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

The main draw here is simple: you spend real time around horses instead of treating horseback riding as a quick photo stop. At Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch, you help feed the horses, learn basic riding, ride across the steppe, and reach Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum on horseback.

I like the warm, practical teaching, especially for first-time riders, and I like that the price includes transport from Astana, all meals, and a private sauna. The home cooking is a major part of the experience. The caution is the accommodation: one guest found it poor and left early, so you should book this for the ranch life and open steppe rather than polished hotel comfort.

Key points to know before booking

• Ride several types of horses: You may work with Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds, with instruction suited to beginners.
• Reach a historic mausoleum on horseback: The ride to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum gives the first day a clear cultural purpose, not just scenery.
• Eat local food all day: Meals can include pilaf, beshbarmak, manty, baursaks, homemade bread, jams, salads, kumis, tea, and dessert.
• Stay close to daily ranch work: Feeding, grooming, horse care, and hippodrome training help you see how the ranch operates.
• Expect a private experience: Pickup and drop-off are available anywhere in Astana, and the group is private.
• Pack for changing weather: Comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes, and rain gear matter in every season.

What the $315 price really covers

At $315 per person for two days and one night, this is not simply a horse ride. You are paying for a compact ranch stay with transport, lodging, meals, horse instruction, cultural sightseeing, and several rides.

The included pickup is useful. You can be collected from Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport or another address in Astana, then returned to your chosen location at the end. That saves you from arranging a separate transfer into the countryside, where transport options may be less straightforward.

Food also adds real value. A local cook prepares the meals, and the schedule includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks or dessert, and tea. You may try filling staples such as beshbarmak and pilaf, as well as manty and baursaks. Vegetarian food is available, but tell the provider ahead of time.

The price makes the most sense if you want several kinds of activity in one short trip. If you only want a one-hour ride, this will feel expensive. If you want a private introduction to Kazakh horse culture, home cooking, a mausoleum visit, and a night outside the city, the package is easier to justify.

Alcohol is not included, and alcoholic drinks are not allowed. Flights and unrelated off-ranch activities are also outside the price.

Arriving at Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch

Your first hours are about getting comfortable with the horses and the setting. You meet the animals during morning feeding, learn basic horsemanship, and begin with a ride around the ranch grounds and nearby countryside.

That order is sensible. You do not simply get placed on a horse and sent into the open steppe. You first learn how to handle the animal, understand the basic riding position, and get a feel for the horse beneath you.

The ranch works with Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds. These are different types of animals, and the chance to see their different temperaments is one of the more interesting parts of the program. Your exact horse depends on the day and the riding plan, but beginners are not required to arrive with riding experience.

The hippodrome training sessions add another layer. They are meant to build riding technique and confidence, rather than simply provide a scenic outing. If you have never ridden before, expect the staff to focus on control, balance, and safe handling.

Alima and her team have been praised for patient instruction and for taking care that beginners are comfortable. That personal attention matters here, especially because steppe riding can feel very different from riding in a fenced arena.

Lunch in a yurt, then the ride to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum

In summer, lunch is served in an authentic yurt. In other seasons, you eat at the ranch. The setting changes, but the aim is the same: give you a taste of Kazakh hospitality alongside the horse program.

A yurt lunch is not just a decorative touch. It gives the meal a clear connection to the nomadic traditions that shape Kazakh culture. Expect local dishes and homemade food rather than a generic tour menu.

After lunch, you ride to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum. Kabanbai Batyr is one of Kazakhstan’s most loved historical figures, so this stop gives the day a strong connection to national memory. The route also lets you see the steppe at the pace of a horse, with fresh air and wide horizons instead of a quick drive past the countryside.

The ride can look very different by season. In winter, the route may be covered in snow. One January visit described the mausoleum ride as especially enjoyable in those conditions, with the horses and white steppe creating a memorable setting.

You should still keep your expectations measured. This is a ranch-based horseback tour, not a formal museum visit with a long academic talk. The appeal lies in reaching the site on horseback and connecting it with the surrounding countryside.

Sunset riding and a private sauna

After the mausoleum visit, you return for dinner, stories, and an evening ride. The timing is a strong part of the program. Riding as the light softens gives you a different view of the steppe than the daytime route.

Back at the ranch, you can use the private sauna, then have tea and homemade dessert. This is a welcome contrast to the outdoor riding. You spend much of the day exposed to wind, cold, sun, or dust, depending on the season, so a warm sauna can make the overnight stay feel far more comfortable.

The guesthouse combines traditional styling with modern amenities, but this is where expectations matter most. The accommodation has received mixed feedback. One stay was described as poor and unsettling, while another praised a room with broad views of sunrise, sunset, horses, and dogs.

That difference suggests you should ask about the room before confirming if accommodation standards matter greatly to you. The property is a working ranch, not a boutique hotel. Bring a flexible attitude and choose this for its setting, animals, meals, and access to ranch life.

Day two: breakfast, longer trails, and horse care

The second morning begins with a hearty breakfast. Fresh bread, homemade jam, and hot tea are listed among the morning offerings, giving you the fuel needed for a longer ride.

You then head out on an extended trail through the steppe. By this point, you have had an introduction to the horses and basic riding, so the second ride lets you put those skills to use. The terrain, vegetation, and open distances provide more variety than the first practice outing.

The pace and length of the ride can matter a great deal to a beginner. If you are new to riding, two days of saddle time may leave you stiff or tired. Comfortable clothing and shoes are essential, and rain gear is worth packing even if the forecast looks good.

