Seven to twelve days of horseback riding across the steppe and cultural exploration in one of the world’s most architecturally extraordinary capitals. A tour that moves between two versions of Kazakhstan: the ancient and the entirely new.
Tour Details
Duration:
7-12 days
Location: Astana
Price: €999.99
Season: All-Year
Difficulty: Beginner
This tour is for you if: You want to experience modern and ancient Kazakhstan in one trip. You want to ride horses in the steppe, learn about Kazakh culture, and explore Astana's modern and historic landmarks.
Tour Itinerary
This is the seven-day option: enough time for the ranch to feel familiar, for Astana to properly surprise you, and to leave with more than photographs. Ranch life, steppe rides, Kazakh cooking, and a capital city unlike anything else on the continent.
Arrive at Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch, meet your instructors and horses, and settle in.
After a delicious lunch of authentic Kazakh dishes, enjoy your first ride exploring the peaceful steppe and participate in horse feeding.
Scenic horse tour to the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum and entry to the inside of the mausoleum.
Traditional Kazakh dinner, sauna session, and cozy accommodations.
Hearty traditional Kazakh breakfast featuring freshly baked bread, homemade jams, and warm tea.
Morning horseback ride through picturesque steppe landscapes.
Feed and bond with the horses, practicing horsemanship skills.
Savor a delicious lunch of authentic Kazakh dishes.
Set out on a scenic tour along the tranquil Nura River, soaking in the serene beauty of the countryside.
Sunset ride, traditional dinner, and sauna relaxation.
Traditional Kazakh breakfast of baursaks, creamy butter, and aromatic tea.
Shepherd young mares to the steppe on horseback.
Indulge in a flavorful Kazakh lunch.
Scenic ride to bring the horses back to the ranch from their grazing ground.
Learn to cook manty (steamed dumplings).
Evening dessert, tea, and storytelling around the table.
Breakfast and morning horse feeding before transfer to Astana.
Visit the National Museum of Kazakhstan and city landmarks on the left bank of Astana.
Enjoy a fusion-style Kazakh lunch in the city.
Spend the afternoon exploring modern architecture and landmarks like Bayterek Tower.
Return to the ranch to feed and care for the horses before a relaxing sunset ride.
Participate in a cooking session to prepare baursaks (fried dough), followed by a delicious Kazakh dinner.
Peaceful night in a cozy yurt under the starry sky.
Wake up to a hearty breakfast and join the morning horse feeding.
Ride out into the steppe to shepherd horses and cows alongside local herders.
After a delicious lunch, participate in milking cows and horses.
Learn to make kumis (fermented mare's milk), essential traditional Kazakh dairy products.
Afterwards, tour Astana's right bank, the city's historic area.
Explore Soviet-era architecture and vibrant local markets.
Traditional dinner and tranquil evening at the yurt.
Start the day with breakfast and morning horse feeding.
Participate in an advanced horseback ride, practice advanced horseback riding maneuvers.
Enjoy a lunch of plov before learning to make kaymak (creamy dairy spread) from the cows that you shepherding around the ranch.
Spend the rest of the afternoon experiencing Kokpar by watching a friendly match between local teams, the exhilarating traditional horseback game.
Relax in the sauna and reflect on the day's adventures before resting in the guesthouse.
Begin your last day with breakfast, horse feeding, and a reflective ride through the steppe, taking in the serene landscapes.
After lunch, bid farewell to the horses and hosts. Participate in final grooming or feeding sessions, cherishing your bond with the animals.
End your journey with a heartfelt dinner, sharing stories and experiences before transferring to Astana for your onward journey.
Twelve days means the ranch becomes a home, not just a stop. You'll cover more ground, build real riding skills at the hippodrome, explore Astana's layers from Soviet history to the performing arts, and eat and make more of the food than the shorter option allows. The longer you stay, the more the place opens up.
Day 1-6 follows the same itinerary as the 7-day option above.
Skill-building session at the hippodrome, focusing on riding techniques and horse communication.
Enjoy a hearty Kazakh lunch featuring tandyr nan (clay oven bread) and kazy (horse meat sausage).
Head into the steppe for a peaceful horseback ride while shepherding livestock, embracing the nomadic way of life.
After feeding the horses, prepare dinner together, learning to make lagman (hand-pulled noodles).
Share stories over tea and desserts before retiring for the night in the guesthouse.
Gentle horseback ride through the countryside.
Visit a master jeweler to observe Kazakh craftsmanship.
Tour the majestic Hazrat Sultan Mosque.
Relaxed evening and traditional Kazakh dinner at the ranch.
Continue the day with hands-on equestrian challenge in a long distance ride to the steppe.
Focus on refining your riding techniques, guided by experienced trainers.
After a picnic-style lunch at the steppe, transition to exploring Astana's iconic landmarks.
Marvel at the futuristic designs of buildings like Bayterek Tower, Khan Shatyr, and Expo Centre.
