★4.9Aidos Serikov
Senior guide, mountain routes
Tour from Almaty
Two-person boat trip on the Ili
4.9 · 22 reviews
Same river, but for two and without haste: inflatable boat for two, three hours of calm paddling along cliffs and a swim on a sandbar. Price per person with two rowers in the boat.
WhenMay–September
Duration3 hours on water
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $30/person
Program
Tour itinerary: Two-person boat trip on the Ili
06:30
Group Gathering
Meet the participants in Almaty at the agreed location. The guide checks the equipment and assigns pairs to the boats. A snack and a rowing technique briefing.
07:00
Departure to the river
Transfer by car to the launch point on the Ili River. The drive takes about two hours. A short rest stop along the way.
09:00
Arrival and preparation
Arrival at the bank of the Ili. The guide gives a water safety briefing. Participants put on life jackets and help inflate the boats.
09:30
Start of rafting
Start in two-person boats. The first hour of rowing along rocky banks. A calm pace to get used to steering.
11:00
Stop at the sandbar
Docking at a sandy sandbar. Swimming and rest. The guide prepares hot tea. Participants can swim and sunbathe.
12:00
Continuing the route
Return to the boats and continue rafting. The second hour is at a faster pace to reach the final point on time.
13:00
Finish and return
Arrival at the final point of the route. Collecting boats and equipment. Transfer back to Almaty. Estimated arrival by 15:00.
What's included
What is included: Two-person boat trip on the Ili
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transport along the whole route
- An experienced guide accompanying you
- Route and stops planning
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Personal expenses
- Meals, unless stated otherwise
- Entrance tickets to individual sites
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing
- Water and a light snack
- A charged phone or camera
- A hat and sun protection
Team
Our team — guides and instructors from Almaty
Routes are led by working guides and instructors. The same people answer in WhatsApp and accompany groups on tour.
★4.9
★5Dinara Kassymova
Guide-lecturer in Almaty
★4.8Marat Zhunussov
Trekking instructor
★4.9Oleg Kim
Driver-guide, jeep tours
★4.8Zhanna Abenova
Tour manager
★4.9Timur Beketov
Multi-day tour guide
★5Aliya Nurlan
Group coordinator
★4.8Sergey Volkov
Instructor, ski tours
Reviews
Reviews of the Ili river boat ride
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Yuriy E.
2GIS ·
★★★★★My sister and I had long wanted to try rafting on the Ili and specifically chose summer to avoid the heat. June turned out great, but the guide warned that it could be windy on the water. We gathered early in the morning, checked the gear, put on life jackets, and helped inflate the boat. The first hour we rowed calmly along the rocks, getting used to steering. Then we moored at a sandbank, swam, and drank hot tea. After the rest, we went faster to make it to the finish. Everything went smoothly, the rafting was super!
Aidana E.
Our website ·
★★★★★My boyfriend and I went for the weekend, wanted something active but not extreme. In August the weather is great, the water is warm. We gathered early in the morning, the guide checked the gear and gave instructions. We rowed along the rocks, the pace is calm, we had time to take photos. At the shallows we swam and sunbathed, hot tea was very welcome. We got back by three, tired but happy. The only thing is in a two-person boat you have to coordinate to row synchronously, we didn't get it right away.
Tamara S.
Google ·
★★★★★In August my friend and I decided to try rafting, we had long wanted to. The weather is hot, but on the water it's comfortable. The guide explained everything, we swam in the shallows.
Sanzhar K.
Our website ·
★★★★★In June my dad and I went together. We inflated the boat ourselves and followed the guide's instructions. Rowing along the river is calm and beautiful, the rock nature is amazing. At the stop we drank tea and swam.
Olzhas K.
Our website ·
★★★★★Friends gave me a certificate for rafting, we went as a group of three, but the boats are two-seater, so one rowed with the guide. In September the water is already bracing, but the sun doesn't burn.
Askhat V.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We went with friends in August, there were four of us, and we split into pairs. We just wanted to relax in nature and test ourselves. We gathered early, the guide explained everything, we put on life jackets, inflated the boats. We rowed along the rocky shores, the pace was calm, we had time to admire the views. We stopped at a sandbank, swam, and sunbathed. True, the sandbank was crowded, we had to look for a spot. On the way back we went faster to make it to the finish. Otherwise a great vacation, but because of the crowd on the sandbank I'll give a four.
Gulnara K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★In August we went rafting down the Ili. The weather is hot, but on the water it doesn't feel as much. We gathered early in the morning, the guide checked the equipment and divided us among the boats. My husband and I took a two-seater, we rowed in turns. The first hour we went along the rocks, then stopped at a sandy shallows, swam and drank tea. After the rest we rowed faster to make it to the finish. We liked everything, but were a bit tired from the way back. Thanks for the organization!
Vadim S.
Yandex ·
★★★★★My wife and I wanted to celebrate our anniversary, Zhanna suggested this tour. In June the weather is great, we swam in the shallows. We liked everything!
