Burabay: Private Day Tour with Bolektau Hike, Lake Boat or Horse Ride & Lunch

Summary

Bolektau hike, pine woods lunch & Burabay lake adventure from Astana

You’ll step into Burabay’s pine-scented air straight from your hotel pickup in Astana. Walk up Bolektau peak for sweeping views, share lunch on a terrace tucked in the woods, then choose between gliding across Burabay Lake by boat or riding horses beneath whispering trees. Every moment is colored by local stories—and that fresh forest smell will stick with you long after you leave.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Burabay National Park highlights

• Pickup from preferred location
• Climb Bolektau peak for views
• Relax and take photos at peak
• Enjoy lunch on terrace
• Walk through Abylay-Khan Meadow
• Meet eagle handlers and browse souvenirs
• Choose boat ride or horseback ride
• Boat ride to Zhumbaktas rock or forest horseback ride
• Return to pickup location

Top questions

How far is Burabay from Astana?

Burabay is about 250 kilometers north of Astana; travel time is roughly 2.5-3 hours by car.

Is hiking Bolektau peak difficult?

No special equipment or experience needed—the walk is steady and suitable for most fitness levels.

What kind of food is served for lunch?

The included lunch features traditional Kazakh cuisine like plov and baursak; vegetarian options are available.

Do I need to choose between boat ride and horseback riding?

Yes—you can select either a boat ride on Burabay Lake or a guided horseback ride through the forest.

Are hotel pickup & drop-off included?

Yes, private transportation with pickup from your preferred location in Astana is included.

Is this day trip suitable for families?

Yes—the activities are safe for all ages; infants must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.

Can I take photos with eagles at Abylay-Khan Meadow?

Yes—local eagle handlers offer photo opportunities during your visit to Abylay-Khan Meadow.

Is WiFi available during transport?

Yes, WiFi is provided onboard your private vehicle.

What’s included

Your day includes private pickup and drop-off from Astana, comfortable air-conditioned transport with WiFi and bottled water along the way, plus snacks if you get peckish before lunch. You’ll enjoy a full traditional Kazakh meal (vegetarian option possible), then head out on either a lake boat ride to Zhumbaktas rock or an easygoing horseback trek through quiet forest before returning home relaxed—and probably smelling faintly of pine needles.

What’s the experience like?

We were already rolling out of Astana before I’d finished my coffee—our driver grinned when he saw me fumbling with the cup. The road to Burabay is long but it’s all open steppe and sky, and I kept catching myself staring out the window. Our guide, Zhanar, pointed out little villages as we passed, telling stories about her childhood summers here. By the time we reached the park, the air had changed—cooler and sharp with pine. We started up Bolektau peak (don’t worry, it’s more like a steady walk than a climb) and halfway up I realized I’d stopped talking just to listen to the wind in the trees. At the top, you get this wide sweep of lakes and forest that feels almost too big for your eyes. Someone nearby was eating sunflower seeds and laughing; it smelled like earth and resin up there.

Lunch was on a wooden terrace tucked among the pines—a bit creaky underfoot but somehow perfect. They brought out plov and hot tea in chipped cups, which tasted better than any fancy meal I’ve had lately. Zhanar explained each dish (I tried to pronounce “baursak” right; she laughed and said I was close). Afterward we wandered through Abylay-Khan Meadow, where some local guys had an eagle perched on a glove—my friend posed for a photo but I chickened out at the last second. There’s this quiet respect for history here; people touch a stone monument as they pass by, almost absentmindedly.

You get to pick between boating across Burabay Lake or riding horses through the forest—I went for the boat because honestly, my horse skills are questionable at best. Gliding toward Zhumbaktas rock felt surreal; water lapping against the hull, everything reflected back in blue-green ripples. The guide told us some legend about the rock (I only caught half of it), but mostly I just watched light flicker over the water. If you go for horseback riding instead, it’s about half an hour with a local instructor—everyone who tried it came back smiling and covered in pine needles.