Honestly one of those places that will leave you speechless. People call it Kazakhstan's Grand Canyon and once you're standing at the edge looking down at those rust-red rock formations, you'll understand why. The main trail is the Valley of Castles, you descend a steep staircase from the car park and walk about 2-3 km through these incredible towers and cliffs that look like something out of a movie. The trail ends at the Charyn River, which is the perfect spot to take a break before heading back up.

The whole hike is around 45-60 minutes each way, so plan for at least half a day. Go early in the morning, it gets seriously hot by midday and there's almost no shade on the trail. Wear proper shoes, bring way more water than you think you need, and don't forget sunscreen.

Most people come on a day tour (and i recommend that) from Almaty which takes about 3-4 hours each way, so an early start makes a big difference. There are basic facilities at the car park but nothing inside the canyon itself.