THE ROUTES OF THE TIEN SHAN NOMADS

Day 1

ITALY/ALMATY (B/L/D).
A horseback journey into the most authentic heart of Kazakhstan, where the steppe meets the great mountains and silence seems to have no boundaries.
Ride through remote valleys, high-altitude pastures and ancient nomadic trails, until reaching yurt camps surrounded by nature.
The days unfold to the rhythm of the horses, with long rides, gallops across open spaces and encounters with the local pastoral way of life.
Far from the cities, every stage offers vast landscapes, endless skies and a profound sense of freedom.
Evenings spent in a yurt, around the fire or after a traditional banya, bring travellers back to a simple and genuine dimension of travel.
Completing the experience is Almaty, with its markets, its culture and the mountains of Medeu and Shymbulak.
An intense and evocative adventure, designed for those who dream of discovering Kazakhstan from its truest perspective: from the saddle.

Arrival at the airport during the night and transfer to the city. Check-in at Grand Mildom Hotel (or similar). After breakfast, at around 11.00, departure for a city visit. The day will be dedicated to discovering Almaty with an enjoyable city tour. The visit will begin at the Central Mosque, before continuing to the lively Green Bazaar, one of the city’s most characteristic places, and stopping at the famous Rahat Chocolate Shop. The tour will then continue to the Park of the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, an important place of remembrance in the city, before reaching the Museum of National Musical Instruments, offering an opportunity to discover the Kazakh musical tradition more closely.
Lunch will be served at the Grand Mildom Hotel and will be accompanied by a welcome show. In the afternoon, transfer to the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan, where a guided visit will provide an insight into the history and culture of the country. Particularly interesting is the ethnographic section, a true journey through the traditions, customs and nomadic life of the Kazakh people. The visit will then continue to Republic Square, the symbolic heart of the city, where you can admire the Independence Monument and enjoy magnificent views of the mountains surrounding Almaty. This will be followed by a stop at the Abay Opera and Ballet Theatre, one of the city’s main cultural centres, appreciated both for its elegant architecture and for the important role it plays in local artistic life. At the end of the visits, transfer to a local restaurant for dinner. Afterwards, return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 2

ALMATY/KAYNAZAR (B/L/D)
After breakfast at the hotel, departure by transfer towards the village of Kaynazar. Upon arrival at the ranch, welcome meeting and short introductory briefing, followed by horse assignment, luggage handover and saddle preparation.
The first real day on horseback will then begin, heading towards a yurt camp located high in the mountains. The route will wind through the wide-open spaces of the steppe, mountain valleys and traditional Kazakh summer pastures, known as zhaylau, offering a first intense taste of the landscapes and nomadic life of the country.
During the ride, a picnic lunch surrounded by nature is planned. In the afternoon, continue riding through increasingly spectacular scenery, eventually crossing an impressive mountain pass at an altitude of 2,582 metres.
At the end of the day, arrival at the upper yurt camp, located at approximately 2,350 metres, where the night will be spent surrounded by the peace and extraordinary views of the Kazakh mountains. Dinner and overnight at the camp.l

Day 3

B/L/D)
After breakfast at the camp, the entire day will be dedicated to exploring the magnificent surrounding landscapes on horseback. Departure for a scenic itinerary through mountain valleys, wide alpine pastures and untouched expanses, immersed in Kazakhstan’s most authentic nature.
Depending on the level and experience of the group, there will be opportunities along the route to enjoy pleasant stretches at the gallop or canter across the more open spaces. If conditions and the presence of shepherds allow, it may also be possible to meet local families and gain a closer insight into the traditional way of life connected with livestock farming and summer pastures.
At the end of the ride, return to the camp for lunch. The afternoon will be free for relaxing, taking a shower or enjoying short walks through the mountains and around the camp.Dinner and overnight in a yurt.

