Altyn-Emel National Park and Charyn Canyon Off-Road Tour

If you like spending time in nature and delight in discovering the new and unusual – come join us on this off-road tour in Altyn Emel Natural Park and Charyn Canyon!

  • Starting Point: Hotel Pickup (Almaty)
  • Tour Duration: 4 Days
  • Available: Year-round
  • Best Period: April-May, September-November
Highly qualified staff
We invest over 300 hours each year in training our staff and guides to ensure top-notch service.
Charity
Our company contributes up to 1% of your service cost to support charitable causes and create a positive impact.
Guarantee
We guarantee the quality of our services. If we do not meet your expectations, we will refund your money.
Experience
With over 26,000 satisfied guests from 67 countries and 10,000+ tours completed, our experience speaks for itself.

Cost Estimate and Online Booking

prices and reservations
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Key Details
Included Features
Booking Procedure
Clothing Recommendations
Tariffs and service levels
Purchase Instructions
Why Choose Us?
Cancellation Policy

4 Days

Distance

1040 km

1025 km

15 km
Altyn-Emel National Park and Charyn Canyon Off-Road Tour
Starting Point: Hotel Pickup (Almaty)
Tour Duration: 4 Days
Available: Year-round
Private Tour
Best Period: April-May, September-November
Difficulty: Moderate
Age restriction: 4+
Ensure that you have a current and valid passport with you on the day of travel.
If you have any specific dietary requirements, please inform us at the time of booking so that we can make appropriate arrangements. Local cuisine typically includes lamb or beef, dough, and milk products.

Group Size: 1–16 people

What's Included in the Price?

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off; private transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
  • Accommodation in a tent camp (3 nights)
  • Lunch and dinner on Day 1, full meals on Days 2 and 3, breakfast and lunch on Day 4
  • Services of a professional English-speaking guide
  • Environmental and entry fees
  • A bottle of drinking water per person per day

Not Included:

  • Personal expenses of tour participants
  • Any additional transfers
  • Visa services and registration in Kazakhstan (if required)
  • Additional services not specified in the itinerary

Booking Procedure

  • Select the tour you want to book.
  • On the tour page, use the calendar to choose your desired date and the number of participants. Fill in your personal information and click the Buy Online button.
  • To secure your booking, you need to pay the full cost of the tour. For details on the online payment process, refer to the Purchase Instructions tab.
  • After payment, save your voucher and the electronic receipt containing your order details and payment information.

Alternative booking options:

You can also book a tour by contacting our managers and paying in cash or via bank transfer. To reach our managers, click the round button in the lower right corner of the screen or message us on WhatsApp at +7 (700) 348-00-00 (responses available in English).

Alternatively, you can call us at:

+7 (727) 326-96-16, +7 (702) 006-57-87, or +7 (7172) 76-00-56

Essential items for your tour:

  • Comfortable clothing (such as shorts, pants, leggings, a T-shirt, or a light long-sleeved sweater). A waterproof and windproof jacket. In colder weather, wear an insulated jacket or down jacket, along with a hat, scarf, and gloves.
  • A cap or hat for sun protection.
  • Trekking boots or sneakers with hard soles and high lacing.
  • Change of shoes for camp (light sneakers).
  • Several pairs of socks + a pair of warm socks.
  • Personal backpack.
  • Head torch with adjustable brightness.
  • Water container or thermos.
  • Sunscreen.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Personal first aid kit.
  • Personal hygiene kit.
  • Insect repellent.

Tour Pricing Options

The prices for this tour are based on the Standard tariff, which includes reliable tourist transport in good condition, the services of an experienced guide and driver, guesthouse stay, and meals.

In addition to the Standard tariff, we offer the following options:

  • Economy: We provide lower-class vehicles for transfers, and accommodations consist of more budget-friendly hotels and guesthouses. This option is ideal for tourists looking to minimize costs.

