★5Senior guide, hiking & jeep-tour organizer
Active tour · 1 day
SUP surfing on the Ili River from Almaty
5 · 23 reviews
Try SUP surfing on the Ili River — calm currents and scenic banks. Route: Almaty → Kapchagay dam → rafting to the Tamashly tract. Ideal for beginners and water adventure lovers.
WhenUpon request
Duration1 day
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $56/person
Program
SUP tour program on the Ili River by the hour
06:30
Meeting in Almaty
Meeting the group in the city center, boarding a comfortable minibus.
08:00
Arrival at Kapchagay dam
Safety briefing, distribution of SUP boards and life jackets.
09:00
Start of rafting
Start from the dam, first kilometers of calm water, getting used to the board.
11:30
Lunch stop
Picnic on the shore near the Tamashly tract: hot tea, sandwiches, and fruit.
13:00
Continue rafting
Final segment of the route with beautiful views of cliffs and turanga thickets.
15:00
Finish and packing
Exit to the shore, equipment loading, snack.
16:30
Return to Almaty
Transfer back, estimated arrival at 18:00.
What's included
What is included in the price of the SUP tour on the Ili
Included in Price
Already included in the tour price
- Transfer from Almaty and back
- Instructor-guide services
- Rental of SUP board, paddle, life jacket
- Outdoor lunch (sandwiches, tea, fruit)
- Bottled water on the bus
Paid separately
Optional, on site
- Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks)
- Accident insurance (optional)
- Transfer to the meeting point in Almaty
What to Bring
To make the day comfortable
- Swimsuit/trunks or change of clothes
- Windbreaker or light jacket
- Sunscreen and hat
- Water bottle (1-1.5 l)
- Change of shoes and towel
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.
★5
★4.52Alexander Пашкин
Driver-guide, инструктор по трекингу
★4.74Andrey Шевелёв
Driver-guide
★4.27Анжелика Чвыкова
Гид-фотограф
★4.27Ильяс Дарбеков
Гид-переводчик
★4.55Мадина Данина
Организатор туров
★4.49Сергей Бабичев
Personal guide-водитель
Reviews
Reviews of the SUP tour on the Ili River
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Zarina R.
Google ·
★★★★★We chose the tour for a family holiday. The children were given small boards, everything was safe. Special thanks to Aleksandr for his patience!
Laura E.
Google ·
★★★★★The tour was well organized. Our arms got a bit tired, but that's normal. The nature is incredible! I recommend it to everyone.
Tsvetaeva I.
Google ·
★★★★★I was looking for something more active, thought it would be extreme, but it turned out very calm. At first I was a bit upset, then I realized — it's even better, I got to see the shores. We paddled along the tugai thickets, in places views of the rocks opened up. Instructor Aleksandr is great, he told everything, showed how to stand on the board correctly. Lunch in nature is simple but tasty, tea warmed me up. We returned to the city closer to evening, I was tired but rested my soul.
Kamila N.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Otlichnyy den'! Ponyala chto sup eto moe. Piknik vkusnyy, personal privetlivyy. Spasibo Ilyasu za pomosh'.
Chingis R.
2GIS ·
★★★★★I went alone, just wanted to change the scenery after a busy week. Honestly, I didn't expect it to be so captivating. The first kilometers I was getting used to the board, then I got into it, paddling gives a good load to the muscles, the next day I felt my arms. The water was calm, we went along the rocks and tugai thickets. Lunch on the shore at Tamashy was filling, hot tea, sandwiches and fruit came in handy. On the way back almost everyone was dozing in the minibus. Thanks to Sergey, he gave tips on technique and encouraged.
Ruslan H.
Our website ·
★★★★★Ochen' kruto! Vse organizovano na 5+. Dostavili udovolstvie. Obiazatel'no poedu eshche.
Zhandos M.
Our website ·
★★★★★Ochen' khoroshiy tur! Vse proshlo po planu, voda teplaya. Rekomenduyu vsem kto khochet otdokhnut' ot goroda.
Ivan D.
Our website ·
★★★★★The rafting flew by unnoticed. The briefing was detailed, the equipment is new. The only downside is the early meetup. Went together with a friend, both of us are beginners. We paddled along the cliffs and greenery, very beautiful.
Gulnara A.
Our website ·
★★★★★Amazing! Rafting was very exciting. The nature is incredible, the food was delicious. I will definitely go again!
Asel K.
Google ·
★★★★★Great tour, thanks to Madina for organizing. The river was calm, the boards were comfortable, and the food was delicious!
Khasen B.
Our website ·
★★★★★Vse zdorovo. Chut' zamersli no eto melochi. Rekomenduyu turbazu.
Nazgul K.
