Charyn Canyon Viewpoint Almaty

Charyn Canyon is one of the most beautiful national parks in the southeastern region of the country that will make your trip to Almaty a memorable one. 

We are sure that you must have heard about the Grand Canyon, the Charyn Canyon is not as massive as the Grand Canyon in the United States but it is equally beautiful and impressive. Besides that, it looks quite similar so that is what makes it special.

What To Expect At The Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan?

Wondering what to expect at the Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan? Let us tell you a little about this beautiful place in our Charyn Canyon travel guide.

The Charyn Cannon follows the Charyon river for approximately 50 km and the walls of the Canyon reach some 300 meters featuring beautiful shades of red, brown, yellow and black, making it among the best places to visit near Almaty.

It is said to be the most beautiful place in the country because of the magnificent views of Charyn Canyon. One day trip to the Charyn Canyon Viewpoint is not enough, you need more time to explore the whole place. There is so much to see here that you will need some extra number of days. 

With more days in your hand, you can explore off-the-beaten-path, and go on extended Charyn Canyon hiking trails to get that adrenaline rushing and witness the beautiful Charyn Canyon Viewpoint, which is one of the best places to visit near Almaty.

Places To Visit In The Charyn Canyon National Park

Valley Of Castles

One of the point of interest for Charyn Canyon is the Valley of Castles, which is one of the top attractions at Charyn Canyon. The entrance road is paved all the way and the best part is that you don’t need to pay any entrance fees. 

After a 2 kilometre walk, you will reach the Valley of Castles, will come across a small restaurant to refuel yourselves and an Eco Park. There are several accommodation options available including the yurts(Circular tents with a collapsible framework)

Charyn Canyon Viewpoints

If you are driving by yourself and are planning to have a bigger trip which includes the Kolsai Lakes and Altyn Emel, then you should definitely not miss out on the stunning viewpoints of the Charyn Canyon.

Valley of Castle is also a viewpoint but there are several others too that will sweep the ground of your feet. These viewpoints are next to the road, and you can follow Google Maps because most of the viewpoints are marked on it. 

Other Charyn Canyons

Not everyone knows that there are three other Canyons inside the National Park, besides the Valley of Castle. These viewpoints include Temirlik Canyon( the iron canyon), the Uzunbulak Canyon(Yelloe Canyon or Moon Canyon) and the Bestamak Canyon(red canyon)

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Things To Do In Charyn Canyon

You must be wondering what are the activities you can indulge into while exploring the Charyn Canyons, let’s check it out. 

Hiking

The Charyn Canyon offers some of the best hiking trails to the adventure seekers. The best and the easiest hikes for beginners are around 2-3 kilometres through the Valley of Castle. 

If you are advanced level experienced hiker, you can go around and explore more of it and go of the off-beaten trails. However yu need to keep that in mind that you have to bring everything on your own because there are facilities available.

Rafting

Charyn River offers rafting in Almaty, organized by various companies. It is a great way to explore the area while making sure that the adrenaline stays high while having the scenic views of Charyn Canyon.

Wildlife

If you are into wildlife, then you are at the right place because the Charyn Canyon is home to a variety of animals, featuring more than 32 mammals and 100 bird species including eagles, mountain goats, pheasants, hares, foxes, and more.

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Places To Stay In Charyn Canyon Almaty

Eco Park

The Eco Park is said to be the only accommodation option in the Charyn Canyon with several yurts that charge 40000 tenges for a group of 8 people and also offers wooden cabins with a price range of 14000 Tenge for 2 people. 

The walk up to the Eco Park is full of scenic views but if you don’t wish to walk 3 kilometres, you can take an Eco Park taxi as well. 

Yurts

The yurts or the cozy camps in the Charyn Canyon is another option for accommodation. These camps will cost you around 350 Tenge for one tent. There are camping options available near the river side.

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Best Time To Visit Charyn Canyon

• April to June

• September to October

The best time to visit Charyn Canyon Almaty is between the months of April to June and September to October to make the most of your trip. You can even indulge in various activities and can also go camping near Charyn Canyon Viewpoint. 

However, if you want the best of the entire canyon, you can set up camps here to witness the beautiful sunset of the starry night. Most people would have left by this time and you will most likely have the canyon to yourself.

Almaty To Charyn Canyon Distance

• 339 kilometers

The distance between Charyn Canyon from Almaty is 339km, with the road distance being 212.2 km. Hence it would take you around 3 hours to reach the Canyon if you are travelling by taxi or by your own car. 

However, if you are travelling via bus, it would take around 5 hours approximately.

How To Reach Charyn Canyon Viewpoint

You have learned enough about all the beautiful things that the Charyn Canyon has to offer, let’s see how to reach the Charyn Canyon Viewpoint.

• By Bus: If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can take a bus which would take approximately 5.5 hours, costing a total of INR 2700 to INR 3500. 

• By Taxi: You can also hire a taxi to reach the canyon, which will take 2.5 to 3 hours in total and would cost INR 5500 to INR 7000. 

• By Car: If you want you can drive your own car to the Canyon as well.

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Things To Pack For Charyn Canyon

There are certain things that you are going to need no matter whether you are visiting the Charyn Canyon in winter or in summer. Let’s check out the list.

• Sturdy Shoes: Since the place involves hiking, you should wear shoes that are comfortable and are good for hiking. 
• Sun Protection: The sun raise can be pretty intense, so it’s advisable to keep sun protection, and bring a hat too. 
• Carry Cash: You are not going to find an ATM so make sure you carry sufficient cash. 
• Snacks: Keep snacks because there are no general stores. 
• Stay Hydrated: Make sure you drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the whole time. 
• Toilet Paper: Bring your own toilet paper because you will not find it here.