Astana: 2-Day 1-Night Ranch Stay & Tour Historic Mausoleum

Horse country begins just beyond Astana. This two-day stay at Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch gives you a close look at Kazakh horse culture, with hands-on riding and ranch work rather than a quick photo stop. I especially like the chance to ride Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds, and I like that meals, airport pickup, and transport from Astana are included. The main caution is comfort: the ranch lodging may feel basic, and one recent visitor found it poor enough to leave early.

You also get a memorable mounted visit to the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum, along with rides near the Nura and Ishim rivers, a sauna, cooking activities, and time with the horses. The experience suits adults who want a personal, rural stay, but it is not a polished resort holiday. Think working ranch, open steppe, homemade food, and changing weather.

Key points at a glance

• Ride several types of horse: You may work with Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds, with instruction for beginners.
• Visit Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum on horseback: The route ties the open steppe to one of Kazakhstan’s best-known military leaders and cultural figures.
• Eat home-cooked Kazakh food: Meals can include pilaf, beshbarmak, manty, baursaks, salads, desserts, homemade jam, and kumis.
• Sleep at a family horse ranch: The guesthouse has traditional touches, modern amenities, and access to a private sauna, though comfort standards may vary.
• Get practical riding experience: Feeding, grooming, hippodrome training, and basic horse care are part of the program.
• Use Astana as your base: Pickup and return are provided from Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport or any location in Astana.

What the $315 price really covers

At $315 per person, this is not simply a two-hour horse ride with a scenic backdrop. The price covers two days and one night, private-group guiding, transport to and from Astana, all meals, the mausoleum ride, horse care activities, ranch access, and the sauna.

That package can be good value if you would otherwise need to arrange a taxi, meals, a countryside excursion, and a separate cultural visit. Airport pickup is also useful after a long flight, especially if you are arriving in Astana without local transport arranged.

The value depends heavily on what you want from a ranch stay. If you want an active, personal experience with horses, the package gives you plenty to do. If you expect hotel-level accommodation, polished facilities, and constant sightseeing, the price may feel high.

I would treat the lodging as part of the adventure, not as a luxury feature. One person found the accommodation uncomfortable and left before the stay ended. Another had a room with broad views of sunrise, sunset, horses, and dogs, and found the setting memorable. Those very different impressions suggest that you should ask about your room and current accommodation conditions before booking.

Arriving at Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch

Your trip begins with pickup in Astana or at Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport. The ranch is in Akmola Province, giving you a quick change from city streets to open countryside.

At the ranch, you meet the horses and join the morning feeding. This is a useful start because you are not simply placed in a saddle and sent off. You get time to watch the animals, learn the basics, and become familiar with the daily rhythm of the ranch.

The program includes guidance in English, Russian, or Kazakh. It is also offered as a private group, which should make it easier to ask questions and receive help with riding technique. Alima is named as one of the team members, and one visitor specifically praised the care and instruction provided by Alima and the ranch staff.

No previous riding experience is required. That said, riding for several hours over two days is still physical. You should be comfortable with time in the saddle and should bring clothes that can handle dust, mud, and changing weather.

Learning to ride before the long routes

The first riding session focuses on basic horsemanship. You learn how to handle your horse and take an introductory ride around the ranch and nearby countryside.

This teaching time is one of the stronger parts of the experience. A beginner described being carefully taught how to ride and feeling well looked after throughout the stay. That matters in a place where the scenery can tempt you to focus on photographs while forgetting that horse handling comes first.

The ranch works with several breeds. Kazakh horses connect directly to local horse culture and steppe life. Orlov Trotters bring a different build and movement, while English Thoroughbreds may feel more familiar to experienced riders. The exact horse you ride is not specified, so do not assume you will choose a particular breed.

The included hippodrome training sessions add another practical layer. You can work on riding position and control in a more structured setting before heading farther into the countryside. For a first-time rider, this should make the longer routes feel less intimidating.

Lunch in a yurt and a taste of home cooking

In summer, lunch is served inside an authentic yurt. In other seasons, you eat at the ranch. That seasonal change is worth noting because the yurt meal is part of the cultural setting, while the ranch dining room may be more practical during cold or wet weather.

Food is a major part of the experience. The cook prepares all meals, including desserts, and the menu features familiar Kazakh staples. You may eat pilaf, beshbarmak, manty, baursaks, salads, homemade bread, jams, warm tea, and kumis.

You can also take part in traditional cooking activities, including making manty and baursaks. This gives you something to do with the food beyond simply eating it. It also helps explain how much effort goes into a meal in a rural household.

Food quality appears to be one of the safest reasons to book. One visitor called it the best food they had in Kazakhstan, while another found it better than the accommodation. Vegetarian options are available, but you should state your needs when booking rather than waiting until mealtime.

Riding to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum

The main cultural outing is the horseback trip to the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum. Kabanbai Batyr is one of Kazakhstan’s most beloved historical figures, remembered as a military leader and defender of the Kazakh people.

Arriving on horseback gives the visit a clear sense of place. You are not simply driven to a monument, taking a few pictures, and returning to town. The route connects the mausoleum with the steppe, horses, and the nomadic traditions that shape the country’s identity.

The ride also changes with the season. A January outing took place in snow, and the rider found the trip especially enjoyable in winter conditions. Snow can make the setting striking, but it also means colder riding, shorter daylight, and a greater need for proper clothing.

You should bring comfortable shoes, comfortable clothes, and rain gear. In winter, you will need warm layers, though the supplied information does not specify whether cold-weather riding gear is provided. Ask the operator what clothing and equipment are available before you arrive.

Sunset rides and the private sauna

After the mausoleum visit, the first day continues with dinner, cultural stories, and an evening ride across the steppe. The sunset portion is less about covering distance and more about seeing the countryside in softer light.

