They said “ethno-cultural experience.” I heard “let’s go play dress-up, ride horses, and meet real-life warrior queens.” Guess which one got me packing faster than our 3-year-old spots a playground?
Our visit to the Gunny Ethno Huns Village, just outside Almaty, was part time-travel, part cultural immersion, and part Kazakhstan’s Got Talent—starring arrows, acrobatics, and women who could lasso your ego in 0.3 seconds flat. Oh, and it was 100% toddler-approved.
So, here we are, recounting our tale about the most unique experience in Kazakhstan, getting to see the Nomadic life – up, close, and personal.
What is the Huns Village?
Imagine a field, a yurt, a flying horse (almost), and a bunch of Kazakhs in glorious traditional costumes reenacting scenes straight out of a Netflix epic. That’s Huns Village—Kazakhstan’s glorious answer to a theme park, minus the overpriced popcorn and with way more swords.
It’s an ethno-village about 35 km from Almaty that brings to life the glory days of nomadic tribes—think Genghis Khan meets Cirque du Soleil but with way more heart (and Kumis, the fermented mare’s milk, if you dare).
Our Grand Entry: Candies and Warriors
We booked a private half-day tour to the Huns Village from Almaty through a local operator (more on that below), and within an hour we were greeted by men in Saka-period battle gear. No biggie. They showered candies for good luck at us while welcoming with drums, songs, and an armed ritual, called Shashu—a tradition that instantly won over our daughter, who now thinks every entrance in life should involve sweets, music, and drums.
Once inside the village, we embraced Kazakh love in the form of traditional tea and innumerable Baursaks. What is that, you ask? Head over to our blog on the Traditional Food Delicacies of Kazakhstan.
Then came the part I wasn’t emotionally prepared for…
Living the Yurt Life (Literally)
At the Huns Village, we got a front-row seat to everyday life inside a traditional Kazakh Yurt. Picture a round, tented universe built with wooden frames, felt insulation, and a collapsible skeleton so genius it would make IKEA jealous. Our guide explained how men, women, and children all had designated spaces, roles, and rhythms in their circular home.
We learned how babies were snugly swaddled into wooden cradles in a traditional Huns village, and how mothers and women wore ornate headpieces for protection and pride. The yurt wasn’t just a home; it was a living, breathing symbol of nomadic wisdom—equal parts function and folklore.
Then came a moment we’ll never forget: I was invited to participate in a ritual role-play where I acted as a Kazakh mother preparing her daughter for marriage. Dressed in traditional garments, I “blessed” the bride by adorning her with jewelry—each piece symbolizing wisdom, patience, love, and strength. I had to whisper a piece of advice with each ornament. Cue waterworks. As I imagined doing this with my own daughter someday, I was overwhelmed with emotion. THAT is what travel should do—surprise you with stories that stay with you forever. No fridge magnet can match that.
Hands-On Fun (Yes, You Can Shoot Things)
After the beautiful and emotional ceremony, we moved to more energetic activities… We learned archery from a man who looked like he moonlighted as a Game of Thrones extra, and not part of the team at the Huns Village.
We tried. Missed the target. Hit a haystack. Twice. But hey, we looked fierce doing it.
You can also:
- Try felting wool
- Watch bread baking over open flames
- Fry and try Baursaks
- Learn to grind flour on traditional stones (great arm workout if you’re skipping leg day)
- Take a hike to the Novokamennoe Gorge
Women Who Could Be Best Friends with Xena the Warrior Princess
After tasting a slice of life in the yurt, we headed to the Equisterian show. As this one-of-a-kind thrilling presentation at the Huns Village kicked off, we met the real stars: badass Kazakh women who galloped full-speed on horseback, flipped in mid-air, and twirled swords like they were baton sticks. These weren’t just side characters—they were front and center, stealing scenes and hearts.
One woman almost fell off while doing a headstand on a moving horse, but managed to get back right on top. It was an amazing moment of technical precision, confidence, and grit. I can’t even manage yoga with a toddler climbing me. My feminist heart cheered. My jaw? Still somewhere in the grass.
Just not that, just like a magician, they transformed into elegant dancers, making everybody shake a leg with the peppy Kazakh traditional dance music.
