The Singing Dune and the rock carvings
Slide down a dune that hums, sleep in a yurt camp, then read the Bronze Age rock at Tamgaly.
- Starts and ends
- Almaty
- Distance
- 560 km by road
- Length
- 2 days, 1 night
- Start time
- 07:30
- Season
- April to October
- Language
- English, Russian
- Level
- Average
- Options
- Group or private
Group: join others on a fixed date. Private: your own guide and car on your date.
Altyn-Emel & Tamgaly
The most unusual two days we run. The sand at Altyn-Emel makes a low sound when it moves. The next morning you walk a valley of carvings made by herders three thousand years ago.
Itinerary
Day 1: To the dune
- Pick-up in Almaty
- Lunch near the Charyn river
- Altyn-Emel park, Aktau banded hills
- Singing Dune at sunset
- Yurt camp, dinner by the stove
Day 2: The carvings
- Breakfast and a morning walk
- Drive to Tamgaly
- Sun-headed figures and animals on the rock
- Drop-off in Almaty
Times are a guide and can shift with season and road conditions. If weather or a road closure blocks a stop, your guide offers another one. Refunds do not apply to a stop skipped for safety.
Included
- Guide and driver
- Yurt camp night
- Dinner and breakfast
- Park fees
Not included
- Lunches
- Tips
Group or private
Prices are in US dollars. The deposit and balance rules are below.
Group
$215per person, adults and youths 13 and over.
Children 5 to 12: $172.
Under 5: not on this trip.
Small group, up to 12 guests. Meeting point: Hotel pick-up in central Almaty.
Book a group seatPrivate
One group of travellers, no one else. Total price for the whole party.
| Guests | Total | Each, about | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $720 | $360 | 4x4 or minivan |
| 3 | $735 | $245 | 4x4 or minivan |
| 4 | $750 | $188 | 4x4 or minivan |
| 5 | $780 | $156 | Minivan |
| 6 to 7 | $1,010 | $144 | Van |
| 8 to 12 | $1,370 | $114 | Minibus |
More than 12? Send us a message for a custom price.
Book privatePick a date
Want your own date? Book private
Know this
- Nights are cold in the yurt, even in summer. A sleeping bag liner helps.
- The dune walk is soft sand and takes effort.
Not for everyone
- Not recommended with heart conditions.
- Not allowed for guests who cannot walk 4 km on sand.
Deposit and changes
- Group: 30% deposit. Free change up to 24 hours before.
- Private: $100 per booking. Free change up to 72 hours before.
- We cancel a group 48 hours ahead if fewer than 4 guests book or if weather or roads block it. You choose a new date or a refund.
- Balance goes to your guide on day one.