Charyn Canyon, Kazakhstan

Charyn Canyon is situated in Charyn National Park in Kazakhstan. The length of the gorge is 154 kilometers, and its depth varies from 150 to 300 meters. Despite the relatively modest scale, the number of attractions and unique features of the canyon is simply amazing. The must see place of the excursion program is Valley castles. It is an area where amazing natural formations are concentrated. The most famous is the rock shaped like a castle tower. Many pleasant surprises are waiting for nature lovers, as there are more than 1,500 plants, about 80 species of animals and over 100 species of birds in the canyon. It should be noted that many forms of local flora and fauna are listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan.

Savvy travelers compare landscapes of Charyn Canyon to the famous Grand Canyon; they are really very similar, but only at the first glance. Canyons have different ecosystems. Surprisingly, rare species of trees that have existed on the planet before the era of glaciation can be found in Charyn. Experienced travelers recommend visiting the canyon at sunset, as setting sun paints its slopes in purple, gold and pink tones – that looks like a fascinating performance. Charyn Canyon grounds are characterized by high sand content in soils. This feature makes walking on the slopes of the gorge quite dangerous, as fragile soil may collapse at any time. To the beginning - Colca Canyon