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View over the Valley of Castles with a vehicle on the Charyn Canyon track

Charyn, Moon Canyon & Bestamak: One-Day Tour from Almaty

Three canyon stops, panoramic views and walks shaped around your pace

Duration1 day
Price per person from$90
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About this tour

Spend a day among rock towers, open viewpoints and the varied terrain of Charyn National Park. This private tour from Almaty brings together the Valley of Castles, Moon Canyon and Bestamak, giving you three different perspectives on the canyon landscape.

Charyn provides the main walking section, with Moon Canyon and a view from the Bestamak side completing the itinerary. Lunch is planned at Charyn and paid for separately by guests. Your guide arranges the additional stops around road conditions and the available light.

There is room to adjust the pace: choose a longer walk or spend more time enjoying a viewpoint. The trip returns to Almaty the same day. Allow roughly 12 hours as an initial guide, with departure and return estimates agreed when booking.

Prices by group size

A private tour: the more people in the car, the lower the price per person.

GroupPer personTotal for the group
1 traveller$330$330
2 travellers$180$360
3 travellers$120$360
4 travellers$90$360

Prices in US dollars, for a private SUV tour with a driver-guide. Final cost is confirmed before booking.

Travellers on a trail among the rock formations of Charyn CanyonPanoramic view of layered sandstone cliffs and rock towers in Charyn CanyonHikers beneath a rainbow over the red cliffs of Charyn Canyon, KazakhstanClose view of red sandstone towers beneath a blue sky in Charyn Canyon

Highlights

Charyn Canyon — a walk in the Valley of CastlesMoon Canyon — changing landforms and open viewsBestamak — a view from the other side of the canyonLunch at Charyn, paid separatelyPrivate 4x4 travel and walks at your own pace
Duration1 day · approximately 12 hours
Activity levelEasy to moderate; walking distances adapted to the group
SeasonAll year round

Detailed tour program

  1. 1 dayApproximately 12 hours · timing and stop order are flexible

    Almaty — Charyn — Moon Canyon — Bestamak — Almaty

    A full day exploring the canyons of the Almaty region

    Meet your guide at your Almaty hotel in the morning. Agree the departure time in advance to suit the season, road conditions and your preferences. There is time for a rest stop and to buy coffee or snacks on the drive towards Charyn.

    Explore Charyn’s Valley of Castles. A full walk to the river and back is around 7 km; an upper-viewpoint route is roughly 3–4 km. Your guide helps choose a suitable option for the group and the day’s schedule. You can also pause at Tary café overlooking the canyon.

    Stop for lunch at Charyn Canyon. Lunch, coffee and other café orders are paid separately and are not included in the tour price. Agree the length of the break with your guide.

    Continue to Moon Canyon for viewpoints, photographs and a walk at a comfortable pace. Visit the Bestamak side for another perspective on the canyon. This is a separate scenic stop, with walking time adapted to the group and the weather. The guide may reverse the order of these two visits.

    After the canyon visits, drive back to your hotel or an agreed location in Almaty. Allow around 12 hours for the whole day as a planning estimate. Walking pace, breaks, road conditions and city traffic affect the actual return time.

The tour operates year-round, subject to weather and access conditions. Your guide adapts the walks to the group and balances stops around daylight. Confirm departure and return estimates before travel and discuss any evening flight in advance.

Route map

Main itinerary stops. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors. Dotted line shows the order of stops, not the exact road. Open the route in Google Maps
  1. 1
    Almaty — departure

    Morning hotel pick-up; agree the meeting time in advance.

  2. 2
    Charyn — Valley of Castles

    A walk adapted to the group. Lunch at the canyon is paid separately.

  3. 3
    Moon Canyon

    Panoramic views, photographs and a walk at a comfortable pace.

  4. 4
    Bestamak

    A view from the other side of the canyon; timing depends on weather and the group’s pace.

  5. 5
    Almaty — return

    Drop-off at your hotel or an agreed city location. Return timing is approximate.

