At 1,439km, the Ili is the longest river in Zhetysu. Its sourse is the Almaty region; on its way back from China it forms the Kapchagai reservoir, eventually flowing into Lake Balhash. Long ago the Ili was busy with traffic to and from western China. Today it’s a popular destination for adventure holidays, especially rafting to Balhash. The dam and electric station that formed the Kapchagai reservoir (70km from Almaty) were constructed near the town of Kapchagai in 1965-80. Several burial mounds were found at the site, and to this day the waves of Kapchagai wash up ceramic and bronze fragments on the shore. Some call Kapchagai a sea: it is 22km at its widest point and 45m deep and covers an area of 1,847 sq.km. Along its shores are health spas, guest houses, beaches and fishing boats. Kapchagai’s waters teem with pike-perch, bream, wild carp, chub and sheat-fish. There is small aquapark in the town. The Altyn-Emel National Park is on the eastern shore of the reservoir. Just a short journey from Kapchagai, on the bank of the Ili, is a place that will transport you back in time. In the early Middle ages there was a ford across the Ili at its narrowest point- the Kapchagai Gorge, at Tamgaly- Tas. For centures , an image of Buddha has gazed into the sky from an enormous rock on the right bank. This is Tamgaly-Tas, 20 km downstream from reservoir and 120 km from Almaty. Despite its desert and semidesert landscape, the Ili river valleys is one of the most picturesque places in Almaty region. You can step into a different world by visiting the Ili tugais, Altyn-Emel’s very own “jungle”- dense thickets of weeping willows, Aian poplars and Ii barberry that have spread along the river-bank. The many pheasants and tangle of trees and bushes. You may come across roe deer, wild boars, and sometimes jeirans. 1-2 days rafting trips that start 5 km down the dam and finish at Buddha’s Rock or the place where movie “Kochevnik” was filmed are very popular among tourists. 5-6 days trip from the same starting point to Bakanas city or 5-6 days combined Charyn-Ili rafting trip to the Sinning Dune are another choice for those who love adventure. May and the beginning of June when steppe is blooming with poppies and September when there are no mosquitoes are the best time to perform long trips along Ili River. If you decide to do a trip in July-August, be prepared for hot weather and mosquitoes.

For more information about one day rafting trip on Ili River see attached file.