The Singing Dune is the main landmark of the Altyn-Emel National Park, a natural monument of republican significance and one of the 7 wonders of Kazakhstan.
A trip to the Singing Dune is a fascinating journey to the very heart of Altyn-Emel. You can climb the famous dune Aigaikum and hear its unusual sound, which has become the basis for many legends.
Route
Tourist Route 1 (Singing Dune), marked in yellow on the map.
Basshi village → 6 km → Shygan post → 30 km – Mynbulak post → 10.5 km → Singing Dune → 2 km → Chokan Valikhanov's spring → 7 km → Oshaktas steles → 37.5 km – Basshi village.
Distance
Distance from Almaty to the beginning of the route (Basshi village): about 250 km one way.
Distance inside the park: about 50 km one way.
Duration of the trip: 1 day (only during daylight hours).
Passes
A pass is issued remotely through a phone call to the national park, payment is to be made via Kaspi Bank mobile application. Also, you can buy a pass in the national park office in the Basshi village.
Online Cashier (permit issue):
There is almost no mobile phone service and Internet in the park. In the Basshi village, there is good mobile communication and 4G mobile Internet.
Route 1 (Singing Dune) is open to visitors only in the daytime, during daylight hours.
Passage through the park to the Besshatyr mounds is prohibited.
Road
The road from Almaty to the Basshi village takes about 3 hours (250 km). The main part of the road is a toll highway.
Before Saryozek you need to turn right towards the Zharkent road and drive to the Altyn-Emel mountain pass, then to the turn towards the village of Basshi. There is the central office of the national park, where you can buy a pass.
The road along Route 1 is unpaved, causing strong vibration. It is recommended to have a strong and reliable SUV or crossover. The road is dusty.
Car Rental
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 with chatter bumps and cause strong vibration. You can leave your car in Basshi and use the transfer services around the park on a legendary Pinzgauer cross-country vehicle.
Gas Stations
There are good gas stations in the Saryozek village (accepting payment by card).
Near the village of Basshi, there is one gas station, which sometimes does not have fuel, and prices are too high there.
Places to See
On the way from Almaty:
You will pass through the city of Kapchagai (now Konaev), the Ili river in its widest place, where it flows into the Kapchagai reservoir, the town of Saryozek, the picturesque passes of Arkharly and Altyn-Emel.
In the Altyn-Emel Park:
The road to the Singing Dune - about 50 km from the village of Basshi. The road passes through the steppe, surrounded by the Dzhungarian mountains, the mountains of Katutau and Kalkans, via the Shygan and Mynbulak posts.
You can stop on the way at Chokan Valikhanov's spring, the Oshaktas steles, "dinosaurs' trail" (infoboards).
The Singing Dune “sings” only in dry weather, when dry sand moves from the wind or under your feet. From the top of the dune there is a view of the mountains on all sides and the Ili river. The climb is not difficult.
The most commonly seen animals are gazelles and camels. At the Shygan post, you can ask for permission to see the Przewalski’s horses.
Places of Interest:
The Singing Dune is a natural place. Also, there are two historical places on the way, the Shokan Valikhanov's spring (mid-19th century) and the Oshaktas stone steles, a monument of the Genghis Khan's era (13th century).
The Singing Dune, or Aigaikum ("singing sands") is the main attraction of the Altyn-Emel National Park.
Monument of nature of republican significance. It 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.
Singing DuneThe spring of Chokan Valikhanov, not far from the Singing Dune, is one of the historical places of Altyn-Emel.
Here in 1856, the famous Kashgar expedition headed by Chokan Valikhanov, the great Kazakh scientist, educator and traveler, stopped to rest.
Since then, the spring has been revered as sacred by the local people.
Chokan Valikhanov's SpringThe Oshaktas steles ("stone hearth") is a cultural and historical monument of the era of Genghis Khan (13th century), according to the official version.
