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. Here, in the protected part of the national park, you can also see wild kulans and gazelles.
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.
Stopping at the Kapchagai reservoir - about 3 km from Tanbaly Tas (optional).
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. We also make a stop on the wild coast of Kapchagai in the reserved part of the national park.
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.
Mounds 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.
The 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.
Notes:
The routes of the Altyn-Emel park are long, and the roads are unpaved, a part of the road from the village of Shengeldy to Checkpoint 1 is very hilly, so it takes more time to travel than you can expect.
Prices
Prices are valid for 2023.
The cost of a 1-day tour to Besshatyr is shown for a 4-seater and a 7-seater car (for the total number of tourists and for 1 tourist).
The price includes:
- Transfer from Almaty to the Besshatyr mounds and back
- Driver's service
- Park fees
Meals are not included in the tour (you bring your own food and drinks). 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. if you plan to stay overnight 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
- Swimsuit / swimming trunks if you go to Kapchagai and the Kosbastau post with a warm radon spring
- 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, (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 if you plan to stay overnight at a hotel or campsite (remember 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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