A visit to Altyn-Emel West Visitor Center.

"...Isn't man by nature inclined to a passion for knowing what is hidden from him, and the circumstances of which are unknown to him? For this (craving for the unknown), most people wish (to have) the opportunity to travel around cities and see states in different parts of the world..."

Abu Rayhan Biruni. "Geodesy." XIth century.

Valley of Kings is two hours from Almaty.

Altyn-Emel West Visitor Center is located at an altitude of 584 m. a. s. l. m., is located in southwestern foothills of Sholak Mountains, 4.2 kilometers from northern shore of Kapchagay Reservoir, 34.1 kilometers southeast of village of Shengeldy, and 69.5 kilometers southwest of village of Basshy, within Altyn-Emel Nature Park, in Kerbulak District of Zhetysu Region.

The Altyn-Emel West Visitor Center, which opened in 2023, is located 145 meters northeast of the Altyn-Emel National Nature Park's cordon no. 1. This fully-fledged tourist "base camp" has radically changed the approach to recreation in this part of the national park, designed to streamline visits to the protected area and offer tourists comfort.
The visitor center offers accommodation, an interactive museum, souvenirs, and equipment rentals, significantly enhancing the level of services for visitors. Fully functioning restrooms and showers are available, which is a huge plus for a steppe nature reserve.
This facility helps develop ecotourism while preserving the fragile natural environment of the national park. There's a small café (the visitor center is often referred to as "Charyn-style" due to the similar level of services). Here, you can view interactive maps, learn about the history of the Saka tribes, and consult with rangers on road conditions (critical after rain).
The visitor center's main goal is to improve the comfortable experience of visiting the nature park along the designated routes. The center's building is modern in style, with panoramic windows that blend seamlessly into the steppe landscape. Inside, everything is designed to allow tourists to relax after a long journey.
Five modern glamping tents are located 117 meters northeast of the center building. This allows you to enjoy the sunrise right in the steppe without sacrificing comfort. A little further, 173 meters to the north, five yurts are set up in the spring, summer, and fall, offering accommodation.
Previously, a trip to the Besshatyr Saka burial mounds, the Terekty Sai rock paintings, and the Kyzylaus guesthouse was a harsh ordeal in the steppe and mountains; now, it's a comfortable start in civilized conditions.

What can you see nearby, starting routes from the Altyn-Emel Zapadny (Western Routes) visitor center?

It's important to note that from here you can't reach the Singing Dune or the Aktau Mountains by car - the road through the entire park is closed to tourists. This is due to the migration of ungulates from the Kapchagay Reservoir and the Sholak Mountains.
The road is used only for official purposes by park staff.

From Cordon No. 1 and Altyn-Emel West Visitor Center, you can visit park's attractions via a steppe dirt road (a "comb" is possible):

Besshatyr Royal Mounds (huge burial mounds of Saka chieftains) – 32 km.
Terekty Sai Petroglyphs (rock paintings from the Bronze and Early Iron Ages) – 18 km.
Kyzylauz Guesthouse in gorge of the same name – 20 km.

Altyn-Emel Park Permits.

You can pay the environmental fee on site via QR codes or payment terminals (if you have a connection), but it's best to do this in advance, as internet service in the steppe is spotty. Transportation: The road to the visitor center from the village of Shengeldy is quite good, but for traveling deeper into the park to the mounds, a high-clearance vehicle (crossover or SUV) is highly recommended.

Visiting time for Altyn-Emel Nature Park.

The ideal time is April-May (when the steppe is in bloom) or September-October. Summer here is extremely hot. For a comfortable trip and to ensure you have time to see all the highlights of the western part of Altyn-Emel Park, it's best to leave Almaty early.
This route is designed for daylight hours (approximately 10-12 hours roundtrip).

Hourly breakdown for an ideal day visiting Altyn-Emel Park.

