Altyn-Emel Park Tour 2 days
Nature reserves and natural parks of Almaty region -
Jeep tour to Altyn-Emel, Ili River and Singing Dune -
Altyn-Emel National Park is a nature park and protected reserve in Kazakhstan, located in the Almaty region. You can visit the park for one day, or plan a two-day trip to explore more of its natural attractions at a relaxed pace.
In 2003, eight wild Przewalski’s horses were brought to the reserve, and they have been successfully breeding here ever since. In 2007, Bukhara deer were introduced into the tugai forests along the Ili River. If desired, visitors can observe the animals and take photographs.
The administration of the national park is located in the small village of Basshi, in the northern part of the park. Here you can arrange guided tours to the Singing Dune, the Aktau Mountains and the Katutau Mountains.
It is not permitted to enter the national park without a guide. There are several accommodation options in different price categories within Altyn-Emel National Park. Free camping is allowed, but only when accompanied by an official park guide.
GPS coordinates of the park: 44°20'0"N 78°26'0"E
The route of the trip to the Altyn-Emel National Park:
Almaty – Kunaev city (Kapshagai) – Ili River - Shengeldy village – Saryozek village – Altyn-Emel pass 1890 meters above sea level – Baschi village – Altyn-Emel National Park – Singing Dune – Katu-Tau Mountains – Aktau Mountains – Almaty
- Distance of the route:
759 km
- Season time:
all season
- Best time:
Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Group size:
1-25
- Days & nights:
2 days
Tour itinerary:
Transfer: Almaty – Basshi village (255 km). After Almaty, our way lies along the ancient Ili highway, the movement along which was opened in 1855. On the way, we pass a bridge over the river Or in the vicinity of the Kapshagai reservoir and then our path goes east.
We pass the first Kapshagai railway station after Almaty and from here our path turns to the southeast, into the valley that stretches along the right bank of the Ili River. We will pass the village of Shengeldy and the next interesting place on our way will be the Altyn-Emel pass, a stop at the pass, a short walk in the vicinity.
Arrival in the village of Basshi, registration of people and vehicles at the park office.
Transfer: Basshi village – Shagan cordon – Mynbulak cordon – Singing Dune (48 km). A walk in the vicinity of a mountain of sand, if desired, climbing on loose sand to the top of a sand dune.
Transfer: Singing dune – Valikhanov's spring (2 km), descent to the spring, according to legend, where the Kazakh traveler Shokan Valikhanov stayed, a walk in the vicinity.
Transfer: Valikhanov spring – Oshaktas monument (8 km). A walk in the vicinity of the stone steles of Oshaktas.
Transfer: Oshaktas – Mynbulak cordon (1 km). On the Mynbulak cordon, you can visit a small pond inhabited by a small family of carp and other fish. Ancient willows, half a century old, will also attract your attention, in their shade you can relax after visiting a Singing dune and drink cold water from a spring.
Transfer: Mynbulak – Basshi village (37 km). Arrival in the village of Basshi, accommodation in the guest house of the park, dinner, overnight.
Breakfast. Transfer: Basshi – Aktau mountains (71 km). After the village of Basshi, we pass two small villages and after them our way lies to the east between the Aktau mountains and the Ili River. Gradually, a country road leads us to the mountains and the further path runs along the southern slopes of the Katu-Tau and Aktau mountains.
Arrival at the colorful Aktau mountains, walk up the gorge.
Transfer: Aktau – Katu-Tau gorge (26 km). Arrival at the Katu-Tau rock massif, walking in the surroundings. Dinner.
Transfer: Katu-Tau – cordon-Kosbastau tract (27 km). On the Kosbastau cordon there is a small artificial pond and several hundred-year-old willows, one of them is more than 700 years old. A walk in the vicinity of the tract.
Transfer: Kosbastau – Basshi village (29 km). Arrival in Basshi. Transfer: Basshi – Almaty (255 km).
Photogallery:
