Alert
We kindly ask you to book a tour to Altyn-Emel in advance, at least a few days before the planned trip.
The royal mounds of Besshatyr, scattered in the valley between the Dzhungarian mountains and the Ili river, are the sacred heritage of the era of the powerful nomadic tribe named Saka (I millennium BC).
We offer you a one-day tour to the isolated part of the Altyn-Emel National Park with a very ancient history. You can climb the largest Saka pyramid and look at the ancient rock paintings of Tanbaly Tas.
Tour Programme
Transfer from Almaty to Checkpoint 1 of the Altyn-Emel National Park - about 150 km (Almaty-Checkpoint 1 road takes about 2 hours, excluding stops). The road passes through the city of Kapchagai (now Konaev), the Ili river in its widest place, where it flows from the Kapchagai reservoir, the village of Shengeldy, further along the bank of the Kapchagai reservoir.
Transfer to the petroglyphs of Tanbaly Tas in the Terekty gorge of the Sholak mountains - about 17 km from Checkpoint 1. The road passes through a picturesque valley between the Dzhungarian mountains and the Kapchagai reservoir.
Walking along the gorge with rock paintings, photo shooting.
Transfer to the Besshatyr Saka mounds at the foot of the Degeres mountains - about 15 km along the delta of the Ili river, via the Zhantogai post.
Visiting the Besshatyr necropolis, photo shooting.
Return to Almaty.
Places of Interest:
The main historical monuments of Altyn-Emel are the Saka mounds of Besshatyr and the petroglyphs of Tanbaly Tas. The road goes along the Kapchagai reservoir and the Ili river.
Petroglyphs of Tanbaly Tas ("stone with signs") on the territory of Altyn-Emel is part of one of the world's largest centers of rock art, which stretches along the belt of mountains and foothills from Sayans and Altai to Tien Shan and Pamirs.
Carved on stone, drawings of people, animals, sun-headed deities, etc., belong to the era of bronze, iron and the Middle Ages.
Tanbaly Tas PetroglyphsMounds of Besshatyr ("five tents"), 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 leaders, commanders and nobility of the nomadic tribe of Saka Tigrakhauda who lived on the territory of Semirechye (Jetysu, "Seven Rivers") about 2.5 thousand years ago. The Besshatyr necropolis also served as a place for religious ceremonies.
Besshatyr MoundsThe place where the Ili river flows into the artificially created Kapchagai reservoir, forming a vast fore-delta, is located in the protected part of the Altyn-Emel Park.
This is a quiet and picturesque place with the the Kapchagai lake, on the one hand, and the south-end of Dzhungarian Alatau (the Sholak mountains), on the other.
Kapchagai and IliPrice
Prices are valid for 2024.
The cost of a 1-day tour to Besshatyr is shown for a 4-seater and a 7-seater car (for 1 tourist and the total number of tourists).
Alert
The prices result from serious difficulties in organizing car trips to the Altyn-Emel National Park.
Very difficult road conditions in Altyn-Emel lead to rapid wear and tear of vehicles. We maintain a fleet of rare vehicles that can withstand the rigors of off-road conditions and standby vehicles in the event of a breakdown.
The price includes:
Transfer from Almaty to Checkpoint 1 and back
Transfer within the park
Driver's service
Park fees
Meals are not included in the tour.
In the city of Kapchagai (now Konaev) there is a cafe of national and European cuisine on the way.
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.
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