Talgar Gorge Nomadic Tour: Horse Shows & Traditions

You'll cook kumis and ride horses at a working ethno-village, not watch from a distance.

A guided tour of the Hunns ethno-village in Talgar gorge near Almaty where you participate in Kazakh traditions rather than observe them: horse-riding shows and warrior performances, archery, amateur riding, cooking traditional dishes and drinks, and crafts. The tour runs five to six hours with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, lunch, and bottled water included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Huns Ethno-village Traditions

• Watch horse-riding tricks show
• See battle between warriors in armor
• Enjoy traditional customs performance
• Learn story of the yurt
• Try archery
• Participate in amateur horse riding
• Cook simple national dishes and drinks
• Make traditional crafts
• Have outdoor lunch with mountain views

The experience

The day starts with a professional horse-riding tricks show and a staged battle between armored warriors, then shifts to what you actually do. You'll try archery, ride horses yourself if you want to, and learn to cook simple national dishes like kumis (fermented mare's milk) alongside local people wearing traditional clothes. The village sits in the Talgar gorge surrounded by mountain rivers and high peaks, so the setting changes what the meal tastes like.

Crafts production happens on-site too: the operator lists it as part of the day without specifying which ones, so what you make depends on what the village has set up when you arrive. Lunch is outdoors and traditional, timed to finish the tour. An air-conditioned vehicle picks you up from your hotel and brings you back, and your guide speaks English throughout.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup and return in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water.
• traditional Kazakh lunch with mountain views.
• horse-riding tricks show and warrior performance.
• archery.
• amateur horse riding.
• cooking lesson for traditional dishes and kumis.
• crafts production.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (6 to 90 years) · Child (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by NEOmad

Is this one for you?The five to six hour commitment fits a half-day itinerary and leaves the rest of your day free in Almaty. If you want a full immersion in Kazakh culture with hands-on participation rather than a quick cultural stop, the length gives you time to try multiple activities instead of watching one performance.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 6): free.

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 exactly is the Hunns ethno-village?

The Hunns ethno-village is a working settlement in the Talgar gorge that demonstrates everyday life and traditions of ancient Kazakhs. Local residents live there in traditional infrastructure and lead the activities and performances you participate in during the tour.

Can I actually ride a horse if I've never done it before?

Yes. The tour includes amateur horse riding for everyone, separate from the professional tricks show. It's listed as suitable for all physical fitness levels, so beginners are expected.

How long is the drive from Almaty to the ethno-village?

The tour runs five to six hours total, but the operator does not break out travel time separately from the time spent at the village itself.

Is the guide included, or do I pay extra?

A professional guide who speaks English is included in the tour price. Hotel pickup and bottled water are also included. All fees and taxes are covered.