★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Jeep Tour from Almaty · 4×4
Jeep Tour to Charyn: Four Canyons in One Day
4.9 · 23 reviews
4WD departure from Almaty to four canyons of the Charyn River — Valley of Castles, Moon, Red, and Dark Canyons. Gravel roads to viewpoints, descent to the water and lunch on the riverbank. Small group in one jeep, guide-driver and honest price per person.
WhenEvery weekend
Duration12 hours
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $64/person
Program
Jeep Tour to Charyn Hourly Program
06:30
Departure from Almaty
We pick you up from the city center or your hotel. We get into one SUV, meet the driver-guide and head towards the Kuldzha highway — ahead about 200 km of scenic road.
09:30
Moon Canyon (Uzunbulak)
First stop off the beaten path: gray-striped hills resembling the lunar surface. Only 4WD can get here — great shots without the crowd.
11:00
Valley of Castles
The main Charyn Canyon: red walls up to 150 meters, castle-like formations and viewpoints over the gorge. We descend via an eco-trail to the river and walk along the stone towers.
13:30
Lunch on the Riverbank
Break by the water in the shade of the Ash Grove. You can have a picnic, relax and cool your feet in the Charyn River before the second part of the route.
15:00
Red and Dark Canyons
We move by jeep to lesser-known canyons — reddish and almost black rocks, narrow corridors and views that require an off-road vehicle.
17:00
Way Home
We head back to Almaty. On the way — a stop for tea and sunset steppe landscapes. Return to the city approximately by 8:30 PM.
What's included
What's Included in the Charyn Jeep Tour
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- 4×4 off-road vehicle with an experienced driver-guide for the whole day
- Ecological fees for the Charyn National Park
- Drinking water (1 liter per person)
- Company escort throughout the route
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Picnic lunch on the riverbank (can be added in the calculator)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Rental of trekking equipment
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Comfortable shoes for dirt trails and descent to the river
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Light jacket — it can be windy at viewpoints
- Charged phone or camera for panoramas
Team
Our team — guides and instructors from Almaty
Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.
★5
★4.52Alexander Пашкин
Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу
★4.74Andrey Шевелёв
Driver-guide
★4.27Анжелика Чвыкова
Гид-фотограф
★4.27Ильяс Дарбеков
Гид-переводчик
★4.55Мадина Данина
Организатор туров
★4.49Сергей Бабичев
Personal guide-водитель
Reviews
Reviews of the Jeep Tour to Charyn
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Daniyar S.
Our website ·
★★★★★We went with my brother, wanted to see all four canyons. The jeep handled the dirt roads perfectly. We left 20 minutes later, but it didn't spoil the impression.
Viktor D.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Rode with a friend. The jeep tour is class. Off-road is a total blast. The driver is great. We climbed all the canyons. Lunch was tasty. The only minus is it took long to get to the first canyon.
Ivan P.
Our website ·
★★★★★The tour is very packed. 4 canyons in a day is powerful. The road has a ford but the 4x4 jeep handles it easily. Driver-guide Aleksandr explained everything.
Vladimir T.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Great tour for nature lovers. We went with Andrey. The off-roader handled all the rough terrain. I recommend it!
Timur A.
Our website ·
★★★★★We got together with friends for the weekend, wanted to escape the city. We'd been eyeing Charyn for a while, but you can't get there on your own. We took a jeep tour. The driver confidently drove along the dirt roads, we never got stuck. The Moon Canyon impressed us the most — it really feels like another planet. In the Valley of Castles, the guide told us where to take the best photos. We made a stop on the riverbank, had lunch, and rested. We came home tired but happy. The only downside was the queue at the lunch spot, we had to wait.
Askhat K.
Google ·
★★★★★The 4x4 vehicle is really powerful. We drove through the mountains. The Moon Canyon is like in a movie. The guide is awesome!
Aigerim K.
Our website ·
★★★★★I had long wanted to see Charyn, but kept hesitating. A friend recommended this tour, and I decided to go. I called the manager, clarified the details, everything was explained. We went in a small group, the atmosphere was friendly. The 4x4 vehicle went everywhere, even where there's almost no road. I liked the Dark Canyon the most — gloomy and mysterious. In the Valley of Castles we took lots of photos, the guide helped with angles. Lunch in nature was simple but tasty. I came back with a ton of impressions.
Yelena D.
Our website ·
★★★★★Thrilled! The jeep tour was just the thing. Off-road adrenaline. Sergey drove carefully. I'll come back again.
Marina G.
Google ·
★★★★★First time on a jeep tour. I liked it. The canyons are all different. The lunch by the river was tasty. Downside: a bit dusty.
Olga P.
Our website ·
★★★★★The tour is super! The 4x4 jeep handled the dirt roads without problems. The Moon Canyon is beautiful, lunch on the riverbank. The driver was excellent.
Bekzhan T.
Google ·
★★★★★We were getting ready for a long time. We took a tour from a guide. The 4x4 vehicle is real. We drove off-road. The Dark Canyon is mysterious. Everything is super. The only thing is they delayed the departure by 15 minutes.
