Watching wild animals and birds in the Altyn-Emel Park -
Organization of tours and excursions from Almaty to Altyn-Emel -
In the endless expanses of the Altyn-Emel National Park, among the shimmering feather grass and bizarre mountain slopes, you can see an amazing sight - herds of slender kulans rushing across the steppe. These last wild donkeys of Eurasia have become a real symbol of the revival of Kazakhstan's nature. Uncontrolled hunting was declared for kulans. Back in the 1980s, kulans completely disappeared from the territory of Kazakhstan, becoming a sad example of human recklessness. But in 2002, an incredible story of return began - the first nine individuals were brought from the Turkmen reserve "Badkhyz". After a year of adaptation in a special enclosure, they were released into the wild, and now, two decades later, there are about 400 of these magnificent animals roaming the park.
Watching kulans in the wild is a special pleasure for true nature lovers. It is best to go searching at dawn or before sunset, when the animals are most active, at this time they go out to graze. In the spring months, they often come to the Ili River for a watering hole, and in the fall they can be found at the foot of the Katutau Mountains, where they enjoy the last greenery before winter. In winter, kulans sometimes appear near the "Singing Dune", raking snow in search of dry grass. These creatures are surprisingly well adapted to life in the harsh steppe. They can go a week without water, reach speeds of up to 70 km/h, and their cubs are born with funny stripes on their legs, like zebras. Local rangers say that kulans have phenomenal memory - once they find a watering hole or shelter, they remember this place for decades.
Today, Altyn-Emel has become one of the few places in the world where you can see kulans in their natural habitat. Their graceful silhouettes against the backdrop of mountains and sands create a unique image of wild Asia, preserved since ancient times. When you watch a herd of kulans rushing across the steppe, it is easy to imagine that you are transported thousands of years back in time, to the times when countless herds of wild animals roamed these lands, and man was only part of the great natural balance. When you come to Altyn-Emel, remember - although these animals are accustomed to the presence of people, they remain wild and timid. Do not try to approach them - it is better to arm yourself with good binoculars or a telephoto lens to observe their life without disturbing the natural harmony. After all, kulans are not just animals, they are living witnesses of the history of these places, a link between our time and the era when the steppe was completely different.
Attractions nearby:
Singing Dune
Terekty Gorge
Terekty petroglyphs (rock carvings)
700-year-old willow
Chokan Valikhanov Spring
Besshatyr Mounds
Big Besshatyr Mound
Besshatyr Menhirs (stone steles)
Oshaktas Steles (stone steles)
Aktau Mountains (White Mountains)
Katutau Mountains (lava mountains)
Altynemel Mountain Range
Sholak Mountains
Ulken-Kalkan Mountains
Kysty-Kalkan Mountains
Matai Mountains
Degeres Mountains
Basshi Village
Kerkulans (Przewalsky horse)
Sights of Altyn-Emel Park
History of Besshatyr Mounds
Legend of the Singing Dunes
History of the Przewalski horse
Fauna of Altyn-Emel Park
Flora of Altyn-Emel Park
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