Charyn River Canyon
Kazakhstan rivers & lakes. The Biggest rivers in Kazakhstan

The canyon extends for 154 km NE-SW along the Charyn River, one of the deepest rivers of the northern Tien-Shan (200 km east of Almaty). The steep canyon slopes, columns and arches rise to heights of 150-300 m. The depth of the canyon have preserved a rare ash tree that has survived the Ice Age. Nowadays is also grows in some rare areas.

East of Almaty, 200 km down highway, there is the breathtaking Valley of Castles of the Charyn river. The Charyn Canyon is a long narrow gorge featuring steep sheer rocks with a rushing riv er flowing between them. Under the influence of winds and water the sand rocks assumed fanciful shapes reminding of exotic figures and fairy-tale characters. That is why the canyons are also called the Valley of Castles, the Devil's Gorge and the Ghosts Gorge.

Doubtlessly, the natural complexes of the Zailiy Alatau Mountains have great ecological, scientific and aesthetic value, The canyon of the Charyn River, the Hi River's left tributary, which Hows in the east of the Region, 193 km from Almaty city is considered one of the most picturesque natural canyons. This is spectacular to see! The canyon is reminiscent of the famous Colorado Grand Canyon in the USA, but in miniature, It is extremely interesting,] picturesque and varied in its forms, which bring to mind the quaint towers of fantastic castles. Therefore, the canyon" another name "The Valley of Castles", numerous remnants o| fossilized fauna, Carbon dated from 300 million years ago; found on the slopes.

Sights of living nature, the relict ash and Turan groves are j fascinating. The Charyn ash grove occupies the area of 485 ÝÄ ha; the Sogdian ash grows mainly in this area, the forest massif of which is the unique in our country. There is the "Ash Dacha", a tourist base, where hunting can be organized.

Rafting

Charyn river is 255 km long. Average annual quantity of water is 33,2 cube meters a second. In the upper part Charyn flows under the name Shalkydysu, in the middle part it flows under Kegen name. Just after Kegen river bends to north, it start to bear Charyn name. Charyn has many small tributaries and one big - which is called Temerlik.

Charyn is a full flowing, stormy river. Charyn gets its water supply from the atmosphere precipitation. That is why it has its main water quantity in May and June, though most glacial rivers have their biggest water quantity in July and august. In region of Kuluktai mountains, Charyn flows through a canyon, which is 400 meters deep. Water quantity in Charyn is 43,3 cube meters a second in April; 64,5 in May; 54,9 in june; 42,3 in July; 33,3 in August; 26,6 in September; 27,3 in October. The river can be divided in four sections of rapids: Muinakskie cascades in the upper part - the cascades of waterfall type; "Toothbrush" rapids; Tau-Teke rapids; "Saigak" and "Armadillo" I and II rapids on the section from the Castles glade to the border check point at Charyn river.

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