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Charyn Canyon

Almaty Region, Kazakhstan

Charyn Canyon and Castle Valley, located about 200km northeast of Almaty, is the sightseeing must for every traveler to Kazakhstan. It is one of the most beautiful places in the country, and some say it does not give in to Colorado.

Castle Valley is the most beautiful part of the canyon. It has a peculiar bright red color and its rock formations resemble castles. If you happen to stay overnight in Castle Valley, sacrifice some sleep to take a moonlit stroll. You will not be the first to have started singing serenades in appreciation of the view. During the day, it is possible to find fossils in the canyon. But please be careful climbing up and down rock formations since they are extremely fragile.

The canyon is about 1.5km long with an easy trail along the floor. Wonderfully shaped, wind eroded, reddish cliffs surround the canyon. The canyon is closed by the Charyn River, which originates on the northern slopes of the Alatau and runs through its own deep canyon before joining the Ili.

The best time to visit Charyn Canyon is during the spring or autumn when the temperature is not excessively hot.

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