Travel guide

Charyn Canyon

A red rock canyon three hours from Almaty

🗓️ Best time: May–June, September–October💰 Budget · ~$60/day📍 Kazakhstan

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About Charyn Canyon

A 154km canyon on the Charyn river, its Valley of Castles section eroded into towers and spires of red sandstone. Down at the river there is a relict ash grove that survived the last ice age.

⭐ Things to do in Charyn Canyon

Valley of Castles walkCharyn river bankRelict ash groveOvernight in a canyon yurtKolsai and Kaindy lakes on the same routeKaindy's drowned spruce forest standing in the water

🍽️ What to eat in Charyn Canyon

Signature local dishes worth seeking out.

Beshbarmak noodles and horse meatBaursak fried doughKumis fermented mare's milkShashlik

✈️ Know before you go

🚕 Getting around

Car or tour from Almaty, 3h each way.

💡 Local tip

Combine it with the Kolsai lakes and stay a night — the round trip in a day is eight hours of driving.

🛡️ Safety

Safe; visa-free for many nationalities.