Horseback riding on Kazakhstan’s steppe sounds mythical. This 2-day, 1-night ranch stay in Akmola Province turns that myth into a schedule you can actually follow, with real time in the saddle, real ranch work, and hearty homemade food. I especially like the horsemanship coaching for beginners and the chance to eat Kazakh classics like manty and baursaks. One thing to keep in mind: ranch lodging can be simple, and one guest called out disappointment with room comfort and the lack of a photo service.

The experience is built around riding Kazakh horses plus faster, athletic types like Orlov Trotters and English Thoroughbreds, so you’re not just sitting and posing. You’ll also spend time outdoors in all seasons, including snow, and you’ll end the day with that very Kazakh mix of warm food, stories, and a private sauna. If you’re expecting hotel-style comfort and polished tourism extras, you might want to manage your expectations.

If you are traveling with limited mobility, back issues, or you’re over 70, you should think twice since this is a horse-based trip. It’s also not a fit for kids under 10, and the program explicitly says it’s not suitable for people with visual impairment or mobility impairments.

Key things that make this ranch stay worth your time

• Hands-on beginner instruction: you get basics of horsemanship and mounted practice, not just a casual ride
• A guided horse tour to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum: history plus steppe scenery, reached by horseback
• You eat what locals actually cook: manty, baursaks, pilaf, beshbarmak, plus kumis and homemade jams
• Winter ride potential: one review highlights a snowy mausoleum ride, and the tour runs year-round
• Real ranch rhythms: feeding, grooming, horse care, and learning how daily operations work
• Private sauna time: after riding, you can reset in a quiet, included sauna

First contact at Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch, then straight to the horses

Your first day starts at Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch. The morning focus is practical: you meet the horses, watch morning feeding, and get the first lesson in how to handle them. Even if you have zero riding experience, this is meant to start you from the ground up, so you’re not thrown into the deep end.

This is also where the tone becomes clear. One review praised Alima and the team for being very instructive and genuinely caring about whether you’re having a good time. That matters on a horse trip, because confidence comes from small corrections, not big speeches.

You’ll get your first ride exploring the peaceful ranch surroundings. Expect that the steppe feels open and quiet in a way city life never prepares you for. It’s not just pretty. It helps you understand how horses move across wide space, and it helps you stay calm while learning.

Practical note: wear comfortable shoes and plan for weather changes. The provided guidance includes rain gear and comfortable clothes. If you’re going in winter, bring layers you can move in, not just warm clothes that restrict you.

Horse types, lessons, and what horsemanship actually means here

The tour is explicit about the variety of horses you may ride and train with, including Kazakh horses, Orlov Trotters, and English Thoroughbreds. That’s a big deal because each type can feel different under you, even if you are a beginner.

During the program, you’ll have hippodrome training sessions aimed at developing riding techniques and skills. You’ll also have mounted horsemanship guidance across the two days, plus opportunities to feed and help with horse care.

What I like about this setup is that you’re learning multiple skills in one trip:

• how to handle and feed the horses
• how to groom and care for them
• how to ride with better control and comfort
• how the day runs on a ranch

That turns a “ride package” into something closer to a mini apprenticeship. You leave with the feeling that you understand the basics, not just the memory of a pretty trot.

Yurt lunch, then the ride to Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum

After the morning riding, you stop for lunch. In summer, the tour includes lunch inside an authentic yurt. In other seasons, lunch happens at the ranch. Either way, the key point is that you’re eating Kazakh food in the same environment you’re riding in, not rushing off to a restaurant between activities.

Then comes the standout mounted piece of day one: a guided horse tour to the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum. This is described as one of the beloved figures in Kazakh history, and the timing is designed for atmosphere. You’ll breathe steppe air, see wide terrain, and get to connect the setting to the story.

In one review, Monica called out how fun the mausoleum ride was in the snow. That detail is worth paying attention to. Year-round means you might get frosty open fields and a winter sky, and the ride can feel almost like a time capsule.

What could be awkward: if you’re uncomfortable riding in cold or you hate being outdoors for long stretches, winter can be a mood killer. The tour is not hiding that it’s outdoors. Dress like you expect real weather, not mild tourist weather.

Sunset rides, dessert, and a private sauna reset

Day one doesn’t end at dinner. As the sun sets, there’s a serene evening ride across the steppe. This part matters because it’s not about covering distance, it’s about rhythm. If you’re learning how to ride, the evening ride gives your body time to settle into the experience.

Dinner is traditional Kazakh food, plus cultural stories and warm company. After dinner, the day shifts into comfort mode:

• a private sauna session
• homemade dessert
• tea

One guest talked about a room with a panoramic view of sunrise and sunset, with horses and dogs nearby. That kind of setting can make the night feel like more than a place to sleep. It’s part of why people remember this trip.

That said, balance the good with the mixed. One review complained about poor accommodation and used strong negative language about the lodging vibe. So here’s the practical takeaway: if you need hotel-level comfort, consider whether a ranch guesthouse fits your style. I’d treat the accommodation as functional and local, not luxury.

