Kazakhstan · Desert Adventure

2-Day Almaty Desert Adventure with Singing Dune and Ak-Tau

2 Days Round trip from Tamgaly-Tas - Village of Basshi - Singing Dune Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Discover ancient petroglyphs and Buddhist inscriptions at Tamgaly-Tas along the Ili River
02 Experience the natural sound phenomenon while walking across the Singing Dune
03 Trek through the surreal Ak-Tau Mountains with moon- and Mars-like landscapes
04 Explore Katutau volcanic formations and visit the historic 700-Year-Old Willow

Discover the dramatic landscapes of southeastern Kazakhstan on a two-day journey from Almaty. Visit the ancient Tamgaly-Tas petroglyphs, admire the Singing Dune's unique sound, and stay in Basshi Village. Explore the surreal Ak-Tau Mountains, volcanic formations at Katutau, and the historic 700-Year-Old Willow, experiencing striking natural wonders, cultural heritage, and scenic desert terrain throughout the adventure.

Visit the ancient Tamgaly-Tas petroglyphs, admire the Singing Dune's unique sound, and stay in Basshi Village.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Almaty, Aktau

Languages English, Russian

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Almaty to Tamgaly-Tas, the Singing Dune, and Basshi Village

Depart from Almaty in the morning and travel towards Tamgaly-Tas, covering approximately 120 km in around 2 hours.
Arrive at Tamgaly-Tas and enjoy a walking tour of the riverside petroglyph site for around 1 hour.
Continue the journey towards the Singing Dune, covering approximately 50 km in around 1 hour, and enjoy a 2-hour walking experience across the desert landscape.
Proceed to Basshi Village, covering approximately 50 km in around 1 hour, and settle in for dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02

Basshi Village to the Ak-Tau Mountains, Katutau, and Almaty

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel in Basshi Village before departing towards the Ak-Tau Mountains, covering approximately 80 km in around 1.5 hours.
Arrive at the Ak-Tau Mountains and embark on a trekking experience covering 3 to 8 km over 2 to 3 hours, followed by lunch in the scenic surroundings.
Continue towards Katutau, covering approximately 30 km in around 30 minutes, and enjoy a walking tour of the volcanic rock formations for 30 to 60 minutes.
Visit the 700-Year-Old Willow after travelling approximately 35 km in around 40 minutes, and later return to Almaty, covering around 300 km in approximately 4 hours, with drop-off at any point in the city.