Enbekshikazakh District

Charyn State National Park was established on February 23, 2004. It covers 93,150 ha and is dedicated to protecting and restoring natural complexes of ecological, historical, scientific, aesthetic, and recreational value. Its diverse natural features include a canyon, an ash grove, a mountain lake, and waterfalls. The Issyk Museum-Reserve combines exhibitions with the protection of archaeological sites.

The Charyn Ash Grove covers 5,014 ha. Pure stands of Sogdian ash grow across 1,100 ha; the natural stands of this protected ash, which dates back to the Paleogene, have been preserved in their original form. The route through the grove is open year-round. This nature experience differs from the canyon route, for which a specific length and duration are given.

Lake Yesik lies at an elevation of about 1,750 m in a gorge in the Ile-Alatau Mountains. Its turquoise water and natural landscape define its character. The Turgen Gorge is also a natural tourist destination in Ile-Alatau National Park. The Bear Waterfall is located there, surrounded by coniferous forest and mountain slopes; the area is popular for hiking routes and ecotourism. Kairak Waterfall is located on the northern slope of the Ile-Alatau Mountains at an elevation of 2,130 m and consists of three cascades.

The Assy Plateau lies between the Turgen Gorge and the Bartogay Reservoir at an elevation of 2,100 to 3,200 m. It is known for its alpine meadows, an astrophysical observatory, and nomadic livestock herding. Another natural feature is the “Shynturgen Spruces” natural monument, part of Ile-Alatau State National Park: a dense, moss-rich spruce taiga stand with areas of permafrost.

The Issyk State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve was established on January 30, 2010, on the grounds of the Issyk Necropolis. A royal Saka burial was discovered there in 1970. Four main exhibition halls give visitors a clear thematic overview; one is dedicated to the Golden Man.

The museum-reserve’s protected area includes more than 90 burial mounds in the Issyk Necropolis, as well as the ancient Scythian settlements of Rakhat and Örikti. The reserve also organizes excursions to the Rakhat archaeological complex and the medieval city of Talgar. Visitors interested in archaeological sites can explore the exhibition and these excursions as different ways to engage with history.

The “Valley of Castles” route through Charyn Canyon is 3 km long and takes 1 hour and 40 minutes, including breaks. This specific information can help you fit the hike into your day’s plans. Since March 18, 2019, driving down into Charyn Canyon in private cars has been prohibited. Keep this restriction in mind when planning your trip to this destination.

A separate access update is date-specific: the road to Lake Yesik and the Turgen Gorge was opened to all vehicle types on April 30, 2025. The tourist route from the bridge in Batan Gorge to Kairak Waterfall is 7 km long. The route length, access rule, and vehicle information each refer to different destinations and should not be confused when planning.

Since 2020, the “Issyk” winery has been developing wine tourism, with vineyard walks and visits to wine cellars. The “Prazdnik urozhaya” Apple Festival takes place annually in the rural district of Bolek. These experiences offer a different focus from hiking destinations and archaeological sites: they highlight winemaking and regional festival culture. If you would like to narrow your search to a single place, you can continue planning with Jessik.

How long is the route through the “Valley of Castles”?

The route through Charyn Canyon is 3 km long; with breaks, it takes 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Which route is open year-round?

The route through the Charyn Ash Grove is open year-round.

Are private cars allowed to drive down into Charyn Canyon?

No. Since March 18, 2019, driving down into the canyon in private cars has been prohibited.

How many halls does the Issyk Museum-Reserve have?

The museum-reserve has four main exhibition halls, including one dedicated to the Golden Man.

For the broader travel overview: Almaty.