Almaty to Charyn Canyon Day 16 May 15th 2019
Leaving Almaty today for the next adventure – Charyn (Ash tree) Canyon National Park Kazakstan. First, a stop at the Almaty market for picnic lunch supplies. In addition to being an excellent driver and guide Ramil looked after us well! Time to head out on the road. Today the road passed alongside the snow-topped Alu Tau mountain range, an extension of the Tsian Shan range which stretches from China to Uzbekistan. Providing picture-perfect mountain views beyond the green covered hills.
Once into the Charyn National Park we spent the day visiting magnificent viewing points of aspects of the 154 kms long canyon. Ramil navigated us through five viewing spots off the main road including a spectacular spot for lunch perched atop a cliff reaching down to the canyon floor. Rarely over the day did we see any other visitors.
The photos tell the story – what an amazing sight.
The final stop of the day was known as the “Valley of Castles” and gave an amazing view into the canyon.
for our overnight stay the van was left on a clifftop and we descended into the canyon with a four-wheel drive vehicle from the EcoPark which as we arrived at after navigating through narrow rock forms along the valley floor. As the canyon opened up a group of Yurts became visible – our bed for the night.
After “check-in” we took a walk back through the canyon as the sun was setting and the moon rising. Amazing shapes rising around us, warm earthy red coloured rocks and deep silence surrounding us. Magical.
Back to the Eco Camp for a simple Kebab dinner and to bed in our cosy Yurt.
