Practical information:
Good to know before you go
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Accommodation: Before & after the ride:
Comfortable hotel in Almaty.
During the ride:
- Heated yurts
- Shared accommodation (2–3 people)
- Simple but authentic conditions
- With local families - basic - Shared facilities
- True immersion in local life.
*Single accommodation during the ride is not possible
After the ride (lake region):
- Simple guesthouses
- More comfort (private bathrooms)
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International Passport: Valid passport required. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry into Kazakhstan.
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Visa: Visa-free for most nationalities (including EU citizens) for stays up to 30 days. Please verify requirements based on your nationality.
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Vaccinations: No mandatory vaccinations required. Standard travel vaccinations are recommended..
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Flying: Almaty International Airport (ALA)
Are you alone?
Do not worry, you can individually register/book and join a group with other riders. Most participants are people who register individually and may just like you, not know the other riders in your group. Since everyone has the same points of interest (horseback riding, nature, travel, culture) there is always a good atmosphere and understanding among the participants. Participants come from all corners of the world, so you can be part of a group with riders from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Spain, France, Sweden, Canada, USA, Australia, Colombia, and many others countries. Your friends are suddenly so much more international! :) A standard group consists of 05 to 08 riders. (guides excluded) In general, there are as many females as male participants.
Climate:
Winter conditions:
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Temperatures: approx. -5°C to -10°C (can drop lower)
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Snow very likely, at some parts a lot of snow, especially in the mountains
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Conditions vary — flexibility is part of the experience
Luggage:
Soft bags or backpacks recommended (suitcases possible but not ideal).
Safety:
- Support vehicle available
- Access to medical facilities
- Evacuation possible by helicopter if required
- Travel insurance mandatory
In General: Kazakhstan is a safe and stable country to travel in. The areas we ride through are remote, quiet, and far removed from any urban concerns. In many ways, daily life in Kazakhstan feels calmer and safer than in most European countries and cities. As always, common sense applies — but general safety is not something you need to worry about on this journey.
Language:
No worries, Entre Orejas trip leader Paul is fluent in 6 languages and will help and translate with pleasure where needed.
Local Guide Kristin is fluent in English and French.
Trips are always fun as we all speak the same equestrian language.
Health:
Kazakhstan offers modern healthcare facilities in its major cities, with well-equipped hospitals, qualified doctors, and private medical clinics available when needed. During our expeditions, participant safety and wellbeing are always a top priority.
In the event of illness or an accident, we work with some of the country’s best doctors and hospitals to ensure professional medical assistance as quickly as possible. For remote riding regions, emergency evacuation procedures are in place, including helicopter evacuation services when required, allowing rapid transport to advanced medical care.
travel gear... Packing List
Packing Essentials
Average winter temperatures in the Almaty mountains range from –5°C to –10°C, occasionally dropping as low as –15°C, so be sure to pack clothing suitable for such conditions.
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Daypack (20–30L)
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Warm winter clothing
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Warm hiking pants or ski pants
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Warm winter boots
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Warm coat or ski coat
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Thermal base layers (top and bottom)
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Fleece sweater
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Winter hat (covering the ears)
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Extra thermal socks / trekking socks
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Warm gloves (ideally 2 pairs: thin fleece and insulated winter gloves)
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Buff or warm scarf
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Sunscreen (the sun is strong in the mountains even in winter)
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Lip balm (to protect from dryness and frost)
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Sunglasses (snow glare can be very strong)
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Personal toiletry kit
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Personal medication
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Swimsuit (for sauna use)
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Sandals or flip-flops (for sauna or yurt)
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Lighter clothes to hang out in the yurt
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A towel
Recommended:
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Lightweight beanie (to wear under a hood or helmet if you ride with a helmet)
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Snow gaiters (to protect boots and pants from snow)
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Wet wipes / hand sanitizer
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Power bank (batteries drain faster in the cold)
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Headlamp (+ extra batteries)
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Note: The yurts are heated, so it’s warm inside. Make sure to have enough clothes to change in case you get wet outside.
TRAVEL insurance MANDATORY:
We request you take a travel Insurance. Ask your local insurance company or travel agent about it. You will not be allowed to participate at the “Entre Orejas” riding holiday program without having a Personal Travel & Medical Insurance. Your insurance details will be requested on arrival.
Trip Cancellation Insurance MANDATORY:
In order to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances interfering with your “Entre Orejas” vacation, we demand that you purchase trip cancellation insurance. You can use any travel insurance company you are comfortable with.
Release Agreement:
The “Entre Orejas” guests are required to sign a release agreement at the time of check-in. This is mandatory and guests cannot participate in the tour without signing the release agreement (all moneys paid are non-refundable). Please feel free to read the release agreement prior to your arrival: please download the form here. Parents or legal guardians of minor children are required to sign the release agreement on their children’s behalf. Please direct all questions to the office.
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Time: https://www.worldtimeserver.com/
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Currency: The official currency of Kazakhstan is the Kazakhstani Tenge (KZT). In major cities such as Almaty and Astana, credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops. However, in remote rural regions and during riding expeditions, cash in local currency is often essential. USD and EUR are generally not accepted for daily payments in local shops or restaurants, but they can easily be exchanged at banks and official exchange offices in the cities. We therefore recommend bringing some USD or EUR cash for exchange upon arrival, together with a credit or debit card for convenience.
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The Electricity and plugs: Kazakhstan uses a 220V electricity supply with a frequency of 50Hz. Power plugs are mainly the European-style Type C and Type F plugs (two round pins), similar to those used in most European countries.
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Communication - Phone and Internet: in Almaty and other major towns, mobile phone coverage and internet connections are generally very good, with reliable 4G service, Wi-Fi in hotels, restaurants, and cafés, and easy access to local SIM cards. However, once traveling into the remote countryside and mountain regions, phone signal and internet access can become limited or intermittent. During parts of the riding expedition, guests should be prepared for periods with little or no mobile coverage. Our team remains equipped with local communication systems for logistical coordination and emergency situations when needed, but we encourage guests to enjoy the rare opportunity to disconnect from daily digital life and fully immerse themselves in the vast wilderness and nomadic landscapes of Kazakhstan.
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Rules: We are not so much into rules, but we reserve the right to refuse service to any individual who jeopardizes the health, safety and welfare of any of our guests, staff, family & community members, animals & livestock, or who refuses to follow the rules we have established for your safety and welfare during your visit with us.
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Itinerary: We will do everything possible to follow the indicated itinerary, although spot changes can occur due to unforeseen circumstances. Rides are subject to change depending on weather, location and difficulty of terrain In the unlikely event that this happens on your trip, we ask you flexibility and understanding. This is a sporty and adventurous vacation!