Day 4

B/L/D)
After breakfast, departure for a full day of exploration on horseback in the heart of the mountains. Depending on weather conditions, the destination will be either a remote waterfall or a picturesque mountain lake, reached along trails immersed in still wild and unspoilt nature.
The ride will cross high mountain ridges, panoramic valleys and green alpine pastures, offering continuous views of the peaks and wide-open spaces that characterise this region of Kazakhstan. Along the way, several stops will be made to rest, water the horses and have water and small snacks.
Lunch will be a packed lunch, to be enjoyed during the excursion in one of the most scenic spots along the route. Once the waterfall or lake is reached, there will be time to relax and, if the weather and conditions allow, even enjoy a swim in the fresh mountain waters. Return to the camp for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5

B/L/D)
After breakfast, departure on horseback to return towards the lower yurt camp, following a different route from the outward journey in order to discover new landscapes and once again enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery of the region.
During the descent, stops will be planned along the route, together with a break for lunch surrounded by nature.
In the afternoon, arrival at the lower camp and free time to relax. It will be possible to enjoy a traditional banya, the typical local sauna, ideal for recovering energy after the days spent on horseback.
The evening will be dedicated to a farewell dinner, followed by a convivial moment around the fire, with games and time to spend together, bringing this experience in the mountains of Kazakhstan to an end in an informal and authentic atmosphere.

Day 6

KAYNAZAR/ALMATY (B/L/D)
After breakfast, free time at the camp to enjoy the atmosphere and surrounding landscapes for a little longer.
This will be followed by departure on horseback for the return to the ranch. Along the route, on the most suitable stretches and depending on the level of the group, there will be opportunities to canter or gallop, enjoying one final ride through the wide-open spaces of the Kazakh countryside.
Arrival at the ranch and conclusion of the horseback riding experience.Transfer to the city for dinner at a local restaurant. Check-in at the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 7

ALMATY (B/L/D)
After breakfast at the hotel, departure by transfer towards Medeu, the famous mountain sports complex known for hosting one of the highest-altitude ice-skating rinks in the world. Here it will be possible to admire the spectacular scenery of the mountains surrounding Almaty.
Continue by cable car towards Shymbulak, a renowned mountain resort located among the peaks of the Trans-Ili Alatau. Free time to walk, relax and enjoy the magnificent alpine views.
Afterwards, descent by cable car and transfer to a local restaurant for lunch.
In the afternoon, visit to the Almaty Museum of Arts, dedicated to modern and contemporary art, to discover a more creative and contemporary side of the city.
At the end of the visit, transfer to the hotel and free time. In the evening, dinner at a local restaurant and overnight stay.

Day 8

ALMATY /ITALY (B/-/-)
Breakfast and transfer to the airport.

Note: The itinerary described above is indicative and may be subject to changes due to weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control.



Note:
(B/L/D): B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = Dinner
Difficulty level: From ° to °°°°°



ACCOMMODATION:
Nights 1,6,7: Grand Mildom Hotel in Almaty
Nights 2,3,4,5 Typical yurt without running water or electricity.

DURATION: 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
DIFFICULTY: °°°( INTERMEDIATE).
ACCOMMODATION: hotel + TRADITIONAL YURT
EQUIPMENT: TRADITIONAL KAZAKH SADDLE, lightweight and suitable for long distances.
HORSES: You will ride sturdy Kazakh horses, selected for their endurance and accustomed to mountain trails and long distances across the steppe. Generally compact in size, they are sure-footed on uneven terrain and particularly well suited to high-altitude riding. The saddles used are comfortable trekking saddles, suitable for spending many hours on horseback.
PACE: APPROX. 5 TO 6 H A DAY IN THE SADDLE. The main pace in the mountains is the walk, but there will also be opportunities to trot and gallop. Riders must be able to control their horse in open spaces and have a good level of physical fitness.
WHAT TO BRING: Layered riding clothing, including waterproof clothing. Riding helmet, water bottle, boots suitable for walking as well, waist bag. For nights at the camp bring a sleeping bag, head torch, towel. Basic medication, insect repellent, sunscreen.
MAXIMUM WEIGHT: 85 Kg
MINIMUM AGE: 16 years
TYPE: point-to-point itinerary with overnight stays in hotel + yurt

Departure dates on request during the months of May, June, July, August, September, October
PARTICIPANTS: MIN 4 MAX 8

SUPPLEMENTS & REDUCTIONS