3 Canyons Tour from Almaty: Charyn, Black and Moon Canyon
One long day, three completely different canyons on the Charyn River: the red sandstone Valley of Castles, the dark basalt walls of Black Canyon and the pale, lunar ridges of Moon Canyon. Hotel pickup, park tickets, a comfortable vehicle and a local guide in English, Russian or Turkish.
- Duration: about 10 hours
- Start: 09:00 from your hotel in Almaty
- Distance: 180 km, three stops along one route
- Season: all year round
- Group tour: daily, minimum 2 people
- Private tour: any day, any group size
- Walking: 3–4 km in total, easy to moderate
- Guide languages: English · Russian · Turkish
- Rated 5.0 on Google (38 reviews)
- Hotel pickup and all park fees included
- Change or cancel up to 72 hours before departure
- Reply within 24 hours, usually much faster
The three canyons, one route
Charyn Canyon
The Valley of Castles: 3 km of red sandstone towers 150–300 m high, with a walking path from the rim down to the Charyn River. The main stop of the day and the reason most travellers come.
Black Canyon
Dark volcanic rock instead of sandstone, with the river winding far below near-vertical walls. Quiet and roadside-accessible; 45 minutes of viewpoints and photos.
Moon Canyon
Pale grey and ochre ridges, softer shapes and wide open views over the steppe. The name fits: the surface really does look lunar in flat light.
3 Canyons tour itinerary
- 09:00 Pickup at your hotel or apartment in Almaty.
- 09:15 Drive east across the steppe with a rest stop for coffee and toilets.
- 11:30 Moon Canyon. First stop: short walk along the rim, wide panoramas over the pale rock and the plain.
- 12:15 Black Canyon. Dark basalt walls and river bends; 45 minutes at the viewpoints, light walking near the car.
- 13:15 Charyn Canyon. Park gate, rim viewpoint, then the 1.5 km walk down the Valley of Castles to the river.
- 15:00 Lunch at the canyon café or a picnic by the river (own expense), then walk back up or take the shuttle van.
- 16:00 Return drive to Almaty.
- 18:30–19:30 Drop-off at your hotel.
The order of the three stops changes with the light and the season; your guide chooses the best sequence on the day. On a private tour we can start earlier for sunrise at Charyn or stay for sunset at Moon Canyon.
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Almaty
- Comfortable air-conditioned vehicle: SUV, minivan or 4x4 depending on group size
- Local guide (English, Russian or Turkish)
- Charyn Canyon National Park entrance fee, which also covers Black and Moon Canyon
- Bottled water
Not included
- Lunch and personal expenses
- Shuttle van from the canyon floor back to the rim (optional)
- Tips for guide and driver (optional)
Group or private: choose your format
Shared group tour
Runs daily with a minimum of 2 travellers. The most economical way to see all three canyons in a single day.
- Fixed 09:00 departure
- Small groups in a minivan or SUV
- No deposit required in most cases
Private tour
Your own vehicle and guide on any date, with a 4x4 recommended because the tracks near Moon Canyon can be uneven and dusty.
- Flexible start time, sunrise or sunset options
- More time at whichever canyon you like best
- Can be extended to Kolsai and Kaindy over two days
Prices depend on the date, group size and vehicle. Send us your dates on WhatsApp and we will reply with a quote the same day.
The three canyons in photos
Is the 3 Canyons tour right for you?
Choose this tour if you have one day and want variety: three canyons of different rock, colour and shape within 40 km of each other, all on the same river. It is the fullest canyon day available from Almaty and the best value if you are not coming back to the region.
Choose the single Charyn Canyon tour instead if you prefer a slower day with more time in the Valley of Castles, or the Black Canyon tour if you want the quietest option with the least walking. This tour involves more time in the car and a fairly full schedule: about 5 hours of driving in total and three separate walks.
Best time to visit and what to bring
April–June and September–October are the best months: 18–28 °C, clear air and strong colour in all three canyons. Summer is hot and exposed, up to 38 °C on the canyon floor, so we start early and keep the walks short. Winter is quiet and photogenic, with snow contrasting against the red and black rock; roads stay open and we use a 4x4 when needed.
The light matters more here than on a single-canyon trip: red sandstone looks best early and late, while the pale Moon Canyon holds detail even at midday.
Bring with you
- Closed shoes with grip; the ground is rocky and loose at all three stops
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen — there is almost no shade
- At least 1.5 litres of water per person in summer
- A windproof layer; ridges are exposed and windy
- Cash in tenge for lunch, the shuttle van and small kiosks
- Passport or ID for possible road checks near the border zone
Fitness level: easy to moderate. Not all viewpoints have fences, so keep away from the edges and follow your guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 3 Canyons tour suitable for children or older travellers?
Yes, for anyone with basic mobility. The paths are clear but rocky and sometimes windy; closed shoes, sun protection and water are essential. On a private tour we adjust the pace, shorten a walk or skip a descent if needed.
Do I need a separate ticket for each canyon?
No. One Charyn Canyon National Park entrance fee covers access to Black and Moon Canyon as well, and it is included in the tour price.
Are meals included?
No, lunch is paid on site. There are small cafés along the route and by the Charyn River, or we can arrange a boxed lunch if you tell us in advance. We always carry bottled water.
How safe are the viewpoints?
The main viewpoints are safe but not all of them have fences. Keep a distance from the edges, avoid climbing on loose rock and follow your guide's instructions; winds near the ridges can be strong.
What vehicle do you use?
Air-conditioned SUVs or minibuses depending on group size, all insured and driven by professional local drivers. For private tours we recommend a 4x4 because some sections near Moon Canyon are uneven and dusty.
Can I do all three canyons and the lakes in one trip?
Not in one day. Kolsai and Kaindy Lakes lie further east and need a separate day. The usual plan is a two-day private trip: the three canyons on day one with an overnight in Saty village, then the lakes on day two.
How do I book and pay?
Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp or through the contact form. We confirm within 24 hours. Group tours usually need no deposit; private tours are confirmed with a deposit, and the balance is paid on the day of the tour.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can change or cancel up to 72 hours before departure. For private tours a partial refund of the deposit (70–90%) applies depending on costs already paid; later cancellations are non-refundable. If we cancel because of weather or road closures, you get a full refund or a new date.
Related tours
- Charyn Canyon tourJust the Valley of Castles, at a slower pace
- Black Canyon tourThe quietest canyon, least walking
- Kolsai Lakes tourAlpine lakes, ideal as a second day
- Kaindy Lake tourThe sunken forest by 4x4
Book the 3 Canyons day trip
Tell us your date and number of travellers. We reply with availability and a price the same day.
WhatsApp +7 707 717 71 01 info@almatytourkz.comAlmaty Tour KZ · 22 Zenkov Street, Medeu District, Almaty · Local tour operator
Charyn · Black Canyon · Moon Canyon See the three canyons before you book
Filmed on one of our own departures — the real route, the real viewpoints, the real road. No stock footage.
Get your price for this tour today
Tell us your dates and group size. We come back with availability and an exact price — usually within a couple of hours.
- Rated 5.0 on Google
- Answer within 24 hours
- Free cancellation up to 72 hours
- English · Russian · Turkish
