Altyn-Emel National Park
On this website you will find the most interesting, detailed and up-to-date information about the Altyn-Emel State National Natural Park, as well as new and useful information for tourists and travel companies.
Welcome to Kazakhstan and enjoy your journey through the Altyn-Emel National Park!
The Altyn-Emel State National Natural Park is located in the south-east of Kazakhstan, in the center of the historical region of Semirechye (Jetysu, or Seven Rivers), between the Ili river and the mountains of Dzhungarian Alatau, 250 km from the city of Almaty.
The area of the Altyn-Emel Park is 307,653.35 hectares. In terms of territory, it ranks 3rd among the national parks of the republic (13 in total), and 1st in the Almaty region.
The central office of the Altyn-Emel National Park and the main entrance to the park are located in the village of Basshi >>>
News
March 11, 2025
Altyn-Emel is ready to celebrate Nauryz-2025! Not far from the village of Basshi, in the foothills of the Dzhungarian Alatau, traditional celebrations of the Kazakh New Year will take place - baiga, kokpar, kazaksha kures, etc.
Take a break from the bustle of the city and meet the spring awakening of nature!
Caravansarai Campsite in Basshi invites guests to Altyn-Emel >>>
© Video courtesy of the Altyn-Emel National Park administration.
The Altyn-Emel National Park has the international status of a UNESCO biosphere reserve for the preservation of unique nature, rare animals, historical and cultural heritage sites, and is also included in the World Heritage List as part of the transnational nomination "Cold Winter Deserts of Turan" >>>
Altyn-Emel is also being nominated for the status of a UNESCO geopark as a territory with unique geological objects.
The Altyn-Emel National Park is, first of all, famous for its unique natural sites attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world.
The greatest natural sites, symbols of the Altyn-Emel park, are the Singing Dune and the Cretaceous Aktau Mountains ("white mountains").
Other interesting places in Altyn-Emel are the desert lava mountains of Katutau ("severe mountains"), the result of the most intense volcanic activity in the region, and the Kosbastau oasis with warm underground springs, thanks to which old-timer trees exist, such as the famous 700-year-old willow.
Cultural sites in the Altyn-Emel National Park have the history which goes back millennia.
The most ancient historical artifacts in Altyn-Emel are the Besshatyr necropolis (Saka burial mounds) and the Tanbaly Tas petroglyphs dating back to the Bronze Age.
The Singing Dune, or Aigaikum ("singing sands"), is the main attraction of the Altyn-Emel National Park.
It is called a monument of nature of republican significance. The Singing Dune is considered one of the 7 natural wonders of Kazakhstan and entered the list of nominees for the world competition "7 new wonders of nature", held in 2007-2011.
The Singing Dune has not changed its shape for several millennia, gave birth to many legends and even became a source of inspiration for the famous writer Paulo Coelho >>>
The Cretaceous mountains of Aktau ("white mountains") are one of the main attractions of Altyn-Emel.
This is a unique open-air geological museum about 145 million years old. The Aktau mountains are massive sedimentary deposits of an ancient ocean of the Cretaceous period in the form of ribbon rocks of various colors: green, red, blue and white.
The Aktau mountains appear out of nowhere in the middle of the steppe, showing travelers a fantastic landscape of alien beauty. At the beginning of a long canyon, travelers are greeted by a striped mountain in the shape of a yurt >>>
The Katutau lava mountains ("severe mountains") are the result of the most intense volcanic activity in this region. The solidified lava of a large, already extinct volcano looks very bizarre.
The desert massif of Katutau occupies a significant part of the Altyn-Emel National Park and is visible from afar both in the park itself and along the highway to the city of Zharkent.
The Katutau mountains are rich in petroglyphs and caves. They are home to many rare animals and birds >>>
The 700-year-old willow grows in the Kosbastau oasis on the way to the Aktau and Katutau mountains. The tree is revered for its long life and strength.
The Kosbastau oasis is notable for its old-timer trees. In the oasis itself, as well as in its radius, there are many turanga trees. Turanga is a unique relict Asiatic poplar that has adapted to life in the desert.
There are underground radon springs here, which in one place, several hundred meters from the 700-year-old willow, beat from under the earth's depths, maintaining a temperature of about 30 degrees even in winter. Low doses of radiation, apparently, contribute to the longevity of the trees >>>
Besshatyr ("five pavilions") Saka Necropolis, dating back to the 1st millennium BC, is the main historical and cultural attraction of Altyn-Emel.
Large, medium and small tombs were erected for the leaders and nobility of the powerful Saka Tigrahaud nomadic tribe which lived on the territory of Semirechye about 2500 years ago.
The Besshatyr burial mounds - unfortunately plundered in ancient times - have served as a source of valuable historical information about the life of the Sakas. The largest, the Royal burial mound, which can be entered, gives an idea of the nature of the burials.
Besshatyr also served as a place for religious ceremonies >>>
The Tanbaly Tas ("stone with signs") petroglyphs on the territory of Altyn-Emel is part of one of the world's largest centers of rock art which stretches along the Sayan and Altai to the Tien Shan and Pamir mountains.
Petroglyphic clusters have been found in several gorges of Dzhungarian Alatau, from where a remarkable panorama of the mountain and river valley opens up.