Day two breakfast, an extended steppe trail, and learning by doing

You start day two with a hearty traditional Kazakh breakfast. The food details are very specific: freshly baked bread, homemade jams, and warm tea. Breakfast like that sets you up for a longer day in the saddle.

Then you go on an extended trail ride through steppe scenery. This is where your day-one learning starts to matter. You use the skills you picked up, and you get more time bonding with the horses. The tour also includes feeding and bonding as part of the morning flow.

What I like about this second-day structure is that it keeps you moving, but not in a chaotic way. It builds continuity. First you learn. Then you practice. Then you help.

And yes, the schedule still includes lunch, so you are not just “ride until you drop.”

Lunch with pilaf, beshbarmak, salads, and kumis

Lunch on day two is traditional Kazakh dishes, and you can expect options like savory pilaf or beshbarmak. The meal also includes salads and kumis.

If you’re a foodie, this is a real part of the value. You get not only rides, but also a full connection to what Kazakh meals look like in a ranch setting. And because the tour includes traditional cooking experiences, it’s easier to understand the food beyond taste alone.

If you have dietary preferences, the program states vegetarian options are available. It does not list exactly which dishes can be vegetarian, so if that matters to you, ask directly when you confirm.

Ranch work after lunch: grooming, horse care, and how the day runs

This is one of the most “authentic feeling” parts of the trip, because it shifts from spectator to helper. You dive into authentic ranch work, learning essentials of horse care, grooming, and daily operations rhythms.

The reason this stands out in a good way is simple. It turns the trip from a two-day activity into a lived experience. You aren’t just consuming scenery. You’re learning why horses and routines matter.

If you’re the type who likes farm life and real animal care tasks, this will feel like a highlight. If you want strictly sightseeing and minimal work, you might need to adjust your expectations, because the program does include hands-on time.

Nura River ride, then back to Astana

After ranch work, day two includes a scenic tour along the Nura River. The program also lists local lakes and the Nura and Ishim rivers in its highlights, so you may see multiple water-adjacent stretches depending on conditions and timing.

This river riding is slower and calmer than the training focus. It’s the kind of ride that helps you see why steppe life is tied to water and grazing routes.

Dinner is traditional Kazakh food again to close the trip. After you’re done, you get brought back to your desired location in Astana, and the included transfers cover getting you there and back.

One practical advantage here is that you don’t have to coordinate transport on your own. The trip includes pick up and drop off from Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport or any location in Astana.

Price and value: is $315 per person fair for what you get?

At $315 per person for 2 days and 1 night, the price looks moderate when you list what’s included. You get:

• guided horseback rides and horsemanship coaching
• rides tied to a specific historic site, the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum
• time riding along scenic water routes like the Nura River
• horse feeding, grooming, and ranch work
• traditional cooking class elements, including dishes like manty and baursaks
• all meals, with homemade desserts
• access to a private sauna
• transfers to and from Astana, including airport pickup options

The balance question is accommodation expectations and the style of the operation. One review criticized the lodging quality, and another complaint said there were no photos provided. That suggests this is not a polished tourism product with photo deliverables and showroom rooms.

If you want an experience heavy on horses, food, and ranch life, the price can feel fair. If you want a comfortable lodge experience plus professional souvenirs, you might feel shortchanged.

Who should book this ranch stay, and who should skip

This experience is best for:

• people who want real horse time and beginner coaching
• food lovers interested in homemade Kazakh cooking
• culture seekers who prefer learning through experience, not museum-only visits
• travelers who enjoy steppe scenery and open-air days

It’s not suitable for:

• children under 10
• pregnant women
• people with back problems
• people with mobility impairments
• visually impaired travelers
• people over 70

Also, it is an alcohol-free activity in the sense that the program states alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

Should you book: my practical call

Book this tour if you’re excited by the idea of two days with horses, Kazakh meals, and a private sauna, and you’re comfortable with ranch-style lodging. The strongest reasons to choose it are the coaching focus and the full experience of ranch life, plus the horseback ride to the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum, including the chance of a winter ride.

Skip it or pick a different option if you need a hotel comfort level, you strongly prefer a photo package, or you have physical limitations that make horseback riding and outdoor time difficult.

If you do book, come prepared to be outdoors and to help a little with ranch routines. That mindset is what turns the trip from a ride into a story you’ll actually remember.

FAQ

Do I need previous riding experience?

No. The tour states that no prior riding experience is required, and it includes horsemanship basics and hippodrome training sessions.

What meals are included?

All meals are included, including traditional Kazakh dishes for lunch and dinner, plus breakfast items like freshly baked bread and homemade jams. Homemade desserts and tea are included as well.

Is vegetarian food available?

Yes. Vegetarian options are available.

Do I get a sauna during the stay?

Yes. The ranch has facilities, including access to a private sauna.

What historic site will we visit on horseback?

You’ll take a guided mounted tour to the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum.

How do transfers work?

Transfers are included to and from Astana, and pick up and drop off from Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport is available, plus pick up from any location in Astana.

What languages is the live guide available in?

The guide is listed as available in English, Russian, and Kazakh.

What should I bring, and what is not allowed?

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