Rafting Tour of Irkut river

  The best time for this Grade II tour from settlement Anchuk to Shamanka village is July and August. This 4-day rafting route of 110 km is designed for beginners. Russian catamarans and rubber rafts can be used for the trip. The average flow rate varies from 100 to 120 m2/s with an average fall of 5 meters over 4 km. The region is almost uninhabited; a few hunters’ huts can be found on the Irkut River banks. Picturesque river gorge, unexpected rapids and the virgin taiga-forest.

 

  The travelers are transferred from Irkutsk to Kultuk. On the way, they can observe some of the southern Lake Baikal. The start is at the Anchuk Resort before the Zyrkuzunskaya Bend where Irkut River squeezes through a tight gorge. The banks are steep and forested. The river is 50 to 100 meters wide. About 5 km before it turns to the west, there are three shoals. After the shoals and a 12- km straight section, the Zubkogan Rapids come (Grade II). Further a long straight section begins. Fishing is good near the junction of the Bolshaya (Big) and Malaya (Small) Zubkogan streams, and there are buildings nearby. 1 km downstream is another rapid called Zubkoganskaya Shoal and next to it is the Maly (Small) Rapid. The left side is choked with rocks; the river still squeezed in by steep forested slopes; the valley soon opens up at the Shiroky (Wide) River which flows into the Irkut River.

 

  The most difficult rapid of the tour, the Bolshoye (Big) Rapid is 5 km downstream from the junction of the Irkut and Shiroky Rivers. It takes 300 meters of waves and huge boulders scattered throughout the riverbed. After the rapids, the valley turns to the east, and large rocks appear on both sides. However, more rapids are coming. The long and tricky Kosaya (Oblique) Rapid is 7 km past the Bolshoye Rapids. Next is the Byk (Bull) Rapid which is under a high wall of reddish rock 10 km past the Bolshoye. Finally, Glubokaya (Deep) River meets the Irkut and the river valley grows wider. Traces of timber-cutting can be seen on the banks, and it is easy to spot the places where logs were dropped into the water for their journey down to Irkutsk. There are a few forested islands on the way to the deserted settlement Vyguzovo on the river's left bank. The trip ends with the 0.5-km wall of the famous Shamansky Cliff. Shamanka, the first large settlement on the left bank, is located under this cliff. Although there are loose rocks on the face, rock climbers use the cliff for practice. These unsteady rocks are hazardous and climbers should be cautious. At Shamanka, a ferry connects the settlement with the road on the right bank.

  

-         Arrival in Irkutsk

-         Transfer to hotel/homestay

-         Walking city tour

-         Excursion to 1 museum.

-         Trip (145 km) from Irkutsk to village Anchuk

-         Start of rafting at the river Irkut

-         Rafting down the Irkut from village Anchuk to Shamanka settlement

-         Transfer to Irkutsk (60 km)

-         Accommodation in Irkutsk

-         Transfer to railway station/airport.

-         Departure from Irkutsk