The most interesting and frequently visited places of the Altyn-Emel Nature Reserve -
Organization of holidays and trips to Altyn-Emel -
Altyn-Emel Park is located between the Ili River and the ridges of the Zhetysu Alatau, covering more than 3,000 square kilometers of wild, untouched nature. This place is unique in that sand dunes, stone mountains, Saka mounds, ancient petroglyphs and rare animals coexist on the same territory. It is easy to feel the breath of the steppe, hear the voice of the ancestors and be inspired by the scale of eternity.
Altyn-Emel Mountain Range -
This ridge is one of the main mountain systems of the park, stretching along the northern border of the Ili Valley. Its peaks are relatively low, but rugged slopes, stone ridges and a combination of ochre-brown shades create a majestic and harsh landscape. It is especially beautiful here at sunset, when the mountains flash with golden light. It was thanks to these species that the name of the park, the Golden Saddle, was born.
Kerkulan – Przewalsky horse -
Kerkulan is one of the rarest and most amazing animals in Kazakhstan. We are talking about Przewalski's horse, the last wild horse in the world that has been preserved since ancient times. These animals are medium-sized, stocky, with a short neck and a mane. Przewalski's horses were once completely extinct in the wild, but thanks to international reintroduction programs, they were returned to protected areas such as Altyn-Emel. Today, herds of golden eagles can be found in the steppe and semi-desert areas of the park. They are timid, cautious and extremely rare – to see them in their natural environment is considered a real success. This is a living reminder of the pristine nature that still lives in the open spaces of Zhetysu.
Kulans are wild Asian asses -
Kulan is another rare representative of the wild fauna of Altyn-Emelya. It is a wild donkey, slender and fast, with a sandy color and a characteristic dark stripe along its back. Kulans were once widespread in Central Asia, but due to hunting and climate change, they have almost disappeared. Altyn-Emel has one of the few stable populations of these amazing animals. They feel great in rocky valleys and open plains, avoiding people and trying to stay in groups. Their grace and swiftness are impressive – the kulans can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h. They are a part of the steppe soul of Kazakhstan, hardy and freedom–loving, like nature itself.
Singing Dune (Singing Sand) -
This is an extraordinary natural phenomenon – a sand dune about 150 meters high and almost 3 kilometers long. It consists of very fine and dry sand, which, when rubbed, begins to emit a low hum, like an organ or the distant hum of an airplane. Tourists like to climb to the top of the dune to hear this singing with their own ears. Locals believe that the desert spirit sings, protecting the ancient lands.
The mounds of Beshatyr -
The Beshatyr necropolis is one of the most important archaeological heritages of Kazakhstan. It includes more than 30 mounds built by the Saka tribe, which lived here more than two thousand years ago. The mounds are located strictly along lines oriented towards the sun, which indicates a deep knowledge of astronomy. Some mounds reach 17 meters in height. These are not just graves – they are monumental memories of an ancient civilization.
Big Kurgan Besshatyr (mound, hill) -
The main one of all is the Bolshoy Besshatyrsky Kurgan. Its diameter exceeds 100 meters. Inside, archaeologists discovered a wooden chamber made of hand-crafted larch logs. This structure is unique in that it used construction techniques similar to those used in Siberia, Mongolia, and even the Caucasus. The atmosphere here is almost mystical, as if you are entering an ancient temple.
Menhirs of Besshatyr -
Around the mounds there are massive stone slabs and stone steles, up to 2 meters high. These menhirs probably served as religious landmarks or had astronomical significance. Some of them still have embossed symbols – solar signs, images of animals and weapons. Arranged in a circle, they create a sense of ritual space, like at Stonehenge.
Stone steles of Oshaktas -
Three huge stone steles, known as Oshaktas, rise in the expanse of the valley. According to legend, it was here that Genghis Khan built a bonfire. According to another version, it is a place of sacrifice or astronomical observations. The name comes from the word "oshak" –
hearth, domestic or ritual. The steles stand straight, as if someone had specially installed them here so that they could observe the endless steppes.
