Rafting tours

 

Do you like extreme? If you gave a positive answer we are waiting for you in Kyrgyzstan. Our country is rich with many mountains rivers that are famous among rafters. You will get many positive emotions while being here. Rafting in Kyrgyzstan is a popular activity nowadays. Take your chance - come for rafting to Kyrgyzstan!

The abundance of mountainous rivers and appropriate climate has been attracting fans of white water to Kyrgyzstan since the second half of the last century. Due to the unique nature and location of Kyrgyzstan, there are enough rivers to provide routes of all different categories of complexity. We have many appropriate as for beginners as for experienced rafters.

You can't think of nothing more exciting than a rafting alloy along mountain rivers. In Kyrgyzstan, the best rivers for this type of activity are the Chu, Chon-Kemin, Kekemeren, Chatkal, and Naryn rivers. Everything that can make your holidays unforgettable can be found here... seething rivers flowing through the beautiful mountains, and rapids that will take your breath away and excite even the most hardened extreme sports fans. The season of rafting on these rivers varies from April to October. The level of complexity on the six-point scale depending on the season, since the thawing of glaciers ensures a high level of water in the rivers; and in hot summer months the waterline can fluctuate each day. Therefore, for some rivers, the best time for water tours is the end of August, and September.

The second longest river in Kyrgyzstan is r Chu. It is the most appropriate for commercial rafting. Parts of it are located over 1,500m above sea level. The average temperature of the water makes up (15°-18°C) from June till mid-September means rafting can be done even without diving suits, and the complexity of obstacles does not exceed class five. The section of the river passing the Boom gorge is considered to be a national 'white water arena1 and a unique training site for the whole Central Asian region. Here in ancient times there lay one of the northern routes of the Great Silk Road. Due to close location near the capital of the republic and communications development over the years, the popularity of rafting in the Boom gorge is growing both among the local people and tourists.

The history of rafting in Kyrgyzstan goes back to the end of 20^th century. Its future development rested upon the enthusiasm of several junior rowing league coaches. In 1992 rafting has adopted a commercial direction by receiving the status of strategic objective for the development of tourism in Kyrgyzstan.

During the Soviet times the most popular were many-day tours on the Chatkal, Kekemeren, Naryn rivers. The Chatkal river was among the five most popular rivers in the USSR. During August and September 60 or 70 tourist groups came here. For the last several years, one-or two-day tours to the rivers Chu and Chon-Kemin have got the same popularity.

In spite of the fifty years history of exploring the Kyrgyz rivers by the white water rafting sportsmen, many of rivers still remain unaware of rafts and kayaks. There are lots of opportunities for young sportsmen to travel down the rivers, starting from their source. The most impressive one starts from Inylchek, the second biggest glacier in the world (59km), through almost impassable Sarydzhaz canyon, 30km long; or from the source of the Naryn river that is the upper course of the 2^nd  longest river in Central Asia the Syr-Darya.