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🏜 Charyn Canyon – Kazakhstan’s Grand Canyon

🏜Just 3 hours from Almaty, Charyn Canyon is one of Kazakhstan’s most stunning natural wonders — often called the “Kazakh Grand Canyon.” 🚶Walk through the famous Valley of Castles, where towering orange cliffs look like they were carved by giants. The 3 km trail takes you down to the Charyn River — perfect for photos, picnics, or just soaking up the silence. There's also a "shuttle" that can get you around the Canyon, so prepare some cash 💸 🚗 Getting there: The best would be booking a tour from Almaty or renting a car. But eventually, the gropu tour would be cheaper. 🍴 Where to Eat: There’s a small on-site restaurant near the parking area — great for a hot meal or tea after your hike. 🛏 Stay Overnight: Book a cozy yurt or cabin at the Eco Park right in the canyon. Falling asleep under a blanket of stars and waking up to the red cliffs glowing at sunrise is an unforgettable experience. #charyncanyon #kazakhstan #kazakhstantravel
Posted: Sep 16, 2025
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Charyn Canyon National Park

4.5/52 reviews | Natural scenery
Enbekshikazakh District
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📌Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 Located roughly 220 kilometres east of the capital city Almaty, Charyn Canyon is nestled in the eponymous Charyn Canyon National Park at around 3 hour’s drive from the city centre of Almaty. 𝐆𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 🚌 Follow a tour 🚘 Drive 🧭 Navigation : Yandex Maps 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞 🏜Valley of Castles : 2,200₸ (~RM22) [1 car, 2 pax] 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 🏜Valley of Castles : 1- 3 hours - walk one way, save time by paying 500₸ (~RM5) per pax for the shuttle van back 🧗🏻♀️Black Canyon : 10 - 15 minutes 🗾 Charyn River Lookout : 10 - 15 minutes 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐃𝐨 🏜Valley of Castles 🧗🏻♀️ Black Canyon 🗾 Charyn River Lookout 🌜Moon Canyon - attempted - dirt road, 4WD required 🥾 Bestamak Canyon - did not visit, unsure of road conditions 🛻 Temirlik Canyon - did not visit, unsure of road conditions 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 ⭐️ It is super windy at the canyon, your hair will go crazy - you prolly will feel like you might get blown away. ☀️ Being a dessert, none of the trails are shaded. But the views on a clear day shows the snowy mountains in the far back while a cloudy day is just blankets clouds............which isn't too bad as you can still get decent pictures with all the canyons (just without a blue sky).

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How to crush 2 days exploring Kazakhstan’s hidden natural wonders around Almaty 🌄✨ Day 1 - Charyn Canyon National Park + Lake Kaindy 🚗 Start early from Almaty by car or hop on a group tour bus! First stop: Charyn Canyon National Park (Uygur, Enbekshikazakh and Raiymbek district, just 7km from Shonzhy village, open all day). This place is wild – think Grand Canyon vibes, minus the crowds. Trek down into the Valley of Castles for insane photo ops. Bring good shoes and cash for the entrance. After the canyon, head next to Lake Kaindy (Almaty region, Raiymbek, Saty str. Ultarakova 38, open all day), famous for its submerged trees poking out of the crystal blue water. It’s surreal! Pack some snacks – options are limited in the area. Day 2 - Altyn Emel National Park 🏜️ Reset and roll out to Kerbulak District for Altyn Emel National Park (Науаи көшесі 208/2, Алматы, open all day). This is where you’ll find the Singing Dunes and wild horse herds racing across endless steppe. Grab a local guide if you want to cover more ground and hear the dunes “sing”. Travel hacks & tips: – The whole loop is doable by car or bus tour — self-driving means more freedom, but buses are fuss-free for first-timers. – Cell signal can be spotty, so pre-download maps & translations. – Entry fees: carry some cash, not all parks take cards. – Weather: pack for sun and wind, especially out in the canyon and dunes! Food: Stock up in Almaty, but small villages along the way may offer basic eats (try local samsa for cheap on the go). #KazakhstanNature #AlmatyExplore #CharynCanyon #LakeKaindy #Tripdotcom

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