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

The steppe starts at the stable. This two-day ranch stay near Astana gives you far more than a short horseback outing: you feed and care for horses, ride to the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum, eat homemade Kazakh food, and sleep at a working ranch. I especially like the chance to ride several breeds, including Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds. I also like that pickup and return transport from anywhere in Astana are included. The main caution is the accommodation. One visitor found it poor and left early, so you should choose this trip for the ranch life and horses first, not for polished hotel comfort.

The setting can be beautiful and stark, changing with the season. In winter, the mausoleum ride may take place through snow and golden evening light. In warmer months, meals may be served in a yurt, with rides extending toward local lakes and the Nura and Ishim rivers. Alima and her team have earned warm praise for patient riding instruction, careful attention, and excellent food, though the mixed accommodation experience means expectations matter.

Key points before you book

• Horse time is the heart of the trip: You feed, groom, ride, and help care for the horses rather than simply sitting on one for an hour.
• The mausoleum ride adds real purpose: Kabanbai Batyr is one of Kazakhstan’s most loved historical figures, and reaching the site on horseback makes the visit feel tied to the steppe.
• Several horse breeds are available: You may work with Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds, with instruction for beginners.
• Food is a major strength: Meals include homemade Kazakh dishes, desserts, bread, jams, kumis, manty, baursaks, pilaf, and beshbarmak.
• You get a private group and Astana transport: Pickup is available from Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport or any address in Astana.
• The stay is rustic, not luxury: A private sauna adds comfort, but the guesthouse may feel basic to some people.

Why this ranch stay is different from a standard horse ride

Many riding outings give you a helmet, a horse, and a set route. This one asks you to spend time around the animals before and after riding. You take part in morning feeding, learn basic horsemanship, practice grooming, and see how a ranch works through the day.

That difference matters. If you are new to horses, the routine helps you understand the animal beneath you. You learn that riding is not only about steering across open ground. It also involves feeding, brushing, handling, and paying attention to the horse’s mood and movement.

The experience is run as a private group, with English, Russian, and Kazakh available. No previous riding experience is required. Still, you should be comfortable spending several hours outdoors and sitting in the saddle. Horse riding can be tiring even when the pace is gentle, and the open steppe offers little shelter from weather.

The ranch also gives you access to different types of horses. Kazakh horses connect the experience to local tradition, while Orlov Trotters and English Thoroughbreds bring a different feel and history to the stable. The exact horse you ride may depend on your ability, the conditions, and the ranch’s judgment.

Day one: meeting the horses and learning the ranch rhythm

Your first day begins at Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch. Transport from Astana is included, which removes one of the awkward parts of visiting a rural property. You can be picked up from Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport or another location in the city.

The opening activity is morning horse feeding. This is a good choice for a first lesson because it lets you meet the animals from the ground. You can watch how the staff handle them and start learning the basic rules of safe horse care before you ride.

After an introduction to horsemanship, you take your first ride around the ranch and its nearby surroundings. The aim is not to throw a beginner into a long crossing at once. You build confidence while learning how to sit, guide, and respond to your horse.

A review from Monica of the Netherlands gives useful context here. She credited Alima and the team with clear instruction and said they paid close attention to making sure she had a good time. She arrived without much riding background and left with a new love of horseback riding. That is encouraging for beginners, but you should still tell the staff honestly about your experience and comfort level.

Lunch in a yurt, or a ranch dining room

Food is one of the strongest reasons to choose this stay. In summer, you may eat lunch inside an authentic yurt. During other seasons, meals are served at the ranch itself.

The menu centers on traditional Kazakh cooking. Depending on the meal, you may have pilaf, beshbarmak, manty, baursaks, salads, homemade desserts, fresh bread, jams, tea, and kumis. Vegetarian options are available, but tell the provider ahead of time so the kitchen can plan properly.

This is not just fuel between rides. Food helps explain the place. Homemade dishes and shared meals give you a closer look at daily Kazakh hospitality than a restaurant stop in central Astana can provide. You may also take part in cooking lessons, including making manty and baursaks.

The food has received especially strong praise. One stay included meals made from natural ingredients, with homemade food described as one of the most memorable parts of the visit. Another visitor called the food the best they had during their time in Kazakhstan. I would treat that as a major plus, particularly if you enjoy local cooking and are willing to try dishes beyond familiar hotel fare.

Riding to the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum

After lunch, the main historical ride takes you to the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum. Kabanbai Batyr is a beloved figure in Kazakh history, and the mounted approach gives the visit a strong connection to the country’s horse culture.

The route also gives you what many city tours cannot: time to watch the steppe change around you. You breathe clean open air, cross broad stretches of countryside, and see the scale of the land from horseback. The scenery may be especially striking in winter, when snow gives the ride a quiet, spare character.

You should not expect a tightly scripted museum visit with a long indoor presentation. The appeal lies in the journey, the setting, and the chance to connect a historical figure with the traditions of the horse and the open steppe.

The ride can be seasonal in feel. A December or January outing may be cold, snowy, and demanding, while a summer ride may be warmer and more comfortable. Pack rain gear and comfortable clothes in every season. Sturdy, comfortable shoes are also important, even though you will spend much of the time riding.

Sunset on horseback and a sauna afterward

After dinner, you may take an evening ride across the steppe. The low light can turn the grassland and snow into shades of gold, blue, and gray. This is one of the quieter parts of the stay, with less emphasis on instruction and more on simply being outside.

The pace and duration of this ride should be confirmed when you book, especially if you are a beginner or visiting in cold weather. The schedule includes several rides and ranch activities, so you should not assume every part will feel physically easy.

Back at the ranch, the private sauna offers a welcome change of pace. You can warm up, enjoy homemade dessert, and drink tea before settling into the guesthouse for the night.

