Charyn Canyon from Almaty: how to get there, how far to walk and what to bring

Charyn Canyon is often compared with the Grand Canyon, which is unfair: it is smaller, but you can visit it in a day from a city of a million people. Red rocks in the Valley of Castles, the river below, and almost nobody around on a weekday morning.

Getting there

The canyon is about 200 km east of Almaty, a three-hour drive each way. Your options:

• Your own or a hired car. The highway is good; the last kilometres are gravel and any car can manage. Fill up in the city.
• A day tour. Departure around seven, back by evening; handy if you do not want to drive. Many tours combine Charyn with Kolsai over 2–3 days.
• A taxi for the day. Arrange it in advance; for a group it is usually cheaper than a tour.

In the park

There is an entry fee; at the gate you will find parking and a visitor centre. The main route descends into the Valley of Castles and follows the canyon floor for three kilometres to the Charyn river, where an eco-park with shelters makes a good lunch stop. Return the same way, or on the park's vehicle for a small fee if your legs have had enough. Allow two to three hours.

What to bring

• Water, at least a litre per person; in summer the canyon floor is above 35 °C.
• A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen: there is almost no shade.
• Closed shoes: the trail is rocky.
• Cash: mobile signal and card terminals are unreliable.

Staying overnight

The canyon is at its best at sunrise and sunset, when the rocks turn red. To catch them, spend the night in one of the guesthouses nearby, such as Charyn, and drive on to Kolsai in the morning. That is how our collection “Charyn and Kolsai” is built. For several days on foot there is the Charyn river trek.

The best months are April–May and September–October: not too hot, with clear skies. Summer works too, but only early in the morning.