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Tengrinews.kz - A Kazakh photographer has captured the stunning landscapes of the Aktau Mountains — one of the most picturesque corners of the Altyn-Emel National Park. The oddly shaped and vividly colored cliffs resemble Martian scenery and attract travelers from around the world.
Nature photography
Photos of the mountains were published on the official Instagram account of Altyn-Emel National Park.
“In the very heart of Altyn-Emel National Park lie the Aktau Mountains — ancient chalk formations over 60 million years old. They're often called ‘painted mountains’ due to their layers of white, pink, green, and bluish-gray. Here, it truly feels like you’ve landed on another planet,” reads the post.
View this post on Instagram
It turns out the photographer behind the images is Bakhytzhan Kulakhmetov. He captured the shots back in June. Interestingly, Bakhytzhan is an urban planner by profession. His first trip to Altyn-Emel left a lasting impression, especially the Aktau Mountains.
“It was my first visit to Altyn-Emel, and it made a very strong impression on me. The Aktau Mountains in particular looked like a sci-fi movie set: multicolored layered slopes, complete silence, the scale and energy of the place. It all creates an extraordinary effect,” he said.
He used a DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone for the shoot. According to him, he’s only just begun editing the material, but already has a large archive of shots. He also plans to publish images from other interesting locations around Kazakhstan soon.
How to get there
To reach Altyn-Emel National Park from Almaty, you’ll need to drive about 300 kilometers.
“The best route is via Kapchagay and Basshi. Some roads are unpaved, so a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended,” park staff advised.
What to bring:
- Water (there are no sources in the park)
- A sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Comfortable footwear — there’s a lot of walking
- A camera or drone
Park officials note that the ideal time to visit is spring or autumn, as summer temperatures can be extreme.
From the beginning of 2025 through July 20, around 17,000 visitors have explored the Altyn-Emel territory, including 5,533 foreign tourists, according to park authorities. Temperatures are expected to reach up to 35°C by the end of July. Staff warn that the sun is very intense, so visitors should bring plenty of water, wear a hat, and use sunscreen.