7:00 AM - Depart Almaty
Take the Kapchagay Highway (Almaty-Taldykorgan) toward the town of Konayev (formerly Kapchagay), then continue past the bridge over the northwestern part of the reservoir toward the village of Shengeldy. The road is excellent and fast.
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM - Arrival at Cordon No. 1 and then to the Altyn-Emel West Visitor Center.
What to do:
Register with the rangers, pay the environmental fee (if not done online), use the restroom, and have coffee at the visitor center's cafe.
Important:
Be sure to fill up your tank in the Konayevo or Shengeldy area - there will be no gas stations further.
10:00 AM - Departure to the Besshatyr burial mounds.
A dirt road through the steppe begins at the visitor center. It's fairly smooth, but dusty. Stay on the main road and follow the signs. Keep an eye out along the way: kulans (wild donkeys) and goitered gazelles are common here.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Visit the Besshatyr necropolis. This is the "Valley of the Kings" of the Saka period.

What can you see during a visit to western part of Altyn-Emel Park?

Besshatyr Kurgans (translated from Kazakh as "Five Tents") are the burial vaults of the Saka tribal leaders, erected over 2,500 years ago (VIth-IVth centuries BC). They are the most famous archaeological site of the Altyn-Emel National Park and one of the largest cultural heritage sites in all of Semirechye.
The necropolis received its name from its five largest burial mounds. The Besshatyr Necropolis covers an area of ​​approximately 2 square kilometers and includes 31 burial mounds. Archaeologists divide the burial mounds into three groups. The majestic burial mounds are 50-100 meters in diameter.
The largest of these, the First Besshatyr (Royal) Kurgan, reaches 17 meters in height with a diameter of 105 meters. The burial mounds of clan leaders and renowned warriors are 30-40 meters in diameter. The mounds for warriors are 15-25 meters in diameter.
In total, researchers identified 21 stone-lined burial mounds and 10 mounds made of a mixture of rubble and earth.
Ritual structures are megalithic menhirs (upright stone blocks).
Menhirs are located around the Great Besshatyr Kurgan. On the surface of many menhirs, one can discern images of animals in the Scythian-Saka style and sun symbols, as well as later carved tamgas (family symbols) of Kazakh clans.
Walk:
You can walk between the burial mounds to get a sense of the scale of the ancient structure.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Picnic lunch.
There are no restaurants in the park itself, so a picnic is ideal.
Location:
Near the burial mounds in the gazebo or a short distance back to the Ili River (if rangers allow access to the shore that day).
Rules:
Take all trash with you; lighting fires is strictly prohibited.
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Terekty Sai petroglyphs
On the way back from the burial mounds, stop by the cliffs with the Terekty Sai rock paintings.
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Rest at the visitor center, visit the observation tower.
Returning to cordon #1, climb to the visitor center's observation deck. From there, you can enjoy panoramic views of the steppe and mountains. You can buy souvenirs at the souvenir shop.
6:30 PM – Departure for the city
On the way back to Konayev, you can stop for dinner at one of the local cafes or stop by the shore of the reservoir to watch the sunset.
1:30 PM – 8:30 PM – Return to Almaty.

What you need to bring with you before leaving Almaty for Altyn-Emel Park:

Documents:
An original ID is required for registration at the border crossing.
Communication:
Download offline maps (Maps.me or Google), as internet connection is often out in the steppe.
Clothing:
A hat, closed shoes (no flip-flops - there are thorns and insects in the steppe), and a windbreaker are required.
Water:
Minimum 2 liters per person.

Altyn-Emel Park Admission Fee for 2026.

Vehicle Entry Fee (per day, the rate is a mandatory state fee for using a specially protected area).
Passenger car: - 3,893 tenge.
Minibus (up to 16 seats): - 15,138 tenge.
Motorcycle, moped, ATV: - 2,595 tenge.
Bus (up to 32 seats): - 30,275 tenge.

Entrance fees and additional fees in Altyn-Emel Park.

Entrance fee per person: typically ranges from 800 to 1,100 tenge per day (environmental fee).
Parking: approximately 260 tenge per vehicle per day.

Payment methods for visiting Altyn-Emel Park.

