Jeep Tour · One Day

Charyn Canyon: Walk through the Valley of Castles

5 · 21 reviews

You'll see the red rocks of the Valley of Castles, walk along the canyon floor, and capture breathtaking shots. The route from Almaty in a comfortable SUV takes just one day.

WhenTue, Thu, Sat — departure at 06:00
Duration12 hours
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $134/person

Program

Jeep Tour to Charyn Hourly Program

06:00

Meeting and departure from Almaty

We meet in the city center, have a snack on the road.

09:00

Arrival at Charyn Canyon

Enter the Valley of Castles — first photos against the red rocks.

10:00

Walking tour through the canyon

Descent to the canyon floor, a route of about 2 km among bizarre rock formations.

12:30

Lunch in nature

Picnic with a view of the canyon (lunch is paid separately).

14:00

Visiting observation platforms

Climb up, panoramic views of the bends of the Charyn River.

16:00

Return journey to Almaty

Optional stop at a cafe, arrival around 18:00.

What's included

What's Included in the Charyn Jeep Tour

Included in Price

Already included in the tour price

  • Transfer from Almaty and back in an off-road vehicle
  • Guide-driver services
  • Environmental fees and entrance tickets
  • Bottled water for the road

Paid separately

Optional, on site

  • Lunch (picnic — optional, from $10/person)
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs

What to Bring

To make the day comfortable

  • Comfortable shoes for walking in the canyon
  • Hat and sunscreen
  • Warm jacket (wind in the canyon)
  • Camera or smartphone
  • Snacks and extra water (in addition to provided)

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.

Alexander Пашкин — Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу★4.52

Alexander Пашкин

Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу

52 review · experience 10 years

Andrey Шевелёв — Driver-guide★4.74

Andrey Шевелёв

Driver-guide

73 review · experience 13 years

Анжелика Чвыкова — Гид-фотограф★4.27

Анжелика Чвыкова

Гид-фотограф

58 reviews · experience 11 years

Ильяс Дарбеков — Гид-переводчик★4.27

Ильяс Дарбеков

Гид-переводчик

36 reviews · experience 6 years

Мадина Данина — Организатор туров★4.55

Мадина Данина

Организатор туров

65 reviews · experience 15 лет

Сергей Бабичев — Personal guide-водитель★4.49

Сергей Бабичев

Personal guide-водитель

65 reviews · experience 12 years

Reviews

Reviews of Charyn Canyon

Leave a review
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
EK
Erbol K.
Google ·
★★★★★

The canyon is very beautiful. The hike is not difficult, suitable for everyone. The guide showed the best spots for photos. Very pleased.

Verified review · Order #46915
DB
Daulet B.
Our website ·
★★★★★

kyzyl tas pen asem korkem. balalarga qatti unaidy. tek kun ystyk boldy. aman-essen kaittyk. rakhmet Madina ga

Verified review · Order #46921
DT
Damir T.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Great tour, I recommend it. Chose it with my girlfriend to unwind, had long heard about these places. The manager was very helpful with the choice. The views are unreal, especially the viewpoints.

Verified review · Order #45521
EP
Elena P.
Google ·
★★★★★

Liked the organization. The manager helped with the choice of tour. The only thing is we waited in line at the entrance for about 20 minutes. But the views were worth it.

Verified review · Order #42448
IM
Irina M.
Google ·
★★★★★

I walked through the Valley of Castles with great pleasure. It's like a labyrinth made of stone. The guide explained everything clearly. The tour is excellent.

Verified review · Order #41962
RK
Ruslan K.
Google ·
★★★★★

The Valley of Castles is top-notch! Too bad we didn't have enough time to explore. I wish we could have walked for another hour. Thanks to the guide for the tour.

Verified review · Order #38466
MP
Marat P.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Went with family, the kids are thrilled with the red rocks. The descent and walk along the bottom of the canyon were the most memorable. Departure was delayed by 15 minutes but that's minor.

Verified review · Order #38237
AN
Askhat N.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Great tour! I recommend it to everyone. Red rocks and bizarre shapes. Thanks to the guide for a cool excursion. We went with our family in June, the kids were thrilled. True, we got a bit tired from the long road, but the views are worth it. The descent into the canyon and the walk among the rocks is something incredible. Lunch in nature was very welcome, although it was for an extra fee. Overall, we liked everything, but we would like more time for photo stops.

Verified review · Order #34256
SK
Sveta K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We went with friends. Very beautiful and unusual. But the road is long and it makes you carsick. Better to take pills. The guide did great, told us everything.

Verified review · Order #29321
OV
Oleg V.
Google ·
★★★★★

I had long wanted to see this canyon and didn't regret it. Went with my brother spontaneously, just wanted adventure. The guide told a lot of interesting things about the Tethys Ocean. We went down, walked among the rocks — it takes your breath away. Rating 5.

