Singing Dunes

Itinerary name: Singing Dunes

Day-by-day program:

Day 1: Almaty

Today after arrival start your city tour in wonderful city Almaty. Almaty is the biggest city in southern Kazakhstan and has an important role in the life of Kazakhstan. You will start your city tour from the excursion in the Almaty museum; you will learn a lot of facts about the history of the Almaty. Then go on to Abai Opera and Ballet Theater, have a good idea of city architecture and history. The city’s famous park- Panfilov Park, where there are wooden Cathedral of Zenkov, the Memorial of Glory and Eternal Flame and the building of Museum of Musical Instruments. Then walk to blooming Green Bazaar, which is the favorite shopping place of city residents. After exploring the city and having delicious lunch at the local restaurant, take a tour to the Medeo Gorge, where the highest mountain outdoor skating rink is located at the altitude of 1690 meters. Then take a cable car to a ski resort Shymbulak, popular for city residents during the wintertime. On the cabin, you will see admirable beauty of nature and fir trees growing up to 2260 meters above sea level. After coming back to the city take eco-cars to Kok-Tobe hill, where you will have the panoramic view to the whole city. TV tower on the top of the hill considered to be the highest in the world (if to count from the sea level). You can find nice national souvenirs in the small boutiques or have a walk. On the way to the city, take a cableway. On Tuesdays and tour starting at 10:00 cable way is not available. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 2: Almaty – Altyn Emel
After breakfast, leave to popular Altyn Emel National Park, and arrive at 12:00. The most famous sightseeing of  Altyn Emel is Singing Dunes are located. It is the huge Park with diverse landscape and Singing Dunes are in deep part of the park. The length is about 3 km and height can reach 120 meters. The Singing Dune lies in the middle of terrain, where you will not wait to see. However, the sand is fine pure and sing in during the wind reminding musical instrument organ. On the top of the Dune, it is possible to have a great view of surrounding. Violet Sogety and Boguty mountains stand out from snow peaks of Ketmen Range and Ili River can be seen from the south. On the east-north you will see beautiful Big Kalkan and Small Kalkan slopes. You will be able to see dark-blue ridges of Jungar Alatau mountains, Chulak Mountain, Matai and Altyn-Emel from the north. During the dry and windy weather, you will enjoy the song of the Dune, even from several kilometers. After having enjoyed the site, transfer to Altyn Emel hotel. Dinner and night in a hotel.

Day 3: Altyn Emel
The entire day will be devoted to tour in Altyn Emel. The other sites of Altyn Emel Park, visiting Katutau and Aktau Mountains. There are one of the main attractive places of Park. You will enjoy the picnic in the nature. Katutau is translated as Harsh Mountains, it is very old mountain with volcanic remains. The rocks are very soft and solved down very quickly. During the natural powers like water and wind, the shapes were carved on the rocks. There were found some sediments from the bottom of pre-historic Tethys Ocean. Entangled shapes of the mountain was the result of the environmental factors. Aktau Mountain means White Mountain in Kazakh language. It is the pure example of paleontological deposit. In the colorful layer of these mountains, there were found the fossils of ancient animals, whose age is estimated as 25-30 million years. They are the giant rhinos, crocodiles, turtles and many others. The form of the Aktau reminds Egyptian pyramids and its orange, red and white colors lines make them magically beautiful. After enjoyable excursion, come back to Altyn Emel hotel. Dinner and night in a hotel. 

Day 4: Altyn Emel – Charyn Canyon – Kolsai Lakes
Today tour continues to Ash-tree Grove on the Temerlik River. Here you will explore the surrounding and have picnic. If you go down Charyn and Temirlik River, you will be able to see the rare kind of Sogdian Ash-tree.  Drive further to famous Charyn Canyon. It is an otherworldly. This natural monument has popular part, which called “Valley of Casttles”. It is also similar to the Grand Canyon in North America; probably that’s why Charyn is called as a little brother of it. The height of Charyn Canyon reaches to 150-300 meters. The erosion of the natural forces depicted giant castles, magical creatures and figures millions of years ago. It will take hours to explore the stunning beauty of this pure museum of the nature. Drive to Saty settlement not far from Kaindy Lake. Night in a guesthouse.

Day 5: Kolsai – Kaindy lake – Almaty
After breakfast at the guesthouse and drive up to the Kaindy Gorge. The lake Kaindy located on the top of the gorge among the spruce trees at the altitude of 2000m. The history of the lake goes back to the earthquake in 1911. Due to cascading during the earthquake, the natural dam blocked mountain water flowing down and make turquoise lake on the port of the forest. Even in the hot summer days, the water of the lake is extremely cold, making needles of flooded trees well preserved. The dried-out trunks of the trees rise above the surface of the water, looking like the masts of sunken ships. This charming scenery cannot be fully described by words; you will see on your own and remember it in your heart. After enjoying the surrounding, return to Almaty. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 6: Flight
In the morning, checkout from hotel and transfer to airport.