Altyn Emel National Park and Charyn Canyon Off-Road Tour

Singing Dune, reaching a height of 120 meters and a length of about 3 km, located in one of the corners of the Altyn-Emel National Park, a few kilometers from the Ili river between the mountains of Big and Small Kalkan. This sandy hill consists of very fine pure sand, which starts to "sing" in windy weather and its sound reminds the organ music. Before a sandy storm the dune sounds like a drum. From the top of the Dune you can observe the grand panorama of the surroundings. In the south - thin strip of the Ili River is visible as well as purple mountains of Sogety and Boguty, looking out from the white peaks of the Ketmen ridge. On the west the horizon is obstructed by the steep slope of the Big Kalkan, and the Small Kalkan – from the east. In the north - violet-blue ridge of Djungarian Alatau mountains, Chulak mountain, Matai and Altyn-Emel are visible.

Aktau Mountains (White Mountains) is the most picturesque and unique place in the national park. It is the bottom of the ancient sea that once filled the Iliyski Basin. As the sea disappeared, nature has created here the beautiful gorges and canyons from the steep walls lined with colorful layers of rocks: from green and red at the bottom to motley and white at the top. The height of sediments reaches 1000 meters. These mountains are an enchanting spectacle of diverse shapes and shades. The chalk mountains of Aktau are a world famous paleontological deposit. Well-preserved remains of ancient animals whose age is estimated at 25-30 million years have been found in the layers of paleogenic lake deposits. Among the finds are the remains of giant rhinos, crocodiles and turtles, as well as tree trunks and prints of ancient plants.

The name of Katutau Mountains comes from the Mongolian dialect. There is no literal translation as such, but for many years the local population has described this area as "severe mountains". The mountains are really severe, this is confirmed by geological studies, the results of which indicate that the mountains are entirely of volcanic origin.
Temirlik Canyon is located in the lower reaches of Charyn River and its tributary Temirlik River. There is a unique place, where relict species of Sogdian ash-tree grow. According to a legend, another 5 million years ago, a wind was brought a winged seed of Sogdian ash-tree in this so-called «Valley of Yurts.» Millions of years passed, mountains and climate have changed, mammoths have disappeared. But the ash-tree still has remained... In 1964, the ash-tree grove was given the status of a monument of nature.

Charyn Canyon is a natural complex, unique in its kind not only in Kazakhstan but also worldwide. It was formed during Paleogene and reminds the Grand Canyon of Colorado River in North America, although inferior to it in size. The height of the steep slopes of the canyon is up to 150-300 meters. Extraordinary dissection of the terrain is striking: the numerous ravines form a dense, chaotic network. Wind and water has created the beautiful Valley of Castles, where you are always surrounded by the fancy towers composed of sedimentary rocks. The length of the valley is more than 2 km, width - 20-80 meters. For millions of years the nature has been creating a unique architecture, erecting magnificent castles carefully and slowly. You can spend hours walking among the strange towers and columns, being surprised by the wild imagination of the nature.