Almaty - Altyn Emel National Park - Singing Dune - Aktau Mountains

Kapchagay Reservoir - We’ll pause at one of the largest man-made reservoirs near Almaty, offering stunning views.

Singing Barkhan - The Singing Dune is situated in the Ili River valley, approximately 2 kilometers from the river’s right bank, nestled between the Greater and Lesser Kalkan mountain ranges. This massive sand dune stands about 150 meters high and stretches roughly 3 kilometers in length. Its ridge is as sharp as a blade, with sand that slips beneath your feet but never dulls. Two smaller dunes extend from this main one, covering an area of about 10 square kilometers. Similar dunes in Kazakhstan are found only in the Mangistau region (e.g., Sam sands), but the Semirechye dune (another name for the Singing Dune) is unique for its ability to produce a sound like the low hum of a jet engine when the wind blows. The northern entrance to Altyn Emel National Park is in Bas’shi village, 300 kilometers north of Almaty. This gate provides access to the park’s famous attractions: the Singing Dune and the Aktau Mountains. Our journey begins early from Almaty:
07.00 – 12.00 Drive from Almaty to Bas’shi village.
12.00 – 13.00 National Park arrangements and lunch in Bas’shi.
13.00 – 14.30 Drive from Bas’shi to the Singing Dune, with a brief stop near Oshaktas.
14.30 – 16.00 Tour around the Dune.
16.00 – 18.00 Drive from the Singing Dune to the Aktau Mountains. Set up camp at the base of the hills.
18.00 – 19.00 Dinner.
Overnight in tents at the Aktau Mountains.

Aktau Mountains - Katutau Mountains - Return to Almaty

Aktau Mountains - Day 2 begins with an early wake-up to witness the breathtaking sunrise in Aktau.
07.00 – 08.00 Breakfast.
08.00 – 11.00 Hike along the cliffs of the Aktau hills.
11.00 – 11.30 Drive from Aktau to the Katutau volcanic mountains.
11.30 – 12.30 Explore the Katutau formations.
12.30 – 13.00 Lunch in Katutau.
13.00 – 19.00 Drive back to Almaty via Bas’shi and Kapchagai.

Katutau Mountain - The Katutau Mountains are equally captivating and unique. Time, water, and sunlight have sculpted intricate rock formations here. As you traverse the wild, uninhabited gorges, you might spot shapes resembling a mother bear with her cub or a massive upturned boat like Robinson Crusoe’s, with the desolate Aktau Mountains nearby. The name Katutau means “harsh mountains” in Kazakh. These ancient, heavily eroded mountains are composed of volcanic rock, which is very brittle and easily shattered by physical impact. Water, time, and wind have carved the rock into bizarre shapes.

• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast