Almaty - Singing Dune, overnight in tents in Aktau hills

Qonaev - To see the Dune, we need to enter Altyn Emel NP from Bas’shi village (northern entry). So, will start moving by a new highway from Almaty in a northern direction, passing by Konaev (local Las Vegas - a city of casinos) and Sary Ozek.

Singing Barkhan - In Bas’shi there will be a short stop for Park’s entry registration, and in few next kilometers the first adventure starts! The roads inside a Park look more ground trails; we will be driving on a SUV through the endless steppes, surrounded by herds of amazing animals - Persian gazelles, kulans (Turkmenian donkeys), camels. On a way to the Dune, we will stop to discover ancient dolmens Oshaktas – a few thousand years old monument made of stones.
The Dune will appear suddenly, like a mirage in the desert. It definitely worth a visit, so do not miss an opportunity to hike along its sharp ridge.
Singing Dune is located in the valley of Ili River, about 2 kilometres from the river in its right bank. Its overall height is 150m and length about 3 kilometres. The ridge of the unique sand dune is sharp as a blade. The sand crumbles underneath your feet, but the ridge does not get blunt, in windy weather it is capable of making sound resembling low hum of jet aircraft.

Aktau Mountains - After a lunch at a Dune’s foot, we move deeper inside a Park: by the end of the day we arrive at a nice camping glade in Aktau colorful hills. The guides will set a camp for you and cook a desert-style dinner. Enjoy your meals with a great sunset view!
We stay overnight in tents.

Explore Aktau Mountains and Katutau volcano

Aktau Mountains - After a breakfast, we keep exploring amazing landscapes of colorful Aktau Mountains. During a walk thru its canyons we enjoy a peculiar beauty of unimaginable colors and shades from brick-red to a dazzling yellow. Despite its lifeless look, Aktau is full of life forms: such plants like remarkable desert shrub Calligonum, amazing “cones” of Cistanche, black haloxylon, turanga and relict argan trees (Caucasian hackberry) are wisely found here.

Katutau Mountain - Later on, we move to Katutau volcanic formations.
The Katutau Mountains are just as attractive and unique as shrine. Time, water and the sun have created intricate rock rarities here. As you pass wild and uninhabited gorges, you can see a mother bear bending over a bear-cub, or a huge upturned boat of Robinson Crusoe, with the Aktau Mountains nearby. The word Katutau translates as “harsh mountains” from Kazak. This is a very old badly eroded mountain exits of volcanic rocks. Volcanic rock is very brittle and easily shatters by physical impact.

Almaty - After a lunch inside a Katutau crater, we start driving back to Almaty (expect 4-5 hours). Arrival in Almaty in late afternoon.

• Private transportation
• Dinner on Day 1 and breakfast on Day 2
• Lunch
• Complete camping gear provided
• National Park fees and permissions included
• Exclusive private guiding
• Complimentary drinking water

• Menu does not include soft/alcohol drinks, snacks
• Rent of personal clothes/shoes, personal hygienic set etc.
• Personal expenses like telephone calls, souvenirs etc.