Tourist Route #1
- Distance: 46 km one way (Basshi village to the Singing Dune; the route is marked in yellow on the map).
- Route: Basshi village → 6 km → Shygan Ranger Station → 30 km → Mynbulak Ranger Station → 10 km → Singing Dune → 2 km → Chokan Valikhanov Spring → 7 km → Oshaktas Menhirs → 37 km → Basshi village.
- Access: via Basshi village only.
- Permit: Must be obtained online or at the park office in Basshi village (obtaining the permit on-site in Basshi is highly recommended).
Travel Information
Route and Logistics
- Duration: The trip is designed for 1–2 days.
- Distances:
- From Almaty to Basshi village: approx. 250 km.
- From Charyn Canyon to Basshi: approx. 220 km.
- From Kolsai Lakes to Basshi: approx. 330 km.
- Inside the Park: approx. 50 km one way from Basshi village to the Singing Dune.
- Operating Hours: Visiting the park is allowed during daylight hours only. Traveling within the territory after dark is strictly prohibited.
- Access Conditions: The Singing Dune is accessible only via Basshi village. Through-passage across the park territory to the Besshatyr Burial Mounds is closed.
- Permit: Entry to the park is permitted only with a valid permit. You can obtain it online or at the park office in Basshi village (obtaining the permit on-site in Basshi is highly recommended).
Road Conditions and Vehicle Requirements
- External Highways: The road to Basshi village (including the Altyn-Emel Pass) and the Zharkent highway are fully paved. The highway from Almaty to Konaev is a toll road.
- Inside the Park: Roads are unpaved, consisting of gravel and dirt with a "washboard" (corrugated) surface that causes significant vibration. During the dry season, the tracks become extremely dusty.
- Vehicle Recommendations: It is recommended to use a reliable 4x4 with durable suspension and off-road tires.
Services and Connectivity
- Gas Stations: Modern gas stations that accept card payments are located in the village of Saryozek and the village of Chundzha. In Basshi itself, there is only one old gas station where fuel availability is not guaranteed.
- ATMs: There are no ATMs in Basshi or inside the park. The nearest cash withdrawal points are in Saryozek, Chundzha, Zharkent, or Konaev.
- Mobile Signal: There is a stable signal and 4G in Basshi village. Within the park, mobile reception is virtually non-existent, and the internet does not work.
Accommodation and Dining
- Camping: Overnight stays and pitching tents at the Singing Dune are prohibited (only gazebos and toilets are available there). The nearest authorized camping site is the Mynbulak Ranger Station (10 km from the dune).
- Lodging: You can stay at guesthouses and hotels in Basshi village.
- Dining: There are no public cafes or restaurants in Basshi. It is recommended to bring your own food supply or arrange meals in advance with your accommodation provider.
Places to See: Route Highlights
On the Road from Almaty:
- Konaev City: You will pass through the region’s center for entertainment and gambling, home to numerous casinos.
- The Ili River and Kapchagai: The route crosses the Ili River at its widest point — right where it flows out of the Kapchagai Reservoir. The road then continues along the scenic shoreline of Kapchagai.
- The Foothills: Gradually, the flat steppe gives way to the low-lying foothills of the Dzhungar Alatau, and the Altyn-Emel Mountains begin to appear on the horizon.
- Mountain Passes: The road goes through the Arkharly and Altyn-Emel passes. The Altyn-Emel pass is notable for its picturesque mountain serpentine road.
Within Altyn-Emel National Park:
- The Steppe Path: The road to the Singing Dune crosses a vast valley, offering views of the Dzhungar Alatau, the Katutau Mountains, and the Great and Little Kalkan massifs.
- Shygan and Mynbulak Ranger Stations: The park’s checkpoints.
- Oshaktas: Ancient stone stelae (menhirs).
- Kokbastau Oasis: Home to the Walikhanov Spring and relict turanga (poplar) groves.
- Paleontology: Information boards along the "Dinosaur Trail" tell the story of ancient fossil discoveries in this area.
- Wildlife: Along the road, you can often spot goitered gazelles, kulans (wild asses), foxes, and hares.
At the Singing Dune:
- The Climb: Ascending to the summit is relatively easy and does not require special training.
- Summit Panorama: The ridge offers a 360-degree view. To the south lies the Ili River and the Sogety, Bogety, and Trans-Ili Alatau ranges; to the north, the Dzhungar Alatau; to the west and east, the dune is flanked by the Kalkan "shield" mountains.
Important Information:
Please be careful: it is very easy to lose mobile phones or small valuables in the deep sand of the Singing Dune. To ensure a safe and comfortable trip, please read the Travel Advisory in advance.
In-Car Guide Service
Traveling through the Altyn-Emel National Park means rugged off-road terrain and a complete lack of mobile coverage. Our professional Russian- and English-speaking guide can accompany you in your own vehicle to make the journey safe and engaging. The guide knows the roads perfectly, will keep you on track, help you stay on schedule, and handle all communication with park inspectors and rangers.
This accompaniment guarantees an in-depth discovery of Altyn-Emel's nature, geography, and history. Your guide will show you the main sights, share their history, lead you along the best trails, and help you spot wild animals and birds. In addition to the main highlights, unique custom routes are also available with our guide.
