The 12 Best Altyn-Emel and Singing Dunes Tours

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

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

Leave Almaty at 5:30 a.m. for a full day in Altyn Emel National Park. With an English-speaking guide such as Bek, Aya, Kassym, or Elnar, you visit the chalky Aktau Mountains, volcanic Katutau range, and 150-meter Singing Dunes. Lunch, park fees, water, snacks, and transport are included.

“We were a group of 3 and visited Aktau mountains as well as the Singing Dunes. Our guide Elnar did a fantastic job at showing us the destinations as well as giving explanations about them. The tour was organized well and didn‘t feel rushed. The lunch that was served in a guest house on the way was very delicious, too. Fully recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $736

Spend three days with Explore Kazakhstan visiting the Singing Dunes and Aktau Mountains in Altyn-Emel, then Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Kolsai Lake. The private tour starts at 5:00 am, includes pickup, and can be adjusted during the trip. Guide Dorzh is noted for careful service and useful photos and videos.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Travel from Almaty to Altyn Emel National Park in a small group of up to six. You’ll visit the 700-year-old Willow, hike among the chalk ridges of Aktau and Katutau, stay in Basshi, and walk the Singing Dune. Guides Gaukhar and Gasyr speak English and Russian. Shared rooms and long drives require realistic expectations.

“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 !”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Travel from Almaty by private jeep to the Singing Dune, Aktau Mountains, Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, and Charyn Canyon. You get a guide, guest-house lodging, three breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Expect long drives, rough roads, village stops, and a moderate level of walking.

“Kazakhstan felt like many worlds in one with such beautiful and changing geography every 100kms. With a short time in hand, I think this 4 day package with Neomad gave us the opportunity to witness many landscapes nearing the Almaty rRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Leave Almaty before sunrise for an 18-hour Altyn-Emel adventure with an English- or Russian-speaking guide. You’ll ride in a small group of up to six, visit a 700-year-old willow, hike the white Aktau Mountains, see volcanic Katutau, climb the Singing Dune, and eat breakfast and dinner in Basshi. Guides such as Gassyr, Bek, Dimash, and Ivan have been praised for care, English, music, and photo help.

“Toller Ausflug mit einem sehr enthusiatischen Guide! Danke vielmals Gassyr!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · from $450

Take a private 2-day trip from Almaty into Altyn-Emel National Park with an English-speaking guide. You’ll climb the Singing Dune, see Aktau’s 25 to 30-million-year-old fossil field, and visit the volcanic shapes of Katutau. A 4WD vehicle, lodging, meals, 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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews

Travel from Almaty with a private guide and driver to Kapchagay Reservoir, the Singing Dune, Aktau Mountains, and Katutau volcanic hills. The $1,023.69 rate covers up to four people, round-trip transport, meals, and tent or guesthouse lodging. Guides associated with the experience include Max and Vlad.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Atyn Emel National Park 2 days tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $450

Travel from Almaty into Altyn Emel National Park in a private off-road SUV with an English-speaking guide. Over two days, you’ll hike to an Aktau Mountains viewpoint, see Katutau Mountain and a 700-year-old willow, then visit Singing Barkhan, Oshaktas Stone Stellas, and Chokan Ualikhanov’s spring. The tour is designed for private groups.

“Altyn Emel National Park is amazing place. We have very enjoyable camping there. Thanks to AbdiTravel for this holidays!🔥”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $742

Travel from Almaty into Altyn Emel National Park for the white limestone of Aktau, dark volcanic Katutau, and the rumbling Singing Dunes. You’ll ride in a comfortable vehicle suited to rough roads, stay with a Kazakh family, and eat national food. Guides including Mikhail and Madina have led this route.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $526

Travel from Almaty to Altyn Emel National Park in a private SUV or minivan with an English-speaking guide. Over two days, you’ll see Tamgaly Tas Buddhist rock drawings, the Singing Dune, chalky Aktau Mountains, and volcanic Katutau. Hotel pickup, meals, park fees, water, and a twin room are included.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.2 day tour to Altyn Emel Singing Dune and Aktau mountain

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · from $280

Travel from Almaty in a private SUV with a group of up to seven. Walk 7 km through the chalk hills of Aktau, see volcanic Katutau, visit the 700-year-old Willow, and hear the Singing Dune hum. The tour includes a guide, park fees, meals, and a night in Basshi. Guide Dinara has received warm praise.

“Had two amazing days on this trip, No problem traveling solo when you get such nice company. I'm really happy I booked this trip, instead of a 1 day trip, as it allowed time to both explore and relax. The sights are truly amazing, and with Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $882

Travel from Almaty through Kazakhstan’s Altyn Emel National Park, the Singing Dune, Aktau and Katutau mountains, Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, and Kolsai Lake. The private four-day route includes guest-house lodging, three breakfasts, four lunches, and three dinners. Drivers and guides may include Kuna, Jura, and Aidan.

“Wonderful trip. We booked three tours, and they were all very interesting. The guides were level!”

Check availability →Read our full review