Aktau Mountains of Kazakhstan

Hey there! 

Welcome to Adventure Fix, the newsletter that helps you discover extraordinary journeys and experiences across the globe. 

Today, we’re heading to Kazakhstan to explore the Aktau Mountains.

Situated in the country’s Altyn Emel National Park, these mountains are a unique geological formation, the bottom of a dried-up ancient ocean, which got its name from the main white color of the constituent rocks.

Hiking the Aktau Mountains of Kazakhstan

Often referred to as the "White Mountains" because of their striking pale coloration, these chalky, sedimentary rock formations have been sculpted over millions of years by the forces of nature.

Think layers of white, red, and pink shades playing against the dry plains – amazing.

What's so fascinating about the Aktau Mountains?

Their geological history. These formations have been around for ages, and erosion has turned them into mind-blowing shapes and patterns.

Hiking these rough trails uncovers stunning views, secret gorges, and even the chance to stumble upon ancient fossils, adding a real sense of mystery to your adventure.

This spot's a goldmine for paleontology buffs – they've found about 56 types of plants from way back in the Early Miocene period.

Think pines, spruces, oaks, tons more, and the remains of critters like crocs and giant rhinos, all resting here for around 25-30 million years.

Even though those ancient animals are long gone, keep your eyes peeled for today's wildlife like Przhewalski horses, Persian gazelles, and a bunch of bird species.

Cyclists love rolling through these mountain paths on bikes, exploring the maze-like gorges.

You can bring your motorcycles too, just remember to keep them out of the canyons – the rocks here are pretty delicate.

Explore More

If you would like to learn more, here are some links you can check out to get more information about traveling to the Aktau Mountains.

• The Ultimate Aktau Mountains Travel Guide (guide)

• The Aktau mountains in Kazakhstan's Altyn Emel N.P (video)

How to Visit the Aktau Mountains in Kazakhstan

There is no public transportation to the park, so the options are to go in your own car or book a tour from Almaty.

There are two ways to reach Altyn Emel National Park but to get to the Aktau mountains, you need to use the northern entrance near Basshi.

Visitors need to arrange a permit and pay the entrance fees to get into Altyn Emel National Park. This can be done at the Park headquarters in Basshi or the branch office in Almaty.

At the foot of the Aktau mountains, you can stay overnight in tents or campers, but you need to have a supply of water with you.

We hope your travels take you in this direction very soon.

Until then - keep exploring!

-Amanda