Route 1. Singing Dune (marked in yellow on the map), about 50 km of dirt road one way.
Route 2. Saka burial mounds of Besshatyr (marked in green), the entrance only from the Shengeldy village.
Route 3. Aktau and Katutau mountains (marked in red), about 75 km of dirt road one way (plus about 25 km to the Katutau mountains).
The pass (permit) to the Altyn-Emel National Park can be purchased in the central office of the park in the Basshi village:
Address: 73 Askarbek Street, Basshi Village.
Monday-Sunday, from 9:00 am till 6:00 pm.
Lunch break: from 1:00 pm till 2:30 pm.
Phone: +7(72840)45209
Tourism Dpt.: +77056102511
For Routes 1 (Singing Dune) and 3 (Aktau Mountains), you can enter the national park ONLY via the Basshi village. You cannot get to the Aktau mountains from the Zharkent highway; you cannot leave the Aktau mountains onto the Zharkent highway either.
For Route 2 (Besshatyr), you can enter the national park ONLY via Checkpoint 1 near the Shengeldy village.
You cannot drive across the central territory of the national park as it is a conservation area. Tourists can only follow Routes 1 and 3 (Singing Dune and Aktau Mountains) coincidently.
Route 2 (Besshatyr) is available separately.
Car Rental
There is no public transport to Altyn-Emel. You can only get to the national park by your own or rented car.
You can rent a car in Kazakhstan using the Economy Bookings and Rentalcars services which unite the largest brands of the car rental industry around the world. Many of them have their locations in Kazakhstan, so you can choose a suitable car for your trips at the best prices. It is easy, convenient and reliable.
NB: Please book a car in advance, then you will have more choice than in the high season. Also please note that car rental prices are constantly increasing.
