Tourist Routes #1 and #3
- Total distance for two routes: 250 km round trip (the routes are marked in yellow and red on the map).
- Combined Itinerary: Basshi village → 6 km → Shygan Ranger Station → 30 km → Mynbulak Ranger Station → 10 km → Singing Dune → 2 km → Valikhanov Spring → 7 km → Oshaktas Menhirs → 33 km → turn to Basshi village → 28 km → Kosbastau Ranger Station → 10 km → Zhagalbayly Ranger Station → 34 km → Aktau Mountains → 25 km → Katutau Mountains → 47 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 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. 250 km round trip, including the Katutau Mountains.
- 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. There is no entry or exit to the Aktau/Katutau area from the Zharkent highway.
- 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. The section of the road leading to the Katutau Mountains is the in the poorest condition, as it is rarely leveled by a grader.
- 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:
- At the Singing Dune: 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).
- In the Aktau Mountains: Overnight stays and camping in your own tents are permitted (you must inform the park staff when obtaining your permit). Camping areas, gazebos, and toilets are available.
- Important: There are no water sources in the Aktau and Katutau mountains. You must bring your entire water supply with you.
- 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.
Recommended Itinerary (2 Days)
This schedule is designed to let you explore the park's main attractions at a relaxed pace while ensuring you have enough time to process all necessary permits.
Day 1: Journey to Altyn-Emel and the Singing Dune
- 08:00 AM – 09:00 AM — Departure from Almaty (or from the Kolsai Lakes / Charyn Canyon areas).
- 12:00 PM — Arrival in Basshi village. We recommend arriving by this time to obtain your permits at the park office before the lunch break.
- 01:00 PM – 06:00 PM — Trip to the Singing Dune. The total time on the route (including driving and walking) is approximately 4–5 hours.
- Evening — Return to Basshi village, check-in at a guesthouse or hotel, and rest.
Day 2: The Colored Aktau Mountains and Volcanic Katutau Mountains
- 08:00 AM — Departure from Basshi village towards the Aktau Mountains.
- 09:30 AM – 03:30 PM — Exploring the Aktau and Katutau mountains. Visiting these locations and driving within the park will take about 5–7 hours.
- 04:00 PM — End of the route; departure from the national park towards home or your next travel destination.
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:
Direction: "The Singing Dune"
- 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.
Direction: "Aktau and Katutau Mountains"
- The Steppe Path: The road passes through the villages of Nurym and Aktobe across a steppe plain with views of Katutau and Great Kalkan.
- Kosbastau Oasis: We recommend stopping at this ranger station (either on the way there or back). Here, near an abandoned geological settlement, grows a 700-year-old willow; there is also a pond and a warm radon spring.
- Zhagalbaily Ranger Station: The park's checkpoint, located deep in the steppe on the way to the Aktau Mountains.
- Relict Turanga: Driving further towards Aktau, you will see unique desert poplars that have survived since ancient times.
- Hiking in the Multicolored Aktau Mountains: The main tourist trail runs along the bottom of a long, winding canyon. If desired, you can climb to accessible viewpoints.
- Volcanic Katutau Mountains: These are most conveniently visited on the way back from Aktau towards Basshi village.
Important Information:
Please be careful: it is very easy to lose mobile phones or small valuables in the deep sand of the Singing Dune. Exercise caution in the Aktau and Katutau mountains. 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.
