Rafting on the Chuya River

This river trip runs through a wide valley and offers spectacular views of every type of terrain the region has to offer. You will see the North Chuya Range covered with ice and snow, wide hollows between the mountains, gulches and canyons, and the dense taiga forest. The weather is usually good during the river rafting season, with air temperatures around 25 degrees centigrade (83 F), and water temperatures around 11 to 14 degrees centigrade. Rain is relatively rare here. Most of the water comes from glaciers and because of this, the water level is highest in the early part of July.

There are many great rapids on the Chuya. The first of them is Begemot (Hippo), a powerful Class 5 rapid beginning with a huge drop under the bridge and having a couple huge, powerful holes. After many Class 3-4 rapids we will reach a few more Class 4 and 5 rapids including The Turbine and Tourist Club Horizon rapids.

Below these rapids the Chuya is still a very fast and exciting river. We will have fun on Class 3 rapids all the way to the confluence with Katun’.There is a road called the Chuyskiy Trakt that runs along a good portion of this river, with a number of villages along the way. At no time will you be more than an hour and a half from a village and for the most part you will feel as if you are out in the wilderness by yourself.

The Chuya and Lower Katun' were among the first rivers explored by Western river rafting groups in the former Soviet Union. We also offer a custom trip that combines both the Chuya River and the Class 4+ to 5 Lower Chulyshman River.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1:

Arrival in Barnaul City and meet our guides. We will then depart on a 12 hour bus trip to Chibit village.

Days 2 to 5:

River rafting down the Chuya River. During these days we will run three great class V rapids as well as numerous other rapids.

Days 6-9:

Rafting down the Lower Katun' River with famous Class IV to IV+ rapids "Shabash" and "Tel'decpen." Day 7 is a lay-over day with a real Russian river sauna. The trip ends in the Chemal Village.

Day 10:

Departure to Barnaul City. Lunch is in Srostki village and meals in town are on your own. Hotel accommodation in Barnaul is included.

Day 11:

Departure from Barnaul.

Tour Includes:

Transfers to and from the Barnaul Airport

English speaking guides

Meals

One night accomodation in Barnaul

Notes:

Scheduled trip date: July 21-30, 2010.

We can run a Chuya River rafting trip at any time of the season with a minimum of six participants. If a specific trip date has fewer than six participants the tour price may be increased.

Meals in Stroski and Barnaul are not included in the tour price.