Altyn Emel National Park

If you like geology you'll love this place, with its incredible vistas of colourful painted hills, interesting dunes and fascinating rocks. It's a long and dusty drive to get here but worth every bumpy mile of it. There's no public transport so hire a car, preferably 4x4, or better still, get a local guide to drive you. Aim to spend at least two or three days here otherwise you'll not have time to see all the splendours. Take your time to amble around and enjoy the sights, the sounds and even the smells and the touch sensations of the desert.

Beautiful and huge National Park to spend 2 days exploring with a car. Be prepared for the long driving. On the first day we drove 500 km, but it's worth it! I recommend to rent a car in Almaty and come from here. You can rent a decent car for 60$/day. Spectacular view of Aktau mountains and Singing Dunes as the landscapes remind me the planets from the Star wars movie. If you traveling around Central Asia you must visit this place!

We had a fantastic journey from Almaty to Basshi through this beautiful national park located in the Ili River Valley. The landscape of snow covered Mountains and deserts is really compelling. From Almaty we passed through Baiserke to Kapchagay passed the huge artificial dam, then to Sanyozek. The park is the largest reserve in Kazakhstan.

Great park if you want to experience wilderness in Kazakhstan. This time we saw a couple of foxes, some rabbits and some horses. Loved the rock formations. Bring a picnic and relax.

Wonderful place! Worth to visit Definitely! We had a private tour by 4x4 car, roads are not very good. Car rentals in Almaty usually do not rent cars to this national park. I recommend to ask a tour agency with a driver. Slept in a small Village there and had a 2 day tour to Aktau Mountains, Katutau and a dune.

Amazing natural park with many different horizon and nature to discover! You do not need a guide to do it and it is very cheap. Everything can be done in one day (if you have a good car and know how to drive😅)

Feels like you arent livin on earth. Need a whole day to explore Altyn-Emel NP

Singing dune is a must-see, especially at sunset. I would also recommend going to the white mountains (the further ones, going left from the entrance). The road itself is also a great attraction, you're driving through emptiness with some mountains far away on the horizon. The road to the mountains is worse than to the dune, but in both cases some small 4WD will do without any problem. I wouldn't go there with 2WD, but if you must I guess you can get to the dune, but it won't be very pleasant (road is very bumpy).