Verified review · Order #28097
NF
Natalya F.
Our website ·
★★★★★

I had long wanted to get to the Valley of Castles. The dream came true thanks to this trip. The guide told stories very interestingly. I was impressed.

Verified review · Order #26421
LK
Lyazzat K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

The Valley of Castles is something else! The photos turned out great. Anzhelika suggested the best angles. My sister and I had long wanted to see these red rocks, and we finally made it. We went down to the bottom of the canyon and walked among the bizarre shapes — like being in another world. Lunch in nature was very welcome, though we had to pay extra, but it was worth it. Then we climbed up to the viewpoints, from where there's an incredible view of the river bends. We drove back tired but happy. Anzhelika, thanks for a great tour!

Verified review · Order #25852
TM
Talgat M.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Went with friends, amazing experience. Rocks of all colors of the rainbow. Only downside was the heat and little shade. The guide was awesome.

Verified review · Order #25867
BM
Bakhtiyar M.
Our website ·
★★★★★

tabigat korkem. Kylemetshilikten artik eshtepe kerek emes. jolda bir az keshikti. bari jaksy boldy

Verified review · Order #24529
AK
Aigul K.
Google ·
★★★★★

The Valley of Castles is just a delight! It feels like you're walking through another world. Thanks to the guide for the excellent organization.

Verified review · Order #24096
ZS
Zhanara S.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Very beautiful, like on Mars. Minus: the road is bumpy, but it's worth it. I advise taking comfortable shoes. My husband and I went in May, the weather was excellent. The guide told a lot of interesting things about the canyon. The descent to the bottom and a walk among the red rocks impressed us. I especially liked the viewpoints — breathtaking. Lunch was not included, but we took a snack with us. Overall, the trip left a lot of emotions, despite the shaking on the road.

Verified review · Order #22397
ID
Ivan D.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

Beautiful, but lots of people. The guide quickly gathered everyone into a group. I advise coming early in the morning. My colleagues and I decided to unwind and didn't regret it. The Valley of Castles impresses with its scale. True, there were quite a few people, especially at the viewpoints. But the guide skillfully organized our group, so we managed to see everything. The walk along the bottom of the canyon was the most memorable. Next time I'll go on a weekday to avoid the crowds.

Verified review · Order #21929
KF
Kristina F.
Our website ·
★★★★★

The place is super! The energy is unusual. Went with a colleague after a stressful week, wanted to recharge. Walked along the bottom of the canyon, looked at the river from the viewpoints. The only thing is there wasn't enough time to see all the castles. Want to come back. The guide is caring.

Verified review · Order #21888
AK
Arman K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

tabii korkem jer! okigan Tethis tubinde jurgen koredi. tek jolda kop silkindik. bari de jaksy

Verified review · Order #21639
OS
Olga Sh.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

cht eto bilo! prosto kosmos! guleyali po dnu okeana. spasibo gidu za organizatsiyu. ochen vse ponravilos

Verified review · Order #21518
VZ
Venera Zh.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

A very atmospheric place! You feel small among the huge rocks. The manager organized everything perfectly, no complaints.

Verified review · Order #19132

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 question

Wear comfortable shoes for walking on the rocky bottom of the canyon; sneakers are best. A hat, sunscreen and a warm jacket will come in handy — it's windy in the canyon. Also bring a camera or smartphone and snacks with water in addition to the water we provide for the road.

The effort is moderate: we descend to the bottom of the canyon, walk about 2 km among the rocks, then climb up to the viewpoints. We go at a calm pace with stops for photos; no athletic training is needed. If you're unsure about your abilities, message us on WhatsApp — the guide will advise you before departure.

The format is a mini-group in an off-road vehicle, with no overnight stays and no extreme off-roading, so the trip suits both children and elderly people, as long as they are ready for a walk through the canyon and a climb to the viewpoints. The programme doesn't list specific age limits. Message us on WhatsApp — we'll discuss your group for a specific date.

Meet in the center of Almaty at 06:00, and from there we go straight to the canyon. We head back around 16:00 and plan to be in the city at about 18:00; along the way there may be a stop at a cafe if you wish. The whole trip takes one day, about 12 hours.

The price includes the road to the canyon and back in an off-road vehicle, the work of a guide-driver, entrance tickets with eco fees, and bottled water for the road. Lunch is paid separately — a picnic in nature if you wish, from $10 per person — as well as personal expenses and souvenirs.

The tour runs as a mini-group on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with departure at 06:00; if you want to go with just your own group, ask about it on WhatsApp for your date. Booking is simply a message on WhatsApp, with no prepayment. Payment on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card or in cash; cancellation of the booking is free.