★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Jeep tour · 1 day
In one day on a comfortable off-road vehicle, you'll reach the famous Singing Dune in Altyn-Emel National Park. Hear how the sand 'sings' in the wind, see ancient petroglyphs and Mount Aktau, while the guide tells you about the history of these places.
Program
Group meeting in the city center, transfer by off-road vehicle towards Altyn-Emel.
Short photo stop at Kapchagay Reservoir.
Obtaining passes, familiarization with park rules.
Walk along white clay cliffs resembling Martian landscapes.
Picnic with hot tea and sandwiches (paid extra).
Climb the dune, take photos and videos, listen to the sand 'singing'.
Transfer back, estimated arrival by 9:00 PM.
What's included
Already included in the tour price
Optional, on site
To make the day comfortable
Team
Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.
★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
★4.52Alexander Пашкин
Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу
★4.74Andrey Шевелёв
Driver-guide
★4.27Анжелика Чвыкова
Гид-фотограф
★4.27Ильяс Дарбеков
Гид-переводчик
★4.55Мадина Данина
Организатор туров
★4.49Сергей Бабичев
Personal guide-водитель
Reviews
We took the tour spontaneously with friends. The guide told us a lot about the park and petroglyphs. The dune is beautiful, but there's little time at the top — we wanted longer.
The road was bumpy, but it's worth it. The dune is impressive. I recommend bringing extra water.
The tour was super! The dune really sings, although I thought it was just advertising. The SUV was powerful, the driver was careful.
Really enjoyed the trip. The sand dune felt alive. We were tired by evening, but it was totally worth it. Thanks, Aleksandr!
The dune is very impressive. The sound really is like a plane's roar. But we left 20 minutes late, which slightly spoiled the mood.
Loved it! The scenery is stunning, the dune is huge. The climb is tough but the views are worth it.
Liked everything: the car and the guide. The sand squeaks under your feet, and if you slide down, it rumbles. Totally cool.
The tour was super! Very emotional. Just don't forget sunscreen. The driver was great.
My husband and I went on vacation, we wanted to see something unusual. We liked the tour: excellent organization, the guide is an interesting person, knows a lot about the park. The off-road ride was comfortable, though long. The dune impressed with its size, the sand squeaks under your feet. Aktau Mountain is also beautiful, we took a bunch of photos. It was just hot, but it's summer, we were prepared. I recommend it to everyone!
We planned this trip for a long time and went with friends. Climbing the dune was really hard, our feet sank into the sand and we got completely exhausted. But the view that opened up at the top made us forget all the difficulties! The guide told us a lot about the history of this place, especially interesting was what he said about the petroglyphs. Organization-wise everything was good, only cold water ran out, next time I'll bring more. I recommend it to nature lovers!
Ne ploxo, no doroga ochen' tryasaya. Barhan krasivyj. Vody nado brat' mnogo. Spasibo Madine za org.
I went with a colleague after a work week, we wanted to unwind. We chose this tour because of the off-road vehicle — we didn't want to bounce around in a bus. And we didn't regret it: the car was comfortable, the guide told us interesting things about the national park. I especially liked Aktau Mountain — white clay cliffs, really like on Mars. We were at the dune for almost an hour, the sand sings if you slide down. The only downside is the strong wind at the top, but that's nature, can't change it. Overall everything was well organized, we'll come back again!
I had long wanted to see the singing dune. Not disappointed! The sand is soft, the sound is interesting. Thanks to Andrey for the excursion.
I had never been on such tours before, I went with my brother. The impressions are unforgettable! The dune is huge, the sand sings. The only thing is we waited in line for about 15 minutes to leave.
Amazing! I loved the sound of the dune. I think we'll go again. The guide gave a lot of information, especially interesting was what he said about the petroglyphs. My brother and I went together, he was satisfied too.
My friend and I were planning a weekend getaway, but she got sick, so I decided to go alone. I spontaneously chose this tour and didn't regret it! The guide told us everything in detail about Altyn-Emel and answered a ton of questions. What I remember most is Aktau Mountain — white cliffs, like from another planet. We stayed the longest at the singing dune: the sand really sings when the wind blows! The atmosphere was warm, the guide was attentive. The only thing is, lunch could have been included, but that's a minor detail. I recommend this tour to everyone!
Vse zdorovo! Barhan real'no poet. Poezdka po pesku zaxvatyvayet. Rekomenduyu vsem.
We went with the family. The kids were thrilled by the sand. Thanks to Madina for the organization, everything was smooth.
Departure was delayed by half an hour, but in the end everything went perfectly. The dune is impressive in size. I recommend it to everyone.
The singing dune looks like it's from a movie. The road is long but the changing landscapes are a delight, especially when you pass by the reservoir. Lunch was a bit delayed but they made up for it with time at the dune. Went with my girlfriend, she photographed the white cliffs all day.
Thanks to Sergey for the awesome tour! The SUV was comfortable, the route was interesting. We'll definitely come back.
FAQ
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 questionOn the route you will encounter sand and the white clay cliffs of Aktau, so your footwear should be comfortable and your clothing should suit the weather — you will not be walking on asphalt. A hat, sunscreen and a raincoat will come in handy — the steppe is changeable. A small backpack for personal items and a phone or camera are also a good idea.
The tour is one day, without an overnight stay, and the walking sections are short: a stroll around Aktau and the climb up the dune itself. No special training is needed, but walking on sand is harder than on a flat road. If any of your loved ones has difficulty moving around, message us on WhatsApp — we will advise how everything will go in your case.
You spend most of the time in a comfortable off-road vehicle, and you walk only at the locations — along the clay cliffs of Aktau and when climbing the dune. This is not a hike with a backpack, but the day is long, so your footwear and clothing should be comfortable and suited to the weather. The guide will tell you before departure how everything will go on your specific date.
We meet in central Almaty at 06:30: around 09:00 there's a short photo stop at the Kapchagay reservoir, and by 10:30 we enter the national park. After Aktau and the dune we head back at 17:00 and arrive in Almaty at around 21:00. The tour is private, so the start time can be shifted — we'll confirm it on WhatsApp.
No, meals on the route are not included in the price — at the stop you can separately order lunch for $10 per person. The tour price already includes transfer in an off-road vehicle, a driver-guide, a pass to the national park, water for the road and insurance. Souvenirs and additional drinks are paid for by each person themselves.
Yes, this is a private tour in an off-road vehicle, meaning only you and your group go. Booking is done via a message on WhatsApp, no prepayment is needed — you pay on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card or in cash. If your plans change, cancellation of the booking is free.