Antalya - Turkey
RED RIVER SPIRIT - 1 day trip
This one is a day adventure down the Zamantı’s deepest canyons. Visiting powerful waterfalls, mysterious caves and rafting along green villages in which the time seems to have stopped. Come to breathe in the nature and spend a magical day with us to get the real sense of the "Zamantı Spirit".
Trip Itinerary
We start our day with a morning pick up from the hotels and a drive to the town of Yahyalı. Arriving at our river base to change into our river clothes and have a small chat about the correct river behavior than off we go right into it.
We will spend the net hours rafting through the dramatic blue canyon. The walls are huge and at some places they go vertically over a 1000 meters! The rapids are exciting, the air is fresh and the scenery is breathtaking. We will take our time through the fantastic gorge with breaks for body rafting, side tours, games and a light meal on the way. After some 3 hours we arrive at take to enjoy an open buffet lunch on the riverbank. If time allows and the crew is up to it, we will go to visit the world famous Kapuzbaşı waterfall and take loads of photos of all different angles.
WET DREAM - 2 days trip
Raft through the Zamantı’s canyons and the fast Şelale river. The views are breathtaking; the river is great and available for all. If you want to have the taste of white water and a glimpse into Zamantı’s outdoor wonderland, then this trip is your wet dream.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
We pick you up in the morning for a drive down to the Zamantı River. On the riverside we take some time to introduce our team and for a conversation about the coming few days. In a short safety talk we get comfortable with our gear and the river behavior, then get on the water to raft between the steep walls of the gorgeous blue canyon. After a delicious lunch served on the riverbank we take our time to explore the area, relax in our camp and enjoy a night around the fire.
Day 2
In the morning we take a hike to see the special rainbow at Kapuzbaşı waterfall, then back to the river for our daily adrenalin shot. A short and pumping river section takes us through lush riverbanks, and legendary scenery to taste some of the Zamantı exciting white water. After lunch we set for the drive to finish our trip back in Cappadocia.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND - 3 days trip
Join us for an expedition to explore the mysterious kingdom of the Zamantı River and the Red mountains. With a portion of white water, plenty of scenery and a little touch of outdoor camping this one is a short trip that has it all. Raft between giant caves and colorful canyons to find out for yourself, why this one is called Alice in Wonderland.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
We pick you up in the morning for a drive down to the Zamantı River. On the riverside we take some time to introduce our team and for a conversation about the coming few days. In a short safety talk we get comfortable with our gear and the river behavior, then get on the water to raft between the steep walls of the gorgeous blue canyon. After a delicious lunch served on the riverbank we take our time to explore the area, relax in our camp and enjoy a night around the fire.
Day 2
Start the day with a hike to see the special rainbow at Kapuzbaşı waterfall than back to the river for our daily adrenalin shot. Negotiating some 20 km of exciting rapids and prestine wilderness we spend our day on the river between old chrome mines, exploring deserted caves and visiting remote villages. After lunch on the riverbank we approach one of the most amazing sights of all rivers Alice in Wonderland. In the afternoon we arrive at our Kьpkцy camp, to spend the night in a camp with a view.
Day 3
Wake up to the smell of a freshly brewed coffee simmering on the open fire and the delicious outdoor breakfast that naturally follows. A couple of hours later we find ourselves rafting through a mysterious tunnel and boiling rapids on our way to explore the amazing hidden canyon. In the afternoon we take out and drive through the magical views of the red mountains back to Cappadocia.
THE BIG BLUE - 5 days trip
Looking for an other way to experience nature? Looking for a special place to do it? Here is a combination of extraordinary white water rafting and outstanding outdoor activities all wrapped in the fascinating wonderland of one of this planets most beautiful rivers. Raft the Zamantı river top to bottom, visit remote villages, mysterious caves and spend magical nights under the stars in a trip so fulfilling, you wish it never ends.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
We pick you up in the morning for a drive down to the Zamantı River. On the riverside we take some time to introduce our team and for a conversation about the coming few days. In a short safety talk we get comfortable with the gear and river behavior, then get on the water to raft between the steep walls of the gorgeous blue canyon.
