You are here: USSR rivers

Former Soviet Union covered a very large territory with great whitewater potential. You can get anything you want, from one day steep creeking to a multiday big volume expedition. Destinations are devided by mountain systems. Click on any region to see what it has to offer. This data comes from personal experience of russian kayakers through the last couple of years. And remember that rivers and our knowledge is not limited to what you can see here.

Altay - Southern Siberia

Altay is one of the best kayak destinations. It is at the southern border of Russia with China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. The highest mountain is Belukha. Rivers are strong and powerful and the land has it's own hidden power.

Caucausus mountains surround the Black sea from the north. This vast territory is devided between different countrie. Rivers have a very distinctive behaviour. Caucasus is pushy non stop rapids with sticky holes, road side runs, cheap vodka and awesome wild cuisine.

Tian Shan

Tyan Shan mountains stretch along Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and a part of China. The Asian rivers are fast and powerful. Mountains are high. Some rivers belong to Issyk-kul basin, a famous Asian salted lake.

Pamirs

Pamir has the highest mountains of former USSR. Lenin peak and Communism peak. Those are 7 thousanders. Tajikistan has really amazing whitewater, tremendous scenery and cheap life. Also the most difficult and hard accessible rivers of ex-USSR.

Sayan - Eastern Siberia

The surrounding territories of Baikal, the biggest lake in the world, have a lot of good stuff to paddle. There are big volume flows with a lot of steep creeking tributaries.