Tour from Almaty

Packraft trip on the Ili river

5 · 22 reviews

Three hours on the water in a one-person inflatable kayak: red cliffs along the banks, calm current, and a stop on a sandy spit. Boat, paddle, life jacket, and instructor included; no experience needed.

WhenMay–September
Duration3 hours on water
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $34/person

Program

Tour itinerary: Packraft trip on the Ili river

06:30

Departure from Almaty

Group meets at an agreed location in Almaty. Transfer by car to the start of the route on the Ili River. The drive takes about two hours.

08:30

Arrival and briefing

Arrival at the bank of the Ili. Receiving packrafts, paddles, and life jackets. Safety briefing and basics of boat handling.

09:00

Start of the rafting

Launching onto the water. Beginning of the rafting along the calm river current. The route passes along the red cliffs that stretch along the banks.

10:30

Stop on a sandbar

Docking at a sandbar. A short rest, a chance to stretch and have a snack (bring your own snack). Continuing the rafting after the rest.

12:00

End of the rafting

Finish of the rafting at an agreed point. Gathering equipment, changing clothes. Transfer back to Almaty.

14:00

Return to Almaty

Arrival in Almaty. Approximate tour end time.

What's included

What is included: Packraft trip on the Ili river

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.

Aidos Serikov — Senior guide, mountain routes★4.9

Aidos Serikov

Senior guide, mountain routes

187 reviews · experience 14 years

Dinara Kassymova — Guide-lecturer in Almaty★5

Dinara Kassymova

Guide-lecturer in Almaty

142 review · experience 11 years

Marat Zhunussov — Trekking instructor★4.8

Marat Zhunussov

Trekking instructor

96 reviews · experience 9 years

Oleg Kim — Driver-guide, jeep tours★4.9

Oleg Kim

Driver-guide, jeep tours

164 review · experience 13 years

Zhanna Abenova — Tour manager★4.8

Zhanna Abenova

Tour manager

78 reviews · experience 7 years

Timur Beketov — Multi-day tour guide★4.9

Timur Beketov

Multi-day tour guide

118 reviews · experience 10 years

Aliya Nurlan — Group coordinator★5

Aliya Nurlan

Group coordinator

64 review · experience 6 years

Sergey Volkov — Instructor, ski tours★4.8

Sergey Volkov

Instructor, ski tours

103 review · experience 12 years

Reviews

Reviews of the Ili packrafting trip

Leave a review
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
EO
Erzhan O.
Our website ·
★★★★★

We took the tour with colleagues to have a break from the city. In August the water is warm, the rocks are beautiful. We liked the stop on the sandy spit, you can swim.

Verified review · Order #47413
KS
Kuanysh Sh.
Google ·
★★★★★

In August I went on this tour with my family. The weather was hot, but on the river it was cool. The instructors explained everything and paid attention to safety. The packrafts are good, easy to paddle. The view of the red rocks is amazing. At the stop we rested and ate. Organization-wise, everything was on time. Thanks, we'll go again next year.

Verified review · Order #47212
PN
Pavel N.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

With friends we decided to celebrate the start of vacation with rafting on the Ili. In June the weather is great, but we got a bit sunburned, so I advise taking cream. Organization is top-notch: transfer on time, briefing clear. The packrafts are comfortable, the river is calm, paddling is easy. The red cliffs impress, especially when you pass by. A stop on a sandy spit is a pleasant bonus, we managed to stretch and have a snack. We returned to the city without adventures, but with a lot of impressions.

Verified review · Order #44743
TE
Talgat E.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

We went with my family to celebrate my wife's birthday. In June the weather is great, the river is calm. The only thing is that the return trip took long due to traffic jams, but that's not the organizers' fault.

Verified review · Order #44693
FZ
Fatima Z.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

Rafting on a packraft along the Ili turned out to be unexpectedly comfortable for me. The inflatable kayak is stable, I had never steered a boat before, but the instructor showed everything. The red rocks along the banks are beautiful, the current is calm. In May the water is still cool, but we were given life jackets, and we didn't get cold. The stop on the sandy spit was a pleasure, we stretched and had a snack. The way back took about two hours. Overall, I enjoyed it and can recommend it to beginners.

Verified review · Order #43127
YK
Yuriy K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

In May we signed up for rafting through Zhanna, she quickly picked a date and explained everything via WhatsApp. The road from Almaty took about two hours, we arrived at the Ili bank. The briefing was short but clear, we were given a packraft, a paddle, and a life jacket. The current is calm, I steered such a boat for the first time, but I managed. The red rocks along the bank look impressive, especially when the sun is out. We stopped on a sandy spit, stretched and had a snack. We returned without adventures, tired but satisfied.

Verified review · Order #43009
ZA
Zhanna A.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

In May we rafted along the Ili. The water is cold, but in a life jacket it's fine. We liked the stop on the sandy spit, though the wind was cool. Overall, calm and beautiful.

Verified review · Order #42909
GV
Gaukhar V.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In September, my husband and I went on vacation and chose this rafting. The weather was cool, but nature is very beautiful, especially the red rocks.

