Jeep tour · 1 day

Singing Dune in Altyn-Emel — off-road tour

4.9 · 21 reviews

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.

WhenDaily, time upon request
Duration15 h
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $103/person

Program

Jeep tour itinerary to Singing Dune by the hour

06:30

Departure from Almaty

Group meeting in the city center, transfer by off-road vehicle towards Altyn-Emel.

09:00

Stop at Kapchagay dam

Short photo stop at Kapchagay Reservoir.

10:30

Entry to Altyn-Emel National Park

Obtaining passes, familiarization with park rules.

11:30

Sightseeing of Mount Aktau

Walk along white clay cliffs resembling Martian landscapes.

13:00

Lunch in nature

Picnic with hot tea and sandwiches (paid extra).

14:30

Singing Dune

Climb the dune, take photos and videos, listen to the sand 'singing'.

17:00

Return to Almaty

Transfer back, estimated arrival by 9:00 PM.

What's included

What is included in the jeep tour to Singing Dune

Included in Price

Already included in the tour price

  • Transfer by off-road vehicle (comfortable car)
  • Services of a professional guide-driver
  • Entrance tickets to the national park
  • Bottled water for the road
  • Insurance during the tour

Paid separately

Optional, on site

  • Lunch (can be ordered for $10/person)
  • Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks)
  • Accommodation (tour is one-day)

What to Bring

To make the day comfortable

  • Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing
  • Hat and sunscreen
  • Camera or phone for photos
  • Small backpack for personal items
  • Raincoat in case of precipitation

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 jeep tour to Singing Dune

Leave a review
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
BZ
Berik Zh.
Google ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #45579
NK
Natalya K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

The road was bumpy, but it's worth it. The dune is impressive. I recommend bringing extra water.

Verified review · Order #42428
AK
Aigul K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

The tour was super! The dune really sings, although I thought it was just advertising. The SUV was powerful, the driver was careful.

Verified review · Order #42201
AB
Aliya B.
Google ·
★★★★★

Really enjoyed the trip. The sand dune felt alive. We were tired by evening, but it was totally worth it. Thanks, Aleksandr!

Verified review · Order #41818
GR
Gulmira R.
Our website ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #39194
OP
Olga P.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Loved it! The scenery is stunning, the dune is huge. The climb is tough but the views are worth it.

Verified review · Order #38791
DL
Dmitry L.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Liked everything: the car and the guide. The sand squeaks under your feet, and if you slide down, it rumbles. Totally cool.

Verified review · Order #38359
LT
Leila T.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

The tour was super! Very emotional. Just don't forget sunscreen. The driver was great.

Verified review · Order #38132
VS
Vera S.
Google ·
★★★★★

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!

Verified review · Order #34359
GS
Gaukhar S.
Google ·
★★★★★

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!

Verified review · Order #32637
DM
Daniyar M.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

Ne ploxo, no doroga ochen' tryasaya. Barhan krasivyj. Vody nado brat' mnogo. Spasibo Madine za org.

Verified review · Order #32270
AM
Ainura M.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

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!

Verified review · Order #31524
SV
Sergey V.
Google ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #29475
SI
Svetlana I.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #28593
AR
Aibek R.
Our website ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #28169
EG
Elena G.
Our website ·
★★★★★

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!

Verified review · Order #21398
KE
Kuanysh E.
Google ·
★★★★★

Vse zdorovo! Barhan real'no poet. Poezdka po pesku zaxvatyvayet. Rekomenduyu vsem.

Verified review · Order #19559
MS
Marat S.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We went with the family. The kids were thrilled by the sand. Thanks to Madina for the organization, everything was smooth.

Verified review · Order #18869
DM
Dinara M.
Google ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #15084
RN
Ruslan N.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

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.

Verified review · Order #13811
TA
Timur A.
Google ·
★★★★★

Thanks to Sergey for the awesome tour! The SUV was comfortable, the route was interesting. We'll definitely come back.

Verified review · Order #12204

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the Singing Dune 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

On 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.