Here is where expectations need careful handling. The accommodation combines traditional design with modern amenities, but it is still ranch accommodation rather than a city hotel. One visitor found the room and property uncomfortably poor and left before the stay ended. Another had a room with wide views of the sunrise, sunset, horses, and dogs and found it memorable.

Those accounts can both be true. A rural guesthouse may feel charming and personal to one person and too rough around the edges to another. If you need polished fixtures, hotel-style service, or guaranteed luxury, this is not the safest choice. If you enjoy simple surroundings and want to wake near the animals, the setting may be part of the appeal.

Day two: longer riding and practical horse care

The second morning begins with a traditional Kazakh breakfast. Fresh bread, homemade jams, and hot tea provide a simple start before more time in the saddle.

You then take an extended trail ride through the steppe. This is where the first day’s instruction becomes useful. You can practice your posture, steering, and control over a longer route, with the horses carrying you through changing terrain and vegetation.

The ride is not only about scenery. You also return to the horses for feeding and bonding. That repeated contact helps you notice the individuality of each animal. One visitor particularly enjoyed the different personalities of the horses, along with the friendly dogs and cats around the ranch.

After lunch, the ranch work becomes more practical. You learn about horse care, grooming, and the daily routines that keep the animals healthy. This section adds value because it shows you the work behind an attractive riding experience. You are not simply being handed a horse for entertainment. You see some of the responsibility involved in keeping a stable running.

The program may also include hippodrome training sessions. These are intended to improve riding technique and skill, though the exact balance between arena work, trail riding, and horse care may vary with weather and the ranch’s schedule.

Along the Nura River and through open country

Later on day two, you ride toward and along the Nura River. The river route offers a different mood from the mausoleum ride. Instead of focusing on one historical destination, you spend time with the countryside itself.

The Nura and Ishim rivers are part of the wider setting around Astana, and the trip also advertises rides to local lakes and along both rivers. You may see varied ground, vegetation, and wildlife across the ranch area. Do not expect a wildlife safari, but the open country can bring small surprises, especially when you slow down and pay attention.

The river ride is a good fit for anyone who values quiet scenery over a packed sightseeing schedule. You are not racing from one attraction to the next. The main event is the movement of the horse, the river, and the broad horizon.

One important point: the experience is available year-round. That makes it flexible, but it also means the character of the ride will depend heavily on the season. Winter can bring snow and a memorable sense of space, but you will need proper layers and rain or snow protection. Warmer seasons may make long rides easier and allow yurt dining.

What the $315 price includes

At $315 per person for two days and one night, the price is reasonable if you use most of what is included. Your payment covers Astana pickup and return, the overnight stay, all meals, guided riding, horse care, the mausoleum visit, river riding, cooking activities, ranch facilities, and private sauna access.

Transport is particularly useful. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to a rural ranch, and airport pickup is possible if you are arriving in Astana. That convenience adds real value, especially when you are unfamiliar with local transport or carrying riding gear.

The food also helps justify the cost. You receive several meals prepared by a local cook, rather than paying separately for restaurant meals during the stay. The horseback program is not a short add-on either. It includes instruction, multiple rides, horse feeding, grooming, and ranch work.

Still, the value depends on what you want. For a polished two-day resort stay, $315 may feel high because the accommodation is basic. For a private, food-centered ranch experience with substantial horse time and transport included, it is easier to defend.

Flights are not included. Alcohol is not included, and alcohol and drugs are not allowed at the ranch. Costs for off-ranch activities that are not part of the package are also separate.

Who should book, and who should think twice

I would recommend this experience to adults who want a direct connection with Kazakh horse culture and rural life. It is a strong choice for:

• First-time riders who want patient instruction
• Experienced riders interested in different horse breeds
• Food-focused visitors who enjoy homemade local cooking
• Couples or small private groups seeking time outdoors
• People with a spare day after visiting Astana
• Anyone who prefers a personal ranch setting to a standard hotel tour

You should think twice if you dislike rustic accommodation, have a bad back, or need mobility support. The program is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with mobility impairments, visually impaired people, or people over 70. It is also not a good fit if you want a short, low-effort activity.

No prior riding experience is required, but fitness and comfort matter. Tell the ranch about your riding background before arrival. You should also book 24 to 48 hours in advance, particularly if you need airport pickup or a vegetarian menu.

My verdict on the Taiburyldyn Shabysy ranch stay

I like this experience because it gives you real time with the horses, not just a scenic photo stop. The combination of feeding, grooming, instruction, trail riding, local cooking, the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum, and the Nura River creates a fuller picture of ranch life in Kazakhstan.

The strongest parts are the staff’s personal attention, the food, and the setting. Alima and the team appear especially good at helping beginners feel safe and involved. The main weakness is the uncertainty around accommodation quality. You should approach the guesthouse as comfortable ranch lodging with traditional touches, not as a luxury retreat.

Book it if horses, food, open country, and cultural contact are your priorities. Skip it if you need hotel-level comfort or want a tightly timed sightseeing tour. For the right person, the cold air, wide horizon, animals, and shared meals may become the most lasting part of a stay in Astana.

FAQ

Is previous horseback riding experience required?

No. The program includes basic horsemanship instruction, and no previous riding experience is required.

What horse breeds can I ride?

The ranch offers opportunities to ride and train with Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds. The specific horse you ride may depend on your ability and the ranch’s arrangements.

Is transportation from Astana included?

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

Are meals included?

Yes. All meals are included, along with traditional Kazakh dishes and desserts prepared by a local cook. Vegetarian options are available.

Can I visit at any time of year?

Yes. The experience is available year-round. Seasonal conditions will affect the riding environment, so bring comfortable clothing and rain gear.

Is the tour suitable for children or people with health limitations?

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.