Day Trip from Almaty to Altyn-Emel National Park
Why I Added Altyn-Emel National Park to My Kazakhstan Intinerary
During my trip to Kazahkstan, my Kazakhstan itinerary spent a lot of time in the major cities exploring the urban gems of Astana, Almaty, and Aktau. Despite enjoying big cities, I wanted to experience parts of Kazakhstan that tourists don’t always get to see. To experience that, I took a day trip from Almaty to Altyn-Emel National Park with hopes of seeing the colorful Aktau Mountains and the unbelievable Singing Dune (also called the Singing Barkhan).
Day Trip from Almaty to Altyn-Emel National Park: Aktau Mountains & the Singing Dune - Table of Contents
- Why I Added Altyn-Emel National Park to My Kazakhstan Itinerary
- Booking the Tour
- Pick Up and the Drive to Altyn-Emel National Park
- Altyn-Emel Visitor Center
- Colorful Aktau Mountains (Chalk Mountains)
- Katutau Mountains
- Lunch at a Local Guesthouse
- Singing Dune (Barkhan)
- The Ride Back to Almaty
- Altyn-Emel National Park Tips
- Final Thoughts
- Video Highlights
- Altyn-Emel National Park Tours
- Support Buzzin’ Around the World – Visit Our Affiliates
- Earning Points and Rewards
- Related Content
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Booking a Tour of Altyn-Emel National Park (Kazakhstan, Very Nice!)
After considering my transportation options, I decided to book a tour of Altyn-Emel National Park with the company Kazakhstan, Very Nice! Despite using the catchphrase from the movie “Borat!” this company had wonderful reviews.
A 5:30 AM Pickup and a Long Drive to Altyn-Emel National Park
The tour started with a hotel pickup at 5:30 a.m. Our driver was on time and our tour group had 12 members, plus our driver, and tour guide Bek. It takes about 3.5 hours to reach Altyn-Emel National Park from Almaty while traveling on a variety of roads.
I was glad I opted for a tour as driving in Kazakhstan is a challenging task. With speed limits up to 140 km/h on some highways, there is little room for error and the roads are of varying conditions. At one point, the highway was under construction and we had to drive about 20 kilometers on a dirt road that was only defined as a road due to the fact that it had cars on it. We stopped twice along the way for bathroom breaks and snacks. The closer we got to Altyn-Emel National Park, the more primitive the facilities were. It went from flush toilets, to indoor squat toilets, to outdoor squat outhouses.
Altyn-Emel National Park Visitor Center Stop & Plan for the Day
After a pleasant but long drive, we arrived at the visitor’s center for Altyn-Emel National Park. If you are visiting on your own, I believe this is the location where you secure your permits. Bek disappeared for a few minutes, I assume to register our entry, and we had some time to look at the visitor’s center. There were a few different exhibits explaining the highlights of the national park as well as the wildlife we might be able to see.
Bek returned and talked us through our Altyn-Emel itinerary. We would be splitting up into three groups as our transportation would switch from a van to a 4-wheel-drive SUV. There would be four stops—two hours at the Aktau Mountains, thirty minutes at Katutau Mountains. After a hearty meal, shared family style at a local guesthouse, we would then spend about an hour at the Singing Dune. Then, we’d retrace our steps with a 3.5-hour ride back to Almaty.
Into the Aktau Mountains: Colors, Heat, and a Steep Climb
Before departing, we went back to our van to grab some supplies. I wish I would have grabbed more than one liter of water (more on that later). We then got in the SUVs and drove about 1–1.5 hours on dirt roads to the chalk mountains of the Aktau Mountains.
Upon arriving, it was a short wait until all three SUVs arrived. Bek led us on a hike through a dry river bed. Along the way, we saw unique rock formations of varying colors including white, red, orange, yellow, gray, and green. The walk reminded me of the time I visited the Ochre Pits in the Northern Territory of Australia.
Walking Through the Dry River Bed
The walk through the dry river bed was leisurely and there was plenty of time to stop and take photos. It wasn’t that difficult, but the bright sunlight and temperature around 100°F made me appreciate any small bit of shade.
Rethinking the Definition of Moderate Fitness
After about 25 to 30 minutes, we arrived at the base of one of the mountains. Bek said we were going to climb to the top. This tour requires “moderate fitness” and I was once again reminded that I may overestimate my fitness when booking tours.
As I struggled to get up the first quarter of the mountain, it brought back memories of when I almost didn’t make it out of the Chichonal Volcano. About halfway up, I was getting ready to give up but Bek encouraged me to keep going. This is when it suddenly became very windy and my bucket hat blew off my head despite being attached. Thankfully, I was able to grab it before it flew down the mountain.
Eventually, I came to a ledge which offered a stunning view of the dry river bed and the valley below. Looking out at the colorful mountains was like nothing I’ve ever experienced. There was an option to climb an additional 200 to 300 meters but I decided that this was high enough for me. Only three of our group members took the additional hike.
Heading Down a Different Route
Bek suggested we go down a different route, which was literally straight down. Now this is where I shine; while some enjoy hiking uphill, I am a master of the downhill hike. As our group members struggled and lost their footing, I dug in full weight (almost 290 lbs) and literally just walked down the side of the mountain like I was going for a morning stroll. Bek and my group members were impressed!
