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

The most unusual part of this Astana outing is its full switch from city life to working ranch life. You feed horses, learn basic riding, visit the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum on horseback, and spend the night where the animals and open steppe are part of the view. The riding is beginner-friendly, and the food is made on site.

I especially like the chance to ride several types of horse, from traditional Kazakh horses to Orlov Trotters and English Thoroughbreds. I also like that meals, transport, horsemanship, cooking, and horse care are wrapped into one private trip. The main caution is the lodging: the ranch house is comfortable in concept, but not polished, and one past visitor found it poor enough to leave early.

I like that Alima and her team place real emphasis on teaching, not just putting you on a horse. You should also know that this is a ranch stay first and a polished hotel experience second.

Key points to know before booking

• Ride to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum: The visit combines a historic site with a genuine mounted journey through the steppe.
• Beginner-friendly horsemanship: You learn feeding, grooming, riding basics, and horse care before longer rides.
• Several horse breeds: You may work with Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds.
• Food is a major part of the stay: Expect homemade Kazakh meals, including dishes such as beshbarmak, pilaf, manty, baursaks, salads, kumis, desserts, and tea.
• Winter is possible: The ranch operates year-round, and a snowy ride to the mausoleum can be especially striking.
• Private and practical: Pickup anywhere in Astana, including Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, is included.

Leaving Astana for a real working ranch

At $315 per person, this is not a cheap horse ride. It is a two-day, one-night private experience with transport, all meals, accommodation, instruction, several rides, a mausoleum visit, ranch activities, and sauna access.

That price makes more sense if you would otherwise need to arrange transport, a rural overnight stay, meals, and a separate riding outing. You are paying for the whole package and for the personal attention that comes with a private group. If you want only a short ride outside Astana, this is too much. If you want a compact introduction to rural Kazakhstan, the package has real value.

Pickup is available from any location in Astana or from the airport. That matters because the ranch is in Akmola Province, outside the city, and independent transport would add planning and cost. Confirm the starting time when you book, since availability changes by date.

The experience is available throughout the year. Bring comfortable clothes, sturdy comfortable shoes, and rain gear. The weather on the steppe can change quickly, and a riding day is not the place for delicate city clothing.

Morning horse care comes before the first ride

Your first day begins at Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch with the horses, not with a formal sightseeing stop. You help with morning feeding, meet the animals, and learn basic horsemanship before setting out.

That order is important. You get time to understand how the ranch works and how to behave around the horses. The staff also have a chance to judge your comfort level. No previous riding experience is required, and the instruction is intended to help beginners find their balance and handle a horse with confidence.

The ranch has Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds. These are not simply decorative animals for a quick photo. The program includes feeding, grooming, horse care, and hippodrome training sessions, so you see several sides of the work.

A beginner should still be honest about fitness and comfort. You will spend time in the saddle and may feel tired after a long ride, even if the horse is gentle. The experience is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility or visual impairments, or anyone over 70.

Lunch in a yurt, then the ride to Kabanbai Batyr

In summer, lunch is served inside an authentic yurt. In other seasons, you eat at the ranch. Either way, the meal is designed as part of the cultural experience rather than a quick stop between activities.

Kazakh food can be filling and straightforward. You might be served pilaf, beshbarmak, manty, baursaks, salads, homemade bread, jams, kumis, tea, and dessert during the stay. Vegetarian food is available, but tell the provider in advance so meals can be planned properly.

The major outing on the first day is the horseback visit to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum. Kabanbai Batyr is one of the most respected figures in Kazakh history, and reaching the mausoleum on horseback gives the visit a stronger connection to the country’s traditional riding culture.

The attraction here is not just the building at the end of the ride. It is the route across open steppe, the changing light, the quiet, and the sense of arriving by the same basic means of travel that shaped life in this region. In winter, snow can make the outing especially memorable, but cold weather also demands proper clothing and rain or snow protection.

Do not expect a tightly timed city tour. The pace depends on the horses, the weather, and your riding level. That is part of the appeal, but it also means this experience suits people who can accept a flexible rural rhythm.

Sunset riding and a private sauna

After the mausoleum ride, you return for dinner and time with the ranch team. Cultural stories and conversation are part of the evening, giving you a chance to ask about horses, Kazakh customs, and everyday life at the ranch.

An evening ride follows as the sun drops over the steppe. The golden light is likely to be one of the most scenic parts of the trip, and you do not need a separate sightseeing viewpoint to appreciate it. You are already out among the horses and open country.

Back at the ranch, you can use the private sauna. Tea, homemade dessert, and a quiet evening follow. This is a useful touch after a day in the saddle, especially in cool weather.

The accommodation deserves a clear warning. The guesthouse combines traditional style with modern amenities, but it is still a ranch property, not a polished resort. One person found the room and setting far below expectations, describing the place as poor and leaving early. Another had a room with wide views of sunrise, sunset, horses, and dogs and found it memorable.

Those two reactions tell you how to judge the lodging. If you need hotel-standard finishes, predictable décor, and a refined overnight stay, you may be disappointed. If you value a rural room, animals outside, and a strong sense of place, the setting may suit you well. Ask for current accommodation details before paying if the room matters as much as the riding.

Day two puts you into the ranch routine

Breakfast includes fresh bread, homemade jams, and warm tea. It is the kind of meal that prepares you for another active morning rather than a light hotel breakfast.

