If you're a seasoned traveller, with a taste for horse riding, join our local team of park rangers and ride the wilds of Katon-Karagay National Park. This rarely-visited corner of the far east of Kazakhstan, with its fascinating mix of post-Soviet culture and spectacular scenery, is a horse trekking paradise.
In 2023 we will be returning to the far east of Kazakhstan, a beautiful region of forests, lakes and high mountains. Close to the Russian, Mongolian, and Chinese borders, this remote wilderness area is best explored by riding and using pack horses. Perfect for a Zavkhan Trekking expedition.
We will once again be working closely with Amangul, our trip manager from the Altai region of Mongolia, famous for its Kazakh culture. Having established the right connections with local officials we are now in the perfect position to help develop ecotourism in the area, with your help.
One day this region will be known as a world class trekking destination, but in the meantime we have it to ourselves.
Intrepid travellers of all sorts, not just serious horse folk. Experienced riders will be able to make the most of the great horses and fantastic riding country, but confident, less experienced riders are welcome. Keep in mind you will be wilderness camping with packhorses so you need to be prepared to rough it when necessary.
If you've had a good time in Mongolia with us, then this is the trip for you. If you haven't ridden with us yet, but like the look of our trip style, then you are welcome to join us. The more fit and active you are, the more you will enjoy the trek. You need to be comfortable with not having a rigid itinerary.
Experiencing the local culture is of course half the reason for travelling, so we will be meeting and mingling with the local people along the way.
We work with the National Park rangers who spend their time patrolling the mountain trails on their horses. The horses are fit and sure-footed, and well-trained (forget everything you might have learnt in Mongolia regarding the perils of a flapping raincoat or approaching from the wrong side!).
We have a range of horses available, from those that require a firm hand (such as John's favourite, 'Sparkles the Destroyer') through to those that will look after a less experienced rider.
The tack is basic but functional, and the horses respond to neck-reining. We are sure you will love these horses as much as we do.
During this trek you will experience everything from lush meadows and forest, to rocky mountain trails and high passes. The pace varies from slow (sometimes you may need to get off and walk over rough terrain), through to flat out galloping. Some days you will be using packhorses, and other days you will meet the support vehicle at camp.
You will ride through quaint Kazakh villages, and explore remote wilderness areas. The wildlife is slowly returning now that the entire region is a national park - you may encounter elk and ibex, and perhaps an occasional bear.
It's hard to describe a typical day - every day is different, but the riding is always superb.
A trip with Zavkhan Trekking always involves getting down from your horse to meet the local people. The evolving post-Soviet mix of Kazakh, Russian and other cultures is wonderfully hospitable. The country is famously home to over 100 ethnic groups - a result of Stalin's forced movements of entire populations to Kazakhstan.
The park rangers we work with are keen to show you their way of life, and you will be invited to share lunch with their families. Life in the rural villages is simple, and in summer the focus is on producing enough food to get through the long winter. Delicious wild berry jams and clotted cream go perfectly with scones!
If you are brave and have a strong stomach, you've got to try koumiss, or fermented horse milk.
