Duration · 1 DAY

Season · SPRING / SUMMER / FALL 

Activity · SIGHTSEEING

              From USD $90

Customer reviews   

Almaty - Shelek - Charyn NP main entry - Valley of Castles - Almaty 

Difficulty: ♦ ◊ ◊ ◊ ◊

Type: sightseeing

Group size: min 1 - max 4 

Get insipired

• A visit to any of the Charyn canyons is not only contact with the world of bizarre shapes, colors and amazing landscapes. It is also a real immersion into the history of the planet:
  - Charyn River valley (as well as most of the Almaty region) is the bottom of the ancient Ili Lake, which existed here millions years ago. For thousands of years, different processes took place around and inside the ancient reservoir - and every era of the lake's life left its mark at the bottom, in the form of a layer. Each layer has its color and features, in each layer different fossils of ancient sea animals and plants can be found. Just be attentive! 
  - After the mountains around Ili Lake began to rise, the waters of the lake began to flow into the lowlands (now Lake Balkhash). The bottom of the lake was exposed, and the remaining water began to cut through the soft silt bottom. This is how the famous Charyn canyons were formed. Later, wind and precipitation worked on them, giving them their modern impressive appearance. Thus, descending any of the Charyn canyons, you dive deeper into the history of our planet!
• During the walk along the canyon you will have the opportunity to see wildlife - local falcons-kopchik, eagles, jerboas. The canyon has very remarkable vegetation - here you will find the "desert tree" saksul and the relict Sogdian ash.
• This tour is organized on request and only for you. The guide accompanying you throughout the tour will focus on your needs, interests and safety. You can fully enjoy personalized service and comfort.

What to expect

• Kazakhstan is a huge country, distances are long, roads are not always up to standard and traffic can be chaotic. Even though we use new comfortable cars with experienced drivers, you should be prepared for long drives on poor quality roads.
• We pay special attention to food on the tour. On this particular one we will serve a good lunch inside a canyon, in a shadow of the relic Sogdian ash-trees
• During this tour we visit only one canyon Valley of Castles. Other Charyn canyons are not included in the itinerary.

   Transfers

• comfortable private transportation, pick up and drop off in Almaty
• Park's taxi service up the canyon (one way)

    Meals

• lunch in Charyn
• drinking water

    Guiding

• English-speaking guiding throughout the tour

   National Park's entry fees

• Charyn Canyons NP day entry

   Prices:

• $90 per person per tour - if there are 4 people in group
• $105 per person per tour - if there are 3 people in group
• $145 per person per tour - if there are 2 people in group
• $275 - 1 person (individual service)

Price does

not include

• accommodation (hotel), meals and any entertainment in Almaty before/after a tour
• personal traveller’s insurance 
• personal expenses like souvenirs, calls etc.
• rent of personal clothes, shoes, gear etc.
• optional activities 
• porters for personal belongings, suitcases and bags during the tour
• menu does not include: soft and alcohol drinks, beverages

1. We are responsible for your safety in the activities described in the tour program. Horseback riding or other similar services provided by local residents on the spot - at your discretion and under your responsibility.
2. Let us know in advance if you have any specific food requirement (like vegetarian menu or food allergies)
3. Temperatures in summer in Almaty region depend on the height above sea level, location and current weather conditions. Below data is for information only:
   - steppes/semideserts (Charyn, lowerlands), 250m-700m ASL: +28..+42C degrees daytime, +25..+35C degrees in the night
   Temperatures in spring and autumn in Almaty region depend on the height above sea level, location and current weather conditions. Below data is for information only, for April and late September
   - steppes/semideserts (Charyn, lowerlands), 250m-700m ASL: +18..+28C degrees daytime, +5..+15C degrees in the night
4. We recommend having for this trip: trainers/hiking shoes, socks, trekking pants or shorts (depending on a season), t-shirt with long or short sleeves (depending on a season), jacket (thickness depends on a season and weather forecast), raincoat, peaked cap, buff, sunglasses, sun protection lotion, small backpack.
5. There can be no cellular connection in certain places outside of the city (on the roads and in remote places). 
6. In remote villages, there may be a problem with paying with cards. If you plan to buy some small items or souvenirs, make sure to have cash - Kazakh Tenge.