The second day brings a longer trail ride across the steppe. By this point, you have already met the horses and received basic instruction, so you can put those skills to use. The ride offers more time to notice the terrain, vegetation, and open horizon instead of rushing from one stop to another.

You also return to horse feeding and bonding. This may sound simple, but it is one of the best parts of the program for someone new to horses. You learn that riding is only one part of the relationship. Feeding, grooming, handling, and patience matter just as much.

A hippodrome training session is also included. The exact schedule may depend on the day, but the purpose is to develop riding technique and control. This gives the experience more substance than a guided loop with no instruction.

Cooking, horse care, and the Nura River

Lunch brings more traditional Kazakh food, perhaps savory pilaf or tender beshbarmak, with salads and kumis. The ranch also includes cooking instruction, such as making manty and baursaks. This is valuable because food often explains a culture better than a short talk. You handle the preparation, then understand what appears on the table.

After lunch, you take part in practical ranch work. Grooming, feeding, and horse care show you the daily effort behind the ride. The staff do not simply present a romantic picture of ranch life. You get a look at the routine that keeps the animals healthy and the operation moving.

The later ride follows the Nura River. The river route offers a change from the broad, dry feeling of the open steppe. You may notice more variation in vegetation and terrain along the water. The program also refers to rides near local lakes and along the Nura and Ishim Rivers, though the exact route can depend on conditions and timing.

This is a good point to keep expectations realistic. The experience is about quiet countryside, horses, and space. It is not an amusement park with constant activity. Some stretches may feel slow, and that is precisely where people who enjoy rural travel will find the most pleasure.

Food, hospitality, and the people behind the ride

Food receives some of the strongest praise from this experience, and the details explain why. Meals are prepared by a local cook and include homemade dishes and desserts. Natural ingredients, fresh bread, jams, warm tea, and traditional recipes make the meals feel tied to the place rather than added as an afterthought.

The team also earns credit for patient instruction. Alima is named as part of the ranch team, and the teaching approach is particularly helpful for first-time riders. You should expect guidance on how to sit, handle the horse, and build confidence instead of being left to figure everything out.

The atmosphere is family-run and personal. Dogs and cats are part of the ranch setting, and the animals help make the place feel lived in. That can be a pleasure for someone who wants contact with everyday ranch life. It may feel less controlled than a commercial hotel or formal riding center.

English, Russian, and Kazakh are available. This makes the outing more workable for English speakers, while Russian and Kazakh provide a natural link to the local staff and setting.

Is $315 a fair price?

I would call the price fair for the right kind of visitor. It includes enough separate services that the cost is not just paying for time on a horse:

• Pickup and return in Astana
• Airport pickup from NQZ
• One night at the ranch
• All meals and desserts
• Horse instruction and several rides
• The Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum visit
• Horse feeding, grooming, and care
• Cooking activities
• Nura River riding
• Private sauna access

The weak point is that the accommodation quality may not match the price for everyone. You should book this for the personal program and rural access, not for luxury. Alcohol is not included, and flights, along with unrelated off-ranch activities, are extra.

The private group format improves the value. You are not being pushed through a large group with one standard pace. The staff can focus more closely on your riding ability and interests. That matters most if you are a beginner or want more time with the horses.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Booking 24 to 48 hours ahead is recommended, particularly if you need airport pickup or a specific date.

Who should book this ranch stay?

I would recommend it to people who want a close look at Kazakhstan beyond Astana’s city sights. It suits nature lovers, food-focused visitors, horse enthusiasts, and anyone curious about nomadic traditions and modern ranch life.

Beginners are welcome, which makes the program unusually accessible for a serious riding experience. You do not need to arrive with technical skills, but you should be comfortable with physical activity and outdoor weather.

I would be cautious if you need luxury accommodation, have a serious back issue, dislike animals, or want a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour. The ranch is also not suitable for the listed age and mobility groups.

The strongest version of this trip is probably a small private booking with clear expectations. Ask about the room, the likely riding route, seasonal conditions, and the day’s schedule before you go. That short conversation can prevent the biggest disappointment.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if your priority is hands-on ranch life, horses, homemade Kazakh food, and a memorable route to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum. The best parts are the patient instruction, the variety of horse work, the open steppe, and the chance to connect the food and riding traditions to daily life.

Skip it if you want a refined hotel, guaranteed comfort, or a quick horseback outing with no overnight commitment. At $315, the experience asks you to accept rustic accommodation in return for access, personal attention, meals, and a fuller rural program.

For the right person, this is a strong two-day introduction to Kazakhstan outside the capital. Go for the horses and the sense of place. Treat the sauna and room as welcome extras, not luxury features.

FAQ

Where is the ranch experience located?

The activity takes place at Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch in Akmola Province, Kazakhstan, outside Astana.

Is pickup from Astana included?

Yes. Pickup and return are included from any location in Astana, including Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport, also known as NQZ.

Do I need previous horseback riding experience?

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

Which horses can I ride?

The ranch provides opportunities to ride Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds.

What food is included?

All meals are included, including traditional Kazakh dishes and desserts prepared by a local cook. Meals may include beshbarmak, pilaf, manty, baursaks, salads, kumis, homemade bread, jams, and tea. Vegetarian options are available.

Is the activity available in winter?

Yes. The experience operates year-round. Winter conditions can include snow, so bring suitable comfortable clothing, shoes, and rain or weather protection.