Overview
The Aktau range — the name means 'White Mountains' in Kazakh — is a 30-km-long escarpment of Paleogene and Neogene sedimentary rock along the right bank of the Ili River. The layered cliffs display improbable bands of white chalk, red iron oxides, blue clay and yellow limonite, all carved by erosion into canyon gullies and isolated pillars. The formations preserve fossil rhinoceroses, crocodiles and freshwater turtles, evidence that a warm, shallow sea once occupied this basin 25–30 million years ago. Walking among the gullies takes 1–3 hours depending on how deeply you explore the named features — Red Gorge and the formation locals call 'the Paw' are particular highlights.
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Viewing visit notes for Altyn-Emel National Park
Aktau White Mountains
Step 4 · 55 km from previous · 90 min drive
The Aktau range — the name means 'White Mountains' in Kazakh — is a 30-km-long escarpment of Paleogene and Neogene sedimentary rock along the right bank of the Ili River. The layered cliffs display improbable bands of white chalk, red iron oxides, blue clay and yellow limonite, all carved by erosion into canyon gullies and isolated pillars. The formations preserve fossil rhinoceroses, crocodiles and freshwater turtles, evidence that a warm, shallow sea once occupied this basin 25–30 million years ago. Walking among the gullies takes 1–3 hours depending on how deeply you explore the named features — Red Gorge and the formation locals call 'the Paw' are particular highlights.