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

The best part of this two-day ranch stay is the way it puts you close to real horse work, not just in a saddle for a quick photo. You feed horses in the morning, learn basic riding, help with grooming, and ride across the open Kazakh steppe to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum. I especially like the homemade food and the chance to ride several kinds of horses, from Kazakh horses to Orlov Trotters and English Thoroughbreds.

I also like the personal scale of the experience. Alima and the ranch team focus on teaching, and one beginner described receiving patient instruction from the moment of arrival. The private sauna is a welcome touch after a cold-weather ride. The main caution is the accommodation: one paying visitor found it poor and left early, so you should choose this for the ranch life and outdoor time rather than polished hotel comfort.

Key points to know before booking

• Horse care is part of the day: You feed, groom, and work with the horses instead of simply riding them.
• The mausoleum ride is the signature outing: You reach Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum on horseback, with winter rides possible.
• Three horse types are offered: The program includes Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds.
• Food is a major part of the stay: Meals may include beshbarmak, pilaf, manty, baursaks, kumis, homemade jams, bread, desserts, and tea.
• You get door-to-door transport: Pickup and return are provided from Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport or any address in Astana.
• The setting is rustic: The ranch has a guesthouse and private sauna, but comfort levels may not suit someone seeking a refined hotel.

What this ranch stay is really about

This is not a standard sightseeing trip with a horse ride added on. It is a short introduction to ranch life in Akmola Province, shaped around horses, food, local customs, and the broad open country outside Astana.

You spend the night at Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch, where the day follows the practical rhythm of the stable. That means feeding animals, learning how to handle them, riding, eating, and helping with everyday care. You also get time with the people who run the ranch, which gives the stay a more personal feel than a large coach excursion.

The program is private, with English, Russian, and Kazakh available. That matters if you are new to riding and want room to ask questions. You do not need previous riding experience, though you do need to be comfortable with an active outdoor program. The tour is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with back problems or mobility impairments, people with visual impairments, or anyone over 70.

Getting from Astana to the ranch

Pickup is included from anywhere in Astana, including Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport. This is one of the package’s strongest practical points. You do not need to work out a taxi, negotiate a rural transfer, or find the ranch on your own.

The exact departure time depends on availability, so confirm it when booking. The provider asks you to reserve 24 to 48 hours ahead. Since the experience runs year-round, the season will shape the feel of the trip. Winter can bring snow and sharp cold, while warmer months allow lunch in an authentic yurt and more time outside.

Bring comfortable clothing, sturdy shoes, and rain gear. You should also be ready for weather that changes the character of the ride. A clear day on the steppe can feel open and calm, while wet or snowy conditions make the outing more demanding.

Meeting the horses and learning the basics

The first day begins with the horses. You take part in morning feeding, meet the animals, and learn the basic rules of horsemanship before setting out. This is a good design for beginners because you are not pushed straight into a long ride without first learning how to approach and handle a horse.

The ranch works with Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds. Those breeds give the program some variety. You may notice differences in size, movement, temperament, and the way each horse responds to the rider. The point is not to collect a breed list, but to understand that horses are individuals and that riding depends on cooperation.

Hippodrome training sessions are also included. These are useful if you want more than a gentle countryside ride. The sessions focus on riding technique and control, giving you a chance to build confidence before longer trail outings.

A beginner can expect instruction, but this remains a working ranch rather than a formal riding school. If you already ride, tell the team what you can do. If you are new, be honest about it. The experience is designed to accommodate beginners, and careful communication will help the staff match you with an appropriate horse.

Lunch in a yurt or at the ranch

Food is one of the most praised parts of this experience, and it is not treated as a minor detail. Meals are prepared by a local cook and included throughout the stay.

In summer, lunch may be served inside an authentic yurt. That setting adds a useful cultural layer to the meal, since yurts are closely linked with the mobile life of Kazakh pastoral communities. In other seasons, you eat at the ranch.

The food may include savory pilaf, tender beshbarmak, manty, salads, baursaks, kumis, homemade bread, jams, desserts, and hot tea. You can also take part in cooking lessons, including the preparation of manty and baursaks. Vegetarian choices are available, but mention your needs in advance.

The food is especially valuable here because it connects the ride to ordinary life at the ranch. You are not just looking at the countryside and then returning to a generic meal. You are tasting dishes made from local traditions and spending time around the table with the people running the place.

Riding to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum

The ride to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum is the main cultural outing. Kabanbai Batyr is one of the most loved figures in Kazakh history, and reaching the mausoleum on horseback gives the visit a strong sense of place.

The ride itself is part of the attraction. You move through open steppe, breathe clean country air, and see the area from the back of a horse rather than through a vehicle window. In winter, the route can be snowy. One January outing was described as especially fun because of the snow, though winter riding naturally demands warm clothes and sensible footwear.

