Charyn Canyon and the Valley of Castles
Walk down into the red canyon to the river, eat lunch under an old ash grove, drive home at dusk.
- Starts and ends
- Almaty
- Distance
- 400 km by road
- Length
- 11 hours
- Start time
- 07:30
- Season
- All year
- Language
- English, Russian
- Level
- Average
- Options
- Group or private
Group: join others on a fixed date. Private: your own guide and car on your date.
Charyn day trip
A long day with the best light in the late afternoon. The path down is easy on the way in and slow on the way back. Take it slowly. Your guide carries the water.
Itinerary
The day
- Hotel pick-up in Almaty
- Arrive at the Valley of Castles, walk to the viewpoints
- Descend to the Charyn river, 2.5 km
- Lunch in the ash grove, a relict forest that survived the ice ages
- Black Canyon stop
- Drive back, with a stop for apricots in season
- Drop-off in Almaty
Times are a guide and can shift with season and road conditions. If weather or a road closure blocks a stop, your guide offers another one. Refunds do not apply to a stop skipped for safety.
Included
- Guide and driver
- Park fees
- Picnic lunch
- Water
Not included
- Tips
- Dried fruit and souvenirs
Group or private
Prices are in US dollars. The deposit and balance rules are below.
Group
$65per person, adults and youths 13 and over.
Children 5 to 12: $52.
Under 5: not on this trip.
Small group, up to 12 guests. Meeting point: Hotel pick-up in central Almaty.
Book a group seatPrivate
One group of travellers, no one else. Total price for the whole party.
| Guests | Total | Each, about | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | $285 | $143 | 4x4 or minivan |
| 3 | $290 | $97 | 4x4 or minivan |
| 4 | $295 | $74 | 4x4 or minivan |
| 5 | $310 | $62 | Minivan |
| 6 to 7 | $400 | $57 | Van |
| 8 to 12 | $540 | $45 | Minibus |
More than 12? Send us a message for a custom price.
Book privatePick a date
Know this
- Shade is rare. Bring a hat in summer and a coat in winter.
- The trail back up takes 60 to 90 minutes.
Not for everyone
- Not recommended with knee or back problems.
- Not recommended during pregnancy.
Deposit and changes
- Group: 30% deposit. Free change up to 24 hours before.
- Private: $100 per booking. Free change up to 72 hours before.
- We cancel a group 48 hours ahead if fewer than 4 guests book or if weather or roads block it. You choose a new date or a refund.
- Balance goes to your guide on day one.