Zhansaya L.
Google ·
★★★★★In June we rafted, the water is warm, we swam with pleasure. The boat is comfortable, the guide is great.
Rinat Z.
Yandex ·
★★★★★We rode the boat together, in May the weather is cool, but we liked it. The guide explained everything, we swam at the shallows, the water is bracing.
Viktoria S.
Our website ·
★★★★★In August we rafted, Aliya helped us get ready. We liked it, but the transfer is long. Rating 4.
Ekaterina O.
Google ·
★★★★★We chose this tour spontaneously, just wanted some variety. In August it was hot, but fresh on the water. The guide organized everything clearly, inflated the boats quickly. The only thing is the way back seemed long due to traffic jams.
Gaukhar Ya.
Google ·
★★★★★We went with our family in June, the kids liked it too. Rowing is fun, but not tiring.
Karina P.
Our website ·
★★★★★I had long wanted to go rafting, but was afraid to go alone, so I persuaded my sister. Zhanna helped choose the date and explained everything. In June the water is already warm, paddling wasn't hard.
Elmira K.
Our website ·
★★★★★We chose a tour for the May holidays, wanted to spend time in nature with my husband. Aliya quickly gathered the group and warned about the meeting. In May the weather is changeable, but we got lucky. We liked the rafting, especially the stop at the shallows.
Alina K.
Our website ·
★★★★★We rode in September, the water is cool but bracing. I liked that you don't have to row alone.
Yuriy K.
Our website ·
★★★★★My son and I took an inflatable boat, the guide picked a convenient date. It's hot in August, but comfortable on the water, we swam at the sandbank.
Marzhan V.
Our website ·
★★★★★My friend and I went rafting together, in August the water is warm as milk. Three hours flew by unnoticed, I especially liked the stop at the shallows.
Askar V.
Yandex ·
★★★★★In June we rafted on a two-seater boat. Overall we liked it, but the transfer there took almost two hours, a bit tiring. But the river and rocks themselves are impressive, swimming in the shallows is refreshing. Rating 4.
Viktoriya Ts.
2GIS ·
★★★★★My husband and I decided to try this boat rafting. In May the weather was cool, but we took jackets and didn't freeze. The road to the river took about two hours, but we managed to sleep in the car. The guide told us everything and showed how to row correctly. We rowed along the rocks, very beautiful. We stopped at the shallows and swam, the water was cold, but I quickly got out and sunbathed. Then we rowed for another hour at a faster pace. We liked everything, thanks!
Madina G.
Our website ·
★★★★★My husband and I decided to celebrate our anniversary in an unusual way, and chose this boat rafting. Aliya quickly gathered the group, showed everything on site and stayed in touch. In May the water is still cool, but you can swim if you're hardy. I liked that the pace is calm, you have time to enjoy the rocks.
Anuar Z.
2GIS ·
★★★★★My brother and I took a boat tour, we had long wanted to raft down the Ili. In May the water is cold but we still swam. We liked that the guide was experienced.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the boat ride on the Ili River
We've collected the questions travelers ask most often. Didn't find your answer? Write to us — a guide will reply in a couple of minutes.
Ask a questionBefore launching onto the water, the guide shows you the rowing technique itself and helps pairs distribute into the boats, so starting from zero is fine too. For the first hour we go along the cliffs at the calmest pace — precisely so you can get a feel for steering and agree between yourselves. If you start drifting to the side, the guide nearby will tell you how to straighten the boat.
There are no walking sections on the route, the only exertion is rowing on the water, so age by itself is not a hindrance. The pace is calm, and in the middle of the route there is a stop on a sandbank where you can swim, rest and drink hot tea. If you have doubts about a particular person's strength, message us on WhatsApp — we'll discuss it for your date.
Yes, the tour is one-day: group meeting in Almaty at 06:30, departure at 07:00, and we spend three hours on the water with a stop on the sandbank. The return transfer starts from the final point of the route, and we should be in the city around 15:00. The exact time depends on how quickly the group gathers after the rafting.
This price covers the transfer from Almaty to the river and back, the guide's work along the entire route, and the organisation of the rafting itself with a stop on the sandbank. Everything personal — food and drinks, except the tea from the guide — each person takes care of themselves, as well as any possible tickets if separate sites appear along the way. We provide the equipment and boats for the rafting, you don't need to bring your own.
The format of this tour is group-based: you join the shared group, and pairs for the two-person boats are distributed already on the shore. If there are several of you and you want to row together, tell the guide when gathering — he will take your wishes into account as far as possible. For the option of only your own group, check on WhatsApp for your date.
We hold a place in the group for the rafting on the Ili for you after a message on WhatsApp — no money needs to be transferred in advance. You pay on the day of the trip itself, when you get into the vehicle: via Kaspi, by card or in cash. If plans or the weather change, we cancel the booking free of charge, with no penalties.
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