Singing dunes & Aktau mountains group tour to Altyn Emel
Overview
Available languages
16 hours
Mobile ticket
This is the only desert park in Kazakhstan, where you can see many different landscapes: sands, tugai forests, floodplains, conditions, mountains. At fairly close distances, you can observe rare animals living in unstable conditions, goitered gazelle and kulan. As part of the project, three tourist routes have been developed, equipped with signs, gazebos, observation platforms, and parking lots: Dried ocean Aktau mountains, Singing dunes and Katutau frozen lava.
Please note: This tour is not suitable for children under 6 years old due to long travel times and the nature of the itinerary.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Aktau Mountains
We will drive out to the bottom of the Ocean to explore the Chalk Mountains of Aktau. Here is schedule for the tour: 5:30 am Pick up time 7:30 am Quick stop to WC/market 9:00 am Bashi village/Enrence to national park Off-road way to first location 10:00 am Arriving to Aktau mountains 12:00 am Departure
Katutau Mountain
Next we will stop in the volcanic mountains of Katutau. Unusual rock forms, created by nature. 12:30 Arriving to Katutau 13:10 Departure to the village 13:50-14:30 Lunch
What‘s Included
National parks entrance fees
Bottled water
Let's have some sweets after visiting dunes
English speaking guide
Hearty lunch of local cuisine (vegetarian option is available)
Air-conditioned vehicle
Take some food for breakfast with you, we will hae quick stop at the petrol station for 15 mins
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Private tour to Altyn Emel
Private tour to Altyn Emel Pickup included
2 days tour with overnight
1 overnight in Basshi village: We will overnight in Basshi village with private rooms with washroom attached Duration: 2 days Meals are included: First day: Late breakfast and Dinner Second day: Breakfast and Lunch Itinerary of the tour: Timing: First day 7:00-7:30 - Pick up 9:30 - First pit stop 11:30 - National park stop, luncj 13:30-15:30 - Aktau mountains SUV jeep Pickup included
Singing dunes & Aktau mountains 1 day group tour to Altyn Emel
Pickup included
Reviews
94 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great trip
Ann-Sophie M,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful trip into the mountains and the singing dunes. Would recommend it!
Excellent
Voyager13151626446,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We left Almaty, passed through Casino City, and walked through beautiful poppy fields. Then, after blasting through the off-road terrain in a 4WD, we arrived at a landscape that made me feel as if I had somehow ended up on Mars. The highlight was the view from the top of the dune, which felt like stepping into a movie. The drive is long, but with scenery like this, you never feel bored at all. The tough and funny driver who took us to all these places (thank you so much for stopping the car so we could all watch the sunset), and the very, very, very passionate and knowledgeable guide (I was amazed when she immediately explained how the dunes were formed) made the whole tour an unforgettable experience. I would definitely love to join this tour again. Even if your English isn’t very good (I can’t speak much English myself), the driver and guide are both very kind, so there’s nothing to worry about!
Fun day tour!
spencev2026,May 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an amazing time. Nice group, nice guides, quite the bumpy ride, and lots of sight. Even though I'm still cleaning sand, it was totally worth it!
Good
Shyna G,May 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00It was very fun and the guide was good. However it took quite long to get back
Exploring the surreal landscapes of Kazakhstan was easily one of the highlights of my trip 🇰🇿
marj2389,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The journey to the Singing Sand Dunes in Altyn-Emel National Park felt like stepping into another world. The vast golden dunes stretch endlessly, and climbing to the top rewards you with breathtaking panoramic views. If you’re lucky, you can even hear the famous “singing” sound the sand makes when it shifts under your feet—such a unique experience. Then came the Aktau Mountains, which honestly looked like something from another planet. The colored layers—white, red, and orange—create this dramatic, almost painted landscape. Walking through them feels like exploring a natural open-air museum shaped over millions of years. The trip itself can be long and a bit rough (expect bumpy roads and basic facilities), but that’s part of the adventure. It’s raw, untouched, and far from crowded tourist spots, which makes it even more special. A special thanks to our guide Saida, who was very patient and accommodating throughout the trip, making sure we were comfortable at all times. Also, big appreciation to our driver Kassym, who drove for long hours to get us safely to each destination—even while we were fast asleep in the car after long, tiring days. Overall, this tour is a must if you love nature, photography, and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Kazakhstan truly surprised me with its wild beauty. ✨ Tip: Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and be ready for extreme temperatures!
Excellent tour
krushal11234,May 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing experience with our guide Saida and driver Roman. Saida was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information throughout the trip, which made the whole experience even more enjoyable and insightful. Roman was an excellent driver who made us feel safe and comfortable at all times. The food provided was delicious, and the hospitality from both of them was exceptional from start to finish. They were friendly, professional, and went above and beyond to make sure we had a fantastic time. We would highly recommend Saida and Roman to anyone looking for a memorable and well-organised experience.
Amazing tour
M Y,Apr 29, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It is so amazing Singing dunes and aktau mountains are very beautiful It’s a long trip , you have to walk a lot and it may be quite tough at some hiking moment, but totally worth it John is friendly, strongly recommend this tour
Amazing Experience
nachum10,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Didi is an amazing guide! I had such a great time and would highly recommend this trip to anyone. 10/10 experience.
great
Trail61823748535,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00amazing both views and service
Beautiful sights!
Jam Holl30,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Went on the tour with Saida as our guide! Very long drive but the sights made it worth it! Saida even performed some traditional Kazakh music for us after a tasty lunch :D
From US$200.00
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