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Charyn Canyon

Countries in the atlas · Caucasus and Central Asia

Kazakhstan

Canyons, mountain lakes and the spruces of the Tian Shan a few hours from Almaty — nature on the scale of American national parks.

Russian passport: visa-free · 90 days · internal passport acceptedprices about the same as in Russia

Photo: Bgag · CC0, Wikimedia Commons

Charyn Canyon
Photo: Bgag · CC0, Wikimedia Commons

Almaty Region, Kazakhstan

Charyn Canyon

Access 2/5 · fairly easyJFMAMJJASOND

The canyon of the Charyn River stretches for dozens of kilometres. Its best-known part is the Valley of Castles, where a trail runs along the canyon floor between weathered sandstone towers to the river.

The canyon is part of Charyn National Park. The best light is in the morning and evening, and summer afternoons here are very hot.

Getting there
From Almaty, about 3–4 hours by car or on a day tour; it is often combined with the Kolsai Lakes.
Sources (1)
Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy
Photo: Anna Powaska · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Almaty Region, Kazakhstan

Kolsai Lakes and Kaindy

Access 2/5 · fairly easyJFMAMJJASOND

The three Kolsai Lakes lie one above another in a gorge of the Northern Tian Shan. You can drive to the lower lake, and a trail through the forest leads to the middle one.

Lake Kaindy formed after an earthquake in the early 20th century: the spruces were left standing in the water, and their trunks show through its turquoise depths.

Getting there
From Almaty, 5–6 hours by car to the village of Saty; to Kaindy by 4x4 and on foot.
Fees and tickets
Entry to the national park is paid. The park is 10 km from the border with Kyrgyzstan, and a border regime applies near the border.
Sources (2)
Almaty and the Trans-Ili Alatau
Photo: Exxocette · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Kazakhstan

Almaty and the Trans-Ili Alatau

Access 1/5 · easyJFMAMJJASOND

The ridges of the Trans-Ili Alatau rise above Almaty. The Medeu high-altitude skating rink and the Shymbulak resort are half an hour from the centre, and the cable car climbs above 3,000 metres.

Big Almaty Lake, in a gorge, is a turquoise mirror between the mountains. The lake is a source of drinking water, so swimming in it is not allowed.

Getting there
Direct flights from Russia; from the centre to Medeu by bus or taxi.
Fees and tickets
Entry to Ile-Alatau National Park is paid; swimming in Big Almaty Lake is prohibited.
Sources (1)

Before you go

Kazakhstan: entry, safety, money, flights, laws and budget — with sources.

Entry

Russian citizens: visa-free for up to 90 days within 180 days. You can enter with either the internal or the international passport (the Foreign Ministry’s Consular Department).

Since 20.01.2026, children under 14 can no longer travel from Russia to Kazakhstan on a birth certificate — they need a passport. Near the borders with Kyrgyzstan and China a border regime applies: the upper Kolsai lake is only 6 km from a pass on the border.

Rules for any passport

Checked 2 November 2026. These are the rules for a Russian citizen with an international passport on a tourist trip. For other passports and purposes, see the official website — the button above.

Sources (5)

Safety

No Russian Foreign Ministry advice to refrain from travel (as of 02.11.2026).

Sources (2)

Money and cards

The Mir card hardly works: according to 2026 reviews, only for cash withdrawals at VTB Kazakhstan ATMs. Taking more than $10,000 in foreign cash out of Kazakhstan is prohibited.

Sources (3)

Flights

Direct Aeroflot flights from Sheremetyevo to Almaty, Astana, Aktau, Karaganda and Shymkent; flights and trains from many Russian cities.

Sources (3)

Laws and bans

  • Border zone near Kyrgyzstan and China: entry and movement follow the established procedure, enforced by the Border Service of the National Security Committee (KNB).
  • Taking more than $10,000 in foreign cash out of Kazakhstan is prohibited, and large sums must be declared.
  • National parks (Charyn, Kolsai, Ile-Alatau) charge entry; the amounts are set in MCI (the monthly calculation index) and change.
Sources (2)

Budget

prices about the same as in Russia · price level 0.37 (US = 1), 2025

Prices are about the same as in Russia. The mandatory fee is entry to the national parks; the main expense is a car or a tour from Almaty.

The price level is the ratio of purchasing power parity for household consumption to the market exchange rate (World Bank). These are national averages: resorts and capitals cost more, the countryside less. Flights are not included.

Sources (1)