The 11 Best Altyn Emel & Singing Dune Tours

1.Singing dunes & Aktau mountains group tour to Altyn Emel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · from $250Our pick

Set out from Almaty at 5:30 a.m. with an English-speaking guide such as Bek, Kassym, Elnar, or Aya. Visit the chalky Aktau Mountains, volcanic Katutau formations, and 150-meter Singing Dunes, with park fees, lunch, water, snacks, and transport included.

“Kassym is a definitely friendly and informative guides. The hiking journey is not tiring due to great conversation. Nice lunch at the local guest house is definitely a warm and exciting experience.”

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2.3 Days Tour: Altyn Emel NP, Charyn Canyon, Kaindy & Kolsay Lakes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $736

Start at 5:00 a.m. for a private three-day journey from Almaty through Altyn-Emel National Park, Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Kolsai Lake. Guide Dorzh handles the details, photographs, and videos, while flexible planning and Kazakh meals add a personal touch.

“The tour is well organized. The places I visited during this tour is simply incredible! The 3 days tour allowed me to see the sites without rushing. My guide, Dorzh, was very helpful and took care of everything. He also took great pics and videos. I would highly recommend taking this tour.”

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3.Two Day Tour to Altyn Emel: Singing Dune and Aktau Mountain

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 8 reviews · 2 days · from $270

Travel from Almaty with guides Gaukhar and Gasyr in a small SUV group of up to six. See the 700-year-old Willow, Aktau and Katutau Mountains, and the Singing Dune, with Basshi guesthouse lodging, dinner, breakfast, and lunch included.

“I had a wonderful time exploring this remote but incredible place, Ghaukar was very professional and always made sure everything was alright. It was interesting as well to be able to meet with local people and discover their culture. Definitely recommend !”

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4.4-Day Altyn Emel Park + Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes + Charyn Canyon jeep-tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7 reviews · from $1,085

Travel by private jeep from Almaty across Kazakhstan’s striking natural contrasts: the Singing Dune, Aktau Mountains, Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, and Charyn Canyon. Your guide handles the long routes, while guesthouse stays, most meals, and village visits keep the trip practical and personal.

“Excellent itinerary with diverse scenery. Be prepared for the miles travelled and some rough roads. Highly recommend.”

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5.One Day Tour to Altyn-Emel: Singing Dune and Aktau Mountain

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 6 reviews · 18 hours · from $225Best value

Leave Almaty at 4:30 AM for a small-group SUV tour through Altyn-Emel National Park. Walk among the white Aktau Mountains, see volcanic Katutau, climb the Singing Dune, and dine in Basshi with English or Russian-speaking guides such as Gassyr, Bek, Ivan, or Dimash.

“Climbing Aktau Mountain was so worth it! Spectacular views. And although Altyn-Emel is huge, our driver Ivan made the road trip worthwhile with an unlimited supply of house music remixes of 90s hits. Who knew that driving through the steppe could be so much fun? Highly recommend! (Make sure to bring clothes than can get sandy and dirty. This is a hike). It's a long day, but you're sleeping very well that night!”

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6.Altyn emel 2 days tour. (Singing dune, AkTau, KattyTau)

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · from $450

Spend two days beyond Almaty in Altyn-Emel National Park, hiking the Singing Dune and visiting the fossil-rich Aktau and volcanic Kattyau Mountains. A private English-speaking guide, 4WD transport, lodging, lunch, dinner, bottled water, and hotel transfers are included.

“Die Umgebung ist einfach unglaublich,nicht von dieser Welt.Der Reiseleiter war auch sehr freundlich.Nur die Unterkunft war gewöhnungsbedürftig.”

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7.Altyn Emel. Singing dune and Aktau mountains 2 days tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews

Travel privately from Almaty with a guide and driver to Kapchagay Reservoir, Altyn Emel’s Singing Dune, the colorful Aktau Mountains, and Katutau’s volcanic rock formations. Max or Vlad may lead, with meals and tent or guesthouse lodging arranged.

“The tour was well planned and executed. Guide Max was punctual, attentive and always ready to help. He demonstrated strong driving skills as well as good knowledge and experience with regard to the places of interest. Very patient, polite and easy to have a conversation with.”

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8.2 Days Tour: Altyn Emel National Park – Singing Dunes & Aktau Mountains

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $742

Travel from Almaty into Altyn Emel National Park with a private guide, visiting the colorful Aktau and volcanic Katutau Mountains before hearing the Singing Dunes. The tour starts at 8:30 am, includes admission tickets, and features Kazakh food and a stay with a local family.

“I planned to visit Altyn Emel Park and Charyn Canyon with Explore Kazakhstan and I could not be more fulfilled. My guide was very delicate with an extraordinary knowledge about both Reserves. I can not stress enough how much I enjoyed this 2 days trip for such a budget. Congratulations for the organization, it was special.”

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9.Altyn Emel National Park, Private tour, 2 days from Almaty

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $526

Travel from Almaty by private SUV with an English-speaking guide to Tamgaly Tas, the Singing Dune, Aktau Mountains, and Katutau. The $526 tour includes park fees, meals, water, hotel pickup, and one night in Basshi village. Sultan may guide your trip, subject to availability.

“Sultan was a very good guide. He shared his passion for his country and the nature with us. Beautiful senaries, a good car, good food and luck with the weather”

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10.2 day tour to Altyn Emel Singing Dune and Aktau mountain

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · from $280

Travel from Almaty to Altyn-Emel National Park in a small SUV group of up to seven. With guide Dinara or another assigned guide, you’ll see the 700-year-old Willow, hike 7 km through the chalky Aktau Mountains, visit Katutau, sleep in Basshi, and hear the Singing Dune hum.

“Our trip to Altyn Emel national park and the Singing Dunes was - for want of a better word - magnificient. Almaty region is a true bedrock of the Steppe’s ethos - filled with spellbinding and breathtaking views that adorn the topography. Altyn Read more”

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11.Altyn Emel, Singing Dune, Charyn canyon, Kolsay, Kaindy lake 4 days tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $882

Travel privately from Almaty into Kazakhstan’s wild southeast with drivers and guides such as Kuna, Jura, and Aidan. See the singing sands of Altyn Emel, red rock canyons, Kaindy’s sunken forest, Kolsai lakes, mountain scenery, hot springs, meals, and guesthouse lodging in four busy days.

“Kierowcy prowadzący nasze auta byli największym atutem tej wycieczki- stworzyli niesamowitą atmosferę, która jeszcze bardziej pozwalała zachwycać się kazachską niesamowitą przyrodą.”

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