Carved stone drawings of people, animals, sun-headed deities, etc., as well as Buddhist inscriptions date back to the Bronze, Iron and Middle Ages >>>
Due to its unique location and landscape diversity (from rivers, deserts and steppes to high mountains), the Altyn-Emel National Park is distinguished by its rich flora and fauna. There are 31 species of rare plants and 66 species of animals listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan and the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Particular attention in Altyn-Emel is paid to the conservation and increase in the number of kulans, gazelles, deer, argali, Przewalski's horse and snow leopard.
Wildlife lovers come to Altyn-Emel for photo hunting and birdwatching (there are about 300 species of birds here). In the sands of the Singing Dune and on the takyrs of the Aktau mountains, you can always find a variety of lizards.
The desert flora of Altyn-Emel is interesting and unusual, like, for example, the relict turanga poplar, which has adapted to life not only in oases and floodplain meadows of the Ili river, but also in the arid desert.
Average July temperature: +25°С.
Average January temperature: -4°С.
Altyn-Emel is open all year round.
We are launching the project "Altyn-Emel for Photographers" to open this amazing region to the whole world.
The road to the village of Basshi is asphalted, both from Almaty and from Charyn Canyon. You can come to Basshi by a regular car.
Find below services for booking economical and reliable cars for travel around the region:
The dirt roads inside the park are gravelly soil (chatter bumps) and cause strong vibration. You can leave your car in Basshi and use the transfer services around the park on the legendary Steyr-Puch Pinzgauer cross-country vehicle.
You can get to Altyn-Emel only by your own or rented car; there is no public transport to Basshi - learn more here >>>
You can buy a pass (permit) to Altyn-Emel at the national park office in the Basshi village - learn more here >>>
Available tourist routes: Singing Dune (No.1), Besshatyr Mounds (No.2), Aktau mountains (No.3) - learn more here >>
Self-guided trips to Besshatyr, Singing Dune, Aktau mountains: recommended travel programs, information about roads, gas stations, food, accommodation - learn more here >>>
1-, 2-day tours by crossovers and 4x4 cars from Almaty to the Singing Dune, Aktau and Katutau Mountains: tour programs, cost calculator - learn more here >>>
1-day tours from Basshi to the Singing Dune, Aktau and Katutau Mountains by Pinzgauer offroaders sitting up to 4-8 passengers - learn more here >>>
How to Book a Tour to Altyn-Emel
To book a tour to the Altyn-Emel National Park, please feel free to contact us:
Phone: +77089711687
Contact by WhatsApp >>>
We are happy to offer you a comfortable stay at our Caravansarai campsite in the village of Basshi near the office of the Altyn-Emel National Park. This is a large village estate, with a guesthouse with all the amenities, Kazakh yurts and caravans.
The campsite has a separate building with new modern toilets and showers, a terrace, an outdoor dining area, a summer kitchen, a barbecue, and a picnic area.
Here you can stay in American, European and Russian campers of deluxe, standard and economy class.
The guesthouse at the Caravansarai campsite: 3 isolated bedrooms, 2 walk-through rooms, dining room, fully equipped kitchen, WC/bathroom, hot water. The house is spacious, bright, with a minimalist interior for free air circulation. In the summer heat, the house stays cool.
The Caravansarai campsite has authentic Kazakh yurts, with bright, colorful decoration, soft mattresses, cozy sacks and an opening shanyrak (roof), through which you can see the starry sky at night.
At the Caravansarai campsite you will get comfortable accommodation with all the amenities. There is a wood-fired sauna and excellent shower rooms - everything you need to wash away the road dust and fatigue from a difficult journey through Altyn-Emel.
Outdoor dining areas, an orchard, and clean country air are conducive to soulful gatherings with family and friends. You can cook your own food, grill kebabs, or order food from the menu. Vegetarian menu and take-away menu are also available.
You can take a telescope (in clear weather the starry sky is clearly visible), barbecues, and a bicycle for rent. You can also purchase souvenirs and original felt works by Kazakh artists.
Our address: 48A Assembek Street, Basshi Village (close to the national park office, in the neighbouring street).
Geolocation on Google Maps >>>
Geolocation on Yandex >>>
Geolocation on 2GIS >>>
Yearn for privacy and living in an outdoors setting? We can take mobile campers to Shygan, with a magnificent view of the steppe and the mountains of Dzhungarian Alatau. Our equipped motorhomes provide comfortable overnight stays and accommodation in the Altyn-Emel National Park.
How to Book Accommodation in Altyn-Emel
To book accommodation at the Caravansarai campsite in Basshi, please feel free to contact us:
Phone: +77089711687
Contact by WhatsApp >>>
Car Rental
There is no public transport to Altyn-Emel. You can only get to the national park by your own or rented car.
You can rent a car in Kazakhstan using the Economy Bookings and Rentalcars services which unite the largest brands of the car rental industry around the world. Many of them have their locations in Kazakhstan, so you can choose a suitable car for your trips at the best prices. It is easy, convenient and reliable.
NB: Please book a car in advance, then you will have more choice than in the high season. Also please note that car rental prices are constantly increasing.
