Rafting in Armenia
Rafting, a recreational outdoor activity while a team of 6 or more rafters deal with the obstacles in navigating through turbulences and rocks in a water stream or river, with a high dosage of adrenalin produced in their body, ensuring excitement and ‘wet’ memories by the end of the day.
We, Armenians, ‘do it our way’! Your rafting adventure will be supplemented by delicious local food and drinks before you will be heading to visit cultural sites nearby the rafting site(s).
Even though there are several rivers with nice water streams suitable for rafting in several regions of Armenia, however, yet the rafting site on Debed River in Lori Province is the only official one in Armenia.
Dzoraget River near Stepanavan Town (Lori Province), Kasagh River (Aragatsotn Province) and Tartar River (Artsakh, Nagorno Karabagh) are those rivers which attract rafters to try their chances in overcoming the turbulences, however, yet no official studies and interventions have been made to ensure the safety of rafters in those destinations.
In 2017, Armenian Young Women’s Association and NURIK Travel kicked off a project entitled RAFTING.AM, within the scope of ‘’Integrated Rural Tourism Development’’ project. As an outcome, a rafting site was established on Debed River, few kilometers from Alaverdi Town in Lori Province.
Number of rafting runs: 5
Run No.1 – Beginners: age group: 14-80; length: 12 km
Run No.2 – Extreme: age group: 18-65; length: 16 km
Run No.3 – Kids: age group: 3-14; length: 6 km
Run No.4 – For rafters with disabilities: length: 6 km
Run No.5 – Cultural: length: 4 km; passes through the historical stone bridge of Sanahin
Water stream flow rate: 12-15 kmph
Water stream width: 25-50 meters
Water stream depth: 0.3-2.5 meters depending on the season
You will be provided with all required gear and equipment. Make sure to have extra cloths to get changed after rafting.
NURIK is a social enterprise founded by Armenian Young Women's Association and co-funded by USAID Save the Children International Armenia Representation. NURIK promotes social and economic development of Lori Province and provides workplaces for women and people with disabilities.