Horses and big skies in Kazakhstan. This 2-day ranch stay blends real steppe time with guided horsemanship and a mounted ride to the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum. I particularly like the hands-on horse instruction (even if you’ve never ridden) and the seriously good homemade Kazakh food. One thing to consider: accommodation quality can vary, and one past guest reported a disappointing stay.

If you time it right, you may even catch the ride with snow under your boots. The day is built around meeting the horses at the ranch, learning basics in a controlled setting, then moving out into open country for river and steppe rides, plus downtime in a private sauna. In one standout stay, the room had a panoramic view of sunrise, sunset, and horses, with the ranch animals hanging around too.

This isn’t a laid-back city tour. It’s an outdoors, horse-focused experience, and it’s not suitable for everyone (for example, it’s not recommended for people with back problems, mobility impairments, or visual impairments). If you’re comfortable on uneven ground and want a hands-on cultural day, you’ll likely have a great time.

Key Things You’ll Actually Remember

• Mounted visit to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum: You go by horse, not by car, so the history lands with fresh air and real distances.
• Beginner-friendly riding: No prior experience is required, with guidance that helps you build confidence step by step.
• Multiple horse types: You may ride Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds, depending on the day and the group.
• Food that feels homemade: Meals are cooked by a local cook, including desserts; one guest called it the best food they had in Kazakhstan.
• Private sauna time: After riding, you get a proper reset—plus tea and a sweet finish.

Why a Ranch Stay in Akmola Province Feels So Personal

A lot of “ranch” experiences are just a short photo stop. This one is built around staying overnight at Taiburyldyn Shabysy and doing ranch life for real—morning horse care, riding practice, meals cooked on-site, and an evening wind-down that doesn’t revolve around schedules from a city bus.

The steppe setting matters. It changes the pace: you wake up to animals and open air, you ride when the day is ready for you, and you spend time outdoors even when you’re not on a horse. In one praised stay, the “panoramic view” room helped the whole place feel cinematic—sunrise and sunset over the ranch, with horses and dogs nearby.

Still, be realistic. You’re trading hotel comfort for a rural, operational ranch environment. One guest left early due to what they described as poor accommodation, so it’s smart to ask what the sleeping setup is like for your specific dates and room category.

Day One at Taiburyldyn Shabysy: From Horse Feeding to the Mausoleum

Day one starts the moment you arrive: you meet the horses and join in morning feeding. Even if you’re new, that first hands-on contact is useful. It helps you see the animals as part of everyday life, not just a ride-and-go prop.

Then you move into horsemanship basics. Expect training that supports the way beginners learn—building control gradually and getting comfortable before you head out for longer rides. Past guests highlighted instructors who took time and explained clearly. One rider specifically credited Alima and the team for being instructive and genuinely caring about their time on the horse.

After that, you eat. If it’s summer, you’ll have lunch inside an authentic yurt. Otherwise, lunch happens at the ranch. Either way, you’re looking at traditional Kazakh comfort food served in a setting that feels like it belongs there—part of why this experience isn’t just scenic, it’s social.

Next comes the big moment: a scenic horseback tour to the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum. This is one of the most beloved Kazakh historical figures connected to the region, and going on horseback turns a cultural stop into an active day. In winter, one guest said the ride to the mausoleum was especially fun in the snow—exactly the kind of “only-in-this-place” memory that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.

You finish day one with dinner, stories from the ranch crew, and then an evening ride across the steppe as the light turns golden. The day ends back at the ranch with sauna time, a homemade dessert, and tea—an easy formula for riding fatigue to melt away.

Day Two: Steppe Trails, Ranch Work, and the Nura River Ride

Day two begins with a hearty Kazakh breakfast: freshly baked bread, homemade jams, and warm tea. It’s a practical start—riding days add up, and you’ll want fuel before the next stretch.

Then you ride longer—an extended trail through steppe terrain where you can use what you learned. The “practice” part is important. Short training sessions feel fine, but longer movement teaches you how to stay balanced and relaxed as the pace changes.

After the morning ride, you’ll feed and bond with the horses again. This isn’t just a ritual; it reinforces that you’re part of ranch routine for a short time.

Lunch is another traditional spread. You might see dishes like pilaf or beshbarmak, plus salads and kumis (fermented mare’s milk). If you prefer vegetarian food, vegetarian options are available—so it’s worth telling the guide your needs early.

Afternoons shift from riding to ranch work. You’ll learn essentials of horse care, grooming, and the rhythms of daily operations. This is where the experience becomes more than a ride. You’ll understand what “keeping horses” actually means—hands, tools, timing, and steady attention.

Finally, you go out again for scenery along the Nura River. The experience also highlights rides near local lakes and along rivers (including Ishim in the broader description), but the Nura River portion is explicitly part of the day’s plan. Either way, expect calm countryside views and a slower feel than the training arena.

You end with a traditional dinner back at the ranch, and then you’re transferred back to Astana when you’re ready.

The Horses: Kazakh Breeds, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds

One of the most exciting parts of this tour is the variety of horses. You may ride Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds—each with different temperaments and movement styles.

