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A Follow the Leader Trip with John Yost-New for 2008!

As soon as we learned we could no long run the Chatkal River trip we'd originally scheduled for 2008 (the government of Uzbekistan recently decided that trips can no longer cross into their country on the river, thus making it impossible to raft the Chatkal at this time), the Naryn River emerged as the perfect substitute.

The Naryn has many similarities to the Chatkal—it is a long river system, with the same number of rafting days (but note the date changes!), flowing from the Tien Shan mountains through a series of gorges with fantastic Class IV-V whitewater! It also offers a different excitement factor—while this is not a first descent, no one at Sobek has rafted this river system before! (Our information on it comes from Russian and Kyrgyz rafters who currently run it.) We’ll flow past remote villages inhabited by people of Mongol extraction, with glimpses of the rocky, snowcapped Tien Shan peaks throughout. This river expands and contracts from a big, swift steaming froth of whitewater to wide-open flat water and back again, offering plenty of time for whitewater fun mixed with peaceful relaxation aboard your raft.

John’s initial words regarding this region still ring true: "The siren call of the ‘Stans has lured me since I was a schoolboy. Remote, mountainous, culturally diverse, ancient, unspoiled, wild—who could resist adjectives like these?" Here’s your chance to experience the wonders of Kyrgyzstan’s whitewater, with the option to extend your trip on a cultural exploration of Uzbekistan and the Silk Road.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Raft a sparkling torrent through the remote canyons of Kyrgyzstan!
• Mingle with Mongol villagers in the historic crossroads of Central Asia
• Enjoy the thrills of continuous Class IV+ rapids

The Sobek Signature Series
Every year we feature a Sobek river classic from the past featuring the expertise of Sobek co-founder John Yost, plus your other favorite river guides! In 2008, we continue the tradition with runs on the Naryn (Kyrgyzstan) and Rufiji (Tanzania) Rivers. In 2009, we'll celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of Mountain Travel Sobek with trips down the Franklin River as well as our International Whitewater Rafting Adventure: 6 Continents, 9 Rivers, 25 Days. Upcoming Signature Series trips include the Sala Sadang/Lariang (Sulawesi, Indonesia) in 2010, the Brahmaputra (India) in 2011, the Tuichi (Bolivia) in 2011, and the Yarkand (Xinjiang, China) in 2012!

Day 1 - Arrive in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Day 2 - Drive to the confluence of the Suusamyr river (6,000’) and Zapadnyi Karakol rivers, where the Kekemeren begins.

Days 3-8 - Raft 100 miles of the Naryn and Kekemeren (the largest tributary to the Naryn) Rivers to our take-out below, we'll alternate between some sections of very demanding whitewater and sections of flat, fast water making for a well-paced and exciting trip. We will bring along a mix of normal self-bailing rafts and the famous Russian catamarans, with oar boats and paddles boats, so you can experience different crafts or stay in the boat of your choice.

Day 9 - Reach our take-out at the Tokotgul reservoir and drive back to Bishkek.

Day 10 - Head home from Bishkek, or fly to Tashkent, Uzbekistan to begin our 4-night post-trip archaeological extension to the fabled Silk Road cities of Samarkand and Bukhara.

Photo Credits
©MTS Photo File