Altyn Emel National Park

09:00 — Departure from the hotel

• We meet in Almaty at your hotel doors and set off toward the state national nature reserve. The road heads to the north of the region through scenic steppe expanses.

13:00 — Arrival in Basshi village

• We arrive at the main park headquarters — Basshi village, where we register permits at the eco-post for entry into the protected territory.

14:00 — Lunch / Accommodation

• We check into the hotel, have lunch, and rest a bit before heading out on our first excursion route.

16:00 — Drive to the Singing Barkhan for sunset 

• We head toward the first wonder of nature. The Singing Barkhan is a huge sand dune up to 150 meters high, trapped between the Kalkani ridges. This unique site is famous because, in dry weather, its sands emit a deep hum similar to an organ or the roar of an airplane. We will climb to the crest to witness a fantastic desert sunset.

19:00 — Return to the hotel. Dinner / Free time

• We return to the hotel. Dinner and free time await you to relax under the incredibly starry sky of Altyn-Emel

08:00 — Breakfast

• We have breakfast, pack our things, and prepare for a long-distance route through the park.

08:30 — Departure to the Aktau Mountains

• We set off in jeeps across the park's expanses toward the main colored canyons.

09:30 — Arrival at the Aktau Mountains. Hiking and free time

• The famous Aktau Chalk Mountains open up before you — the ancient floor of the prehistoric Tethys Ocean. These landscapes are called Martian due to the multi-colored layers of clay and limestone: white, red, pink, and green.

• Optional: A light hiking for up to 2 hours inside the canyon among bizarre natural castles and walls. Free time for large-scale panoramic photographs.

12:00 — Drive to the 700-year-old willow tree. Sightseeing and return to the hotel

• We transfer to the Kosbastau cordon. A giant ancient willow grows here, whose age exceeds 700 years. According to legend, Genghis Khan himself rested in its shade with his army during his campaigns. After exploring the tree, we return to the hotel.

13:00 — Lunch

• A final hearty lunch before the long road back.

14:00 — Departure to Almaty

• We head back to civilization. Along the way, you can watch wild kulans or dzejrans from the jeep windows, as they often run along the reserve's roads.

19:00 — Arrival

• We return to Almaty, and our 2-day Altyn-Emel tour concludes at your hotel doors.