Included

  • Comfortable private 4x4 SUV and fuel
  • English-speaking guide-driver
  • Drinking water
  • National park entrance fees
  • Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Almaty

Not included

  • Lunch at Charyn Canyon, coffee, tea and other café orders
  • International flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses and souvenirs
  • Activity costs (horse riding and other optional activities)
  • Tips for the guide (optional)

What to bring

Footwear with good grip for slopes and uneven ground; budget trekking boots are suitable for our standard scenic toursA warm fleece, vest or windbreaker, even in summer: Assy, Arabel, Kolsai, Kaindy and evenings in Saty can be cool; a rain poncho is optionalSun hat, sunglasses and sunscreenID or passport; for an international itinerary, check the required entry documents before travellingPhone or camera, chargers and a power bankCash for personal purchases and additional servicesA small daypack and a reusable water bottlePersonal toiletries and medication; trekking poles and specialist equipment are not normally needed on the standard 5-, 6- and 8-day scenic tours; check requirements for dedicated trekking itineraries

Why Silk Travel

01

Exceptional service

A personal approach to every guest and safety throughout the journey.

02

Dependable SUVs

Air-conditioned 4x4s that reach remote spots, serviced after every tour.

03

Individual tours

No big groups. Change the route, take breaks, extend the trip.

04

Certified guides

Our guides speak English, are certified and have more than five years of guiding experience.

S
StJFamilyFredericton, Canada · 56 contributions
●●●●●

Great Guide, Great Tour

Had an excellent three day small group tour to Altyn Emel, Kaindy/Kolsai and Charyn Canyon with Tau. Tau was a terrific guide and I highly recommend him. He was friendly and a lot of fun. He has lots of knowledge of the area and was very generous with his time to allow us all the opportunity to enjoy the area. Also takes great photos!

The places we visited on the tour are beautiful and very worth the effort to travel there. Kazakhstan surpassed all expectations and loved my time there.

d
dyCanada2Hong Kong, China · 13 contributions · Jun 2019 • Friends
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Fantastic guide, amazing trip!

Travelled with my mom in a group tour last June. We had Tau as our guide and it was a magical trip! Great driver and conversationalist, and he took us to some beautiful landscapes and also on some unreal hikes and climbs. Also very well prepared - borrowed many blankets when the temperatures got a little chilly, and had rain ponchos on hand when the weather turned rainy.

After we returned to Almaty, Tau provided great recommendations and showed some pretty neat bars / spots around town.

Hands-down, one of the highlights for summer 2019. Highly recommended. Tau will ensure that you have a great time in Kazakhstan!

E
Excursion29147138082Oct 2025
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6 days private tour in Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan

“Our guide, Ray, was knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible.”

l
lenb277Oct 2025
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A great way to explore Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

“My husband and I tailored the 6 day tour and spent 5 amazing days outdoors.”

r
rosr972025
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Amazing 6-Day Trip

“We had the most wonderful experience in this 6 day tour.”

A
Anisa JJun 2025
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Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan private tour

“We had an amazing time on our private tour of 6 days.”

n
nirhkangMay 2025
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Wowed in every destinations

“Made plenty of unforgettable memories. We were well taken care of.”

4
49faridahj2025
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A thrilling 6 day tour

“He tailored and adjusted the tour schedule according to our preference.”

Three canyon landscapes in a day from Almaty

The itinerary combines Charyn’s Valley of Castles, Moon Canyon and Bestamak. Walk among Charyn’s rock formations, then explore additional viewpoints to see different sides of this canyon landscape.

Travel in a private 4x4 with your own guide-driver and return to Almaty the same day. The schedule is approximate: roads, daylight and the time spent walking all affect the return journey.

Walking at Charyn: the river route or upper viewpoints

The full walk to the river and back is around 7 km. An upper-viewpoint route covers approximately 3–4 km. Your guide considers fitness, children’s ages and whether you prefer more walking or longer photo stops.

A lunch break is planned at Charyn Canyon. Tary café is also an option for tea or coffee overlooking the rock formations. Meals and drinks are paid for separately.

