Jeep Tour · 2 Days

Altyn-Emel in Two Days: Sand Dunes and Mountains

4.9 · 21 reviews

Two-day jeep tour to Altyn-Emel National Park from Almaty. You will see the Singing Dune, the Aktau and Katutau mountains, and stay overnight in a cozy guesthouse. Experience the real desert and hear the sand sing.

WhenDaily, time upon request
Duration2 days / 1 night
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $103/person

Program

Hour-by-Hour Program of the Altyn-Emel Jeep Tour

06:30

Meeting and departure from Almaty

We meet in the city center, board comfortable SUVs, and head towards Altyn-Emel.

09:30

Arrival at Altyn-Emel Park

Pass through the checkpoint, brief instructions, and proceed to the Singing Dune.

10:30

Singing Dune

Climb to the top, listen to the sounds of the sand, and enjoy the panoramic views.

12:00

Aktau and Katutau Mountains

Photo session against the white cliffs of Aktau and the colorful mountains of Katutau.

13:30

Lunch

Picnic in nature with hot meals and tea.

15:00

Check-in at Guesthouse

Settle in, rest, evening walk around the area.

09:00

Day 2: Return

Breakfast, departure to Almaty with stops at scenic spots. Arrival approximately at 16:00.

What's included

What's Included in the Altyn-Emel Jeep Tour

Included in Price

Already included in the tour price

  • Transfer by SUV from Almaty and back
  • Guide-driver services
  • Accommodation in a guesthouse (1 night)
  • Lunch and dinner on the first day, breakfast on the second
  • Drinking water in the car
  • Environmental fees and permits

Paid separately

Optional, on site

  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks)
  • Accident insurance (recommended)
  • Tips for the guide (optional)

What to Bring

To make the day comfortable

  • Comfortable walking shoes (sneakers/trekking)
  • Warm jacket or windbreaker (cool in the evening)
  • Hat and sunscreen
  • Camera or phone with a good camera
  • Personal first aid kit and wet wipes

Team

Our team — guides and instructors from Almaty

Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.

Alexander Пашкин — Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу★4.52

Alexander Пашкин

Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу

52 review · experience 10 years

Andrey Шевелёв — Driver-guide★4.74

Andrey Шевелёв

Driver-guide

73 review · experience 13 years

Анжелика Чвыкова — Гид-фотограф★4.27

Анжелика Чвыкова

Гид-фотограф

58 reviews · experience 11 years

Ильяс Дарбеков — Гид-переводчик★4.27

Ильяс Дарбеков

Гид-переводчик

36 reviews · experience 6 years

Мадина Данина — Организатор туров★4.55

Мадина Данина

Организатор туров

65 reviews · experience 15 лет

Сергей Бабичев — Personal guide-водитель★4.49

Сергей Бабичев

Personal guide-водитель

65 reviews · experience 12 years

Reviews

Reviews of the Altyn-Emel jeep tour

Leave a review
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
AK
Aizhan K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Eki kunde Altyn Emeldi araladyq, ote korkem. Tymyr jaksy joldastyk etti. Biraq jolda kop tebeldik

Verified review · Order #41822
LI
Lyudmila I.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We took this tour spontaneously, a couple of days before the weekend. We wanted to see the desert and mountains in one place. The guide turned out to be an excellent photographer, he photographed us against the backdrop of dunes and white rocks. Most of all I remember the sunset in the mountains – the colors are incredible. The overnight stay in the guest house was simple but cozy. The next day we returned to Almaty, and made another stop along the way. Special thanks to the driver for careful driving off-road. I recommend it to everyone who wants to disconnect from the city bustle.

Verified review · Order #39535
BT
Bauyrzhan T.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Altyn-Emel eki kunnik ekskursiyada boldym, ote korkem. Gid joldastyk etti

Verified review · Order #38735
OL
Oksana L.
Our website ·
★★★★★

I had long dreamed of hearing the sands sing, and finally went with a friend. The dunes really hum, especially when you slide down. I also liked the mountains – the contrast of desert and rocks. The tour met expectations, I liked everything.

Verified review · Order #38024
VG
Vitaliy G.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

I wanted a break from the city and chose this tour. I liked everything, but it was chilly in the evening—need to dress warmer.

Verified review · Order #37362
OS
Olga S.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Departure was delayed by half an hour, but that's a small thing. The park is stunning, especially the singing dunes.

Verified review · Order #35076
AP
Anton P.
Our website ·
★★★★★

The park is big, we saw a lot in two days. Aleksandr told us about Kyzylkum and Tien Shan. It was stuffy in the car.

Verified review · Order #33884
ND
Natalya D.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

My wife and I went to Altyn-Emel for two days. Everything is organized clearly, the guide told interestingly about the history of the park. The white mountains of Aktau and the noisy dunes are the main impressions. The overnight stay in the guest house is normal, but it was cool in the evening, take warm clothes.