Note: Be cautious of companies that misrepresent their Economy tariff as Standard. These companies may offer lower-priced tours with poor service quality, such as outdated vehicles and inexperienced guides. They might also operate illegally and neglect essential safety standards.

  • Comfort: This option features high-comfort vehicles in excellent condition, with the most experienced guides accompanying tourists. Tourists stay in high-class hotels.
  • VIP: Luxury transport is provided, and guests stay in upscale hotels. Premium services are offered throughout the entire trip.

If you wish to adjust your tariff, please inform your manager before booking the tour.

For more information about our rates and transport options, refer to this section.

Purchase Instructions

  • Choose your desired date and fill in all required information. The total order amount will be displayed based on your selections.
  • Click the Buy Online button to be redirected to a secure payment page. Here, enter your bank card details to complete your payment.

We accept payments via Visa, MasterCard, and other electronic payment systems. The total amount will be charged in the national currency of Kazakhstan – tenge. The conversion to Kazakhstani tenge will occur at the official exchange rate set by the National Bank of Kazakhstan on the day of payment. You can view the current exchange rates for the Kazakhstani tenge against other currencies on this page.

  • Once your payment is successful, an electronic receipt with your order details and payment information will be sent to the email address you provided. Additionally, you can download and print a voucher for the paid service during your browser session. Please ensure you save this voucher.

For details about the payment service and the security measures for electronic transactions, refer to this page.

Why Choose Us?

Highly Qualified Staff
We invest over 300 hours each year in training our staff and guides to ensure top-notch service.

Charity
Our company contributes up to 1% of your service cost to support charitable causes and create a positive impact. 

Guarantee
We guarantee the quality of our services. If we do not meet your expectations, we will refund your money.

Experience
With over 26,000 satisfied guests from 67 countries and 10,000+ tours completed, our experience speaks for itself. 

Cancellation Policy:

  • If you cancel the tour less than 3 days* before its start, 50% of the total cost will be retained.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours* before the tour or do not show up, 100% of the total cost will be retained.

*Please note that if a cancellation notice is received outside of our working hours (evening, night, or weekends) and our managers have not confirmed receipt of your cancellation or change request in writing, the company reserves the right to consider the request when business hours resume. Therefore, we encourage you to notify us of any changes or cancellations as early as possible.

During non-working hours, you can try to reach us through our duty phone, corporate email, or corporate messengers. Duty managers monitor these channels and can respond promptly. If you have the contact information for your guide, driver, or other responsible parties (often listed in your voucher), we recommend reaching out to them directly as well.

Tour Schedule

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4

You will meet your guide at 9:00 AM at your hotel, board a comfortable off-road vehicle, and set out from Almaty to Altyn-Emel National Park. Upon arrival, we'll take a walk to the Singing Dune and enjoy lunch by a nearby stream. After exploring the dune, we'll head to the Aktau Mountains to establish a camp for an overnight stay.

The total distance covered on this day is approximately 490 km (300 mi).
A night in a tent camp at an altitude of 565 meters (1854 ft) above sea level.

After breakfast, we will go for a walk to explore the Aktau Mountains, renowned for their picturesque and distinctive landscapes. As evening falls, we'll return to the camp for dinner and overnight rest.

The walking distance covered during the day is approximately 10 km (6 mi).
A night in a tent camp at an altitude of 565 meters (1854 ft) above sea level.

After breakfast and the dismantling of the camp, we will head to another fascinating destination – the Katutau Mountains. After exploring the mountains, we'll continue our drive to the ash-tree grove at Temirlik River, and then proceed to Charyn Canyon. There, we will establish a camp, have dinner, and rest.

The total distance covered on this day is approximately 300 km (984 mi).
The walking distance for the day is about 6 km (20 mi).
A night in a tent camp at an altitude of 1000 meters (3280 ft) above sea level.

