One-day excursion to Charyn from Almaty -
Overnight on the Charyn River in the Valley of Castles -
The Charyn State National Nature Park is one of those places in Kazakhstan where nature speaks loudly, but without words. It is located in the Almaty region and covers an area of more than 93 thousand hectares. Here, in silence and space, centuries, rocks, waters, plants, living creatures are combined - and each element seems to know its place in this great mosaic. The central pearl of the park is, of course, the Charyn Canyon itself, especially its famous part - the Valley of Castles. But the park is not only a canyon. These are also tugai forests, rare ash trees, juniper thickets, steppes, slopes, the Charyn River and rocky plateaus. Every kilometer is a change of scenery, as if you are traveling to different countries and eras, and all this is one land, one rhythm. A unique ecosystem can be found here. The Charyn ash grove is a relic of the Ice Age, about 5 million years old. Such ash trees do not grow wild anywhere else in the world except in Kazakhstan and the USA. Near them are bushes, wild roses, tamarisk. Rare lizards and snakes hide in the grass, golden eagles and falcons circle above the canyon, and in the distance you can meet argali, saiga, or even a steppe wolf. Everything alive here is not just decoration, it is part of the general breath of this land.
How to get there and visit -
The Charyn National Park is located 200 kilometers from the city of Almaty, on the territory of the Uyghur district, Raimbek district, Enbekshikazakh district, Almaty region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°21'02"N 79°05'08"E
Information -
The climate in Charyn Park is sharply continental. Summer is hot and dry, with temperatures up to +40. Winter can be harsh, with strong winds and sudden changes. Spring is especially beautiful here: the steppe is in bright bloom, the air is filled with the aroma of herbs, and the canyon plays with shades against the clear sky. Autumn is a time of soft light and silence, when it seems that the world has become a little older and wiser. For a traveler, the park is both an adventure and peace. Hiking routes, photo tours, rafting on the Charyn River, excursions to the ash grove, trips to the Valley of Castles or to lesser-known parts of the canyon, such as the Kurtogay Canyon and the Temerlik Canyon - each route leaves its mark on the soul. When you stand on the edge of this giant crevice, you understand how small we are in the face of nature. And at night, when billions of stars light up above the canyon, it seems as if you are at the edge of the Universe.
The Charyn Park is very attractive for its diversity and landscapes. The park was designed to provide access to visitors, in particular by creating pedestrian, automobile roads and water routes. In addition to visitor reception activities, the park management also pursues the goal of preserving nature and restoring natural systems. In particular, the introduction of tugai deer, protected by the Red Book of Kazakhstan, as well as IUCN, was undertaken. In addition, a nursery project is being implemented to promote the reproduction of rare birds. The Charyn State National Nature Park is a natural complex. The Forestry and Wildlife Committee of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan has the status of an environmental and scientific institution of national significance. Since 1964, the national park has been protected as a natural monument of national significance.
The Charyn National Park is not just a protected area, but a grandiose natural temple, where each element of the landscape tells its chapter in the great book of the Earth. Here you especially acutely feel the connection between times and the fragility of human existence in the face of geological eras.
Attractions nearby:
Sarytogay tract
Temerlik River
Charyn Moon Canyon
Bestamak Canyon
Bugutty Mountains
Charyn ash cottage
Photogallery:
