Altyn Emel National Park: Singing Dune & Aktau Mountains

Day 1: Almaty, Kazakhstan to Altyn Emel National Park, Алматы, Kazakhstan

As you drive, keep an eye out for herds of wild horses, grazing cattle, and soaring birds of prey. One of the most famous sights in Altyn-Emel is the Singing Dune, a 150-meter-high sand dune that seems to appear out of nowhere in the middle of the steppe. When the sand is dry, it creates a deep, vibrating sound, like the hum of an organ or an airplane engine. Legends say that this is the voice of spirits or even the great Genghis Khan himself. Climb to the top of the dune for breathtaking panoramic views of the Ili River and surrounding mountains. Next, explore the Aktau Mountains, an ancient seabed that has turned into a kaleidoscope of red, white, and yellow rock formations. These "painted hills" are over 400 million years old and hold fossils of prehistoric animals, including crocodiles and turtles that lived here when this area was an ocean. Altyn-Emel is home to some of Kazakhstan’s rarest animals, including wild donkeys, goitered gazelles, golden eagles, and falcons. With some luck, you may even see the elusive snow leopard or the mighty argali (mountain sheep).