, the trail leads through dense fir and cedar forests, with thickets of currants, blueberries, and honeysuckle along the way. On route, we stop at the legendary “Devil’s Bridge”, a wooden bridge over the Belaya Berel River, built in 1938. By evening, we arrive at the impressive Kok-Kol Waterfall and settle into the Altay-Pro Base Camp, where dinner will be served.
Horseback riding distance: ~34 km
Accommodation: Tents at Altay-Pro Base Camp, altitude; 1,925 m
Day 3: Lake Ravnovesiya back to Kok-Kol Waterfall
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
In the morning, we set out on a radial hike to Lake Ravnovesiya, passing through berry-filled meadows and forest trails scented with wild currants. The landscape gradually changes from coniferous forests to alpine meadows, opening up to mountain panoramas. On clear days, Lake Ravnovesiya offers a spectacular reflection of Mount Belukha, creating one of the most iconic views of the entire journey. For those wishing to go further, there is an optional ascent of one of the surrounding peaks - Vera, Nadezhda or Lyubov.
After lunch, we take another radial hike to the nearby Kok-Kol Waterfall, the largest mountain waterfall in Altai. The thunder of falling water, the forest backdrop and the magical golden-hour light at sunset make this an unforgettable Altai experience. In the evening, there is time to relax at the camp, we will collect firewood, enjoy a traditional bathhouse and gather around the campfire. A guitar is available at the camp for those who enjoy music under the stars.
Trekking distance: ~7-10 km
Elevation gain: approx. +300 m
Accommodation: Tents at Altay-Pro Base Camp
Day 4: Radial hike to Lake Ravnovesiya
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
In the morning, we will have another radial hike to Lake Ravnovesiya. Around us are mountains covered with coniferous forests, transitioning into alpine meadows. From Lake Ravnovesiya. If desired, we can climb one of the three peaks around Lake Ravnovesiya - Vera, Nadezhda, and Lyubov. After lunch, we will have a radial hike to the Kok-Kol waterfall near the Altay-pro camp. There will be time to gather dry wood and branches that can be used for a bath or campfire.
Trekking distance: ~7-10 km
Elevation gain: +300 m
Accommodation: Tents at Altay-Pro Base Camp
Day 5: Upper Camp at Molybdenum Mine
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Camping
Yurt
Radial hike to the Upper Camp at Molybdenum Mine. The Kok-Kol molybdenum-tungsten mine is a historic mining site established in 1938. We will cross the Malaya Kokkol River, walk along Lake Kokkol and an old road laid along moraine deposits. We will come to a pass where there is an open-air museum - an ore enrichment plant, barracks, mining equipment, locomotive, diesel, ore carts and the remains of a Ford car. We will take a walk in the surroundings before returning to the camp for a final dinner and summary of the journey.
Trekking distance: ~16 km.
Accommodation: Tents at Base Camp
Day 6: Lake Yazevoy to Karaairyk village
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
Today, we descend by horseback to Lake Yazevoy, traversing some of the most scenic and untouched high-altitude terrain in the Altai Mountains. This route offers a mix of dramatic glacial landscapes and dense coniferous forests. Once we have made our descent, unsaddled our horses and bid farewell to the beautiful mountain scenery, we will be transferred by car to the village of Karaairyk (Yazyovka).
Horseback riding distance: ~34 km
Accommodation: Local guesthouse
Day 7: Transfer back to Ust-Kamenogorsk
Transfer
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
After breakfast, we return to the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk. Along the way, we can stop at the Berel Kurgans, an archaeological site near to Berel village. At this site, numerous 5th to 3rd century BCE Early Saka kurgans, a group of nomadic Eastern Iranian peoples, were found. In this kurgan, artefacts were uncovered including a large collection of precious golden jewellery which later became the basis for the reconstruction of the third "Golden Man", in Kazakhstan.
From Berel, we continue our journey to Ust-Kamenogorsk, arriving in the city around 8pm.
Travel distance: ~450 km.
Adventure Optional Extras
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Not Included
- International Flights & airport taxes Visas Insurance (compulsory)
- Visas
- Insurance (compulsory)
- Personal expenses (such as souvenirs, cedar nuts, tea, honey, etc.)
- Entry to the Bathhouse
- Sleeping bag (comfortable to -10°C)
Contents
Accommodation
An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern lifestyles and to experience new things which is exciting and memorable, and reflects the countries we are visiting.
Your group will be sleeping in a local guest house, at the beginning and end of the journey, and camping in tents at base camps once we enter the national park, please see the packing list here for items to pack. The tents are provided but we ask that you bring your own sleeping bag if you wish.
Please note that there is likely to be no mobile signal at the camps. The facilities will be comfortable but basic.
Guiding & Your Group
Supporting you on your holiday will be an experienced English-speaking horse riding guide, who will be with you for the duration of the holiday.
This ensures you the perfect balance of information and support on your trip, offering insight into local life and customs.
Am I fit enough?
This route is designed for people of average physical fitness and the ability to sit in the saddle is welcome. With parts of the journey on horseback it would be ideal to have some horseriding experience.
Travel & Arrival
Please note international and national flights are not included in this adventure, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, the responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool such as www.momondo.co.uk or www.skyscanner.net when searching for flights.
You will meet your guide in Ust-Kamenogorsk, also known as Öskemen, on the first day of the adventure.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. We also receive notifications direct from the FCDO so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately, anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend arranging your insurance cover when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered.
YellowWood partners with battleface as a travel insurance provider. Click here for a quote.
battleface insurance is provided in the UK by battleface Insurance Services Limited, a UK insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Details provided on this webpage are for information only. Terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations apply. Always read the description of cover contained within your policy to ensure it is suitable for your needs.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hour emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
You must ensure the travel insurance you purchase provides you with suitable cover for the entirety of your trip. Your travel insurance must include cover in the event that you have to cancel for a reason outside your control prior to departure, for any medical expenses you may incur whilst away (including repatriation in the case of medical need) and for the activities which you may participate in during your trip.
Visas
This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full British Citizen passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Kazakhstan set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Kazakh Embassy.
To enter Kazakhstan, your passport must be valid for at least 30 days from the date you arrive.
You can visit Kazakhstan without a visa for up to 30 days. You can make as many visa-free visits as you like, but you must not stay more than 90 days without a visa in any 180-day period.
To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Kazakh Government’s entry requirements. Check which type of visa or work permit you need with the Kazakh Embassy in the UK. Also see visa information from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For non-British passport holders, please check any entry requirements with the Kazakh Embassy.
A detailed and advisory packing list will be provided prior to departure. Here are some examples of what this contains;
Compulsory
Packing List
- Sleeping bag (comfortable to -10°C)
- Trekking backpack (60-90L) with a waterproof cover to protect against rain
- Hiking boots
- Windproof and waterproof (membrane) clothing
- Trekking poles
- Pillow for horseback riding (40x60, up to 10cm high)
- Warm hat and neck warmer
- Warm jacket for the evenings
- Personal hygiene products, towel, slippers
- Medicines, mini first aid kit
- Mobile charging packs
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
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Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
Check the box to agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust.
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Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
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