Marat B.
Our website ·
★★★★★We chose this tour because of the off-road vehicle. The road was bumpy but worth it. The Red Canyon is like on Mars. Thanks to the guide.
Aigul K.
Our website ·
★★★★★We had long wanted to see Charyn but didn't know how to get there. We decided to take a jeep tour so we wouldn't have to think about the road. The 4x4 vehicle went where others would get stuck. The Valley of Castles impressed us the most — huge walls, breathtaking. We really liked it!
Natalya R.
Our website ·
★★★★★We went with the kids. It was bumpy but the kids loved it. Ilyas showed and told us everything. Thanks.
Aliya N.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Jeep tour exceeded expectations. Photos in the Valley of Castles turned out amazing. Only downside: lunch could have been more varied.
Aliya S.
Our website ·
★★★★★I spent a long time choosing a tour. I settled on the jeep tour. No regrets. The Red Canyon and Valley of Castles are masterpieces. Aleksandr is a super guide.
Zoya A.
Our website ·
★★★★★I dreamed of seeing Charyn. A 4x4 jeep is the best option. The Valley of Castles and the Dark Canyon are my favorites. The driver-guide Andrey accompanied the group, everything was clear. Thanks.
Ainagul Zh.
Google ·
★★★★★We went as a big family, there were five of us. The jeep was spacious, everyone had enough room. The driver-guide drove carefully, but we still got shaken on the bumps. The Valley of Castles and the Red Canyon are very beautiful, especially when the sun lights up the walls. We made a stop at the river, had lunch, the kids ran around by the water. The guide showed and told us everything, answered questions. The downside was a bit of shaking on the dirt road, but that's minor. Overall, it was a great day.
Gulnara B.
Our website ·
★★★★★We wanted beautiful photos. Ended up in a fairy tale. The Moon Canyon is otherworldly. Sergey knows the best spots. Thanks for the emotions.
Ruslan Sh.
Google ·
★★★★★With friends on a jeep. The road is bumpy but fun. The Red Canyon's color is unreal. The driver is great. I recommend it.
Roman Z.
Our website ·
★★★★★Took a tour for the family. The kids are thrilled. The 4x4 SUV drove through the mountains. Ilyas drove well. We saw all the canyons. I recommend it.
Sergey V.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We went as a couple, my wife had long wanted to see the canyons, and I'm more into cars. We took a private tour so we wouldn't depend on a group. Along the way, the guide told us about the rocks and how these canyons were formed. The Red Canyon is something incredible, the colors are just fire. The Moon Canyon also got us, there was almost no one there. The SUV handled the off-road easily, we never got stuck. Lunch on the riverbank came in handy, we were pretty hungry. I recommend this format to everyone.
Sveta L.
Google ·
★★★★★We went with colleagues after the work week, wanted to unwind. We chose a jeep tour to see all the canyons in one day. The guide met us at the office, told interesting facts along the way. The SUV was comfortable, we rode in comfort. The Valley of Castles amazed us with its scale, the walls are huge, it takes your breath away. We had a picnic on the riverbank, the food was tasty, we rested in the shade. On the way back we were tired but very happy. I'll definitely recommend it to friends.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about the Jeep Tour to Charyn
We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.
Ask a questionYou need footwear that lets you walk confidently on dirt trails and go down to the river — part of the route is on foot. For the sun, a cap, sunglasses and cream will come in handy, and on the viewpoints where it's windy, a light jacket will help. Charge your phone or camera in advance — the panoramas of the Moon Canyon and the Valley of Castles are worth it.
Most of the time you ride in the jeep, you walk only at the viewpoints and on the descent to the water, and the pace is entirely yours — the tour is private. The driver-guide adapts to the group, and if someone wants to wait by the vehicle, that is decided on the spot. If you need a particularly gentle pace, write to us on WhatsApp in advance.
According to the programme, we leave the canyons at 17:00 and you'll be back in Almaty at around 20:30 — the tour takes about 12 hours. On the way back there's a tea stop with views of the evening steppe. The exact time depends on the road and the weather, and the guide will let you know in advance if anything shifts.
Gathering is at 06:30, we pick you up in central Almaty or from your hotel — and set off right away in one off-road vehicle. The format is private: only your group, the driver-guide and an attendant are in the vehicle. If you are staying outside the centre, write on WhatsApp — we will check whether it is convenient to pick you up along the way.
The price includes an off-road vehicle with a driver-guide for the whole day, ecological fees of the Charyn national park, drinking water and an attendant from the company. Lunch-picnic by the river, personal expenses and rental of trekking gear are at an additional cost. Lunch can be added when booking, just tell us on WhatsApp.
For the weekend we reserve the whole off-road vehicle for you: booking is done with a WhatsApp message, and no prepayment is needed. You pay on the day of the trip — via Kaspi, by card or in cash. If your plans change, cancelling the booking is free, just write to us.
