How to visit Charyn Canyon from Almaty (Kazakhstan)
If you’re visiting Almaty (Kazakhstan) and looking for a day trip that will completely blow your mind, Charyn Canyon is the place to go. Often nicknamed “Kazakhstan’s Grand Canyon,” it’s not quite as massive as its American cousin – but it’s still impressive! With dramatic red cliffs, winding valleys, and rock formations that look like something out of a fantasy film, Charyn is easily one of the most unforgettable landscapes in Central Asia.
The best part is that it’s super accessible! Close enough to Almaty that you can visit on a day trip, but beautiful enough that (if you have more time), I’d recommend staying overnight to soak it all in!
So if you’re wondering how to visit Charyn Canyon from Almaty in Kazakhstan, read on!
About Charyn Canyon
Charyn Canyon (or Sharyn Canyon) stretches over 150 km along the Charyn River, but the most famous (and most visited) section is the Valley of Castles. This is where you’ll find those striking sandstone towers that glow deep red and orange in the sunlight.
The canyon is thought to be around 12 million years old. Over time, the Charyn River carved its way through sedimentary rock, while wind and rain shaped the cliffs into the dramatic spires and ridges you see today. That’s why you’ll notice layers of rock in different colours as climates have shifted and landscapes have changed.
It’s part of Charyn National Park, which also protects rare plants and animals. So if you’re lucky, you might spot eagles soaring overhead or marmots darting around the rocks. I was lucky enough to catch a few marmots in the distance!
How to get to Charyn Canyon from Almaty
Charyn Canyon is located in Southern Kazakhstan, about 200 km east of Almaty. This is where most people base themselves for the visit.
The drive takes around 3–4 hours each way. It’s doable in a single day but can feel long if you’re rushing.
You’ve got three main options:
- By Car (Self-Drive) – This is the easiest way if you want flexibility. The road is largely good, and there are a few petrol stations along the way. Just download offline maps because phone signal is intermittent (i.e. non-existent).
- By Tour – Countless tour operators in Almaty run trips to Charyn Canyon. You can either get day trips or combine it with Kaindy and Kolsai Lakes. One of the most popular tour companies is Banana Tours; otherwise you can book through your accommodation or GetYourGuide/Viator.
- By Public Transport – Unfortunately, there’s no direct bus to Charyn Canyon… You’d need to take a minibus to Kegen or Shonzy, then hitchhike or hire a local taxi the rest of the way. It’s possible, but not convenient unless you speak some Russian/Kazakh.
If you’re short on time, book a tour. If you love freedom and don’t mind driving overseas, rent a car. The airport is one of the easiest places to rent a car from.
Hiking Charyn Canyon
The most popular route for hiking in Charyn Canyon is the Valley of the Castles (Lower Path) – marked as the red trail on signs.
This 2.5km trail leads down from the entrance through the canyon towards the river at the bottom.
It’s an out-and-back trail, meaning you will need to retrace your steps back out again (meaning just over 5km in total if you walk back).
Below is the Charyn Canyon map for hiking:
There is a shuttle service which can give you a lift back to the start for a fee of 500 Tenge (one way). Please note that you need to buy a ticket for the shuttle at the top, before you hike into the canyon.
You can also walk around the edge of the crater via the Valley of the Castles (Upper Path) – marked as the yellow trail. This hike covers plenty of viewpoints offering a different perspective of the canyon, looking in!
If you try hard enough, you can link the two trails into a circular hiking route, however this is a bit more challenging. You will need to follow unofficial trails, which can be more precarious due to steep, slippery slopes. If you try this, do the lower trail first, and hike up out, and return along the upper path.
What to expect
On arrival, there’s a large car park beside the visitors centre. Pay the entrance fee of ~1,000 KZT ($2 USD) per person. There is an additional fee if you drive your own car into the park.
There are a few signs at the top, with maps, but otherwise it’s largely deserted. There’s the beginnings of a couple of accommodation options and also some shelter (a good spot to load up on sun cream).
I began my journey into Charyn Canyon with a wander around the edge of the canyon. It’s relatively flat and exposed, which means on a windy day it can get rather dusty! However, you will have a few great views looking into the canyon!
I highly recommend doing this first if you have time, as it adds to the sense of scale of the canyon.
You can enter the canyon from the top, via a series of wooden steps. As you’re looking towards the canyon from the car park, the stairway is on the right-hand side. This is the only area of the park where steps have been installed, so don’t get used to it!
You will then follow the dirt track as far as you want to go. It snakes between the rocks, offering majestic views all the way. There are a handful of small, man-made shelters where you can sit down and seek shade if you need a break.
You can follow the trail all the way down to the Charyn River at the bottom. Here you will find a few huts. This is where the shuttle from the bottom of the hill runs from.
Walking takes around an hour (one way), whilst the shuttle takes 5 minutes. Bear in mind that it’s uphill on the way back, so factor that into your walking time if you need to get back for a bus.
As far as canyons go, it’s pretty great. Like the famous Kaibab Trail in the Grand Canyon, you get the chance to enter the canyon itself. However, once you’re inside the canyon here, you’re always at the bottom – there’s no big drops unless you’re at the top.