Terekty Gorge -
The gorge is hidden between rocks and stone piles, and few people know about it without a guide. This place is filled with a special silence. The walls of the gorge are strewn with petroglyphs, some of which were painted back in the Bronze Age. Here you can see hunting scenes, images of animals, chariots, suns and mysterious symbols. It's like an open–air museum, only without glass cases - everything is alive, real.
Petroglyphs of Terekty -
The images etched on the black and reddish rocks date back thousands of years. They are made with different techniques, from simple contours to deeply hollowed–out shapes. There are scenes with warriors, hunters, and shamans. This is an invaluable source of knowledge about the ancient cultures that lived on the territory of Zhetisu. Scientists are still arguing about the meaning of many symbols.
Aktau Mountains -
These mountains are a real "calling card" of the park. They are called cretaceous or lunar because of their incredible colors: from snow-white to bright red and green shades. The multicolored layers were formed millions of years ago when the ancient sea was lapping here. Fossils of tropical plants, turtles, and even crocodiles are still found on the slopes of Aktau. This place feels like it's been transported from another planet.
700-year-old willow tree -
In the center of the park, not far from one of the springs, there is a mighty ancient willow tree. Her trunk is so wide that it cannot be grasped by one person. Its branches bent down to the ground, forming a living tent. According to local legend, a tree grants wishes — if you kiss its trunk with a pure heart. On a hot day, the shade of a willow tree becomes a real salvation, and its age inspires awe.
Chokan Valikhanov Water Spring -
A small spring surrounded by greenery is associated with the name of the great Kazakh traveler and scientist Chokan Valikhanov. They say he stayed here during one of his trips. The water in the spring is cool, clean and sweet in taste. This is not only historical, but also a very lively, real place – where you can relax, quench your thirst and feel the touch of the past.
Degeres Mountains -
On the eastern edge of the park are the Degeres Mountains, low but picturesque. They are an alternation of hills and rocks covered with a carpet of steppe grasses. In spring, the slopes bloom with tulips, and in summer, mountain goats and golden eagles can be found here. It is an ideal place for walking, observing nature and meditating against the backdrop of mountain silence.
Matai Mountains -
The Matai Mountains are harsh, rocky, with deep crevasses and gorges. They seem to have been specially created for those who seek solitude and the power of nature. The rocks here alternate with sparse groves, and the wind carries the scent of wormwood and steppe flowers. The area is poorly explored and is perfect for lovers of wild trekking.
Sholak Mountains -
These mountains seem as sharp as teeth. Their silhouettes are especially impressive against the background of the evening sky. Stone peaks rise above the steppe, creating a sense of inaccessibility. Argali can often be found here, and on the peaks there are rare flowers growing between the rocks. People come here for photos, peace and a sense of pristine nature.
Kysty-Kalkan Mountains -
The Kysty-Kalkan Mountains are soft, rounded, like frozen waves, and have a special energy. Their shape resembles the rolling of the sandy sea. There are no sharp cliffs here, but there is silence, spaciousness and amazing harmony. These mountains are often visited by tourists, travelers, yogis and just those who seek solitude.
Ulken-Kalkan Mountains -
These massive mountains cover the southern part of the park. Their powerful shapes create a sense of reliability and strength. In ancient times, they served as a landmark for caravans and nomads. Now you can find rare species of animals here, see magnificent panoramas of the desert and the dune. Ulken-Kalkan is a place where you just want to sit down and look into the distance.
Katutau Mountains -
The Katutau Mountains are one of the most unusual in the Altyn-Emel Park. Their name translates as "Fiery Mountains", and this is fully justified. These massifs are ancient volcanoes that have long been extinct, but traces of their turbulent past have been preserved in bizarre forms: petrified lava flows, lava domes, and rocks resembling flames. The rocks here are painted in bright red, brown, burgundy and even purple shades. At sunrise and sunset, the Katutau seem to flare up again, reminding of their fiery past.
Photogallery:
