Altyn-Emel: Dune and Aktau Mountains

Altyn-Emel National Park is a natural area in Kazakhstan, located in Almaty region. The park was founded in 1996 and covers an area of 4,600 square kilometres. Altyn-Emel combines a diversity of landscapes, flora and fauna, as well as historical and cultural heritage.
The territory of the National Park is located between the rivers Ili and Charyn, at the foot of the Altyn-Emel mountains.

According to legend, Genghis Khan, while invading Central Asia, at the sight of the mountain range in the sunset rays of the sun, exclaimed: ‘Look how the mountains resemble the golden saddle of a horseman!’
‘Altyn-Emel’ translates from Mongolian as “golden saddle”.

Aktau Mountains, Altyn-Emel, Kazakhstan

The landscape of the national park is amazingly diverse: deserts, steppes, mountains and salt marshes create a unique ecosystem.
The Singing Dune is a giant sand dune 150 metres high and 3 kilometres long. The barkhan is famous for the fact that when the wind blows, the sand makes sounds reminiscent of the sound of a military bomber.
Aktau and Katutau are ancient mountains with unique geological formations. Aktau Mountains are famous for multicoloured layers resembling Martian landscapes.
The Ili Valley is a picturesque valley with rivers, oases and landscapes.

Altyn-Emel is home to many species of animals and plants: you can meet kulans (wild donkeys), gazelles, argali, and even snow leopards in the mountainous areas. The park is also home to wolves, foxes, wild boars, eagles and flamingos.
The flora is represented by saxaul forests, juzgun thickets and steppe grasses.
On the territory of the park there are monuments of ancient civilisations. Among them are the Besshatyr Barrows - a necropolis with burials of Sak kings, dated VI-IV centuries BC. Petroglyphs of Terekty - rock paintings depicting scenes from the life of ancient peoples.
During the two-day trip tourists visit the Aktau Mountains, the seven-hundred-year-old Iva, the Singing Barkhan and the Oshaktas stele.

Aktau Chalk Mountains, Altyn-Emel, Kazakhstan

Programme of GreenX's two-day trip to Altyn-Emel National Park

Day 1: the beauty of the chalk mountains of Aktau
Early start (about 7:00 am) by car or as part of a tour group, 255 kilometres to the national park.
We will pick you up at the address in Almaty, please inform our manager in advance.
The road takes about 4-4,5 hours. On the way stop in the town of Saryozek for refuelling.
Arrival to the national park - registration in the park administration office in Bashy village and visit the park's visitor centre.
Lunch in the guest house.
Departure after lunch to Aktau mountains, 70 kilometres.
On the way you can see steppe animals: kulans and gazelles.
Guided excursion to Aktau Mountains - hiking through the chalky mountains, viewing colourful layers and bizarre geological formations. Photographing bright landscapes. Duration of hiking from half an hour to three hours (depends on the guests' desire).
Departure from Aktau mountains parking to 700-year-old Willow, 40 kilometres.
Visit to willow tree, brief acquaintance and departure to Basshi village to the guest house.
Dinner, guests then can walk around the night village, overnight stay in the guest house.

Singing Barkhan, Altyn-Emel, Kazakhstan

Day 2: amazing sounds of Barkhan
We have breakfast at the guest house and drive to the Singing Dune, 50 kilometres.
The dune makes sounds reminiscent of the low notes of organ music.
Upon arrival - hike up to the barchan, rest on the top with views of the Iliysk valley. Inspection of the surrounding area and observation of desert flora and fauna.
On the way back we visit Oshaktas stele, guide tells the history of the memorial.
Lunch in a guest house, Basshi village.
Departure to Almaty (4-4,5 hours on the way, 255 kilometres). Arrival in the evening, by 19 hours.

Descent from Barkhan, Kazakhstan

Cost of participation in a two-day trip to Altyn-Emel National Park:
170 USD for one guest if there are six guests in the car, total 1 020 USD (Toyota Seqouia, Toyota Land Cruiser).
196 USD for one guest if there are five guests in the car, total 980 USD (Toyota Seqouia, Toyota Land Cruiser).
215 USD for one guest if there are four guests in the car, total 860 USD.
260 USD for one guest if there are three guests in the car, total 780 USD.
350 USD for one guest if there are two guests in the car, total 700 USD.
665 USD for one guest, individual trip.

The price of GreenX tour to Altyn-Emel includes:

• services of a English-speaking/German-speaking guide-driver,
• transport by off-road vehicle,
• bottled water (1.5 litres),
• sightseeing according to the programme of the trip,
• entrance tickets of the national park,
• accommodation in a guest house in rooms with bathroom inside the room,
• three meals a day, excluding breakfast on the first day and dinner on the second day.

Sunset on Singing Dune, guests from Switzerland, Kazakhstan

There are conditions for children's participation in Altyn Emel trip:

• children from two to ten years old - 50% of the trip cost,
• children from eleven years old and older - 100% of the trip cost.
  We can provide a child seat, please discuss with the manager before the trip.

GreenX recommends bringing a hat, sunglasses, sports or hiking shoes, sun cream. In summer the temperature in Altyn Emel can reach +45,+50 degrees Celsius.

It is possible to book participation in the trip by:

• clicking the ‘Contact Us’ button,
• writing to us on WhatsApp or Telegram on +7 777 161 1929, we will be glad to answer your questions,
• by sending an email to info@greenxtour.com.

Gee Atherton (British professional cyclist who specialises in downhill and mountain bike racing and is a multiple national champion, multiple World Cup winner and World Downhill Champion in 2008 and 2014) visited Aktau mountains and shot an amazing video, Ridgeline 4: Kazakhstan.

It is possible to pay for participation in the trip in the following ways:

• payment by payment card,
• remote payment within the Kaspi Pay system,
• payment via bank by cashless transfer to the company's current account,
• cash payment.

For the guests of Almaty we have developed a small article about Almaty city, which may be interesting in the process of preparation for the trip.

See you there!

Next Previous

Guest on Barkhan, Kazakhstan

Barkhan, Altyn-Emel

Guests and guide Azamat, Aktau Mountains, Kazakhstan

Guest, small canyon, Altyn-Emel

Local resident, Aktau Mountains, Kazakhstan

View from Barkhan to Bes-Shatyr and Altyn-Emel barrows

Aktau Mountains, Altyn-Emel, Kazakhstan

Entrance valley to Aktau Mountains

Guest from USA, Singing Barkhan, Altyn-Emel

Guest from Japan, Singing Barkhan, Altyn-Emel

Singing Dune, Altyn-Emel

White mountains, Altyn-Emel

Runner in the sand, Altyn-Emel