Tours to Charyn Canyon from Almaty
There are so many companies offering tours of Charyn Canyon, and the rest of Kazakhstan’s so-called Golden Triangle (Charyn Canyon, Kaindy Lake, Kolsai Lake).
Single day tours to Charyn Canyon from Almaty typically look something like this:
- Pick-up in Almaty around 7–8 am
- Drive 3–4 hours to Charyn Canyon
- Hike the Valley of Castles (2–3 hours)
- Lunch included or picnic by the river
- Return to Almaty in the evening
It’s lots of driving in one day, but needs must given the distances involved. The tour company will look after you throughout the day, and usually leave you to your own devices at the canyon so you can explore yourself!
There are several multi-day tours to Charyn Canyon, which cover the lakes as well. An example itinerary looks something like this:
- Pick-up in Almaty around 9pm
- Drive 3 hours to homestay (arrive around midnight)
- Day 1: Kaindy and Kolsai Lakes
- Day 2: Charyn Canyon
- Return to Almaty early evening
Many of the cheapest ones leave at around 9pm in the evening (don’t ask me why). The first day will be spent exploring the lakes, then the final day at Charyn Canyon. This usually follows an itinerary similar to the single day tours, just with slightly less driving.
Most tours from Almaty to Charyn Canyon cost between $30–70 USD depending on the group size and whether other stops are included.
Overall, tours are ideal if you are short on time. They inevitably involve lots of driving given the vast distances in Kazakhstan, and they usually have pretty restricted time at each location. I recommend doing tours if you are limited on time, don’t want to organise or don’t want to drive.
How to visit Charyn Canyon independently
If you would rather visit Charyn Canyon independently (which, I highly recommend), your best option is to rent a car.
If you want to visit without a tour:
- Car Rental in Almaty: Expect around 15,000–20,000 KZT per day ($30–40 USD) for a small car. Petrol is cheap compared to Europe.
- Entrance Fee: On arrival, purchase your entry ticket from the ranger booth when you arrive (~1,000 KZT / $2 USD).
- Driving Inside: Apparently you can pay a small extra fee (~500 KZT) to drive into the canyon itself, which saves you the hike down. Personally, I think walking is better – you feel the scale of the cliffs much more. Plus I didn’t see anyone doing this!
- Camping: You’re allowed to camp inside the canyon, but be prepared with your own gear. Nights can be very cold even in summer. You can also stay in the former Eco Park nearby. There are currently further developments happening, so more accommodation options will appear in coming years.
When to visit Charyn Canyon
The best time to visit Charyn Canyon is spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October). During these months, the weather is warm but not unbearable, and the skies are usually clear. I visited in May which was warm, but ideal conditions!
- Summer (July–August): Temperatures can reach 40°C (104°F). Tough for hiking, unless you go very early.
- Winter (November–March): Cold, icy, and sometimes snowy. The canyon looks incredible in the snow, but hiking can be slippery. It will likely be much quieter during this time!
The best time of day to visit Charyn canyon is the early morning or late afternoon when the canyon glows in golden light and temperatures are more manageable. Midday sun is harsh and makes photos look flat. Also, if possible try to avoid windy days as the dust flicks up and can get in your eyes…
What to pack for Charyn Canyon
Given that Charyn Canyon is in the middle of nowhere, it’s best to be prepared with everything you need before you leave Almaty! Here’s a list of the essentials for Charyn Canyon:
- Water & Snacks: Essential for any hike! Though the visitor centre sells food and drink (or your tour may provide), I always like to be prepared for any eventuality. Plus the drive is long, so it’s good to have snacks.
- Cash: There are no ATMs near the National Park, therefore carry sufficient cash for the entry fees, food and any other expenses.
- Suncream & Sun protection (hat, sunglasses): Charyn Canyon is very exposed to it’s essential to stay protected from the sun.
- Appropriate Walking shoes: Walking boots are ideal, but the walk can be also be done in trainers with reasonable grip.
- Camera: In a place this beautiful, you’ll want to bring your camera to capture it!
- Day bag: I managed with just a regular small rucksack, but it’s useful to have a bag to carry all your essentials.
If you are camping, you will need to bring all of the above as well as your camping gear and enough supplies.
Things to do near Charyn Canyon
If you’ve got time, Charyn Canyon is just the beginning. The surrounding region is packed with natural wonders:
- Moon Canyon – This moon-like spot, is another part of the Charyn Canyon National Park. You can walk almost beside the Charyn River and enjoy the beautiful vegetation and textured rocks! Spend around 30 minutes or more here.
- Black Canyon – A photogenic gorge, darker in colour, with the Charyn River flowing through. The water is a long way down, so don’t get too close to the edge. It’s much quieter than Charyn Canyon . Once again, it has a car park, so you can pull up and spent a short amount of time here to enjoy the views.
- Kolsai Lakes – A trio of stunning alpine lakes around 2-3 hours drive away. Great for hiking or boating.
- Kaindy Lake – Famous for its submerged forest, where dead trees eerily stick up from beautiful turquoise waters.
- Altyn Emel National Park – Known for its singing dunes and wild steppe landscapes.
These spots are easiest to see with your own car or on a multi-day tour.
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