★4.9Aidos Serikov
Senior guide, mountain routes
Tour from Almaty
Turgen River Rafting
5 · 22 reviews
Four kilometers of rapids in the Turgen Gorge, two descents and a rest by the water. Class II difficulty, beginners welcome.
WhenJul–Aug
Duration9–10 hours
StartAlmaty
Pricefrom $30/person
Program
Tour itinerary: Turgen River Rafting
06:30
Group Gathering
Group meets in Almaty, boards the bus. Bring snacks and water for the road. Departure to Turgen Gorge.
08:30
Transfer to the Gorge
The drive to Turgen Gorge takes about two hours. A short rest stop along the way. Safety briefing before the route begins.
10:00
Briefing and preparation
Arrival at the starting point. Gear distribution: helmets, life jackets, paddles. Guide briefing, practicing basic commands. Preparing rafts for the descent.
11:00
First Descent
Start of rafting on the Turgen River. Navigating four kilometers of Class II rapids. Rest stop and snack on a clearing by the water.
14:00
Lunch and rest
Lunch on the clearing. Time for swimming, photos, and relaxation. The guide talks about the gorge's flora and fauna. Preparing for the second descent.
15:30
Second Descent
Repeat descent along the same stretch of river. Practicing raft control skills. More adrenaline and splashing water.
17:00
Return to Almaty
Gear collection, changing into dry clothes. Boarding the bus and departure back. Estimated arrival in Almaty by evening.
What's included
What is included: Turgen River Rafting
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 Turgen rafting trip
4.9 ★
Our rating · 312 reviews
4.8 ★
Google · 540
4.9 ★
Yandex · 268
4.8 ★
2GIS · 197
1317
Total reviews
Bakhyt U.
2GIS ·
★★★★★My wife and I chose rafting to spend our vacation together. It was mid-summer so the day was hot, but the water was cool. A manager named Zhanna helped us choose a convenient day, she turned out to be a very polite girl. The bus gathered at six thirty in the morning, the journey took two hours. After the briefing we were given helmets and life jackets. The first four-kilometer descent was very impressive, on the second the waves hit even more. At noon we had lunch on the meadow and swam. In the evening we returned to Almaty, despite being tired we were cheerful.
Gulmira K.
Google ·
★★★★★My husband and I decided to celebrate our anniversary actively. In July it's cool on the river, the water invigorates. The program is rich: two descents, lunch, swimming. The guide told about the flora and fauna of the gorge, it was interesting. We returned by evening, tired but satisfied.
Ekaterina Kh.
Our website ·
★★★★★My sister and I had long wanted to try rafting, and chose this tour because of the second category – beginners can do it. The briefing was clear, equipment was provided, but the second descent seemed a bit monotonous. Overall impressions are good, especially liked the meadow by the water where we had lunch. The only thing – there weren't enough seats on the bus, had to sit in the aisle.
Lyazzat O.
Google ·
★★★★★My friend and I went rafting on vacation. In August it's hot, but the river water is cool. I liked both descents, especially the second one.
Lyudmila D.
Our website ·
★★★★★We chose this tour with work colleagues to unwind. We liked that there were two descents and lunch on the meadow.
Kuanysh S.
Our website ·
★★★★★My brother and I went to celebrate his birthday. In August it's hot, but it's cool on the river. The briefing was clear, equipment was provided. Two four-kilometer descents — we had to row quite a bit.
Meruert A.
Our website ·
★★★★★My friend and I decided to try something new, chose rafting. The weather in August is great, the water refreshes.
Galina Kh.
Our website ·
★★★★★We gathered with my friends for the weekend, chose rafting for a change. In July the water is warm, but splashes still refresh. I liked that there are two descents and lunch in nature.
Medet U.
2GIS ·
★★★★★Aliya quickly gathered the group, explained everything, we left on time. Thanks for the organization.
Olga Sh.
2GIS ·
★★★★★My teenage son and I went for adrenaline. In August it's hot, but it's comfortable on the water. Two descents and lunch on the meadow — my son is delighted.
Nurlan Zh.