You can pay the fee online through the Kaspi.kz mobile app (under "Payments" - "Tickets" - "National Parks") or on the park's website. Payment at the station #1 may be difficult due to poor network conditions, so it's best to pay in advance.

Discounts for visiting Altyn-Emel Park.

Discounts are usually available for school-age children, students, and pensioners (with supporting documents); preschoolers are admitted free.
Keep your ticket and payment receipt until the end of your trip to be presented to inspectors along the route.

Safety and behavioral rules for Altyn-Emel Park.

A steppe trip to the Besshatyr burial mounds requires a specific first aid kit. In Altyn-Emel, a tourist's main enemies are sun, dehydration, and thorny plants, not just the typical cold.
Compliance with these rules is mandatory for all visitors, and violations result in large fines.
Travel:
Only permitted on approved routes and public roads. Driving off-road onto virgin soil is prohibited, as this damages the fragile steppe soil layer.
Environment:
Lighting fires is strictly prohibited. All trash must be taken to the nearest containers at the visitor center.
Flora and Fauna:
Do not frighten, feed, or chase wild animals (kulans, goitered gazelles). Collecting any plants or seeds is prohibited. Historical Monuments:
It is prohibited to make inscriptions, move stones, or remove any fragments of artifacts from the Besshatyr burial mounds and petroglyphs.
Rock Safety:
When viewing petroglyphs or walking along the slopes, be careful: the rocks may be fragile and crumble.
Sun:
During the summer months, temperatures can reach +45°C.
Wildlife:
During the warmer months, snakes, spiders (black widow spiders), and scorpions are active in the steppe. Wear closed shoes and always watch your step.

Guide services in Altyn-Emel Park.

The cost of a guided tour is usually around 600-1000 tenge per person, but for foreign groups or large delegations, conditions may vary - it's best to check in advance using the phone numbers listed above.

A list of essentials to pack when visiting Altyn-Emel Park:

1. Sun and heat protection:
Panthenol (spray): Indispensable for sunburn. In the steppe, even your ears and hands can burn in 30 minutes.
Rehydron (or similar): Powder for restoring salt balance. In extreme heat, plain water won't relieve weakness caused by salt loss through sweat.
Sunscreen (SPF 50+): Apply every 2 hours.
2. Antiseptics and bandages:
Chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide: For washing scratches from dry bushes and thorns.
Band-aids (many different types): including bactericidal ones. Steppe shoes often rub feet during long walks.
Sterile bandages and elastic bandages: in case of ankle sprains on uneven, rocky ground.
3. Allergies and Bites:
Antihistamines (Suprastin, Fenistil, Cetrin): a must! The steppe is home to many flowering grasses and insects (horseflies, wasps, spiders). Even if you're not allergic, a reaction to an unfamiliar irritant can be severe.
Insect bite gel: to relieve itching and swelling.
4. Gastrointestinal Tract:
Sorbents (Activated charcoal, Enterosgel, Smecta): can help with mild poisoning or reactions to water changes.
Loperamide: for emergency situations on the road, where the nearest toilet is tens of kilometers away.
5. Painkillers:
Ibuprofen or Paracetamol: for headaches, which often occur due to overheating (sunstroke).
6. Tools
Tweezers: one of the essential tools when visiting Altyn-Emel Park. They are needed to remove splinters from thorny plants from clothing or skin.
It's best to keep a first aid kit in an air-conditioned car, not in the trunk, where medications can simply "cook" in the heat.

Contact information for Altyn-Emel Park administration and guides.

For official inquiries, guide reservations, or road conditions, please contact the following:
Head Office (Basshi Village):
Tourism Department Phone: +7 (72840) 45 20 9, + 7 705 610 25 11.
Hotline (online ticket office): +7 707 939 00 39.
Official resources: Website: https://altynemel.kz
Visitor Center Instagram: @qazaqnationalparks.kz (current visitor center operator page).

Geographical coordinates of "Altyn-Emel West Visitor Center": N43°52'58 E77°52'13

Authority:
Alexander Petrov.

Photos by:
Anel Aibasova.