Almaty - Singing Dune, Altyn Emel National Park

Basshi - The northern entrance to Altyn Emel National Park is situated in the village of Basshi, approximately 300 kilometers from Almaty. This northern gate provides access to the Park’s renowned attractions: the Singing Dune, Aktau Mountains, and Katutau. The journey begins early, passing through Konaev and Saryozek towns to reach Basshi, where permissions are obtained at the Park’s main office.

Singing Barkhan - Upon entering the Park, the journey continues to the Singing Dune, with a stop at the Oshaktas dolmens.

The Singing Dune is located in the Ili River valley, about 2 kilometers from the river’s right bank, nestled between the Greater and Lesser Kalkans mountain ranges. It resembles a massive sand dune with a height of 150 meters and a length of approximately 3 kilometers. The ridge is as sharp as a blade, with sand crumbling beneath your feet, yet the ridge remains sharp. Two smaller sand dunes extend from the larger one, covering an area of about 10 square kilometers. Similar sand dunes in Kazakhstan are found only in the Mangistau region (e.g., Sam sands), but the unique feature of the Semirechye dune (another name for the Singing Dune) is its ability to produce a sound similar to the low hum of a jet aircraft in hot, windy weather. If the weather permits, a hike along the Dune’s ridge is possible, accompanied by lunch with views of the Dune.

Aktau Mountains - After visiting the Dune, there are two options: return to Basshi, stay at a guest house, enjoy dinner, and spend the night (if guest house accommodation is preferred and available on your dates), or venture further into the Park to reach the colorful Aktau Mountains by day’s end. Here, a tent camp is set up, complete with living tents, sleeping bags/mats, a modern outdoor kitchen, table/chairs, lighting, and other camping amenities. A guide prepares and serves dinner, allowing you to enjoy the sunset with views of Aktau while savoring freshly prepared meals in the open air. Overnight stay in tents (tent camping) is at a glade in the Aktau Mountains.

Aktau Mountains - Katutau Volcano - Almaty

Aktau Mountains - The morning plan depends on the accommodation type. If the night was spent in Basshi at a guest house, breakfast is followed by re-entering the Park to drive to the Aktau Mountains.

If camping in Aktau, breakfast is served early, followed by a hike. The hike’s length is adjusted based on available time and accommodation type. In both scenarios, the stunning beauty of the colorful clay mountains can be explored.

The Aktau Mountains are the remnants of the ancient Ili Lake, with the vast Balkhash now remaining in Kazakhstan. Over millions of years, remarkable processes occurred at the bottom of this ancient reservoir, leaving behind multi-colored layers. Each color and layer signifies a distinct era in the planet’s development, with fossils still found in the sediments. After the lake’s disappearance, wind and sediments shaped the landscapes, offering breathtaking views today.

Katutau Mountain - Following the Aktau hike, lunch is enjoyed at the Katutau volcano crater. The name Katutau translates to “harsh mountains” in Kazakh. These are ancient, heavily eroded mountain formations of volcanic rock. The volcanic rock is fragile and easily breaks upon physical impact. Water, time, and wind have sculpted the rock into bizarre shapes.

Almaty - After lunch at Katutau, the journey back to Almaty begins.

• 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.

Spring and autumn are ideal seasons for exploring the desert and steppe landscapes surrounding Almaty. During these times, mountain routes may be inaccessible, but the lowland national parks showcase their full diversity. This tour highlights the key natural attractions of Altyn Emel National Park, offering a well-planned itinerary that includes a variety of contrasting landscapes.

Participants will visit the Singing Dune, the vibrant Aktau mountains, the volcanic formations of Katutau, ancient willow oases, and historical dolmens. These sites are challenging to access independently due to their distances, required permits, and logistical considerations.

The tour is fully organized and offers two accommodation options: staying in a local guesthouse in Bas’shi village or camping overnight in tents within the park near the Aktau Mountains. This allows travelers to choose between comfort and a more immersive desert experience.

If you cancel at least 3 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.