Overview
Returning north on the Kokpek road and continuing 45 km east on the A-351 brings you to the Charyn Canyon junction. The Valley of Castles — the canyon's most-visited section — is a 2 km walk from the car park at the canyon rim, descending 150 m to the canyon floor where red-brown Cenozoic conglomerate walls close in to 20–30 m. The canyon offers a sharp contrast to the open reservoir valley and rounds out the day with minimal extra driving. Charyn National Park charges an entrance fee (around 1,000 KZT for foreign nationals) and has basic toilets at the car park.
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Visit notes
Viewing visit notes for Bartogay Reservoir & Kurmety Gorge
Charyn Canyon (optional loop)
Step 3 · 70 km from previous · 75 min drive
Returning north on the Kokpek road and continuing 45 km east on the A-351 brings you to the Charyn Canyon junction. The Valley of Castles — the canyon's most-visited section — is a 2 km walk from the car park at the canyon rim, descending 150 m to the canyon floor where red-brown Cenozoic conglomerate walls close in to 20–30 m. The canyon offers a sharp contrast to the open reservoir valley and rounds out the day with minimal extra driving. Charyn National Park charges an entrance fee (around 1,000 KZT for foreign nationals) and has basic toilets at the car park.