Moon Canyon and the view from Bestamak

Moon Canyon adds another distinctive landscape to the day, while Bestamak offers a view from the other side of the canyon. These stops allow time for panoramas and photographs. Your guide chooses the exact order and walking distances according to weather, access and the group’s interests.

A year-round outing shaped by the conditions

The tour runs throughout the year, with access and daylight taken into account. Bring comfortable walking shoes, protection from sun and wind, and clothing suited to the season. Confirm the meeting time and current route before departure.

Private canyon tour prices

Rates per person are $90 with four guests, $120 with three, $180 with two and $330 for a solo traveller. Lunch at Charyn is an additional expense. To book, send your travel date, group size and Almaty hotel address. Allow roughly 12 hours for the day as a planning estimate.

Questions about this tour

Which canyons are included?

Charyn Canyon’s Valley of Castles, Moon Canyon and Bestamak. The tour leaves Almaty in the morning and returns the same day.

How long is the trip, and when do we leave?

Allow around 12 hours as a planning estimate. Confirm the meeting time before departure. Walks, roads and traffic affect the duration, and your guide adapts the pace to the guests.

How much walking is there at Charyn?

The full river walk and return is approximately 7 km. An upper-viewpoint option is roughly 3–4 km. Choose a suitable route with your guide.

Where is lunch, and is it included?

Lunch is planned at Charyn Canyon and paid separately. Coffee, tea and other café orders are also additional expenses.

What will we see at Bestamak?

Stop for a view from the other side of the canyon. Your guide agrees time for photographs and walking with the group, taking weather and remaining daylight into account.

Does the tour run in winter?

Yes, it is a year-round tour. Weather and access-road conditions can affect the itinerary and individual stops.

What is the price per person?

The rate is $90 with four guests, $120 with three, $180 with two and $330 for a solo traveller. Lunch is paid separately.

Is it suitable for children or guests who prefer shorter walks?

Your guide can shorten walking sections and allow more time at viewpoints. Tell us children’s ages and any walking limitations in advance; the day also includes long drives.

How do I book?

Send your dates and group size. A manager agrees the route, preferred stops, accommodation and dietary needs with you. After you confirm the itinerary and total price, pay a 20% deposit: we secure your guide and then reserve the agreed accommodation. The remaining 80% is due on day one; payment in US dollars is available. For direct Silk Travel bookings, cancellation 14 calendar days or more before the start receives a refund of 100% of the amount paid; with less notice, the 20% deposit is non-refundable. Third-party bookings follow their platform terms.

Are the tours private?

Yes. Every tour is for your own party, including solo travellers. We do not run join-in groups or add you to another booking. Your English-speaking guide adapts walks, stops and time at locations to your interests and ability within the agreed itinerary. Extra days, accommodation upgrades and optional paid activities are quoted separately.

What vehicles do you use?

All our vehicles are comfortable, air-conditioned and undergo technical inspections. For groups of up to 4 guests, we use off-road-capable Toyota Land Cruiser or Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUVs. For 5 guests, we use a Toyota Sequoia SUV. For groups of more than 5 guests, we use a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

What if prices differ by group size?

The price depends on group size. Send your dates and the number of people and a manager will confirm the exact offer.

Can you arrange halal meals, vegetarian food and food allergies?

Yes. Vegetarian and halal meals can be arranged in advance, with food adapted to guests’ preferences. Tell us about allergies before booking. A severe allergy requires individual discussion and confirmation of arrangements, including any needed controls against contact with the allergen. Check the chosen tour’s meal inclusions: meals are paid separately on some itineraries.

Do you provide child car seats?

Yes. We provide a child car seat on advance request. Tell us the child’s age and height when booking so we can prepare a suitable seat before the tour starts.

How can I stay connected during the trip?

On routes through Almaty, Bishkek or Karakol, you can buy a local SIM card along the way; tell us if you would like help. Mobile coverage depends on the operator and may be unavailable in remote mountain areas.

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Tell us the dates, group size and places you want to see. A manager replies within an hour with a route and a fixed price.

Prefer a chat? WhatsApp · +7 (701) 740-00-33 · info@silktravel.kz

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