Altyn-Emel is a unique national park located relatively far from Almaty. However, its natural landmarks, flora and fauna, and distinctive colour palette attract many travellers. Two days for a trip to Altyn-Emel is, of course, not much, but we’ll try to make the most of it. We will have enough time to see the extremely famous Singing Dune, both striking Aktau mountains and lava formed Katutau, as well as the 700-year-old willow tree, mentioned in the legends of Genghis Khan army camping there. While traveling through the territory of the national park, you will have chances to see local wild life, such as goitered gazelles, kulans, rabbits, foxes and of course the eagles. So get ready for an intensive trip filled with landscapes and vivid impressions.
Altyn-Emel express tour 2 days | All year round | Comfort Classic tours
TOUR ITINERARY Highlights Of Your Journey
Day 1
08:00 – 12:00 Travelling from Almaty to Basshi (256 km), where the headquarters of Altyn-Emel National Park is situated.
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch in a guesthouse in Basshi.
13:00 – 14:30 Travelling to the Singing Dune (50 km) with visiting Oshaktas stone steles on the way. Legend says that the three vertically placed stones are connected with Genghis Khan, whose army stopped in this area and used them as a kind of hearth on which a huge cauldron was set. Scientists, however, say that this is a cult site that is a couple of thousand years older and belongs to the Saka period.
14:30 – 17:00 Walking along the ridge of the Singing Dune (2 km there and back), taking a lot of photos. The dune is likely the most famous landmark in Altyn Emel. It is said to «sing» — or more accurately, to hum or vibrate — when someone or something moves across its surface, and also when strong winds blow. Actually, the famous «singing» can be caused by rolling and running down the slope of the dune, so you should definitely try to do so.
17:00 – 18:00 Coming back to Basshi.
18:00 – 19:00 Free time.
19:00 – 20:00 Dinner in a guesthouse/hotel/yurt in Basshi.
Day 2
07:00 – 08:00 Breakfast.
08:00 – 10:30 Travelling from Basshi to Aktau Mountains (72 km).
10:30 – 12:30 A short walk in Aktau Mountains (3 km there and back). Although their name in Kazakh means «white mountains», these ancient ranges are far from purely white. They display shades of wine-red, brown, green, blue, and almost any colour you can think of, with only certain peaks turning brilliantly white under direct sunlight. Here, your imagination will easily pick out shapes that look almost architectural, as if crafted by human hands.
12:30 – 13:30 Lunch afield (lunchboxes).
13:30 – 14:30 Travelling from Aktau to Katutau Mountains (26 km).
14:30 – 15:00 A short stop in the middle on this mountain massif formed by the activity of two ancient volcanoes more than two hundred million years ago. You will have a lot of interesting backgrounds to take photo with: frozen lava flows, volcanic bombs, dikes and other traces of what happened here long time ago.
15:00 – 16:30 Travelling from Katutau Mountains to Kosbastau ranger station (28 km).
16:30 – 17:00 You will see the famous 700-year-old willow tree and take some photos among its many branches.
17:00 – 21:30 Travelling back to Almaty (285 km).
Price per person (depends on the group size and type of accommodation), USD:
Group size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Price | from ___ | from ___ | from ___ | from ___ |
The price includes:
— Private transportation by comfortable SUV,
— English speaking guide,
— Accommodation in guesthouse/hotel/yurt in Basshi,
— Meals as per the program,
— Entrance to the National Park,
— Drinking water.
Price does not include:
— Any other personal expenses.