In the morning, we'll take a stroll around the canyon before we begin our journey back to Almaty. Along the way, we'll stop for lunch at a cafe or have a picnic. The anticipated arrival time in Almaty is around 7:00 PM.

The total distance covered on this day is approximately 250 km (155 mi).

Copy
Day 1

You will meet your guide at 9:00 AM at your hotel, board a comfortable off-road vehicle, and set out from Almaty to Altyn-Emel National Park. Upon arrival, we'll take a walk to the Singing Dune and enjoy lunch by a nearby stream. After exploring the dune, we'll head to the Aktau Mountains to establish a camp for an overnight stay.

The total distance covered on this day is approximately 490 km (300 mi).
A night in a tent camp at an altitude of 565 meters (1854 ft) above sea level.

Day 2

After breakfast, we will go for a walk to explore the Aktau Mountains, renowned for their picturesque and distinctive landscapes. As evening falls, we'll return to the camp for dinner and overnight rest.

The walking distance covered during the day is approximately 10 km (6 mi).
A night in a tent camp at an altitude of 565 meters (1854 ft) above sea level.

Day 3

After breakfast and the dismantling of the camp, we will head to another fascinating destination – the Katutau Mountains. After exploring the mountains, we'll continue our drive to the ash-tree grove at Temirlik River, and then proceed to Charyn Canyon. There, we will establish a camp, have dinner, and rest.

The total distance covered on this day is approximately 300 km (984 mi).
The walking distance for the day is about 6 km (20 mi).
A night in a tent camp at an altitude of 1000 meters (3280 ft) above sea level.

Day 4

In the morning, we'll take a stroll around the canyon before we begin our journey back to Almaty. Along the way, we'll stop for lunch at a cafe or have a picnic. The anticipated arrival time in Almaty is around 7:00 PM.

The total distance covered on this day is approximately 250 km (155 mi).

The Singing Dune
Aktau Mountains
Katutau Mountains
Charyn Canyon
The Singing Dune

The Singing Dune is a sandy hill reaching 150 meters (492 ft) in height and approximately 3 kilometers (1.9 mi) in length. Made up of very fine, pure sand, the Singing Dune emits a unique sound resembling that of organ music when the wind blows. Prior to a sandy storm, it sounds like a drum. From the top of the dune, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding area.

Aktau Mountains

The Aktau Mountains, also known as the White Mountains, are a world-renowned paleontological field. The Paleogene lacustrine deposits in the mountains contain well-preserved remains of ancient animals that are estimated to be 25-30 million years old. These remains include giant rhinos, crocodiles, and turtles. The mountains themselves are visually stunning, with huge conical shapes reminiscent of the Egyptian pyramids and a magical array of colors and shapes.

Katutau Mountains

The name of the Katutau Mountains originates from the Mongolian language, though it has no direct translation. For generations, however, locals have referred to this area as the “severe mountains” – a fitting description. Geological studies confirm that these mountains are entirely of volcanic origin. At their base lay a vast prehistoric reservoir, which dried up over millions of years. As its bed eroded under the forces of wind and water, buried lava flows, volcanic ash, and other geological features emerged, giving rise to the surreal formations and unique shapes seen today.

Charyn Canyon

Charyn Canyon bears a resemblance to the Grand Canyon in the USA, albeit on a smaller scale. The steep canyon slopes reach heights of 150-300 meters (500-1000 ft), and what truly stands out is the remarkable dissection of the terrain – a dense, chaotic network of numerous ravines. Particularly captivating is the Valley of Castles, where the wind and water have sculpted walls resembling castles and towers. This valley showcases nature's unique architectural prowess, crafting magnificent structures over millions of years. Walking amid these towers and columns, you can marvel at the wild imagination of nature for hours.

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    After successful payment, an electronic receipt with information about the order and data on the payment made will be sent to the e-mail you specified. Also, during the session of your browser on the site, you will have access to download and print a voucher for the paid service. Save it. Information about the payment service and guarantees of the security of electronic payments can be found on this page