What matters for you is the training approach. The tour isn’t just “here’s a horse, good luck.” You get hippodrome training sessions to improve technique, and you’ll also learn how to care for and groom the horses. That hands-on care is a big deal for beginners because it gives you context: you’re not riding blind; you’re learning how to read the animals and respond calmly.

If you’re an animal lover, this is also a good fit. One guest described friendly ranch dogs and cats, and even the sense that each horse felt individual. That matches the overall tone of the ranch: it feels like relationships built over repeated routines, not a factory line.

Food and Cooking Lessons: Manty, Baursaks, and Real Comfort

The food here is a core part of the value, not a side dish. Meals are included throughout, prepared by a local cook, and the tour also includes Kazakh cooking classes.

You might learn how to make dishes like manty and baursaks. Even if you don’t become a Kazakh chef by the end of the weekend, you’ll take home a better sense of flavors, textures, and how meals fit into daily life on the steppe.

Past guests went out of their way to praise taste and effort. One rider said the trip included the best food they’d had in Kazakhstan. Another praised homemade food made from natural ingredients and noted how satisfying it was after long rides.

Practical note: you’ll also drink kumis at lunch (it’s part of the meal description). If you’re curious but unsure, it’s still good to know it’s on the menu.

Vegetarian options exist, which helps a lot for planning. Just communicate your preferences early so your meals are handled smoothly.

The Sauna, Tea, and That Ranch Rhythm After Riding

After a day in the saddle, the private sauna is more than a luxury. It’s a recovery tool and a mental reset. The tour includes access to the ranch’s facilities, including the private sauna, and the evening program typically includes tea plus a homemade dessert.

That combination—warmth, calm, and food—helps the whole stay feel complete. You’re not rushing from activity to activity. You’re letting the day settle, which is part of why people remember the ranch atmosphere as much as the riding.

Price and Value for a $315 Two-Day Horse-and-Culture Break

At $315 per person for a 2-day, 1-night experience, you’re paying for several things at once: guided horseback rides, training support, horse care involvement, transport to and from Astana, all meals, and private sauna access.

In other words, your money isn’t only buying transportation and a historical stop. It’s buying a full rural operation for two days: staff time, horse management, food prep, and instruction. When you add in that the tour includes meals and cooking lessons—not just lunch—you can see why some guests call it the best experience and food they had in Kazakhstan.

That said, the rating is only 3.9 based on 3 reviews, and one guest strongly criticized accommodation and also mentioned that photos were not provided. If you’re someone who needs a certain standard of lodging, it’s worth checking what room facilities look like for your dates and what’s included for photos or documentation of the ride.

Who This Ranch Tour Is For (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a great fit if you want a hands-on Kazakhstan experience with horses and steppe scenery—plus traditional food and a cultural landmark visited on horseback. It’s beginner-friendly, and it’s year-round, so you’re not limited to one season to enjoy it.

It may not be for you if:

• You need barrier-free access. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.
• You have back problems or issues walking on uneven ground.
• You’re bringing someone under 10, or you’re pregnant.
• You have visual impairments.
• You’re over 70.

Also, note the tour doesn’t include alcohol and drugs are not allowed. If you’re planning a night out in Astana, do it before or after the ranch stay.

The private group format can help a lot. Fewer people means more attention during riding and training, which matters when you’re learning balance and basic horsemanship.

Should You Book This Tour?

Book it if you want a true ranch rhythm: meeting horses, learning riding basics in a practical way, riding out to the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum, eating home-style Kazakh meals, and relaxing with sauna time after a full day.

Skip or reconsider if accommodation quality is a deal-breaker for you. One past guest said the lodging felt poor and left early, and that’s serious enough to check in advance. Also, if you’re expecting professional photos or a heavy emphasis on anything besides riding and ranch life, confirm what you’ll receive on that front.

If you’re flexible, enjoy animals, and want a countryside experience tied to Kazakh culture and steppe travel, this is the kind of trip that leaves you with more than photos: it leaves you with a new skill, a full stomach, and a very different way to picture Kazakhstan.

FAQ

How long is the Astana 2-Day 1-Night Ranch Stay?

The tour runs for 2 days and includes 1 overnight stay at the ranch.

Where is the ranch experience located?

It takes place in Akmola Province, Kazakhstan, at Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch.

Is prior riding experience required?

No prior riding experience is required.

Which horses might I ride?

You may ride Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds.

Do I visit the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum on horseback?

Yes. There is a guided mounted tour to the historic Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum.

Are meals included?

Yes. All meals are included, and the tour also includes traditional cooking classes and homemade desserts. Vegetarian options are available.

Is a sauna included?

Yes. You get access to a private sauna for relaxation.

How do transfers work?

Pickup and drop-off are included to and from Astana, including pickup/drop-off from Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ) or any location in Astana.

What should I bring, and is alcohol allowed?

Bring comfortable shoes and rain gear, plus comfortable clothes. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Experience Provider

Taiburyldyn Shabysy: Horse Tours and Adventures