The most interesting natural attractions of Charyn Park -
Summer and winter tours to Charyn Canyon -
The Valley of Castles is a place of attraction and the heart of Charyn Canyon, also known as the "Red Canyon", its most recognizable, almost mystical part. When you first find yourself here, it seems as if you are not in Kazakhstan, but on another planet, or in an ancient world that they forgot to hide from your eyes. Stone walls stretch along a narrow riverbed, rising up to 150 meters, and each bend of these rocks resembles the silhouettes of towers, fortresses, spires. There are vertical pillars 30 meters high, openwork arches created by the hands of a natural architect, balancing mushroom-shaped boulders that defy gravity and horizontal layered fortress walls. It is not for nothing that this place is called exactly that – the Valley of Castles. Nature, without drawings or plans, built a city of stone here, which is millions of years old. The slopes of the canyon are painted in warm shades – from ocher to rich brick color. In the morning and evening they are especially beautiful: the sun plays on the faceted surfaces, the shadows come to life and begin to move after the sun, and everything around seems to breathe. Every corner, every ledge is a work of art, carved by wind, water and time. Nothing artificial – and this is all the power. Places here are named by associations: the Tower of the Guardians, the Throne, the Wall of Silence, the Dragon's Lair, etc. But in fact, everyone can see their own – it all depends on their imagination and state of mind.
The length of the canyon of the Valley of Castles is 3 kilometers, above the canyon there are several panoramic points, from where a gorgeous panorama of the canyon itself and its surroundings opens up. There is also a parking lot for cars and paths with signs that you can use to go down into the canyon itself. All this beauty is located in the Charyn National Nature Park. At the entrance along the road, there is a checkpoint where you need to pay for entering the park. If you go down the canyon, you can approach the Charyn River. On the river bank there are places to rest and a small yurt camp, where you can eat. On the river, you must follow safety precautions, swimming in the river is not recommended as the river has a fast current.
How to get there and visit -
The Valley of Castles Canyon is located 200 kilometers from Almaty in the Charyn National Nature Park, Raimbek district, Almaty region, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°21'35"N 79°03'01"E
Information -
The length of the Valley of Castles is about 2-3 kilometers. You can walk, or drive slowly – but it is better to walk to feel the rhythm, hear the wind, the crunch of gravel under your feet, and catch a glimpse of an eagle soaring over the rocks. Desert owls hide in the crevices of the rocks, golden eagles soar above the peaks, and at the foot you can find tracks of foxes and tolai hares. There is no desire to hurry here. The valley itself makes you slow down, look up, think. Sometimes it is so quiet that you can hear the earth breathing. The climate in the canyon is harsh: in the summer it is hot as an oven, especially at midday – everything is heated, even the air trembles. And in winter it can be cold to the point of piercing wind. The best time to visit is spring and autumn, when the sun is softer and the colors are especially expressive. The Valley of Castles is part of the Charyn National Park, and it is important to remember: you are visiting nature. Leave everything as it was, and it will share its silence and beauty with you.
The Valley of Castles is not just a landscape. It is a place where you feel the antiquity of the world. Where you understand that time can be a sculptor, and the wind can be an architect. The Valley of Castles does not shout about itself. It simply stands – as a memory of millions of years, as a reminder of the eternal. And if you visit here one day, you will take with you not only photographs. You will take with you a feeling of something real. For those who want to truly feel this place, we recommend staying at sunset, when the last rays of the sun light up the stone towers from the inside, and long shadows turn the bottom of the canyon into a labyrinth of light and darkness. This is a rare case when nature surpasses the wildest fantasies, creating landscapes that are impossible to forget.
Attractions nearby:
Kurtogay tract
Sarytogay tract
Temirlik Canyon
Temerlik River
Charyn Moon Canyon
Bestamak Canyon
Bugutty Mountains
Charyn ash grove
Charyn ash cottage
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