Raft Siberia's Sayan Oka

Rafting in Irkutsk, Russia

The Oka River runs 188 miles through green ranges of the Sayan Mountains in a remote area near the Mongolian border. There are several Oka Rivers in Russia and the most famous is a large river in Central Russia. The one that we'll visit originates in the Sayan Mountains and flows throught the famous Orkho Bom canyon and into Lake Baikal.

The Orkho Bom canyon is known for great campsites, magnificent cliffs, and excellent Grayling fishing, as well as more than sixty rapids. Most of the rapids are Class III and there is an occasional Class IV rapid to spice things up. The canyon's slopes are covered with dense cedar taiga and full of different animals including sable and bear.

This is a fantastic river trip for fly fishermen due to clear water of the Oka River and famous grayling. The grayling is a more active fish than a trout and is entertaining to both fish for and watch people fish for. We can keep the fish we catch and eat them on the trip.

For a guided trip, visit www.echotrips.com/labs/oka

Katun River Rafting

Rafting in Xinjiang/Northwest, China

Most people think of Siberia as a cold and desolate place. In many respects they're right, but summer time in the Altai Mountains of Siberia has a climate similar to Oregon or England with temperatures in the 70's. This is the only time to run the rivers of the Altai Mountains, and the most famous is the Katun River. The Katun is a big water river so rapids have big waves, hydraulics, and whirlpools. If intense whitewater is your cup of tea, try the Upper Katun which adds an extra 30 miles of fairly consistent whitewater to your Katun experience. For a trip more like the Grand Canyon in terms of whitewater and one to bring your family on, you can choose to only run the Lower Katun.

Trips are usually six to seven days with a travel day on each end to get to and from the river. To learn more about rafting in the Altai Mountains, visit RaftSiberia.

White Salmon River Rafting

Rafting in West Coast, United States

The White Salmon may very well be the best bang for your buck in terms of whitewater and scenery. Not only does it have nearly continuous Class III and IV rapids, but it was also declared Wild and Scenic by Congress. It's just north of Hood River, Oregon at the base of Mount Adams.

Most people start at the boat ramp at BZ Corner, but several outfitters have access to public lands upriver that allow for several upstream Class IV rapids and a fun portage that includes a 15 foot cliff jump into the river. Below BZ Corner are many fun rapids in an intimate canyon. The highlight of the trip is rafting over the 10 foot Husum Falls at the end.

This is a unique experience that is worth the trip alone.

To learn more about, visit White Salmon river rafting information.

Tuolumne River Rafting

Rafting in West Coast, United States

The Tuolumne River is the best overall rafting trip in California. It offers 18 miles of Class IV rapids in a spectacular river canyon. Most people take two days to run the Tuolumne so that they have time to run the rapids safely and spend a night in the canyon. For those that love spending time in an amazing place, three days is recommended. The first six miles of the trip are the most action packed as the rapids come in quick succession. Around mile six, the Clavey River enters on the right and just below here is the Class V Clavey Falls. Beyond Clavey Falls there are many great rapids including Grey's Grindstone which is nearly a mile long and a most people's favorite rapid. The best time to run the Tuolumne is during May and June with the water is high an the wildflowers are in bloom. The Tuolumne is still fun in the hot summer months when the river flow is controlled by upstream dams. The lower dam controlled flows start at a different time each year depending on the Sierra snow pack. Many people also combine and overnight trip on the lower Tuolumne with a trip down the Upper Tuolumne (also known as Cherry Creek) which is a challenging Class V day trip. For more information, visit Tuolumne River Rafting

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Paddling the Tatshenshini-Alsek

Rafting in Alaska Northwest, United States

This is a downright spectacular journey. Most people take 14 days to do this trip and they aren't doing it for the rapids. The best part of this trip is paddling through the big lakes with enourmous glaciers entering the river. You'll love the Alsek if you like truly remote places and solitude.

This is Grizzly country. If bears scare you, don't even think about this trip. You'll be constantly taking precautions to protect the camp and each other from bears and you'll be aware of them while you're hiking around.

One of the coolest part of this trip is that you start in the Yukon province of Canada, travel through a sliver of British Columbia, and then travel through a sliver of Southern Alaska to the Pacific Ocean. From take-out you'll have to fly a small airplane from a dirt airstrip to get to a larger town so you can come home.