Huns Ethno Village & Issyk Lake Tour: Hands-on Masterclasses

Learn to make baursak and shoot a bow at a working nomadic settlement.

A private jeep day tour from Almaty combines hands-on instruction at Huns Ethno Village (where you make Kazakh flatbread, watch a horse show, and try archery) with a walk along Issyk Lake in the Ili Alatau mountains. The guide speaks your choice of five languages, and all activities, lunch and transport are included in one price.

Step-by-step itinerary

Jeep tour to Huns Village and Issyk Lake

• Hotel pick-up at 10:00 AM
• Drive to Huns Ethno Village (1 hour)
• Attend traditional “Shashu” ceremony
• Participate in baursak-making masterclass with tea
• Learn about nomadic life and “Besikke Salu” ceremony
• Watch equestrian show and take photos with horses
• Enjoy buffet lunch with traditional Kazakh dishes
• Join archery masterclass
• Drive to Issyk Lake (1 hour)
• Walk along Issyk Lake shore and optional light trekking
• Return to Almaty (2 hours)
• Arrive at hotel around 7:00 PM

The experience

Hotel pickup starts at 10:00 AM by private jeep or SUV for the one-hour drive to Huns Ethno Village. Once there, you begin with the traditional "Shashu" welcome ceremony, then move into the hands-on part: a baursak-making masterclass where you learn to prepare the fried dough pastry the way nomadic families do, followed by tea. The village program runs until 2:30 PM and includes the "Besikke Salu" ceremony (a blessing ritual), a live equestrian show with skilled riders, and time to photograph the horses. You'll also try the archery masterclass on the grounds.

Lunch is a buffet of traditional Kazakh dishes served at the village. After eating, the jeep takes you on another hour's drive to Issyk Lake, a mountain lake ringed by pine-covered peaks in the Ili Alatau range. You walk along the shore at your own pace. Light trekking is optional if you want to explore further. The return journey to Almaty takes about two hours, with arrival at your hotel around 7:00 PM. All entrance fees, activities, lunch and transport are priced into the booking: no hidden costs or separate charges for the masterclasses or ceremonies.

What’s included

• Private jeep or SUV transportation from your hotel.
• the one-hour drive to Huns Ethno Village and the one-hour drive to Issyk Lake.
• baursak-making masterclass with tea.
• archery masterclass.
• traditional "Shashu" and "Besikke Salu" ceremonies.
• live horse show with photo time.
• buffet lunch of Kazakh dishes.
• coffee and tea.
• all entrance fees and activity costs.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 75 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, German, Italian, Korean and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by WILD NOMADS

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to learn a skill (making baursak or shooting a bow) rather than watch a demonstration. The private jeep means your guide can adjust the pace at each stop, and the masterclasses are hands-on, not lectures. Children from age 12 are welcome. The day involves moderate physical activity (walking, standing during ceremonies, light trekking if you choose it at the lake).

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, German, Italian, Russian and Korean.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the baursak-making masterclass actually like?

The baursak masterclass teaches you to prepare the traditional fried pastry by hand, the way it's made in nomadic kitchens. You work alongside the instructors at the village, then eat what you've made with tea.

Is the horse show something I watch or something I do?

The equestrian show is a performance by skilled riders at the village. You watch the horses and riders, and afterward you can photograph the horses and spend time with them as part of the program.

What is Issyk Lake like when you arrive?

Issyk Lake sits in the mountains of the Ili Alatau, surrounded by pine forest and clear water. You walk along the shore at your own pace. The setting is calm and open to light trekking if you want to go further into the landscape.

Does the price include lunch?

Yes. A buffet lunch of traditional Kazakh dishes is included at Huns Ethno Village, along with coffee and tea throughout the day. Dinner and bottled water are not included.