Altyn-Emel and Charyn Canyon 3-Day Tour

Discover the highlights of Altyn-Emel National Park, including the stunning Singing Dune and the striking Aktau Mountains, along with Kazakhstan's most awe-inspiring canyon, Charyn Canyon.

  • Starting Point: Almaty
  • Tour Duration: 3 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
tour information
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The number of single rooms cannot exceed the number of adults
Price per Person:
$ 800
  • Tour Date:
  • Departure Time:
  • Adults:
  • Single Room:
Total:
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Key Details
Included Features
Booking Procedure
Clothing Recommendations
Tariffs and service levels
Purchase Instructions
Why Choose Us?
Cancellation Policy

3 Days

Distance

1024 km

1010 km

14 km
Altyn-Emel and Charyn Canyon 3-Day Tour
Private Tour
Ensure that you have a current and valid passport with you on the day of travel
A part of the tour route passes through roads with clayey soil, which may become muddy during rainy weather. In such cases, access to some sightseeing sites may be restricted or limited
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
The tour involves long hikes
Children aged 3 and under go for free if they do not occupy a separate seat

Group Size: 1-18 people

What's Included in the Price?

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off; private transportation in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
  • Twin or single room in a hotel or a guest house in Altyn Emel National Park (2 nights)
  • Lunch and dinner on Day 1, full meals on Day 2, breakfast and lunch on Day 3
  • 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.
  • Extra socks.
  • Personal backpack.
  • Water container or thermos.
  • Sunscreen to protect your skin.
  • Trekking poles (optional).
  • A 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 7 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

Upon meeting your guide at the hotel at 9:00 AM, you will embark on a journey from Almaty to Basshi village located within the Altyn-Emel National Park. In the village, you will have lunch. Then, we will take a walk to the Singing Dune. Following a hike up the 150-meter dune, we'll return to Basshi village for a dinner and overnight stay in one of the guest houses or a hotel.

After breakfast at 8:00 AM, we'll embark on a scenic drive along unpaved roads covering over 80 km (50 mi) to reach the Aktau Mountains. You'll have time to explore the sights before returning to Basshi village for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, we will drive to the Temirlik River, home to the ancient Sogdian ash tree grove. After exploring the grove and enjoying a picnic, we'll continue our adventure to Charyn Canyon. Upon arrival, we'll admire the panorama from the observation point, descend to the canyon floor, and hike about 2 km (1.2 mi). You will have several hours to explore the canyon. Then, we will make our way back to Almaty. You'll return to your hotel by 7:00 PM.

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Day 1

Upon meeting your guide at the hotel at 9:00 AM, you will embark on a journey from Almaty to Basshi village located within the Altyn-Emel National Park. In the village, you will have lunch. Then, we will take a walk to the Singing Dune. Following a hike up the 150-meter dune, we'll return to Basshi village for a dinner and overnight stay in one of the guest houses or a hotel.

Day 2

After breakfast at 8:00 AM, we'll embark on a scenic drive along unpaved roads covering over 80 km (50 mi) to reach the Aktau Mountains. You'll have time to explore the sights before returning to Basshi village for dinner and an overnight stay.

Day 3

After breakfast, we will drive to the Temirlik River, home to the ancient Sogdian ash tree grove. After exploring the grove and enjoying a picnic, we'll continue our adventure to Charyn Canyon. Upon arrival, we'll admire the panorama from the observation point, descend to the canyon floor, and hike about 2 km (1.2 mi). You will have several hours to explore the canyon. Then, we will make our way back to Almaty. You'll return to your hotel by 7:00 PM.

The Singing Dune
Aktau Mountains
Charyn Canyon
The Singing Dune

The Singing Dune, standing at a height of 120 meters (394 ft) and stretching about 3 km (1.9 mi), is nestled in one of the corners of Altyn-Emel National Park. Composed of fine, pure sand, this sandy hill "sings" when the wind blows, producing a sound reminiscent of organ music. Before a sandy storm, the dune echoes like a drum. From its summit, you can enjoy a panorama of the surroundings. To the south, a thin strip of the Ili River unfolds alongside the purple peaks of Sogety and Boguty mountains. The westward view is framed by the steep slope of the Big Kalkan Mountain, while the east is marked by the Small Kalkan. To the north, a violet-blue ridge marks the Dzungarian Alatau Mountains.

Aktau Mountains

The Aktau Mountains stand out as one of the most picturesque and unique sites in the national park. These mountains are the remnants of an ancient sea that once filled the Ili River basin. As the sea receded, it revealed layers of rocks, displaying a spectrum of colors from green and red at the base to grey and white at the summit. The sedimentary deposits reach a height of 1000 meters (3280 ft).

The chalk mountains of Aktau are a significant paleontological deposit. The area contains remains of ancient animals dating back 25-30 million years. Among the discoveries are remnants of giant rhinos, crocodiles, and turtles, along with imprints of ancient plants and tree trunks.

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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Shanna Anderson
14 april 2017, 15:51

10

Very nice, excellent English, very knowledgeable, friendly, enjoyed.

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    After selecting the date and entering the data, you will see the total amount of the order. When you click the "Buy Online" button, you will be redirected to a secure payment service page where you need to enter your bank card details to make a payment. Payment is possible using Visa, MasterCard and other electronic payment systems. According to the requirements of the legislation, the final payment amount will be made in the national currency of Kazakhstan - Tenge (TENGE - KZT). The conversion into Tenge is made at the official exchange rate of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan, on the day of payment. You can get acquainted with the exchange rate of the national currency of Kazakhstan, in relation to other currencies, on the page

    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