Whether you are visiting for just a day or planning an extended stay, Altyn-Emel offers a wealth of ways to have an unforgettable experience.
Explore our curated selection of exciting outdoor activities in Altyn-Emel National Park.
Listen to the Singing Dune
The Singing Dune is the hallmark of Altyn-Emel. From its summit, a grand panorama opens up over the Ili River, the Kalkans Mountains, and the Dzhungarian Alatau.
The ascent along the ridge is a pleasant stroll. The soft sand provides a wonderful, relaxing massage for bare feet. In dry, windy weather, the dune emits a powerful hum, resembling the roar of a jet engine. You can “wake it up” yourself: just slide your foot down the slope or have fun rolling down this giant "sandbox"
Walk on the Floor of an Ancient Ocean
Millions of years ago, waves crashed here; today, Aktau is one of Altyn-Emel's most stunning locations. It is a natural open-air museum where time has frozen within the vibrant layers of colorful rocks.
To truly grasp the scale of these labyrinths, you should explore them on foot or by bicycle. The park preserves the silence and fragility of this heritage, which is why motorcycles and ATVs are prohibited within the canyon.
Climb a Volcano
Katutau is the most massive and majestic desert mountain range in Altyn-Emel. It is a place where you can touch our planet's incredible past: traces of an ancient volcanic eruption are preserved here. Molten lava, frozen over millions of years, has taken on the most bizarre, "alien" shapes.
Typically, Katutau is a striking stop on the way to the Aktau Mountains or on the return trip, revealing the rugged and monumental face of the national park.
Launch Your Drone
In Altyn-Emel, you can capture those epic, large-scale shots of "alien" landscapes that look like sets from a science fiction movie. The golden sands of the Singing Dune and the Martian-like canyons of the Aktau Mountains will unfold before you in all their glory.
What makes this journey truly special is the realization that these landscapes are alive and ever-changing. Wind and water are relentlessly eroding the soft rock, and in the future, this beauty will remain only in photographs. Don't miss your chance to see it all with your own eyes today!
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Climb to the Park's Summit
You don't need a drone to enjoy the breathtaking panoramas of Aktau. Hike up to the panoramic viewpoint to marvel at the "alien" landscapes from a bird's-eye view.
Your trail will lead you through picturesque canyons, passing through the "Heart of the Mountain," and the vibrant Red and White Gorges. Get your camera ready — you'll want to capture every moment!
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Harness the Power of Ancient Trees
The Kosbastau Oasis is remarkable for its unique ecosystem. Thanks to the warmth of underground waters, truly ancient trees flourish here. The 700-year-old willow is held in high regard — Central Asia has long cherished a sacred cult of these "aksakal" (venerable elder) trees.
Complete your journey with a stop at the picturesque pond and the radon spring, where the water stays warm even during the harshest frosts. Near the ranger's house, you'll always be greeted by friendly cats and dogs, adding a special charm and warmth to this serene spot.
Go on a Bike or Moto Tour
The vast expanses of Altyn-Emel National Park are a true paradise for two-wheel enthusiasts. Hundreds of kilometers of diverse landscapes — from flat steppe roads to winding foothill trails — offer a sense of boundless freedom and a chance to see Kazakhstan’s wildlife in its pristine form.
Here, you can carve a path through the Martian landscapes of Aktau, hear the hum of the Singing Dune, and feel the raw power of the Katutau desert mountains.
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Go on a Wildlife Photo Safari
Altyn-Emel is a vast arena for a photo safari: home to 40% of Kazakhstan's fauna, it offers a unique chance to capture rare wildlife moments. Here, you can enhance your portfolio with shots of endangered species in their natural habitat.
The stars of your photos will be graceful goitered gazelles and fleet-footed kulans. For macro enthusiasts, the agile lizards of the Singing Dune are a must-see. Stay alert: in Altyn-Emel, the shot of a lifetime can happen when you least expect it!
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Go Birdwatching
Altyn-Emel National Park is recognized as one of the premier locations in Central Asia for birdwatching. With nearly 300 bird species recorded, every stroll turns into a thrilling expedition. Thanks to its unique location, the park serves as a key migratory hub: in spring and autumn, thousands of birds stop here to rest on their journey from warmer climates.
Altyn-Emel offers a rare chance to spot unique avifauna and enrich your collection with exclusive shots of wildlife.
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Expand Your Botanical Knowledge
Altyn-Emel National Park is a true paradise for botany enthusiasts. Here, you will encounter rare species listed in the Red Data Book and unique endemics — plants found nowhere else on the planet.
The park takes on a special charm in the spring, when the desert awakens and blooms, transforming into a vibrant living carpet. Don't miss the chance to witness this fleeting and breathtaking spectacle!
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Explore the Star Chart
Due to artificial light in cities, the night sky is often completely hidden from our eyes. In today's world, natural darkness and pristine silence have become a rare luxury.
Altyn-Emel, with its exceptionally clear air, is one of the few places where you can escape the noise and light pollution typical of urban areas. This experience alone makes an overnight stay in the national park or Basshi village worthwhile. Here, you can rent a telescope to marvel at the vast clusters of stars in the night sky without any interference.
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Visit the Tombs of Ancient Kings
One of the most significant historical landmarks in Altyn-Emel is the Besshatyr Burial Mounds, dating back to the 1st millennium BC.
These tombs — ranging from small to large — were constructed for the chieftains, military commanders, and nobility of the nomadic Saka-Tigrakhauda tribes, who inhabited the Zhetysu (Semirechye) region about 2,500 years ago. The Besshatyr Necropolis also served as a sacred site for religious rituals.
Touch the majesty of the "Saka Pyramids" and feel the power of an ancient civilization.
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Decipher Ancient Petroglyphs
Rock art was an essential part of ancient cults during the Bronze and Iron Ages. Animals, people, and scenes of hunting, daily life, and rituals were carved onto rocks and stones coated with desert varnish (patina).
The most famous cluster of petroglyphs in Altyn-Emel is Tanbaly Tas, located near the Besshatyr Mounds. Petroglyphs are also found in other canyons and foothills of the Dzhungarian Alatau, with some featuring remarkably large-scale carvings.
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Heal with the Living Water of Sacred Springs
Hidden deep within the Dzhungarian Mountains lies the Naizatapkan Gorge — a place where nature has guarded its greatest secrets for centuries. Far from civilization, unique springs surge from the very heart of the earth. This is more than just mineral water; it is a true natural elixir shrouded in legends of miraculous healing that date back to ancient times and the era of the Saka nomads.
Come to Naizatapkan for your health — to a place where nature itself becomes the healer.
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