Altyn Emel National Park Tour

Route: Almaty Region (Kazakhstan)

Season: January-December

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY

Day 1. Almaty - Altyn Emel

Departure from Almaty at 08:00. Transfer to the Tamgaly Tas, located on the Ili River.

Tamgaly Tas – the unique monument of the distant past, where you will see images of Buddha and texts in Tibetan, Kalmyk, and other languages which have basically a prayer meaning that is carved on the old rocks. It is unknown – when and how these drawings appeared and who was the author: scientists trying to unravel this mystery for over 150 years.

Upon arrival in Tamgaly Tas, your guide will tell you a lot of interesting things about this amazing place, then you will be able to walk around and enjoy the beautiful views. Also on the opposite side of the river, you will see the set in the style of medieval Kazakhstan that was built for the filming of "The Nomad" film.

After the end of the excursion, transfer to the village of Baschi, lunch at the hotel. After lunch, excursion in Altyn Emel National Park to the Singing Dune.

Singing Dune, reaching a height of 120 meters and a length of about 3 km, is located in one of the corners of the Altyn-Emel National Park, a few kilometers from the Ili river between the mountains of Big and Small Kalkan.

This sandy hill consists of very fine pure sand, which starts to "sing" in windy weather and its sound reminds the organ music. Before a sandy storm, the dune sounds like a drum. From the top of the Dune, you can observe the grand panorama of the surroundings. In the south - a thin strip of the Ili River is visible as well as the purple mountains of Sogety and Boguty, looking out from the white peaks of the Ketmen ridge.

On the west, the horizon is obstructed by the steep slope of the Big Kalkan, and the Small Kalkan – from the east. In the north - a violet-blue ridge of Djungarian Alatau mountains, Chulak mountain, Matai, and Altyn-Emel are visible. If the weather is dry and windy, the sand-dune will "sing" its song, which could be heard as far as several kilometers...

Transfer to the hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 2. Altyn Emel - Almaty

Breakfast at 07:30. Sightseeing tour to the mountains of Aktau and Katutau. Lunch (picnic) during the excursion.

Katutau Mountains (Harsh Mountains) are very ancient ruined mountains with preserved volcanic outputs. The breed is very fragile and breaks down under the physical impact. Water, time, and wind-carved intricate shapes in the rock. Sedimentary rock from the bottom of the ancient Tethys Ocean is preserved there. From the effects of environmental factors, it took the form of intricate figures and landscapes.

Aktau Mountains (White Mountains) are a world-renowned paleontological field. In the layers of Paleogene lacustrine deposits, well-preserved remains of ancient animals whose age is estimated at 25-30 million years have been found.

Among the finds, there are the remains of the giant rhinos, crocodiles, and turtles. Huge conical mountains remind the Egyptian pyramids and are a magical scene of a variety of shapes and colors.

Departure to Almaty at 18:00. Arrival to Almaty approx. at 22:00.

PRIVATE TOUR PRICE:

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TOUR PRICE INCLUSIONS:

1. Double accommodation in the hotel of Altyn Emel National Park
2. Transportation according to the program in a comfortable minivan
3. Sightseeing according to the program with English speaking guide
4. All environmental and admission fees during the tour
5. Meals: Lunch and dinner on Day 1; breakfast and lunch on Day 2
6. Drinking water 1L per person per day

TOUR PRICE EXCLUSIONS:

1. Accommodation in Almaty, if required
2. Meals not indicated in the program and/or not included in the tour price
3. Single accommodation supplement
4. Visa support and registration on the territory of Kazakhstan, if required
5. Personal expenses and other expenses not indicated in the program

NOTE:

Tour reservation requires a full payment, which is refundable in case of tour cancellation more than 15 days before the tour departure date.

50% of the tour price is refundable in case of the tour cancellation 15 days or less before the tour departure date.

Tour price is not refundable in case of tour cancellation 5 days or less before tour departure time, as well as in case of no-show.

Recommendation on Clothing:

Comfortable, sporty clothing for the weather, windproof and waterproof jacket in a cold-weather season; closed, walking-friendly shoes: boots in the cold season, sneakers or similar - in a warm; sunglasses and sunscreen, headdress; personal backpack to carry water and lunch during sightseeing at Aktau mountains.

Attention:

Since a part of the tour route lies through roads with clayey soil which may be blurred during the rain, access to some sightseeing sites may be restricted.