After a delicious lunch served on the riverbank we take our time to explore the area, relax in our camp and enjoy a night around the fire.
Day 2
Start the day with a hike to see the special rainbow at Kapuzbaşı waterfall than back to the river for our daily adrenalin shot. Negotiating some 20 km of exciting rapids and pristine wilderness we spend our day on the river between old chrome mines, exploring deserted caves and visiting remote villages. After lunch on the riverbank we approach one of the most amazing sights of all rivers Alice in Wonderland. In the afternoon we arrive at our Küpköy camp to spend the night in a camp with a view.
Day 3
Wake up to the smell of a freshly brewed coffee simmering on the open fire and the delicious outdoor breakfast that naturally follows. A couple of hours later we find ourselves rafting through a mysterious tunnel and boiling rapids on our way to explore the amazing hidden canyon. After dealing with some excellent white water we set our camp on a wonderful sandy beach and spend the afternoon swimming, reading, and playing around.
Day 4
This day we experience some of the best white water the Zamantı has to offer. After meeting the Seyhan river water is added, and big volume type rafting carries us all the way to the end of the day and to our Lucky Bridge Camp.
Day 5
Soon after breakfast on the riverbank we enter the Wishing Well Gorge in which wishes come true through some white foamy rapids. After a couple of hours of white fun the river evens out and soon we come out of the gorge for a lazy afternoon cruise down the Egener stretch.
At the village of Egener, we finish a wonderful trip with a wonderful lunch and a shuttle to Adana. (a shuttle to Cappadocia or Kayseri is also available with previous arrangement).
ZAMANTI RIVER
The land of Turkey whose 97% are located on the half island of Asia Minor and 3% in Balkans is shaped like a bowl. To the south the Taurus Mountains ridge lays along the Mediterranean Sea and carries on to the east to join the Himalayan mountains.
The Pontus ridge at the north of the country along the Black sea is an interrupted chain of folded highlands and at the east a high stretch of volcanoes contains the highest mountain in Turkey - Mount Ağrı Dağı, 5.165 meters in altitude. The centre of the country is a volcanic plateau of between 800 to 1300 meters above sea level. The Mountain ridges surrounding the plateau are creating a natural barrier. Rivers that usually flow from the high parts of the ridge towards the lowlands cannot break through those ridges.
Due to the lack of drainage the plateau contains a few salt lakes with the biggest among them, the Tuz Gölü, one of the saltiest lakes in the world (33.5% salt).
A rare example of a river that breaks through a mountain ridge is the Zamantı River. Originates in powerful springs located at Pınarbaşı, some 100 km north-east of the big city Kayseri the Zamantı flows south and crosses the Taurus mountains to meet the Mediterranean sea between the cities Adana and Mersin. Coming out of the springs the river curves through the Anatolian plateau some 100 km before it meets with the Taurus Mountains not far from the town of Yahyalı.
The enormous pressure that was generated as a result of the collision between two tectonic plates in this area has created a giant crack across the ridge from north to south. The Zamantı River makes its way through this crack inside a steep and rugged set of canyons south to meet the Seyhan river near the village of Akdam.
The limestone ridge of the Taurus Mountains is rich with caves and water pockets that are trapped inside the rock. The big crack withholding the Zamantı River opened those pockets and released the water to flow out into the river in a spectacular set of springs that increases the flow dramatically around Kapuzbaşı waterfalls near the village of Güney Şelale.
The diverse scenery along the river is consistent of different types of canyons with various geological formations and vegetation that changes due to the constant change of climate as you descend from the Anatolian highlands to the hot and humid Mediterranean. The river evens out as it leaves the Taurus Mountains by the village of Egener and slowly makes its way through the Seyhan power station and the city of Adana down to the Mediterranean Sea.
