Charyn Canyon

Charyn Canyon, a few hours east of Almaty, is one of Kazakhstan's most spectacular natural sights, often likened to a smaller Grand Canyon of Central Asia. Over millions of years the Charyn River has carved through soft sedimentary rock to create a dramatic gorge of towering red-and-ochre cliffs, pinnacles and eroded formations. Its most famous stretch, the Valley of Castles, is a mile-long wonderland of fantastical rock spires and columns that glow deep red in the low sun, explored on foot along the canyon floor.

What you actually see

• The Valley of Castles - the canyon of fantastical red rock spires.
• The canyon floor walk - the trail down among the formations.
• The Charyn River - the green ribbon of river at the gorge's end.
• The ash grove - the rare relict ash forest nearby.

When to go

May to October, for accessible roads and pleasant temperatures, avoiding the scorching midsummer midday heat; spring and autumn are ideal. The rocks glow most beautifully in the warm light of early morning and late afternoon. It is usually a long day trip from Almaty.

Honest expectations

It is a long drive from Almaty, so it makes for a full day or an overnight, and the canyon, while beautiful, is smaller than its Grand Canyon nickname suggests. The Valley of Castles floor gets busy on summer weekends, and there is little shade. The glowing red formations and the dramatic desert scenery, though, are genuinely spectacular and a highlight of the region.

Nearby

The Kolsai and Kaindy lakes and the Tian Shan foothills are within reach.