Kazakhstan

Do you want to see a Kazakh desert that feels like planet Mars? Let us go to Altyn Emel national park.

Itinerary

Included:

1 night guest house accommodation with breakfast
vehicle
guide
tickets
shuttle service by off-road vehicle from Basshi village to Aqtau/Qatutau and Dunes
water

Excluded:

Notes:

Altyn Emel National Park consists of 2 parts: Aqtau/Qatutau mountains and Singing Dunes
entrance to the national park is thru Basshi village which is 250+ km away from Almaty city center
there will be a stopover to see Qapshagai water reservoir

Aqtau/Qatutau mountains are 85+ km away from Basshi village
Aqtau mountains are made of chalk
Qatutau mountains are of volcanic origin
road from the village to the mountains is bumpy and requires off-road driving (subject to motion sickness): its condition depends on weather and can be dry, dusty, muddy, icy, snowy, etc.
local shuttle service operates along this road using off-road vehicles (old Soviet-Russian Uazik, old Mitsubishi Delica or similar): usually they are dirty and have problems with AC/heater
there will be a stopover to see 700+ years old tree

Singing Dunes are 40+ km away from Basshi village
according to a local legend, the dunes make a noise, i.e. sing, when it is windy
road from the village to the dunes is bumpy and requires off-road driving (subject to motion sickness): its condition depends on weather and can be dry, dusty, muddy, icy, snowy, etc.
local shuttle service operates along this road using off-road vehicles (old Soviet-Russian Uazik, old Mitsubishi Delica or similar): usually they are dirty and have problems with AC/heater

there is no guarantee that the vehicle will not break down
provincial infrastructure is less developed compared to the city
do not expect mobile internet, Wi-Fi, F&B in the province to be as good as in city
exploring natural sites carries a risk of insect bites
halal, vegetarian food is available