Lakes Top pick
Kolsai & Kaindy Lakes
Kazakhstan’s two most famous mountain lakes in one day: spruce-lined shores and a sunken forest.
Price on request
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All tours
Charyn Canyon
The Valley of Castles, red canyon walls and a walk down to the rushing Charyn river.
- Duration
- 10–12 h
- Distance
- 200 km from Almaty
- Altitude
- 1 200 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Season
- Mar – Nov
- Price
- Price on request
Charyn is often called the little brother of the Grand Canyon — and for good reason. Over millions of years wind and water carved towers, arches and corridors up to 150 metres high into the sandstone.
We walk down into the Valley of Castles and follow the canyon floor for about three kilometres to the river. The trail is gentle and suits almost everyone, and on the way back you can ride up in the eco-park shuttle.
Highlights
- Valley of Castles
- Viewpoints over the canyon
- Charyn river bank
- Relict ash grove (optional)
Itinerary
- Pick-up at your hotel, drive out of Almaty
- Viewpoint above the Valley of Castles
- Walk along the canyon floor to the river, photo time
- Lunch by the river or at the eco-park café
- Back up and on the road
- Arrival in Almaty
Times are approximate and depend on the road and your stops.
Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Comfortable car and fuel
- Driver-guide in your language
- Bottled water in the car
- National park entrance fees
Not included
- Lunch and personal expenses
What to bring
- Passport or ID
- Comfortable shoes
- A warm layer or windbreaker
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- A hat — the canyon gets hot in summer
Season
Other tours
Lakes
Big Almaty Lake
A turquoise lake at 2,511 metres — just an hour’s drive from the city.
Price on request
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Lakes
Issyk Lake & Turgen Gorge
A mountain lake with a dramatic past and waterfalls in a spruce-filled gorge.
Price on request
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