Wonders of nature: impressive canyons of Kazakhstan

Charyn Canyon

Kazakhstan Grand Canyon — in another way and not say. This amazing place will impress even the experienced travelers! The canyon is formed by sedimentary rocks, which are more than 12 million years old. Valley of Castles — The most popular place, where you can see the huge stone pillars of bizarre shapes. At the bottom of the canyon, the Charyn River flows along the banks of which there are guest yurts where you can stay overnight.

Where:Almaty region

How to get there:The Temirlik, Uzunbulak and Bestamak canyons are located near the main Charyn canyon, you can reach them by car

From Almaty:200 km from Almaty to the east is the Charyn river. It is there that the Charyn Canyon awaits its guests. From Astana: by train to Almaty and then by taxi to the Charyn river.

Canyons of the Temirlik River

Temirlik — a large tributary of the Charyn River, which is divided into three canyons. Their size is smaller than the Charynsky, so they are not so popular. But there are in this its advantages: you can find many secluded places, not trampled by tourists. A lot of trees grow on the banks of the river, some of them more than 300 years old. Also in the canyon are various animals: foxes, hares, caresses, mountain goats and others.

Where:Almaty region

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Uzunbulak Canyon

Uzunbulak, or Yellow Canyon, — It is a masterpiece created by wind and water from yellow sedimentary rocks. Stone blocks here are lined up and resemble traditional yurts in shape. The best time to visit the canyon — end of spring and early autumn. Interesting fact:

In the territory of the Yellow Canyon, stone tools and a primeval man's place were found.

Where:Almaty region

Photo: rutraveller.ru

Canyon Bestamak

Gorge between the Canyon of the Temirlik River and the Valley of Castles. This is one of the few canyons where you can drive to the river by car. Valley length — about 6 kilometers. Here you will see species similar to the Charyn canyon, but the scale is much smaller. The river bed is dry and filled with water only during heavy precipitation and snow melt.

Where:Almaty region

Photo: idrive.kz

Kapamsay Canyon

The huge chalk cliffs hanging over a dried-up river are in the Silicon Valley of Mangistau. At the bottom of the canyon, centuries-old trees grow, forming a dense grove. But be prepared to not go there, because attention will be distracted by a lot of silicon stones scattered throughout the valley. Many years ago at this place there were workshops in which tools were made from flint.

Photo:nat-chvizhenko

Where:Mangistau region

How to get there:Kapamsay canyons , Tamshaly and Sultan-Epe are in the Mangistau region, you can get there by train.

Astana:Train Astana is walking — Aktau (Mangistau region). From Almaty: Almaty train goes — Mangyshlak (Mangistau region).

Canyon of Tamshaly

A picturesque place decorated with steep cliffs and a view of the Caspian Sea. This canyon is quite popular among locals thanks to a small waterfall and a lake with fresh water. It's best to come here in the summer time — an ideal place for outdoor recreation.

Where:Mangistau region

Photo: wikimapia.org

Sultan-Epe Canyon

Sultan-Epe — This is a complex that includes a necropolis (that is, a cemetery), a canyon and an underground mosque. A feature, because of which tourists come here, — It is a well with drinking water, which is located 6 meters from the cliff. According to local residents, the water from it has medicinal properties. The canyon itself deserves no less attention: it is deep enough, and at the bottom a stream flows.

Where:Mangistau region

Photo: astrum-m.kz

Tuzbair Canyon

Tuzbair — it is an alkaline land with beautiful canyons, stretched for miles in different directions. Here you can see the rocks of different colors: from bright red to snow-white. Each gorge opens a new view of the remnant mountains, cliffs with lagoons, as well as a panorama of snow-white beaches from salt. On inspection of all the beauty is not enough for one day.

Where:Mangistau region

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Aksu Canyon

Another picturesque place that local people compare to the Grand Canyon of Colorado. Of course, the size of Aksu is much smaller, but the beauty and mystery of the gorge is not inferior to the American Grand Canyon. The local population here mostly moves on horses and donkeys, and tourists are offered off-road vehicles — you can not get by a normal car.

Photo: kolesa.kz