Charyn Canyon guides
Getting there from Almaty, the entrance fee, the Valley of Castles trail, the ash grove and other trails, Kolsai and Kaindy lakes, weather and where to stay.
Almaty to Charyn Canyon
210.8 km by road; the route via Baiseit and Kokpek, the turn-off, and the options without a car.
Entrance fee and hours
865 tenge a person, about 3,030 a car (2026); every rate, how to pay, and when the park is open.
Valley of Castles trail
3 km from the rim to the river, the two viewpoints, the river camp and the ride back up.
Ash grove and other trails
The park's four routes: the Valley of Castles, the Sogdian ash grove, the burial mounds and the Temirlik canyon.
Charyn, Kolsai and Kaindy
89.2 km from the canyon to Saty; the lakes' park, fee and hours, the Kaindy track and the Kolsai trail.
Weather and best time
Monthly temperatures, heat and frost, and the best months for the Valley of Castles walk.
Where to stay
Yurts by the river, the park's guest houses, camping prices, and Saty for the lakes.