Aktau + Katutau Mountains in Altyn-Emel

Amazing in beauty, exotic relief of white mountains surrounded by the black stony silvery surface of extremely rare deserts. Aktau Mountains is a kind of paleontological museum in the open air. Nature has created here the most beautiful gorges of sheer walls composed of multicolored layers of rocks: from green and red to mottled and white - in the upper. The height of the deposits is more than 1000 m. Their total area is about 50 sq km. Endemic plants, such as Mikhelson's kermek, and cornflower plagiobase, which are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan, have been preserved here at the outlets of tertiary five-colored clays. For the first time, animal skeletal remains in the upper part of the deposit were discovered in the 60s of the last century and since then, as a result of repeated excavations, numerous remains of ancient animals that lived in different geological epochs have been discovered. In the lower part of the sediments, bones of older Middle or Late Eocene age (40-45 million years) were found. These findings prove that in the past there lived swamp rhinos and one of the species of extinct animals that looks like a rhinoceros-brontotherium. The remains of the latter were discovered during joint Kazakh-American expeditionary work, 1995 - 1967 and described as belonging to a new genus and species. The three skulls and an almost complete skeleton of brontotherium found here are the first most complete materials found in Kazakhstan.

Mount Katutau is a natural wonder that draws visitors from all over the world to the Altyn-Emel National Park in southeastern Kazakhstan. This volcanic mountain stands tall at an elevation of about 1,325 meters (4,347 feet) above sea level and offers stunning views of the surrounding steppes.

The Altyn-Emel National Park is a vast area of natural beauty that covers over 4,600 square kilometers. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, with over 1,500 species of plants and 100 species of animals. The park is also rich in cultural heritage, with ancient petroglyphs and historical sites scattered throughout the area.

Visitors to Mount Katutau can explore the unique geological formations that have been shaped by volcanic activity over millions of years. The mountain is known for its red and yellow rocks, which are a result of the volcanic eruptions that occurred in the area. The rocks have been weathered over time, creating fascinating shapes and patterns that are a photographer's dream.

One of the most popular attractions in the Altyn-Emel National Park is the Singing Dunes, which are located at the foot of Mount Katutau. These massive sand dunes stretch for over three kilometers and are known for the eerie sound they make when the wind blows over them. The sound is caused by the movement of the sand particles, and it can be heard from miles away.

Hiking is a popular activity in the Altyn-Emel National Park, and Mount Katutau offers some of the best hiking trails in the area. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll around the base of the mountain or challenge themselves with a more strenuous climb to the summit. The hiking trails offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape and an opportunity to get up close with the local flora and fauna.