The Valley of Castles is one of Almaty’s best scenic hikes, featuring vibrant colors and awe-inspiring rock formations in the Charyn Canyon.

So many rocky formations and sandy dunes as far as the eye can see. Indeed, the Charyn Canyon is a true natural wonder and an iconic landmark in Kazakhstan’s original capital city, Almaty. I was fortunate to be part of a GetYourGuide tour where we rode the bus toward Kazakhstan’s border with China in the southeast, passing through the iconic Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes and the Charyn Canyon.

Breathtaking Landscapes

Located in Charyn National Park along the Charyn River, the Charyn Canyon is a vast mountain range that drops 300 meters and extends for a length of about 154 kilometers. There are 5 different canyons that make up the Charyn Canyon – the Temirlik Canyon, the Yellow Canyon, the Red Canyon, the Bestamak Canyon, and the most scenic and popular of all, the Valley of Castles.

Texas Vibes

The Charyn Canyon is often compared to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA, cited as an equally impressive canyon. I’ve never been to the USA, but from what I’ve seen in the movies, the Valley of Castles gives me a kind of Texas vibe with its sandy rocks, random shrubs, and desert cacti. Kazakhstan is truly a country that invites many different types of terrain, from canyons that rival the States to snow-capped mountains bigger than Mt. Fuji!

Awesome Photo Spots

The Valley of Castles is a hiking route that extends for about 2-3 kilometers, offering the best rocky formations and most iconic photo spots along the Charyn Canyon. Other than the ascent back out of the canyon, it’s a relatively flat hiking route and is doable for all ages and fitness levels. If you book yourself on a tour (which I highly recommend), the tour guide will take you to the most ideal spots with the best background scenery and even help you with taking the perfect photo!