Permits

Altyn-Emel National Park is open to visitors daily, year-round.

Opening Hours: Access to the park is permitted during daylight hours only.

Entry: From 08:00 AM (a valid permit is required before entering).

Exit: You must leave the park before dusk. Please confirm the exact mandatory exit time with the ranger at the checkpoint upon arrival.

Overnight Stays & Camping: Camping is allowed only in strictly designated camping zones. If you plan to stay overnight, you must inform the park staff and register your stay when purchasing your permits.

All three tourist routes are out-and-back (not through roads).

If your goal is: The Singing Dune (Route No. 1) or Aktau/Katutau Mountains (Route No. 3)

• Entry: Access is available only via the village of Basshi (the park’s central office).
• Logistics: These two routes can be combined into a single trip, as both start and end in Basshi.
• Important: Access to the Aktau Mountains from the Zharkent highway and through passage toward Besshatyr are strictly prohibited.

If your goal is: Besshatyr Mounds and Tanbaly Tas Petroglyphs (Route No. 2)

• Entry: Access is available only via Checkpoint #1 (near the village of Shengeldy).
• Logistics: This route must be visited separately.
• Important: Through passage from the Besshatyr Mounds to the Singing Dune is prohibited.

Prices for permits to the protected area of the Altyn-Emel National Park (the state tax on entry of vehicles):

• for entry of motorcycles, mopeds, ATVs - 0.6 MCI per day;
• for entry of passenger cars - 0.9 MCI per day;
• for entry of minibuses up to 16 seats and trucks - 3.5 MCI per day;
• for entry of buses up to 32 seats - 7 MCI per day;
• for entry of buses over 32 seats - 10.5 MCI per day.

Parking rate - 0.06 MCI per vehicle per day.

1 MCI in 2026 = KZT 4,325.

To enter the Basshi village, the permit is not needed.