2-Day Altyn Emel National Park Tour from Almaty: Singing Dune

Two days chasing Martian landscapes and a dune that sings

A 2-day private tour from Almaty to Altyn Emel National Park with an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned SUV transport, hotel pickup, overnight accommodation and all meals included. You visit Tamgaly-Tas cave paintings on day one, climb the 150-meter singing dune to watch the Ili River, then spend day two exploring the chalk canyons of Aktau and the volcanic mountains of Katutau before returning to Almaty. A moderate level of fitness is needed for walking the canyons and climbing the dune.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Visit Tamgaly-Tas and Singing Dune

• Meet guide at hotel or airport
• Travel to Tamgaly-Tas cave paintings
• Explore cave paintings and take photos
• Stop to try Kazakh cheese Kurt
• Check in at hotel and have lunch
• Drive off-road to Singing Dune
• Climb Singing Dune and enjoy views
• Return to parking, drink tea
• Drive back to hotel
• Dinner and walk around Basshi village

Day 2: Explore Chalk Mountains and Katutau

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Chalk Mountains of Aktau
• Explore canyons with guide
• Rest with tea at parking lot
• Drive to volcanic mountains of Katutau
• Photo shoot and geology talk
• Stop at 700-year-old willow spring
• Return to hotel for lunch
• Drive back to Almaty
• Guide drops off at hotel or city

The experience

You're picked up from your Almaty hotel or airport at 8 a.m. on day one and driven in a private SUV to Tamgaly-Tas, where the guide walks you through Buddhist cave paintings and explains their history. A stop in Basshi village lets you taste Kurt, a Kazakh cheese, before you check into your overnight accommodation and have lunch. The afternoon drive to the singing dune crosses semi-desert terrain: an hour of off-road travel where you might spot Red Book animals (rare species protected by Kazakhstan). At the dune itself, a 150-meter climb rewards you with views of the Ili River valley, and the guide shows you how the sand produces its mysterious sound. You're back at the hotel by evening for dinner and a walk around the village.

Day two starts after breakfast with a 30-minute drive to the Aktau chalk mountains, known locally as the bottom of the ocean. The guide offers canyon walks of varying difficulty. The total walking time is about two hours, with water and sun protection provided. After returning to rest and drink tea, you stop at the volcanic mountains of Katutau, where unusual rock formations create natural photo opportunities. The guide explains the geology while you visit a 700-year-old willow tree and drink water from its spring. The drive back to Almaty takes the afternoon, with drop-off at your hotel or another central location by 8 p.m.

The tour includes bottled water each day, all meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast, and a second lunch), National Park entry fees, and overnight twin accommodation in a hotel or guest house. Your guide drives and speaks English throughout. Vegetarian meals are available if you request them at booking. A single-room surcharge applies if you prefer not to share accommodation.

What’s included

• Pickup from your Almaty hotel or airport at 8 a.m. on day one.
• private air-conditioned SUV transport throughout.
• English-speaking guide and driver.
• overnight twin accommodation in a hotel or guest house.
• all meals (lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast and lunch on day two).
• bottled water (1.5 liters per person per day).
• National Park entry fees.
• drop-off at your hotel or central Almaty location by 8 p.m. on day two.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (10 to 80 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by SUVtours

Is this one for you?Book this 2-day tour if you have a full day free in Almaty and want to see the park's main sights without rushing: the schedule fits all four landmarks (cave paintings, singing dune, chalk canyons and volcanic mountains) into a single overnight trip. The canyon walk and dune climb require moderate fitness. If you prefer to stay closer to Almaty or skip the physical walking, a 1-day version may suit you better.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the Tamgaly-Tas cave paintings, and how old are they?

Tamgaly-Tas holds Buddhist drawings carved into rock. The guide explains their history and points out the best spots for photographs during the first morning of the tour.

How does the singing dune actually make a sound?

The singing dune is a 150-meter-high sand formation in Altyn Emel that produces a mysterious sound under certain conditions. The guide demonstrates how to help the dune sing and shares the story of this natural phenomenon from the summit.

What kind of animals might I see on the drive to the singing dune?

The semi-desert terrain between Basshi and the dune is home to Red Book animals: species protected by Kazakhstan. Spotting them depends on luck and timing, but the guide watches for them during the off-road drive.

How difficult is the canyon walk at Aktau, and how long does it take?

The Aktau chalk mountains offer canyon walks of varying difficulty, so you can choose a route that suits your fitness level. The total walking time is about two hours, with water and sun protection provided by the guide.

What is included in the meals, and can I request dietary options?

Meals include lunch and dinner on day one, breakfast and lunch on day two. Vegetarian options are available if you let the operator know when you book.