2GIS ·
★★★★★In August the water is warm, you can swim. I liked rafting, especially the second descent.
Talgat V.
2GIS ·
★★★★★We went with a big group in August. I liked that beginners can do it, the briefing is detailed. Two descents of four kilometers each, with lunch on the meadow in between. The bus is comfortable, but the road both ways is tiring.
Kuanysh U.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Aliya gathered us in the morning, everything was clear. I liked the rafting, but lunch on the meadow was modest.
Bolat K.
Our website ·
★★★★★My son and I took the tour for the weekend to get away from the city. We liked it, but the return trip on the bus seemed long.
Raushan A.
Yandex ·
★★★★★My husband and I went to celebrate our anniversary, we had long wanted to try rafting. We liked it, but got a bit tired on the second descent.
Daniyar K.
Our website ·
★★★★★With friends we decided to test ourselves on the rapids. In July the water is warm, but splashes still fly. I liked that there are two descents, we managed to swim enough.
Dana M.
Our website ·
★★★★★Aliya helped with the meeting place, everything was convenient. I liked the descent, but would have liked more rapids.
Alisher Sh.
Yandex ·
★★★★★My friend and I decided to go rafting, wanted to diversify our summer weekend. We chose this tour because of the program - two descents of four kilometers each. In July it's hot, but it's cool by the river. The bus picked us up at 6:30, the road took about two hours. The briefing was clear, we were given helmets and life jackets. The first descent went quickly, on the second we rowed more confidently. Lunch on the meadow, we swam, looked at the mountains. We returned by evening, tired but satisfied.
Meruert K.
Google ·
★★★★★My sister persuaded me to go rafting, we had long wanted to try it. In August the water is not so cold, but the splashes still invigorate.
Kuanysh K.
Our website ·
★★★★★Aliya explained everything clearly at the group gathering, kept in touch on the road. Rafting was great, but the bus was a bit late.
Erbol U.
Yandex ·
★★★★★Friends persuaded me to go, I had never tried rafting before. Everything went fine, but they could have made more stops for photos.
Temirlan K.
Google ·
★★★★★My brother and I went rafting on vacation. I had never been on such a tour before, my brother invited me, saying "let's try it together." We got ready for the road at six thirty in the morning and got on the bus. We slept a little along the way. When we arrived, we were given helmets and life jackets, and the guide explained the safety rules. On the first descent, the waves hit us a lot, but on the second one I got used to it. At noon, we had lunch at the camp and swam in the water. In the evening we returned to Almaty. The tour went well, but breakfast was small.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Turgen River rafting trip
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 questionChoose clothes and shoes that you don't mind getting wet and that stay on your feet — it will be wet on the water. Bring water, a light snack, a charged phone or camera, a hat and sun protection. We provide helmets, life jackets and paddles on site, and after the rafting you'll change into dry clothes, so a dry change of clothes will come in handy.
Yes, the route is designed for beginners too: before the start, our guide gives a briefing and practices the main commands, and you steer the raft together with the team. The main effort is two descents over four kilometres of rapids, with a rest on a clearing by the water in between. If anyone in your group is unsure, message us on WhatsApp and we'll discuss it for your date.
There are no walking sections as such: you get into the raft at the starting point and get out at the clearing, all the activity takes place on the water. During the day there are two descents along the same stretch of river with four kilometres of rapids, with lunch, swimming and rest by the water in between. You'll have to row together with the team, but no special training is needed.
Departures for this tour run only in July and August. In the gorge the weather can change during the day, and you'll get wet on the water anyway, so choose clothes based on the forecast for your date. We'll advise you on WhatsApp before departure on what to take for the specific weather.
The group meets in Almaty at 06:30, then we travel by bus to Turgen Gorge — the journey takes about two hours with a short stop. The first descent starts at 11:00, the second at 15:30, and after gathering the equipment and changing, we set off back. We return to the city towards the evening, the exact time depends on the road.
To book a July or August date, just message us on WhatsApp — no prepayment is needed, we'll hold the spot for you. Payment is on the day of the trip: via Kaspi, by card or in cash, $30 per person. If your plans change, cancellation is free — just let us know.
