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Offered languages
- English
Most Charyn tours run as day trips. This one doesn't.
Temirlik Canyon sits inside the same national park as the Valley of Castles. You reach it by going off-road in a reliable 4×4, to a spot only your guide and a few shepherds know. The river runs clear and the only camp at the bottom is yours.
Your guide is Anton — born in Kazakhstan, lived 20+ years across the US, Singapore, and Malaysia, and came home. He'll translate at the Uighur market where he'll buy your bread, samsa, and kurt, and pick fresh produce from the farmers there. That night he'll cook your dinner over the fire.
- Private group, never combined. Maximum 4 people.
- Private 4×4 from Almaty. 5:30 AM pickup, non-negotiable.
- Optional Valley of Castles stop en route, since you came all this way.
- In summer, the mountain river is cold, clean, and yours to swim in.
- Designed for travelers who'd rather sleep in a canyon than queue at a viewpoint.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We can pick you up from majority of hotels located within Almaty City line. Just let us know the name of the hotel, an address, and your phone number so we can coordinate.
Itinerary
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1Baiseit
Stop 1 — Baiseit Village Uighur Market Our first stop is Baiseit village, about two hours from Almaty, where we pull over at the local Uighur market to stock up for camp. This is no ordinary supply run — the market is a destination in its own right. Pick up freshly baked tandyr bread and samsa straight from the oven, load up on seasonal fruits and vegetables from local growers, and get a first taste of the region's food culture before we've even reached the canyon.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
2Charyn Canyon
Stop 2 — Charyn Canyon, Valley of Castles (optional) An optional stop at one of Kazakhstan's most iconic landmarks. The Valley of Castles is a dramatic stretch of red sandstone formations carved by the Charyn River over millions of years. Worth a walk if time allows — it sets the tone for what the canyons of this region can do.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
3Canyon Temirlik
Stop 3 — Temirlik Canyon Observation Point We leave the 4×4 at the canyon rim and take in the first view of Temirlik — quieter, wilder and less visited than Charyn. This is where the journey shifts into a different gear.
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Canyon Temirlik
Stop 4 — Hike to a Private Campsite location from the observation point we hike down into the gorge to our private campsite beside the Temirlik River. The descent brings you deeper into the canyon with every step — by the time you reach the river, the world above feels very far away. We setup our camp together - tents, firepit, kitchen.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
5Canyon Temirlik
Stop 5 — River Walk After camp is set up, we get some tea and coffee and embark on a pleasant hike along the riverbank. The canyon walls rise on either side, the water moves slowly, and the wildlife comes out. This is the kind of quiet that takes a few minutes to settle into — and then you don't want to leave.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
6Canyon Temirlik
Stop 6 — Dinner at Camp As the light fades, we cook a hot meal together at the campfire. Local ingredients, open fire, canyon walls glowing in the last of the sun. No crowds, no noise — just the river, the fire, and good food.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Canyon Temirlik
Stop 7 — Stargazing After dinner, no rush to sleep. Temirlik has zero light pollution — on a clear night the sky is extraordinary. We sit by the dying fire and let the canyon do the rest. Then down to the tents for a proper night's rest beside the river.
8 hours • Admission ticket free -
8Canyon Temirlik
Stop 1 — Breakfast at Camp No alarm, no rush. Morning in the canyon has its own pace — the light arrives slowly, the river keeps flowing, and the walls glow before the sun clears the rim. We cook breakfast at the campfire, pack up camp, and take one last look at the place before the hike begins.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
9Canyon Temirlik
Stop 2 — Morning Hike to the Confluence We follow the canyon on foot to the point where Temirlik and Charyn converge — two rivers, two gorges, meeting in one of the most remote and striking landscapes in the region. It's the finest moment of the journey, and one very few travelers ever reach.
3 hours • Admission ticket free -
10Canyon Temirlik
Stop 3 — Departure From the confluence we hike back, load up the 4×4, and the road splits. For those continuing — onward to Saty village and Kolsai Lakes. For those heading home — back to Almaty with everything taken care of.
4 hours • Admission ticket free
Canyon, Camp & Campfire
The Confluence of Two Canyons
Additional info
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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