After the ride, you feed and groom the horses. This is one of the best parts of the program for anyone who wants more than a ride-and-leave experience. Grooming lets you notice the individuality of each horse and understand the care required before and after a working day.

The ranch work also includes learning about horse care and daily operations. You may help with feeding, grooming, and other basic tasks. These chores can feel ordinary, but they show you how much work sits behind every organized ride.

Cooking lessons and a taste of Kazakh home food

Food is one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience. Meals are prepared with local ingredients, and the menu is built around traditional Kazakh dishes rather than food designed only for international visitors.

Lunch may include pilaf or beshbarmak with salads and kumis. Beshbarmak is a well-known Kazakh dish built around meat and noodles, while kumis is fermented mare’s milk. If you have not tried either before, this is a useful setting because you can ask about the food as it is served.

The cooking element can include making manty and baursaks. Manty are steamed dumplings, while baursaks are small pieces of fried dough often served with tea. These sessions make the food more memorable because you see some of the work behind it.

The homemade desserts, bread, jams, and tea are not minor extras. They help shape the feeling of staying with a family-run ranch rather than checking into a standard package tour. Monica from the Netherlands described the food as the best she had during her time in Kazakhstan, and the praise for the cooking is consistent with the rest of the program’s emphasis.

Vegetarians can request suitable options. You should make that request when booking, not wait until you arrive.

Following the Nura River

After lunch and horse-care activities, the route turns toward the Nura River. The river ride offers a calmer change from the mausoleum route and the longer morning trail.

The Nura is part of the countryside setting that makes the ranch stay worthwhile. You see more than an isolated riding area. The route includes open steppe, river views, changing terrain, and vegetation. One stay also described seeing wild animals, along with the ranch’s friendly dogs and cats.

The exact wildlife is not guaranteed, so do not book this expecting a safari. The value is in moving slowly through a large natural setting and noticing details that are easy to miss from a vehicle.

The schedule ends with another traditional dinner before your transfer back to Astana. A two-day format gives you enough time to settle into the rhythm of the ranch, although the amount of riding and the early starts may feel full for some people.

Comfort, safety, and who should book

No previous riding experience is required, which makes this a good choice for a first introduction to horses. The staff provide instruction, and the program includes time to learn handling and care rather than putting all the focus on speed.

It is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, people with visual impairments, or anyone over 70. Those limits are important because riding involves balance, mounting, dismounting, and long periods in the saddle.

You should also think about the season. Winter can offer snow-covered scenery and a memorable ride, but it will demand warm clothing and good weather protection. Summer brings the yurt lunch and may feel easier for long outdoor sessions, though rain gear remains sensible because the tour runs year-round.

The private-group format is a plus if you want personal instruction or prefer not to ride with strangers. It also means you should confirm the expected riding level and daily schedule in advance, especially if one person in your group is a complete beginner.

English, Russian, and Kazakh guidance is available. Alima is specifically associated with the team, and the personal teaching style has been an important part of the experience for first-time riders.

The accommodation question

The ranch guesthouse has traditional touches, modern amenities, and a private sauna. Some rooms may offer broad views over the horses, dogs, and changing sky, which can make the overnight stay feel special.

Still, do not expect uniform hotel standards. The feedback ranges from delight with the room and setting to serious disappointment with the accommodation. That is the clearest weakness in the package, and it deserves more attention than the polished description might suggest.

Ask in advance about the room type, bathroom setup, heating, and what is provided for your season. These details are not specified here, so you should get direct answers before paying if comfort is a major priority.

If you can accept a simple ranch setting, the room may feel like part of the experience. If you need dependable hotel-level comfort, consider booking only after confirming the accommodation details.

Practical booking advice

Book 24 to 48 hours ahead if possible. That gives the ranch time to arrange your pickup, horse assignment, meals, and any dietary requests.

Wear clothing that allows you to move freely. Bring comfortable shoes, rain gear, and layers suited to the season. You may want gloves and warm clothing in winter, though the package only specifically requires comfortable clothing, shoes, and rain protection.

The tour runs year-round, and pickup is available anywhere in Astana, including the airport. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later.

The activity does not allow alcohol, drugs, or explosive substances. Those rules are straightforward, but they matter because this is a working ranch with animals and riding equipment.

Should you book the ranch stay?

Book this if you want horses, local food, open steppe, and direct contact with ranch life. The strongest parts are the patient riding instruction, the chance to help with feeding and grooming, the horseback visit to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum, and the generous food program.

I would recommend it most strongly to a first-time rider who wants a private, guided introduction rather than a polished resort stay. It also suits people who value homemade meals and cultural contact more than luxury.

Think twice if you need spotless, predictable accommodation or if you dislike long periods outdoors. At $315, the package offers solid value when you use the transport, meals, rides, instruction, sauna, and overnight stay. Its weak point is comfort, not the range of activities.

FAQ

Is previous horseback riding experience required?

No. The ranch provides basic horsemanship instruction, and beginners can take part. The program also includes hippodrome training and time to learn horse handling.

What horses can I ride?

The ranch works with Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds. Your specific horse is not guaranteed in advance.

Does the tour include pickup in Astana?

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

Are meals included?

Yes. All meals are included, along with traditional Kazakh dishes, desserts, tea, and homemade food. Vegetarian options are available.

Is the tour available in winter?

Yes. The experience runs year-round. Winter rides can include snow-covered steppe scenery, but you should bring suitable warm clothing and rain gear.

Who should not take this tour?

The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems, mobility impairments, or visual impairments, or people over 70.