At this point, I was out of water, so the return hike to the SUVs was a little more difficult. When we returned to the parking area, I was so appreciative that Azumat, one of our drivers, shared some of his water with me.
Quick Stop at Katutau Mountains
It was now time to get back into the SUVs and head to the next stop, about 40 minutes on the same dirt road to the Katutau Mountains. These mountains are volcanic in origin and are like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Throughout the area are large lava domes that have been weathered by wind and water.
There was a hiking option to the top of a mountain ridge, but I decided to stay at ground level this time and enjoy the view from below.
Lunch in Basshi Village: Family-Style & Much-Needed Water
After about thirty minutes of exploring, it was back in the SUVs to head into Basshi Village for lunch. There aren’t large hotels at the sights themselves; most visitors who are staying overnight stay with locals who have turned their homes into guesthouses or use small hotels in Basshi.
It was one of these guesthouses where we would be eating lunch. It was prepared by a local woman and offered a bunch of appetizers, including cucumbers, tomatoes, bread, fried bread, candies, cookies, and something that was nicknamed “Kazakh nachos.” For the main course, we had a choice of beef, chicken, or vegetable. I went with beef and it was a delicious portion of beef, noodles, and vegetables.
The meal was served family-style in a dining area at the woman’s home. Although the meal was delicious, everyone was most thankful to have access to cold water. I channeled my inner camel and drank at least two liters of water, as well as refilling my bottle.
Experiencing the Singing Dune (Barkhan): Wind, Sand, and a Deep Hum
After thanking our host for the delicious meal, it was time to get back into the SUVs and travel about one hour to our final stop, the Singing Dune. This part of the tour was the part that I was looking most forward to and I was glad to have replenished energy after a hearty meal.
The ride to the Singing Dune took around 50 minutes and when we arrived, the dune’s height and windy conditions proved to be intimidating.
Hiking to the Top (Sort of)
To get to the Singing Dune from the parking area, it’s about a 10-minute hike through the sand. The climb up the dune itself is extremely difficult. Hiking a steep incline is already difficult, but hiking through loose sand with 50 mph winds is almost impossible. I made it about half of the way up, which was where most of our group members stopped. Only two more athletic participants went to the top, which they said was a stunning view where they could see many miles in each direction.
How to Make the Singing Barkhan Sing
At this point, I was unsure if I had heard the dune singing; it definitely didn’t sound like Taylor Swift or singing to me. This was when Bek sprung into action. He instructed us to sit on the edge of the dune side by side. Then, in what can only be described as a “butt scoot,” we slowly scooted down the side of the dune moving quite a bit of sand. That was the moment when the dune began to sing. The Singing Dune is more like the low hum of a pipe organ. Still, I have never experienced anything like this. Not only could you hear the loud hum of the dune, the entire area we were sliding down began to vibrate.
One of our group members who had hiked down a different way said she could hear the Singing Dune loudly from the base of the dune. Bek said that when he has large tour groups, 20 plus, you can sometimes hear the Singing Dune in the parking area.
This was, without a doubt, the highlight of my tour, and the highlight of my time in Kazakhstan. While everything else I saw was comparable to other places I’ve visited, I have never experienced anything like hearing the Singing Dune sing.
The Ride Back to Almaty
When we got to the bottom of the dune, it was a short walk back to the parking area. Once there, we did our best to remove all of the sand from our clothes, shoes, and bags. I definitely had a lot of sand still on me when I returned to my hotel that evening.
From that point, it was a 50-minute ride back to Basshi Village, where we stopped to use the restroom and then switched to our van to drive back to Almaty. We voted to not make any stops and the drive back only took 3 hours, which meant we arrived back before 10 p.m. In all, the tour of the Aktau Mountains and Singing Dune lasted from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. including transportation.
Tips for Altyn-Emel National Park
Bring snacks.
Bring sunscreen.
Bring a hat that attaches to your clothing or body—the wind is no joke.
Wear long sleeves to block the sun.
Bring proper footwear.
Carry 2–3 liters of water.
Take your time; don’t rush the climbing and don’t be afraid to stop when you’ve reached your limit.
Prepare for squat toilets and bring Kleenex or toilet paper.
If you’re planning to travel Kazakhstan and wondering what to do in Kazakhstan beyond the cities, this day trip from Almaty to Altyn-Emel National Park delivers unforgettable landscapes and experiences.
Final Thoughts: Bek & Kazakhstan, Very Nice!
Bek was an amazing guide, leading a group of people with varying fitness through difficult terrain. He was kind, helpful, encouraging, and spoke fluent English. I was super impressed how he learned everyone’s first name within minutes of our departure. He said it was his 17th day in a row and he never showed any fatigue.
Kazakhstan, Very Nice! was by far the best agency I traveled with in Kazakhstan. The van was comfortable, with plenty of legroom, and the air conditioning worked extremely well.
Altyn-Emel National Park Video Highlights
A no-narration, full-day escape from Almaty into Altyn-Emel National Park—let the landscapes do the talking. Walk the color-banded Aktau (chalk) Mountains, explore wind-carved Katutau volcanic rock, and feel the Singing Dune hum beneath you. Minimal commentary, maximum immersion.
Altyn-Emil National Park Tours
I paid for this tour like every passenger and didn’t mention that I have a travel blog and vlog until after the tour ended. If you would like to book this tour, I have included a link below. Please note that I am an affiliate of Viator. If you book a tour using one of my links, I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
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