KIZILIRMAK
Situated in the north of the Anatolian plateau the Kızılırmak (red river) is the longest river in Turkey. The Red River originates at the Köse ridge northeast of the city Sivas, and then flows southwest towards the center of the Anatolian plateau.
It reaches its most southern point near the village of Avanos, which is one of the corners of the Cappadocian triangle, then curves northwest, passes by the capital Ankara and turns north to flow into the Black Sea by Bafra. After passing the city of Sivas, except the occasional rapid, the Red river is mainly calm and wide as it makes its way through the Anatolian plateau with some rapids near the village of Avanos.
The Kızılırmak is flowing through some red clay river beds and is a source for raw materials for the pottery industry that has flourished all along it. The Red River is also a source of water mainly for agriculture and the green valleys surrounding it stand in strong contrast to the dryness of the Cappadocia region.
Team
Valerija Fedotova (Lera) International Guide, Tom Gilat -International Guide, Tom Holleman (Tomba) - Guide and Expedition Leader, Ofir Cochavi (Minibar) - Guide and Expedition Leader, Joel Guanillo - Guide and Expedition Leader, Alex M. Aitken - Guide and Expedition Leader
RAFTING GUIDE COURSE
Thinking of taking things seriously? Want to be a pro? Here is a great opportunity for you to learn and practice advanced river techniques instructed by some of the leading names in the world of white water rafting. Come join us for 11 fascinating days on the river, wrapped in the breathtaking views of Turkeys outdoors to become a qualified international river guide.
Subjects we cover in the course:
River reading - river formations, obstacles and hydrodynamics.
Raft control - guide strokes, raft-maneuvering.
Rapid running - scouting, plan making, river running.
Risk management - making a decision, recognizing and avoiding hazards.
River signals - paddle signals, hand signals.
Work in a guides team - guides job descriptions and responsibilities.
Paddle and safety talk - training and instructing a paddlers team.
Customer skills - reading customers behaviors and reactions.
River rescue - river emergencies and rescue techniques.
Rope systems - knots, Z-drags, anchors and other systems.
Evacuation methods - evacuate a victim from a river scene.
Equipment - handling, care and maintenance.
Information and Facilities
11 days comprehensive hands on course.
Professional, international team of instructors.
Full board accommodation in a cozy mountain lodge.
All gear provided.
International rafting guide diploma upon graduation.
Worldwide work connection and opportunities.
All transports including to and from Antalya.
Personal approach.
BEGINNERS KAYAKING COURSE
Started kayaking and want to improve your white water technique, or want to get into a fascinating new sport? Medrafts Kayak school is ready to open a whole new world of exciting white fun for you. Based on a pristine riverbank, our mountain lodge is hosting a 5 days Whitewater kayak course for all levels of kayakers.
The subjects that we cover in the course may vary according to your personal level and experience. Our guides will assess your level and build together with you a personal training program designed to approve your skills. Here are some of the subjects we work on:
River reading - hazards, formations and hydrodynamic.
Strokes - braces, strokes and balance.
Roll - back roll, front roll and hand roll.
River signals - paddle signals, hand signals
Play boating - surfing, cartwheel, flat spin, loops and other tricks.
River running - scouting, planning and running a rapid.
River safety - running a safe kayak trip.
Risk management - making a decision, recognizing and avoiding hazards.
Basic river rescue - river emergencies and rescue techniques
Evacuation methods - evacuate a victim from a river scene
Equipment - handling care and maintenance.
Boats and accessories - models, materials and characters.
Information and Facilities
8 days comprehensive hands on course.
Professional, international team of instructors.
Full board accommodation in a cozy mountain lodge.
Gear - bring your own or use ours.
Fun and off hours activities.
All transports including to and from Antalya.
Personal approach.
Video
MORE INFO
These scripts and photographs are registered under Copyright 2006, Medraft Rafting / Antalya - Turkey. All Rights Reserved.
