Altyn Emel National Park

, which is located in the Almaty region of our vast country, we recall most often when we talk about the Singing Dune — a unique and mysterious attraction of the park. However, the mysteries of the national park do not end on the “singing” sands. Today we will tell you about the Martian landscapes of the incredible mountains of Aktau and Katutau and work out a route together.

Aktau and Katutau mountains

located between the Ili River and the Altyn Emel ridge. Here, the amazing brown rocks of the Katutau mountains form bizarre forms, giving complete freedom of imagination, and a little further lie white, with harmonious transitions to the yellow and brown sands of Aktau. The mountains owe their unusual appearance to two large volcanoes, once active in these places. Geologists claim that these mountains are composed of lavas, tuffs, rhyolites, andesites, dacites and diabases.

The first along the route are the mountains of Katutau. Katutau is translated as “frozen mountains”. The mountains got this name because they look like frozen lava (and, in principle, they are), and after millions of years, water and wind completed the composition, undermining the ledges and forming holes in the rocks. Nature has continued its art for millions of years, and will continue for millions of long years. Now we are observing only a short but unique passage. Sin — not to become his witness!

The highest point reaches a height of 1720 m., But the breed here is fragile in some places, so it’s worth to walk very carefully.

The second point of the route is the Aktau Mountains. Despite its name, the mountains here are not only white. There are red ridges, and brown, and even black. The spectacle is incomparable. The vegetation is very rare and consists mainly of salt marsh, but the fauna is rich in foxes, hares and various rodents.

Nearby, you can easily see two almost identical mountains. They are popularly called sisters and are often used as a symbol of Altyn Emel National Park.

How to get to the mountains of Katutau and Aktau?

The detailed route to the Altyn-Emel National Park was discussed in the article “Singing Dune”. In the village of Basshi, it will be necessary to pay for entry into the park and ask the huntsman, so as not to get lost.

Also, in order not to get lost, you can purchase a full tour from our team and be sure that you will definitely not miss anything interesting!