The mausoleum visit is not presented as a long museum tour with extensive displays. Its value is the connection between the historical figure, the horse-based culture of the region, and the country outside Astana. If you want a detailed academic explanation of Kazakh military history, this may feel brief. If you enjoy linking a place to the surrounding countryside, it should be one of the most memorable parts of the stay.

Sunset riding and the private sauna

After dinner on the first day, you may ride again as the sun drops over the steppe. This evening outing offers a quieter version of the ranch experience. The changing light, open horizon, and slower pace give you time to absorb the setting after the more structured riding lessons and mausoleum trip.

Back at the ranch, you can use the private sauna. This is especially useful after a cold day on horseback or after spending several hours outdoors. Tea and a homemade dessert follow the sauna, giving the evening a simple, comfortable finish.

The sauna does not turn the ranch into a spa resort. Think of it as a practical reward at the end of a physical day. That distinction matters when you judge the price and the accommodation.

A second morning of riding and horse care

The second day starts with a traditional Kazakh breakfast. Fresh bread, homemade jams, and hot tea provide a filling beginning before the longer ride.

You then head out on an extended trail ride through the steppe. By this point, a beginner has had time to learn the basic commands and feel the rhythm of the horse. The ride is meant to put those new skills into practice, not simply repeat the first day’s introduction.

After the ride, you feed and spend time with the horses. This is where the program earns its claim to authentic ranch life. You learn that care continues after the saddle comes off. Feeding, grooming, and observing the animals are part of the daily work, and they also help you understand the character of the horse you have been riding.

You then learn more about stable routines and horse care. The experience includes access to the ranch facilities and opportunities to help with grooming and feeding. For families with older children this might sound appealing, but the age and health restrictions still apply, and the program is not designed for young children.

The Nura River ride

The second day also includes a scenic ride along the Nura River. This changes the scenery from broad open steppe to a route shaped by water and countryside. The river gives the ride a clear visual focus and offers a calmer way to see the area.

The wider program also mentions routes along the Ishim River and rides to local lakes, though the exact route can vary. Ask the provider which outing is planned for your dates. That is particularly helpful if you have a strong preference for river views, open plains, or a longer riding session.

The appeal here is simple: you see rural Kazakhstan at a walking pace. You have time to notice the terrain, plants, animals, and changing ground beneath the horse. One particularly enthusiastic account described wide horizons, varied vegetation, wild animals, and friendly ranch dogs and cats. Those details suggest the setting is as important as the formal stops.

What the accommodation is like

The guesthouse combines traditional decoration with modern amenities, and there is a private sauna. A room with a panoramic view of sunrise, sunset, horses, and dogs can be a memorable part of the stay.

Still, do not book this expecting a polished city hotel. One paying visitor found the accommodation poor and described the ranch atmosphere as unsettling. That is a serious caution, even though other feedback praised the room and the overall setting.

I would ask for current accommodation details before paying, especially if you are sensitive to cleanliness, heating, bathroom standards, or rustic interiors. The supplied information does not give a room category or a detailed list of facilities, so you should not assume hotel-style service. The setting and hospitality may matter more than finish and comfort.

Is the $315 price fair?

At $315 per person, the price is not cheap for two days, but it covers more than a single horseback outing. Included are ranch accommodation, meals, airport or Astana transfers, guided riding, horse care activities, the mausoleum trip, cooking lessons, hippodrome training, river riding, and sauna access.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise need to arrange several separate pieces. Rural transport can be difficult to organize, and meals, lodging, riding instruction, and cultural visits are bundled together here. You are also paying for a private group rather than joining a large standard tour.

The value is weaker if you mainly want one short ride and a comfortable room. In that case, you may feel you are paying for a full ranch program without using its parts. The accommodation concern also means you should clarify expectations before booking.

Flights to and from Astana are not included, and alcoholic drinks are extra. Other off-ranch activities not listed in the package also cost more.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want an active, local experience and are happy with a rural stay. It suits nature lovers, food-focused visitors, first-time riders, and people who want to see more than central Astana.

It is particularly good for someone who enjoys learning by doing. You will get more from feeding horses, helping with grooming, and trying a cooking lesson than from simply checking off a monument.

I would be more cautious if you need high-end accommodation, have limited mobility, or dislike cold, mud, changing weather, and physical activity. The provider also places clear limits on age and health suitability.

You should book if the horses, food, open country, and personal contact matter more to you than hotel polish. Ask about the room and the exact riding plan first. That one step will tell you if the rustic side of the ranch sounds appealing or uncomfortable.

FAQ

Is riding experience required?

No. The tour is designed for beginners, and basic horsemanship instruction is included.

What languages are available?

Guiding is available in English, Russian, and Kazakh.

What horses can I ride?

The program includes Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds.

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, including traditional dishes, desserts, tea, and locally prepared food. Vegetarian options are available.

Is the tour available in winter?

Yes. The ranch operates year-round. Winter conditions can include snow, and warm clothing and suitable footwear are important.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.