These women weren’t just performers—they were modern-day reminders that nomadic life didn’t mean “just follow the men.” Kazakh women in the Huns village were—and are—nourishers, caregivers, warriors, riders, protectors, and truly alpha females. As Beyoncé rightly said – Who run the world? It’s girls!
Toddler-Approved Attractions (Because She’s the Real Boss)
Our 3-year-old had the time of her life:
- She tried archery for the first time—and by “archery,” I mean she dramatically waved an arrow in the air while yelling “I’m a tiger!” before gently placing it on the ground like it was a sacred offering. Olympic dreams? We’re working on it.
- She broke into an impromptu dance session to live Kazakh music, spinning in circles like a tiny nomadic ballerina while the dombra played in the background. Locals clapped. We wept (with pride and slight embarrassment).
- She tried the giant traditional Kazakh swing, also known as the Altybakan with unfiltered joy, gripping the ropes with chubby fingers and squealing like a falcon on espresso. She kept saying, “Again! Again!” until the grown-ups finally had to bribe her with more Baursaks.
There’s something for everyone here. Whether you’re 3 or 93, you’ll find something you didn’t know you were looking for.
Lunch With a Side of Nomadic Nostalgia
Lunch was served in a traditional yurt. Picture this: cushions on the floor, warm smiles from local hosts, and plates of:
- Plov – A spiced rice with meat so tender it could star in a soap opera.
- Meats – Meatballs, roasted meats, and potatoes and meat stews – you name it, they had it!
- Pirozhki – Cabbage pies that tasted so so much better than they sounded!
- Salads – Ah yes, plural—we saw greens in Kazakhstan, woohoo!
- Baursaks – The quintessential part of any Kazakh plate, fluffy fried dough that should come with a warning label: Highly Addictive!
- Tea with jam – A Kazakh comfort tradition that made me question every coffee I’ve ever had!
Vegetarian? Gluten-free? Just ask in advance—the organizers are super accommodating when you let them know.
How to Get There
Option 1 (Easy Peasy and the one we selected): Book a tour with local operators like the Almaty Inspiration Tour that we went with, and they covered everything from doorstep pickup and drop, arranging for tickets, lunch, and every other logistical management, leaving us with only 1 agenda – enjoying and experiencing the spirit of the Kazakh Nomad Life. We loved Alina, who was our POC and a true-hearted angel!
Option 2 (DIY Adventurer): Take a cab from Almaty (about 45–60 minutes) and pay the entry separately. But tours are honestly more convenient, especially with kids.
When to Go
The village is open year-round, but here’s our hot take:
- Spring/Fall = Best weather, dreamy skies, photogenic horses
- Summer = Still lovely, but bring hats and sunscreen
- Winter = Magical if you’re into snow-covered yurts and the idea of riding horses in thermals
The day tour usually run around 11 AM to 4 PM, so aim to arrive by 10:30 AM to catch the full action and squeeze in archery or swing time before lunch.
Cost Breakdown for Every Traveler
Kids under 5 often enter free or with a discounted rate. We didn’t have to pay for our daughter’s ticket, and she got extra candy. Win-win.
Pro Tips from a Mom-Warrior-Queen
- Wear comfy shoes. You’ll walk a lot, and possibly run (after your kid or your sense of direction).
- Bring cash if you want to buy souvenirs—those tiny felt coin purses and figurines are irresistible.
- Dress in layers. It gets windy out in the steppe!
- Book in advance, especially on weekends.
- If you’re bringing kids, tell them they’re going to meet real warriors and ride giant swings. If you’re bringing a husband, tell him there’s meat.
Final Thoughts: A Day of Roars, Rides, and Radical Women
Our day at Huns Village was more than a tourist stop—it was a joyful, powerful celebration of nomadic life. Between our daughter’s sugar high, my bow-and-arrow fantasies, and the overwhelming awe of seeing women dominate horseback stunts, we came back exhausted and exhilarated.
So if you’re in Almaty and wondering whether to go—you absolutely must. It’s history with flair. Culture with sass. Horses with swagger.
And warrior women? They’re not just in legends. They’re in Kazakhstan. And they ride better than your average cowboy. In fact, our daughter still insists that “Kazakhstan has real princesses who fly on horses.” That’s a core memory right there.
Our Verdict? It’s absolutely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Go on, brave traveler. Saddle up. Huns Village awaits.
