Riding a horse in Kazakhstan is best in the north, south and east of the country, where landscapes are more diverse, grazing is better and there are more sources of water for the horses. Natural parks are the first choice for many, but these can be expensive sometimes. Any place that is of tourist interest in Kazakhstan will usually have some horses for rent.
The centre and the west of the country are made up of huge expanses of desert and steppe. Although this may sound very romantic, the reality is that of a very harsh horse ride, only for the toughest, most experienced riders and horses.
Kolsay lakes: not far from Almaty, 3 idyllic lakes surrounded by mountains are connected by horse trails.
Alakol: popular among Kazakhs, this large northern lake has health-giving properties.
Burabay (Borovoye): Upmarket resort lake in a beautiful pine-tree setting.
Karkaralinsk: In central Kazakhstan, a diverse landscape of pine, steppe, Bronze Age relics and a lake.
Katon-Karagay: The remote Altai mountains in the northeast of Kazakhstan.
Kokshetau: In the north of Kazakhstan, a low-key natural park with attractive fauna and flora.
Aksu-Zhabagly: Best-known national park in Kazakhstan, with well-managed tourist programmes.
Sayram-Ugam: Close to Aksu-Zhabagly but less popular, a similar mix of mountains, mammals and birds