It is believed that the steles were installed by Mongol warriors, for a cauldron or for a signal fire. However, they are more similar to the menhirs of the Saka era (I millennium BC), since there are similar structures in the western part of Altyn-Emel, near the Saka necropolis of Besshatyr.
Oshaktas StelesRoad from Zharkent
If you want to visit Altyn-Emel after Kolsai Lakes and Charyn Canyon, your route will be as follows: Saty village (Kolsai Lakes) - Charyn Canyon - Chundzha (Shonzhy) village (you can stop by hot springs 50 km from the village) - Koktal village (you can stop by the town of Zharkent 20 km from Koktal) - Basshi village.
The total distance from Saty village to Basshi village is about 330 km (approximately 4.5 hours drive).
There are good gas stations along the way in the Chundzha village (accepting payment by card).
Self-drive trip to Jetysu: Altyn-Emel, Charyn, Kolsay, Assy >>>
Lodging & Dining
There are toilets, gazebos with benches and tables near the Singing Dune. Overnight stays and camping near the Singing Dune are prohibited. The nearest camping site is the Mynbulak post, 10 km from the dune.
You can stop for the night in the village of Basshi, on the day of your trip to the park or the day before, if you do not want to get overtired.
There is no cafe in the village of Basshi; tourists usually take food with them from the city. Or they have food at the hotel where they stay overnight.
Helpful Information
- Passport
- Small handy backpack for personal items
- Personal hygiene items: a toothbrush, toothpaste, a towel, etc. in case of overnight stay in a hotel or a campsite
- Antibacterial wet wipes
- Paper tissues and toilet paper (plain, white, non-perfumed brands)
- Sunscreen cream
- Cream or spray against blood-sucking insects
- Smartphone / camera + chargers
- Personal medikit
- Drinking water (in the hot arid climate of the Altyn-Emel Park, you may need a lot of drinking water)
Wear comfortable nonstainable outdoor clothing: pants, a T-shirt or a long-sleeved shirt, a sweatshirt and a raingear. Summer outfit should be suitable for a very sunny, hot, as well as windy and dusty weather.
A headdress that protects from the sun and wind is a must.
Shoes should be lightweight, with good grip soles designed for hiking. Don't wear slippers.
Bring a set of clothes for the evening and flip-flops in case of overnight stay at a hotel or campsite (keep in mind that nights can be cold).
For the cold season, you will need warm hiking clothes and shoes, as well as thermal underwear.
The distances in the Altyn-Emel Park are large, so clothes, shoes and headgear should be as comfortable as possible for long hikes.
Be careful in the mountains and near the cliffs. Keep to the elaborate tourist routes.
Wear a sun hat and drink enough clean water to prevent dehydration in the desert climate.
Use an anti-tick spray on all clothing during the active period (May-June). Take care also of mosquito and midge repellents.
Do not touch animals, lizards and rodents, which can be infection carriers.
With normal wildlife safety and hygiene practices, you will enjoy your vacation and your exciting journey through the national park.
Tourism in the Altyn-Emel National Park is pro-environmental.
Garbage. Wherever you are, do not leave garbage (including organic) behind you, such as plastic, glass, metal, food waste, cigarette butts, napkins, tampons, pads, etc. Pack the garbage carefully in bags and take them out to specially designated places. Bring drawstring trash bags. Do not burn any kind of garbage.
Toilet. If you are away from a toilet, find a spot that is away from paths and water sources, and be sure that human feces do not contaminate water. In a hot desert, human waste does not biodegrade easily because there is little organic soil to help break it down. Do not bury them, but lightly cover them with soil so that the heat of the sun and light can speed up the decay process. Used toilet paper should also be sprinkled with soil. Use only plain, white, non-perfumed brands.
1-Day Self-Guided Tour to the Besshatyr Mounds >>>
2-Day Self-Guided Tour to the Singing Dune and the Aktau Mountains >>>
Follow the link to view the schedule of bus tours from Basshi to the Singing Dune and the Aktau Mountains (dates, times, prices and availability):
Please feel free to contact us:
Phone: +77089711687
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