Kazakhstan’s Charyn Canyon in the Charyn National Park is much smaller than the Grand Canyon (154km long compared to 466km), but it’s said to be equally impressive – possibly by the Kazakh Tourist Board.
A viewing deck in the visitors’ centre provided an overview of what we were to see.
The walk was said to be around 50 minutes although golf buggies could be hired for 500 Tenge or less than £1 and we suggested that we walk there and buggy back.
The path along the canyon edge was pretty wide and easily walkable with only a few uphill and downhill stretches. The first viewing point was naturally busy, so we continued to a second where huge metal letters, CHARYN, provided a good photo opportunity, particularly as the only person around was a security guard. I suspect that this doesn’t happen often at the Grand Canyon.
The canyon has been sculpted by wind, water and sun over millions of years, and the thinly stratified red sedimentary rocks were amazing, and it’s probably better to let the photos do the talking.
Unfortunately, there were no buggies available when we were ready to leave and so we had to retrace our steps.
