THE VALLEY OF CASTLES
Charyn Canyon tour
Duration of the tour 10 hours
SUV tour
Pick-up from any location in Almaty

Charyn canyon, Bartogay reservoir - 1 day
Personal trip on an off-road vehicle

During this trip you will see the most popular piece of the Charyn Canyon - the "Valley of Castles". A magical place where you can walk at the very bottom of the canyon. Our driver-guide will show you the most beautiful viewing spots so that you can look at the canyon from the top and take the best pictures, then walk to the Charyn River at the end of the canyon gorge, watching local flora and fauna.

During the walk you will be surrounded by the mountains in the form of castles, looking at them people prefer to fantasize, someone sees a dog, a leopard, a turtle, or a human face.

The Charyn Canyon is one of the seven wonders of Kazakhstan, so having been here you can proudly say that you have seen a real miracle!

The Charyn Canyon trip includes:

Departure from Almaty
In the morning the driver will pick you up from your designated address and you will go to the Charyn Canyon (Valley of Castles), (220 km, approximately 3 hours).

Enroute there will be a stop near the market in the village of Baiseit, where you can buy snacks and drinks.
Arrival at the Valley of Castles
Upon arrival, the tour will start from the parking lot (approximately 3-4 hours), we will do trekking (3 km one way) at the bottom of the canyon.

At the end of the walk we will face the Charyn River, where you can cool off in hot weather and have a picnic.

On the way back, if you do not want to walk, you can use local taxi service.
Departure and arrival to the Lake Bartogay
After a walk in the Valley of Castles, we will drive to the Lake Bartogay (60 km, about 1 hour)

On the lake you will have a walk (30 min).
Return to Almaty
After sightseeing around the Bartogay Lake we will head back to the city (180 km, approximately 2.5 hours)

Upon arrival, the driver will stop at the appointed address in the city

Length: 460 km, approximately 6 hours

Total trip time: 10 hours

Season: all year (best time April-October)

The route can be changed or supplemented according to your request; If you want to see some attraction that is not listed in this program, please contact us - we will definitely try to resolve this issue and tell you about all the possible options.

Examples of options: For an additional fee, instead of the Bartogay Lake, we can travel to the Issyk Lake or the waterfall in Turgen.
Our Tour Packages & Prices
Economy Package
Up to 2 tourists – 180$
Up to 4 tourists – 200$
Up to 6 tourists – 220$

Included in the Price:
Professional driver
✅ Comfortable SUV
✅ Entrance tickets to all locations
✅ Drinking water
Standard Package
Up to 2 tourists – 235$
Up to 4 tourists – 250$
Up to 6 tourists – 270$

Included in the Price:
English-Speaking Driver-Guide
✅ Comfortable SUV
✅ Entrance tickets to all locations
✅ Drinking water
Premium Package

1 tourist – 400$

2 tourists – 450$

3 tourists – 500$

4 tourists – 550$

5 tourists – 600$


Included in the Price

Prestige SUV or Executive-Class Minivan

Professional driver

Certified Tour Guide

Lunch at a restaurant

Entrance tickets to all location

Drinking water

Six Reasons to Choose ASIATRIP

TEN YEARS of EXPERIENCe
Guides with more than 10 years of experience will handle all the issues of your journey. All of our drivers and guides are certified.
Specialization

We specialize ONLY on individual and personal tours. All of us have gone through First-Aid Training
Low prices

No brokers, no agents, no
hidden fees - you work
and travel directly with us.
This makes a trip not overpriced.
ONLY 20% DEPOSIT
Secure your trip on your preferred date with a deposit of just 20% of the total cost.
AIRPORT TRANSFER FOR FREE
We'll meet you at the airport and transfer you back
afterwards by request.
SAFE FOOD PRIORITY
We care - our priority to do the best we can to choose or recommend the safest places to eat en-route.
Choose your tour
Click the button and select a tour according to your desires
We organize individual tours
and expeditions in Kazakhstan

  • SUV tours
    Booking SUV for your trip is the most comfortable and safest way to travel around Kazakhstan. The main reason – there are no roads or poor road quality to the most beautiful and unique spots
  • Individual tours
    Such a tour includes an SUV with a driver and a guide. You can just relax and enjoy the view; at the same time, you decide when and where to go, without any time limits.
  • AsiaTrip tours
    We have chosen for you the best places in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan; our unique tours will make your trip exciting and leave the most vivid impression.

Charyn Canyon Tour Year-Round Trip to Kazakhstan’s Red Canyon

Charyn Canyon is often called the "mini Grand Canyon" of Kazakhstan. Located about 220 km east of Almaty, this natural wonder features a maze of red rock formations and towering clay cliffs carved by the Charyn River over millions of years. The canyon stretches nearly 90 km and plunges up to 300 m deep. Unsurprisingly, Charyn Canyon ranks among Kazakhstan's most impressive natural attractions.

Its most famous section is the Valley of Castles - a 2-3 km hiking trail at the canyon's bottom. Over millennia, erosion has sculpted the rock into whimsical towers resembling castle ramparts. As you walk along the valley floor, you're surrounded by sheer walls glowing orange and red in the sunlight. Some formations even resemble familiar figures - visitors have spotted shapes like turtles, camels, or even human faces in the cliffs.
How to Get to Charyn Canyon

For those wondering how to get to Charyn Canyon, the easiest option is to join a guided tour from Almaty. The canyon lies about a three-hour drive (roughly 220 km) east of the city through open steppe and small villages. Self-driving or hiring a taxi is also possible - if you ask for a "тур на каньон," most local drivers will know where to take you. However, joining an organized tour is far more convenient and informative. Our year-round tour provides a sturdy 4x4 vehicle and an experienced driver-guide, so you can relax and enjoy the journey without any hassle.
For the full experience, a guided Charyn Canyon day trip is ideal. The excursion lasts about 10 hours in total, with a morning departure and evening return to Almaty. You travel in a comfortable SUV and even stop at a local village market to pick up snacks en route. At the canyon, your guide leads you to the best panoramic viewpoints and then down into the Valley of Castles - a hike of a few kilometers ending at the refreshing Charyn River.

On the way back, you'll also visit the scenic Bartogay reservoir - a tranquil turquoise lake framed by mountains - as a bonus side trip. This tour operates in all seasons, so you can witness Charyn's beauty whether it's blooming in spring, blazing under the summer sun, or dusted with snow in winter. Many local travelers call this trip a "тур на каньон" or even speak of "поезда на каньон." Whatever you call it, our all-season tour lets you experience Charyn Canyon at its best.
Practical Tips
-Wear comfortable hiking or walking shoes - the canyon's trail is rocky and about 2-3 km long.
-Pack sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen) especially in summer, as the sun and heat in the open canyon can be intense.
-Carry enough water (at least 1.5 liters per person) and some snacks - there is a stop at a village market on the way if you need to buy extra.
-Dress in layers. Morning can be cool, midday very hot, and in winter you'll need a warm jacket, gloves, and hat.
-Bring a camera or fully charged phone - the red canyon landscapes are extremely photogenic.
-Keep some cash handy for any small expenses, such as snacks or an optional jeep ride back up from the canyon floor.
Our Cars for Tours
Find us on...
Asia Trip
Kazakhstan, Almaty, Rozibakieva 25
Close
Write to us how we can help
Made on
Tilda