Our website ·
★★★★★I learned to swim in formation. It was very fun. The guides welcomed us warmly. Thanks!
Elena P.
Our website ·
★★★★★We went with colleagues, wanted to unwind after work. The road to the place is bumpy, that was a bit stressful, a minus. But the rafting itself is great, calm water, comfortable boards. We paddled past rocks, the shores are beautiful. At the stop at Tamashy we had a picnic, tea and fruit were very welcome. Picnic on the shore super, everyone ate well. On the way back we were tired but happy, got to the city by evening.
Daniyar S.
Our website ·
★★★★★Stood on a SUP for the first time, thought I'd definitely fall in. But it turned out easier than I thought. The route is beautiful, the shores are scenic. The guide organized everything clearly, without fuss.
Maksim V.
2GIS ·
★★★★★First time on a SUP, the guide showed everything in detail. At first I stood rooted to the spot, afraid to move, then I got going and even overtook everyone. Lunch on the shore was a hit, especially the tea after the water. Thanks for the patience and care!
Oleg Z.
Our website ·
★★★★★I had wanted to take a break from gadgets for a long time. This tour is perfect. The river is calm, the scenery is beautiful. The staff are attentive.
Yana S.
Google ·
★★★★★The tour is great, but we waited 15 minutes for the bus. Otherwise no complaints. Things stayed dry, life jackets were provided. Thanks to Anzhelika! Went with my family, the kids are thrilled with the rafting. The river is calm, everyone managed.
Elvira N.
2GIS ·
★★★★★I had long wanted to raft down the Ili, but it never worked out. We went together with a friend, both beginners. In the morning we met the group in the center, drove to the Kapchagay dam. We had a briefing, were given boards and vests, and we started. The water is calm, easy to paddle, I quickly got the hang of it. The shores are beautiful, especially closer to Tamashy. The staff is friendly, they helped and gave tips. The day passed unnoticed, we returned happy.
Polina G.
Our website ·
★★★★★The departure was delayed by half an hour, which was a bit upsetting. But then we liked everything. Especially the picnic on the shore. Thanks to Andrey for the company!
Venera A.
Our website ·
★★★★★I really liked the briefing. Everything was explained in detail. The river is smooth, the views are gorgeous. I'll definitely come back with friends. Went with my husband, he'd wanted to try SUP for a long time. We made a stop on the shore, tea and fruit were very welcome.
Ulyana M.
Our website ·
★★★★★I liked that it was a small group. You can feel the staff's care. The road is indeed long, but it's worth it.
Fariza Zh.
Our website ·
★★★★★I went on this trip with my sister, we both wanted to try SUP. In the morning we gathered from Almaty, the minibus was comfortable. At the dam we got a briefing and put on boards and vests. The river is calm, paddling is not hard, but the arm muscles get toned. At the stop at Tamashy we ate, tea was hot, there were fruits. We liked the scenic places, especially the rocks and the tugai forests. Thanks to Sergey, he helped.
Shynar G.
Google ·
★★★★★Well-organized tour. Everything was on time, the food was hot. I recommend SUP boarding to everyone.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about SUP surfing 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 questionFor clothing, a swimsuit or trunks, a change of clothes and a towel will come in handy — after the rafting you'll want to change into something dry. On the river, even on a warm day there's a chill, so bring a light windbreaker or jacket. A hat, sunscreen, a change of shoes and your own water bottle will also be useful.
The route is calm and designed for beginners, the current itself helps you move, and the instructor shows you the technique before the start and keeps an eye on you on the water. There are no walking sections in the program: the day is spent on the board and on the shore with lunch at Tamashy. If any of your loved ones has health restrictions, write to us on WhatsApp — we'll check for your departure date.
No special training is needed — it's a one-day trip for beginners: the Ili current is gentle and carries the board along, and the instructor shows you the paddling technique at the start. There's a lunch stop between sections, so the effort is spread out with a break. If you're unsure about your strength, tell the guide before the start — they'll suggest a comfortable pace.
We meet in the center of Almaty at 06:30, get on the bus and drive to the Kapchagay dam. The return transfer starts at 16:30, and we arrive back in the city around 18:00. We will confirm the exact meeting point in the center on WhatsApp for your chosen date.
For $56 per person, the price includes all transport from Almaty and back, the instructor's work, rental of a board with a paddle and life vest, lunch on the shore and water on the bus. Separately, there are only personal expenses such as souvenirs or extra drinks and insurance, if you decide to arrange it. You get to the meeting point in Almaty on your own.
Write to us on WhatsApp and tell us a convenient date — departures are on request, and we hold seats on the bus without prepayment. You can pay on the day of the trip: Kaspi, card or cash. If something changes, just let us know — cancellation of the booking is free.