Back at the ranch, you can use the private sauna, have tea, and enjoy a homemade dessert. This is a welcome contrast after several hours outdoors. A sauna is especially useful in cold weather, but it also gives you a quiet way to end an active day.

The guesthouse combines traditional design with modern amenities. Still, do not read that as a promise of hotel polish. The accommodation received sharply different reactions, from a pleasant room with wide views to a description of poor and unsettling conditions. If a comfortable bedroom is central to your holiday, confirm the current room setup before paying.

Day two: longer trails and real ranch work

The second morning begins with a traditional breakfast of fresh bread, homemade jams, and tea. After eating, you take a longer trail ride through the steppe.

This is where the program moves beyond a beginner introduction. You have already met the horses and practiced basic technique, so you can put those skills to use over a longer route. The pace and difficulty are not specified, so it is sensible to tell the guide about your experience and comfort level.

After the ride, you feed and spend time with the horses. The program also includes grooming and basic horse care. These tasks may seem simple, but they are central to understanding ranch life. You see that the horses are not just equipment for an excursion. They are part of the household and daily work.

Lunch may include pilaf or beshbarmak, along with salads and kumis. Beshbarmak, whose name refers to eating with your hands, is one of Kazakhstan’s best-known traditional dishes. Kumis is fermented mare’s milk, so it may be new territory for many visitors. If you are unsure about it, try a small amount.

The Nura River and the open steppe

The afternoon route follows the Nura River. The program also lists rides near the Ishim River and local lakes, although the exact route can vary.

These rides are valuable because they show a quieter side of Akmola Province. You are likely to see broad horizons, open grassland, changing vegetation, and the river corridor rather than a series of formal attractions. One visitor particularly valued the varied terrain, wild animals, dogs, cats, horses, and wide views.

Do not expect a wildlife safari or a tightly scheduled sightseeing route. The appeal is the feeling of distance and the chance to see how horses fit into rural life. You might find the scenery repetitive if you need frequent landmarks, but many people will appreciate the calm and space.

The horses also make the journey more personal. You notice their individual behavior, strength, and temperament as the hours pass. For someone new to riding, that growing connection may become more important than the route itself.

Food, people, and the feel of the ranch

The strongest part of this experience is the combination of food, horses, and personal attention. The ranch staff work hard to teach riding, organize the outings, prepare meals, and keep the daily program moving.

The setting is social rather than formal. You may hear cultural stories over dinner and spend time around the horses, dogs, and cats. That gives you a better sense of ordinary ranch life than a short, staged cultural presentation.

At the same time, service can feel personal in a way that is not always polished. Standards may vary from room to room, and the experience depends on the people working during your visit. The mixed accommodation feedback is important. I would book this for the people and activities, not for a guaranteed luxury stay.

Who should book this two-day stay?

This trip is a strong match if you:

• Want to learn basic riding rather than simply sit on a horse for photographs
• Enjoy homemade food and rural hospitality
• Like outdoor activities in changing weather
• Want a cultural visit tied to the surrounding countryside
• Prefer a private group to a large coach excursion
• Are curious about horse care, grooming, feeding, and ranch routines

It may not suit you if you have back problems, limited mobility, a visual impairment, or are pregnant. The experience is also not suitable for children under 10 or people over 70, according to the stated restrictions.

You should also think carefully about the overnight stay. If you need reliable hotel comfort, ask direct questions about heating, bathrooms, bedding, and the exact room before booking. Those details are not fully described, and one negative experience centered on the accommodation.

The tour is available year-round. Summer offers the yurt lunch, while winter can bring snowy rides and colder conditions. Spring and autumn may offer a middle ground, but the operator does not provide enough detail to promise particular weather or scenery.

Practical booking advice for Astana

Try to book 24 to 48 hours ahead. Pickup and return are included from any location in Astana, as well as the airport, which makes the trip easy to fit around a city break.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and alcoholic drinks are not included. Explosive substances are also prohibited. Those rules are straightforward, but remember that this is an active ranch, not a nightlife excursion.

The experience allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Astana plans are still changing.

Bring comfortable clothing, sturdy comfortable shoes, and rain gear. Pack according to the season, especially for winter. Ask about riding helmets, cold-weather equipment, room arrangements, and the expected daily riding time before you go.

Should you book the Taiburyldyn Shabysy ranch stay?

I would recommend this experience to an active adult who wants horses, food, and steppe culture in one package. The mausoleum ride gives the trip a clear cultural purpose, while the ranch work and cooking activities keep it from feeling like a standard sightseeing tour.

I would not book it for a luxury weekend or if accommodation quality is your top concern. The food, staff care, riding instruction, and wide countryside are the main reasons to go. Confirm the room conditions in advance, pack for the weather, and arrive ready for a genuine working ranch rather than a polished resort.

FAQ

Where is the ranch experience located?

The experience takes place at Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch in Akmola Province, Kazakhstan, with transport provided from Astana.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts two days and includes one overnight stay at the ranch.

Is transport from Astana included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport or any location in Astana.

Do I need previous horseback riding experience?

No. Prior riding experience is not required, and the program includes basic horsemanship instruction and hippodrome training.

Which horses can I ride?

The ranch provides opportunities to ride Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds. The specific horse or breed assigned to you is not guaranteed.

What food is included?

All meals are included. Dishes may include pilaf, beshbarmak, manty, baursaks, salads, homemade bread, jams, desserts, tea, and kumis. Vegetarian options are available.

Can I visit the ranch in winter?

Yes. The experience is available year-round. Winter rides can take place in snow, so bring suitable warm clothing and ask about available riding equipment.

Who cannot join this experience?

It is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, visually impaired people, or people over 70.