2 - Avventura nomade privata di un giorno: padroneggia il galoppo e i laghi nascosti

The landscapes around Lepsi are absolutely breathtaking and were the highlight of our trip. We spent two days in the area—one horseback riding and one exploring Lake Zhasylkol by 4x4 and on foot. The guides were genuinely friendly, welcoming, and fun to spend time with. By the end of the trip, it felt more like traveling with a group of friends than being on a tour. We also really enjoyed the delicious dinner and the fresh kumis after our horseback ride. The food served at the village restaurant was good and we enjoyed meeting and talking to the cook. That said, we left disappointed because the experience didn’t match what was advertised, especially considering the premium price (700 USD per person). First, the drive to Lepsi took nearly seven hours, which wasn’t made clear in the itinerary. After such a long journey, it would have been helpful to know exactly what the rest of the day looked like. Instead, there was very little communication about the schedule. We often had to ask multiple times what the plan was, and even then didn’t receive a clear answer. The horseback ride itself lasted around five hours, while the description stated approximately three. Normally that wouldn’t be a negative, but after the long drive it made for a very exhausting first day. We had also been looking forward to activities mentioned in the itinerary, including archery, stargazing, dinner by the fire, and opportunities for nature and wildlife photography. We asked several times about the archery but never received a clear response, and none of these advertised experiences ended up happening which feels like deceptive advertising for a premium price point. The second day included a 4x4 ride to Lake Zhasylkol that was extremely rough. We are young and didn’t mind the adventure, but older travelers or anyone with back or mobility issues should be clearly warned beforehand. Another major disappointment was the food. The lakeside picnic was advertised as a premium experience but consisted of simple cold meats, vegetables, and bread. There was canned fish, however no one packed a can opener, which illustrated the recurring point of poor planning. More importantly, there wasn’t enough food for everyone after the two-hour hike. The guides and their friend (who we were not told in advance would be joining) ended up eating more than us, and when we asked if there was more food available, we were told that “if you don’t fight for your food, you won’t be able eat .”That response, while we assume was a joke, is disappointing and inappropriate for any tour, let alone one marketed as premium or VIP. Overall, both lunches were served in plastic containers and fell well below what we expected. For USD 700 per person, this was unacceptable. The yurt accommodation was comfortable enough, but future guests should know there were very few power outlets and quite a few insects getting inside. This wasn’t a major issue for us, but it may matter to others. Overall, this is a beautiful destination with fantastic scenery and warm, friendly guides. However, we don’t think the experience should be marketed as “premium” or “VIP.” It is a much more rugged, rustic adventure, and if the marketing and communication better reflected that reality, we think guests would arrive with the right expectations and have a much better experience.

The 2 day trip that we had was one of the highlights of our holiday in Kazachstan. Everything was well arranged and we truly felt like guests to the village of Lepsi. The guys that were our guides made us feel like part of a friend group rather than simple tourists and the people of Lepsi were all very kind and welcoming. We had lots of fun and made memories that we will never forget. We will surely be back in the future!

If you're looking for a rugged, off-the-beaten-path adventure in Kazakhstan, this tour is a must. Between the 4x4 mountain drives and the incredible local food, every moment was a highlight. Even as a beginner, I walked away feeling like a confident on a horse thanks to the horse-trekking portion of the expedition. Russ and his team made us feel welcome from day one. Huge thanks for an unforgettable experience!

This was an incredible tour that showed off some beautiful parts of Kazakhstan. The accommodation was stunning and th food was incredibly delicious. The team at Lepsi travel were all so friendly and hospitable. They went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and had an incredible time.

I went on this tour with a group of 10 friends. Lepsi travel was the perfect company for us. They were accomodating and flexible with plans, and amazing with dietary requirements (we had a coeliac, nut allergy and vegan). The experience was authentic and adventurous. We went on this tour during March, and the itinerary was matched perfectly to the snow and cold weather. The yurt was beautiful, warm and comfortable to stay in. Everyone we met during our trip was kind, hospitable and welcoming. Getting to know the team was an absolute pleasure. The region is breath taking, with mountains and rolling hills, and horses everywhere. I can’t recommend this experience enough, for a well travelled group, this was an absolute highlight. We are very grateful to the Lepsi travel team for our experience. We hope to come back again to experience summer in the region.

One of the greatest most culturally authentic tours I have ever done. Everyone was so attentive and genuinely cared about us having a great time and meeting all our needs. Had great flexibility, stayed for two days with an added day on the end. Able to cater easily for a group of 10.