Verified review · Order #31912
DU
Damir U.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

Kerektti tur, korkem oryn. Gid korsetti, rahmet

Verified review · Order #31441
TN
Timur N.
Our website ·
★★★★★

With friends we decided to spend the weekend actively, and chose this jeep tour. Most of all I wanted to see the dunes – and I wasn't disappointed, they are huge and really sing. I also remembered the Aktau mountains: white rocks against the blue sky, beautiful. Lunch was simple but filling, with tea. In the evening we settled in a guest house, rested. On the second day we went back, stopping at scenic spots along the way. The sunset on the first day was unforgettable. I'm happy with everything, the guide is great.

Verified review · Order #31423
EV
Elena V.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

The mountains were amazing, the route is well thought out. The guide took us to the rocks, everything was great. True, on the way back we drove for a long time, I got a bit tired

Verified review · Order #31376
MK
Marat K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

My brother and I had long wanted to get out of the city, and we took this two-day jeep tour. The road to the park took a few hours, but the car was comfortable. First we climbed the Singing Dune – the sand really hums under your feet if you slide down. Then we went to the Aktau mountains, they are white as snow, and Katutau – multicolored. We had lunch in nature, it was tasty. For the night we stayed in a guest house, in the evening we walked around. On the second day we returned to the city. We liked everything, the guide told us a lot. The only thing – it was a bit stuffy in the car, but that's a small thing.

Verified review · Order #31244
DB
Dana B.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Altyn Emelge eki kunde baramyz, korkem tabigat. Gid albette korsetti

Verified review · Order #28424
IM
Irina M.
Our website ·
★★★★★

The park is beautiful, we managed to see both the dunes and the mountains. The guide led us, everything was clear

Verified review · Order #26948
SF
Sveta F.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We left on time, the program is rich. I saw turtles in the Ili River, dunes, Aktau mountains. The guide took care of us

Verified review · Order #21332
PV
Petr V.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

We went with colleagues after a stressful week. The tour is two-day, we managed to both rest and see a lot. The guide told us in detail about each place, especially about the history of these mountains. The singing dunes are something unusual, I have never heard anything like it. I also liked the picnic in nature with hot tea. We spent the night in a guest house, the conditions are normal. The way back seemed long, but it was worth it. I advise everyone, especially if you love nature and photography.

Verified review · Order #14111
NS
Nikolay S.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Well organized, guide is knowledgeable. Saw mountains and desert. Thanks, the guide.

Verified review · Order #13324
AR
Alexey R.
Our website ·
★★★★★

I chose the tour because of the reviews, didn't regret it. I saw the singing dunes, the Katutau mountains. The guide explained everything in detail, but a small minus - only sandwiches were given for lunch, I wanted something hot.

Verified review · Order #13121
SL
Sergey L.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

Two days flew by unnoticed. The guide showed both the mountains and the desert, I recommend. One thing - it was cool in the evening, should have taken a jacket.

Verified review · Order #12303
RK
Rinat Kh.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

Ochen krasivye peyzazhi, barhany kak v pustyne, gory neobychnye. Gid rasskazyval interesno

Verified review · Order #12225
GC
Galina Ch.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Went with a friend, really enjoyed it. On the first day we saw the singing dunes, in the evening we were in the mountains. Sergey guided us, he is knowledgeable. The only downside was on the second day we waited a long time for breakfast, but it didn't spoil the trip.

Verified review · Order #12042

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the Altyn-Emel tour

We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.

Ask a question

Sneakers or trekking shoes for walks and a warm jacket or windbreaker — it gets cool in the evening at the guest house. During the day on the Singing Dune the sun is hot, so don't forget a hat and sunscreen. Also bring a camera, a first-aid kit and wet wipes.

The walking load here is small: climbing the dune, short walks out to the Aktau and Katutau rocks and an evening stroll by the guest house, while most of the time you ride in an off-road vehicle. No special training is needed. If you are worried about a specific person, message us on WhatsApp — we will check for your date.

Yes, this off-road vehicle tour is private: no other travellers join you, and the off-road vehicle and guide-driver are yours alone. We depart daily, time on request. We will confirm the group composition and a convenient start for your date on WhatsApp.

We leave the city at 06:30, by 09:30 we are already at the park checkpoint, and then — the dune, Aktau and Katutau, lunch and check-in at the guest house. On the second day after breakfast we drive back with stops at scenic spots and around 16:00 we will be in Almaty. We will tell you the meeting point in the city centre for your date on WhatsApp.

Yes, the night at the guest house, lunch and dinner on day one and breakfast on day two, water in the vehicle and all park fees and permits are already in the price. Only personal expenses remain separate: souvenirs, extra drinks and tips for the guide at your discretion. We recommend arranging accident insurance in advance.

Send your date and number of participants on WhatsApp — we will reserve the off-road vehicle and the guest house in Altyn-Emel for you without any payment in advance. You will hand the money to the guide on the day of departure from Almaty: Kaspi, by card or in cash. If your plans change, cancelling the booking costs nothing.