Almaty has much to offer the visitor, no doubt, but with some time on your hands, a trip to sites outside the city boundaries is well worth the effort.
One of the most popular and accessible such points of interest is Charyn Canyon. It has been likened to the Grand Canyon, but holds its own distinct charm. About 200km from Almaty, Charyn makes for an ideal day trip or a wonderful hiking and camping week-end off the beaten track, away from the city for those wishing to explore the canyon further. It is permitted to set up your camp by the river.

The best time to visit the canyon is in Spring or Autumn. It is too hot in summer and too cold in winter to make for an enjoyable outing. I myself went on a one day trip in June and have to say it was almost too hot for comfort. We were in for an early start, a group of us met at 7.30am but I had no regrets. The journey to Charyn takes about three hours, with a stop half way for food and toilets. There is a supply of fresh water here and people queue up to fill their bottles. We saw one little boy who got so excited that he fell into the pond by the source but didn't seem too upset.

When you join an organized coach trip, you will be dropped fairly close to the entrance of the canyon, so a bit of effort is involved walking down into it. The sight is well worth it. Make sure you have comfortable shoes with a good grip. When you reach the bottom, and look up at the rock formations sculpted by wind and rain, you will be filled with awe. Over the years legendary tales have been passed down of what the various rock sculptures represent; a lion, perhaps, or maybe the “witches gorge”. One of the most accessible and spectacular is the “Valley of Castles”. Let your imagination run wild. Maybe in time your interpretation of what a rock resembles may become the stuff of legend.

In the course of the day out there is the chance to be energetic, or if you prefer just sit by the river. In my group about half of the people continued beyond the main canyon, climbing high and looking down on the rocks below. An experienced and knowledgeable guide will look after you, and make sure you don't get left too far behind.
I was among those who chose the lazy option, watching people swing across the river, and relaxing in the sunshine. We picnicked in the sunshine, carefully gathering all our rubbish to take back to the city, rather than spoil this beautiful landscape for other visitors.
Beyond the canyon itself, there is also an opportunity to see falcons circling overhead and other birdlife can be observed.
A trip to Charyn makes a wonderful day out from the city. You will come back filled with memories of the spectacular natural phenomenon, glad to have been out in the fresh air and enjoyed a day in Kazakhstan's beautiful outdoors. Travel agents in Almaty, including the Ecotourism Information Resource centre, can help you to make arrangements to
get there.