Steppe Equestrian Adventure: 12-Day Kazakh Cultural Retreat

The retreat centers on Taiburyldyn Shabysy Ranch, located in Kabanbai Batyr village in the Akmola Region of Kazakhstan. From here you'll take daily rides through the steppe, often to local landmarks like the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum and the banks of the Nura and Ishim rivers. You'll ride three breeds of horses — docile Kazakh horses, elegant Orlov trotters, and swift English Thoroughbreds — and switch mounts so each horse gets rest days.

Beyond riding, the itinerary throws you into the routines of the ranch. You'll help herd mares and cows, learn to milk them, and make kumis (fermented mare's milk) the traditional way. Ranching days are balanced with cultural outings to the capital. A day in Astana typically means the National Museum, the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, and modern landmarks like the Bayterek Tower and Khan Shatyr, sometimes with an evening at the opera.

You'll also learn Kazakh cooking hands-on, making manty (steamed dumplings), baursaks (fried dough), lagman (hand-pulled noodles), and kaymak. Evenings might involve watching kokpar, the national horseback game where riders compete to drag a goat carcass into a goal, or visiting a master jeweler to see traditional craftsmanship.

The retreat is flexible. Standard days are easy, with a couple of rides and plenty of downtime. If you want more of a challenge, Alima and her team will adjust the program — longer rides, different terrain, faster paces. Reviews from past guests mention the owner accompanying rides, the personal attention, and the delicious, plentiful food above all else.

What's included

- 11 nights accommodation in the guest house, cozy rooms with private bathrooms, or a traditional Kazakh yurt - 3 daily traditional and homemade Kazakh meals - Airport Pickup & Drop-off (Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport NQZ) - Daily horseback rides with experienced guides - Experienced guides and instructors - Scenic horse tours to local attractions like the Kabanbai Batyr Mausoleum - Mounted tours and treks around the steppe and rivers - Horse feeding and grooming sessions - Herding and ranch life experiences - Kazakh cooking classes (manty, baursaks, lagman, kaymak) - Private sauna sessions - Guided tours of Astana (National Museum, Hazrat Sultan Mosque, Bayterek Tower, etc.) - Cultural experiences (kokpar matches, artisan visits) - Overnight yurt stay under the stars - Traditional Kazakh meals and dessert evenings

What's not included

- Flights costs - Visa fee - Additional treatments - Additional activities not included in the itinerary