Day Two: Charyn Canyon, Assy Plateau, Kaindy Lake

Most people visit the Charyn Canyon National Park as a day trip from Almaty, which I did the same as well. It is indeed one of the most spectacular places to see the nature of Kazakhstan in this region. The area is massive and there is so much to see and explore that you could spend days here. As the road condition in Kazakhstan is not really good, so it took me roughly 3 hours drive from Almaty to this canyon by car.

Charyn Canyon is a canyon on the Sharyn River in Kazakhstan. The canyon is roughly 90 kilometres in length. It is part of the Charyn National Park, and is located within the territory of the Uygur District, Raiymbek District and Enbekshikazakh District. People said the Charyn Canyon is much smaller than the Grand Canyon in the US, but both still looks very similar and is equally impressive. The canyon walls colours range from red to brown, yellow and black.

It’s a geologists dream come true with sedimentary rocks that are rich in minerals and are about twelve million years old.  There is also a large variety of flora and fauna with over 1000 of plants of which 50 are extremely rare and endemic to the area. The Charyn canyon National Park is also is home to wildlife such as foxes, hares, gerbils, eagles, pheasants, snakes and lizards.

For more than 12 million years, wind, water and sand sculpted Charyn’s red sandstone to form the wonderful shapes and shades that vary from deep orange to light brown. Some of the cliffs resemble fantastical figures, the reason why some parts of the canyon are also called the Valley of Castles, the Devil’s Gorge and the Ghosts Gorge.

I remembered as I went down the bottom of the canyon, I admired the grand panorama, then walk around 2 km through the maze of the Castles Valley to the river Charyn. As I walking through the canyon, I didn't see anyone until I reached the end, there is a small village and the Charyn river. I saw a guy was fishing near the river and he seem like enjoyed himself there. We had a short and quick conversation. As was almost time for lunch, I need to head and walk back to the origin point, my tour guide was waiting me to have lunch together.

This chicken was prepared by my tour guide's wife. The look is simple but the taste is yummy, I still can remembered the taste until today!

While we were on the way to Kaindy Lake, we stop at several viewpoint to take some picture of the nature view. The above picture was taken in the Black Canyon which also one part of the Charyn Canyon. We also crossed some moonlike and very arid landscapes and came across a canyon dug by a river in black rocks.

There are a few viewpoints accessible by foot giving wonderful views but it can be a bit tricky to get to some, as the path is very slippery. But totally worth the shot!

On the way to Kaindy Lake, I met this girl (backpacker) from Germany, she was walking by herself on the road, so I decided to give her a ride as well. Only then I found out that actually she also on the way to the Kaindy Lake. She have so many wonderful and bad travel experiences as a solo backpacker traveler. I feel so fascinating just listening to all her stories. How I wish I have the courage and brave enough just like her!

Kaindy Lake is lost in a coniferous forest at 2000 m above sea level in the Kungen Alatau mountains. It was formed as a result of a natural disaster which flooded a gorge situated right in the middle of the present lake, submerging incompletely trees. Today, their dried peaks overlook proudly over the water like sunken squadron masts. The lake is reached via a dirt road just off the village of Saty. It is rough in places and we had to cross a river at one point.

This ring of brilliant turquoise pierced by an eerie forest of stark white trunks is one of Kazakhstan’s most unique sights.

From the lower parking area it’s a 2km walk uphill to the upper parking area from where you can reach the lake. A dirt road runs along the upper banks of the lake offering spectacular views over the water and ashen trunks that stand frozen in its midst. To the left a smaller trail runs down to the water’s edge for a closer look at the trees, otherwise follow the road around to reach the opposite end. There’s a large open area here where you can camp overnight.

During the night, I stay in a guesthouses at Saty villages. I paid around 7,000T ($22) for one night at the homestay which included all meals.

The guesthouses that I stay was surrounded by the mountain and the river, with plenty of apples trees, actually this is where I hope to stay in future when I getting older.

Love,

Elene