Dinner at a traditional Kazakh restaurant.
Work on mastering advanced riding maneuvers like galloping and precise turns at the hippodrome.
After lunch, you will learn how to make kurt (dried cheese balls), a staple of Kazakh nomadic diets.
Shepherd livestock back to the ranch from their grazing grounds.
Relax in the sauna or enjoy stargazing before retiring for the night.
Visit the Presidential Center of Culture and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation.
After a sumptuous lunch, spend leisure time shopping in local markets and artisan boutiques.
Conclude the day with an evening at the opera, experiencing Kazakhstan's performing arts at their finest.
Afterward, gather for a celebratory dinner, savoring the cultural highlights of your journey.
Begin your last day with breakfast, horse feeding, and a reflective ride through the steppe, taking in the serene landscapes.
After lunch, bid farewell to the horses and hosts. Participate in final grooming or feeding sessions, cherishing your bond with the animals.
End your journey with a heartfelt dinner, sharing stories and experiences before transferring to Astana for your onward journey.
Select longer option below
Ranch Stay Accommodation
Sleep in a guesthouse, private room in the main house, or in summer, in a traditional yurt fitted with a proper bed and decorated with hand-stitched textiles. Either way, you wake up to the sounds of the ranch: hooves, morning tea, someone getting the sauna going. Everything you need is here. The Wi-Fi is fast if you need it. Most guests forget to check.
Modern private rooms with all of the amenities
Private sauna on the property
5G Wi-Fi internet
Additional Information
The price covers everything at the ranch: accommodation, all meals, your horse and gear, transfers from and to Astana, and the guides' time. You arrive with a bag. Everything else is here.
All Meals Included
Every meal at the ranch is cooked here, lovingly made by our chef. Breakfast, lunch and dinner rotate through the full range of Kazakh cooking, the dishes below are what you can expect across your stay.
Traditional Kazakh Dishes
Beshbarmak: A classic Kazakh dish of tender boiled meat, served with handmade noodles and onion broth.
Kuyrdak: A rustic dish of fried meat, liver, and onions, often seasoned with traditional spices.
Baursaks: Golden, fluffy fried bread, perfect as a side dish or a snack.
Shashlik: Juicy skewers of marinated and grilled meat, a favorite for outdoor dining.
Manty: Steamed dumplings filled with seasoned lamb or beef, served with sour cream or vinegar.
Plov: A fragrant rice dish with vegetables and meat, a staple of Kazakh cuisine.
Lagman: Hand-pulled noodles with a flavorful meat sauce.
Kazy: A delicacy of horse meat sausage, prized for its rich flavor and cultural significance.
Traditional Kazakh Soups
Sorpa: A light and flavorful broth made from boiled meat, often served as a starter.
Naryn: A warm soup of shredded meat, noodles, and a rich, savory broth.
Kuurdak Soup: A hearty variation of the classic fried meat dish, turned into a nourishing soup.
Farm Comfort Foods
Pelmeni: Dumplings filled with minced meat, served with sour cream or butter.
Golubtsy: Stuffed cabbage rolls filled with meat and rice, baked in a tomato-based sauce.
Blini: Thin, crepe-like pancakes served with sweet or savory fillings like jam, tvorog or honey.
Desserts
Homemade fruit and berry jams
Homemade cakes and pastries
No riding experience required. Beginners and non-riders both welcome (minimum age 8)
Groups never exceed 6 guests
Available year-round; schedule is flexible and adapts to weather
Payment in cash on arrival, in euros or local currency
Vegetarian meals available, let us know when you book
Comfortable clothing for riding and walking
Weather-appropriate outerwear
Sturdy boots or shoes
Personal toiletries
Camera
Sunscreen and hat
Insect repellent
Any personal medications
Coming as a pair or a group? A 10% discount applies for two riders, 15% for groups of three to eight. If you've ridden with us before, your next tour is 20% off — no questions, no expiry. Payment is in cash on arrival, in euros or local currency.
What horse breeds will we be riding?
We proudly care for three distinct horse breeds at our ranch: the elegant Orlov trotters, the swift English Thoroughbreds, and the resilient Kazakh horses, each reflecting their unique heritage and qualities.
What if I have dietary restrictions, preferences or allergies?
Not a problem! Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or have specific dietary needs, we can accommodate your preferences. Please inform us of your dietary restrictions or preferences when booking, and we will ensure that your meals are tailored to your needs.
What non-riding activities can be provided?
Guests can enjoy a variety of non-riding activities that immerse them in Kazakhstan's rich culture and landscapes. Explore Astana's modern and historic landmarks, visit museums, and experience traditional crafts like jewelry-making and Kazakh cooking. Relax with sauna sessions, scenic walks, and steppe picnics, or enjoy cultural evenings with live music and storytelling. Whether discovering nomadic traditions or unwinding under the vast Kazakh sky, there's something for everyone.
Can I book as a private group?
Yes, we can book the tour as a private group. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.
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