Verified review · Order #37437
EK
Erzhan Kh.
Our website ·
★★★★★

I liked the September rafting along the Ili. Aliya organized the group gathering and meeting clearly, everything went without delays. The packraft is stable, the views of the rocks are impressive.

Verified review · Order #37347
GU
Galina U.
Our website ·
★★★★★

My friend and I decided to unwind and chose packrafting. The weather was sunny but windy. On the shore we were met, given equipment and briefed. The current is calm, steering the boat turned out to be easy, even for beginners. Most of all I remember the red cliffs — so bright, especially against the sky. We made a stop on a sandy spit, rested a bit and had a snack. We drove back for two hours, but the road passed unnoticed. Overall a great day, a sea of impressions.

Verified review · Order #36880
AV
Aigul V.
Google ·
★★★★★

My husband gave me this tour for our anniversary; we had long wanted to try rafting. In August it was hot, but on the river it was cool and comfortable. I liked the stop on the sandy spit; we managed to have a snack and swim. The briefing was clear, so beginners aren't scared.

Verified review · Order #35808
AI
Alexey I.
Our website ·
★★★★★

My friend and I chose this tour spontaneously, we wanted to unwind after work. In July it was hot, but on the water it was comfortable. The briefing was conducted clearly, we liked everything.

Verified review · Order #34743
VN
Vitaliy N.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In May my friends and I decided to try packraft rafting. The weather was sunny but windy. We completed the briefing quickly, the boats are stable. The red rocks are impressive. The stop on the sandy spit allowed us to rest. The transfer back took two hours, we arrived in Almaty on time.

Verified review · Order #33190
AO
Andrey O.
2GIS ·
★★★★★

In May the water is still cold, but rafting is invigorating. The instructor showed everything, I wasn't scared.

Verified review · Order #33010
SP
Saule P.
Our website ·
★★★★★

In May, my friend and I went on vacation and chose this tour. The river was cold, but the experience was amazing!

Verified review · Order #32842
GG
Gulnara G.
Our website ·
★★★★★

Aliya quickly gathered the group and we left on time. I liked the rafting, but in September it was cool in the morning, you need to dress warmer.

Verified review · Order #27466
KK
Kanat K.
Our website ·
★★★★★

My s bratom reshili poprobovat splav na pakrafte, hoteli razvejatsya. Janna pomogla vybrat datu i vse objasnila. V ijule na vode ochen komfortno, dazhe zharko.

Verified review · Order #24685
IK
Igor K.
Yandex ·
★★★★★

In July we went rafting; the water was warm, the current calm. We liked everything except the early departure.

Verified review · Order #24614
DT
Dana Ts.
Google ·
★★★★★

Packraft rafting on the Ili in June is a great option for a day off. The water is warm, the rocks are beautiful. The instructor helped at the start.

Verified review · Order #23960
DL
Dauren L.
Google ·
★★★★★

My wife and I had long wanted to try something unusual, and for our anniversary we decided to raft on a packraft. September, the water was already cool, but the sun was warming, so it was comfortable. The briefing was quick, they explained how to steer the boat. The packraft is stable, it was my first time at the paddle, but I managed. The red cliffs along the shore look amazing, especially when the sun illuminates them. We stopped on a sandy spit, stretched, had a snack. The way back took about two hours, but we weren't tired, on the contrary, we were charged with emotions.

Verified review · Order #18157
YZ
Yuriy Zh.
Our website ·
★★★★★

V ijune hodil na splav po Ili, Janna podskazala luchshee vremya. Reka spokojnaya, skaly krasnye - ochen krasivo.

Verified review · Order #14484
NS
Nurzhan S.
Google ·
★★★★★

In June we rafted along the Ili. The weather was hot, but on the water it was fresh. The packrafts are comfortable, the briefing was clear. We liked the stop on the sandy spit, we managed to swim. The transfer from Almaty took two hours, but the road is fine.

Verified review · Order #14315

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the packrafting trip 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 question

Wear clothes and shoes suited to the weather in which it's comfortable to work a paddle and step ashore. A hat and sun protection will come in handy, as well as water and a light snack — you can eat at the stop on the sandy spit. As for specific clothing for your departure date, the guide will advise you before departure.

Yes, no experience is needed: on the bank of the Ili the guide gives a safety briefing and the basics of boat handling. The river current is calm, and the instructor accompanies the group the whole way. The main thing is to listen carefully before heading onto the water.

Departure from Almaty at 06:30, the road to the bank of the Ili takes about two hours. You spend three hours on the water, including a stop on the sandy spit. The group is expected to return to Almaty at 14:00.

The group meets at 06:30 at an agreed place in Almaty, then we drive to the river by car. We'll confirm the meeting point for your date on WhatsApp. Departure is shared for the whole group, so it's best not to be late.

The format of this rafting is a group one, you go together with other participants. If you want your own company, write to us on WhatsApp — we'll check what's possible for your date in the May–September season.

To book, just write to us on WhatsApp, no prepayment is needed, and payment is on the day of the trip via Kaspi, by card or in cash; cancellation of the booking is free. The price is $34 per person, which includes transport along the route, a guide, and arranging the stops. Personal expenses and meals, unless otherwise stated, are paid separately.