Tour to Charyn (Valley of Castles)
Journey from Almaty to Charyn Canyon -
Individual jeep tours to Charyn -
Charyn Canyon-Red Canyon or "Castle Valley", one of the main attractions of the Almaty region, a natural monument, very similar to the great canyon in America, is its small copy. From the city of Almaty to the canyon, the distance is 200 kilometers (2.5-3 hours on the way). The length of the canyon is 3 km, the width is from 40 to 150 meters, a pedestrian road runs along the bottom of the canyon, along which you can approach the Charyn River. All objects on the Charyn River are part of the Charyn State National Natural Park-Reserve, established on April 23, 2004. In the canyon, you can see relic groves of Ash Grove trees, or Sogdian poplar, also known as gray poplar or turanga. The entire territory of the park is under protection, cleanliness and order must be observed in the park. Charyn Park has such attractions as Kurtogay Canyon, Bestamak Canyon, Charyn Canyon, Charyn River, Uzunbulak Gorge, Temerlik River, Temerlik Canyon, Sarytogay Valley and Aktogay Canyon.
GPS coordinates of the Charyn canyon (Valley of Castles): 43°21′29″N 79°05′33″E
Travel route to the Charyn canyon:
Almaty - Chilik village - Bayseit village - Kokpek gorge - canyons of the Charyn River - Almaty
- Distance of the route:
400 km
- Season time:
May - September and winter time
- Best time:
June - August
- Group size:
1-25
- Days & nights:
1 day
Tour itinerary:
Transfer: Almaty - Charyn canyons (200 km, 3 - 3.5 hours).
We leave the city of Almaty along the Kuldzha highway in an easterly direction to the village of Baiseit. Along the way, we will pass many villages along the route. After driving 120 kilometers, we reach the village of Baiseit. We walk to the vegetable market, which is located on the main street. Further, our road will lie across the Sogety ridge along the narrow Kokpek gorge, which is eleven kilometers long. The Sogety ridge separates the Ili river valley and the Zailiysky Alatau ridge. Moving further along the Kokpek gorge, we notice how it becomes wider and eventually passes into the Syugatinskaya valley. Along the edges it is bordered by two ridges Sogety and Toraygyr. Having passed the valley, our path begins to go deep into the Alasy gorge, then we turn left, onto the road to the Charyn canyon. Eleven kilometers left to reach the canyon. Having reached the Charyn canyon, we walk to the Charyn river of the same name. Since ancient times, the largest tributary of the Ili River, the Charyn River, has flowed and made its way between the rocks. The length of the Charyn Canyon is about a hundred kilometers, it is the only and unique natural monument of its kind. We finish our tour and go to the city.
Return to the city of Almaty (200 km).
Photogallery:
