Extreme horseback riding tour at the Ketmen ridge

Extreme horseback riding tour at the Ketmen ridge

Your trip will begin with a visit to the Charyn canyon, a unique natural complex of Kazakhstan, and will continue at the campsite, where you will ride horses along the Ketmen ridge, see Golden Eagle alive and try national food at a Kazakh family.

Itinerary

Day 1: Almaty - Charyn canyon - Ketmen tourbase

Stop At: Charyn Canyon National Park, Charyn Canyon National Park, Almaty Region
08.00 Guide will picl up you from your hotel and you will start your exciting journey. After 2.5 hours (about 220 km) we will reach Charyn canyon. There would be trekking at about 3 km to get to the Charyn river head. We will have a picnic at the Charyn river bank
After spending around 2 hours in the canyon we will leave it and drive to Ketmen tourbase (185 km, 2,5 hours)


Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Ketmen Ridge, Kazakhstan
18.00 Arrival to the base. Accommodation in a guest house, lunch. Free time for a walk. In the evening, guests can visit the Russian sauna.
The hostel in the Ketmen gorge is located on the slopes of the Ketmen Ridge among the northern spurs of the Tien Shan. Its territory is 20 000 hectares and it covers foothills, mixed forest, high-mountain spruce zone and alpine meadows. On the territory of the grounds there is a log house with a bath.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: The hostel is located on the slopes of the Ketmen Ridge. There is a log house with a bath.

Day 2: Ketmen ridge - Dardamty

Stop At: Ketmen Ridge, Kazakhstan
Early observation of animals with binoculars, since they are most active at this time of day. On the afternoon they hide from predators, from potentially dangerous animals, and heat. Especially the hares. Photo safari.
Breakfast. Departure on horseback for an extreme tour of the surroundings towards the Dardamty gorge.
Our path will pass along the northern side of the Ketmen Ridge. Surrounded by firs of Shrenka, you will enjoy the indescribable beauty of nature, mountain landscapes, untouched by human hand. During the route you will be able to see such species of animals as the maral, Siberian roe deer, Siberian ibex, wild boar, wolf, fox, badger, hare, from birds: ular, black grouse, cactus.
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 travelers coolness. It is said that here at an altitude of 3300m located a deposit of coal that functioned in the pre-war years.
Lunch and rest on the river bank. Overnight in tents at an altitude of 3000-3300 meters above sea level.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at tents

Day 3: Dardamty - Ketmen ridge

Stop At: Dardamty Petroglyphs, In the Ketmen ridge Kazakhstan
Breakfast. Taking things and equipment. Continuation of horseriding tour.
The weather in the Ketmen Mountains is changing rapidly: cold rain, then hot heat. The trees can blossom in the foothills, and on the shady slopes and peaks even in summer will be snow. But the temperature drops cannot prevent anyone who wants to enjoy the silence and walk along the animal trails of these mountains.
Arrival back to the guesthouse in the Ketmen ridge. Rest, dinner. You can visit sauna here.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Ketmen tourbase

Day 4: Ketmen - Chilik village - Almaty

Stop At: Ketmen Ridge, Kazakhstan
08.00 Breakfast. After collecting the things, you will say goodbye to the horses and drive by car to Almaty (310 km, 5 hours)

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Shelek, Kazakhstan
Along the road you will visit the Kazakh family of berkutchi, try the national dishes, including the national drink kymyz (from mare's milk). You will have a unique opportunity to see the Golden Eagle alive and take a picture with him. In the autumn time, a Golden Eagle show with a demonstration performance is possible.
20.00 Arrival to Almaty.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Kazakh traditional meal for lunch
No accommodation included on this day.