Great news! Our trips include a support vehicle (included in the price) 🚐. Group kit, food, tents and other heavy items are transported separately.
A kayaking trip down the Desna is a two-day route led by Kuluar Splav guides. We offer an easy and scenic route along a popular stretch of the river.
We provide two- and three-person kayaks, packed lunches, and make stops for swimming and photos, as well as providing a support vehicle to transport heavy items. This format makes active holidays more convenient. You can set off on this trip with the whole family or a group of friends.
During the warmer months, we run tours every weekend for groups of between 8 and 30 people on various rivers.
You can book a private rafting trip or a corporate event for groups of 6 to 150 people on any dates that suit you.
Please note: we also organise other weekend kayaking trips near Kyiv. If you haven’t found your preferred date on this river, it may be available on another one. Here is a list of current trips:
And if you’re interested in a rafting trip lasting more than two days, we recommend checking out the Dniester, where trips range from 3 to 7 days.
We have our own kayaks, which are properly maintained, so you get reliable, clean equipment
Paddling is becoming more comfortable – bulky items, food and drinking water are no longer loaded into the kayaks but are transported separately in the car
The camp leader is assisted by a camp assistant, who will prepare sandwiches before you arrive at the campsite and then help set up camp
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If a consultant has given the go-ahead to buy a ticket, you can go ahead and purchase it. We will not cancel the programme through any fault of our own.
Over the course of the club’s existence, we have developed a system that enables us to organise programmes to the highest possible standard. You can see this for yourself by applying to take part.
Over 25,000 people have already attended Kuluar, and 97.8% were satisfied. We’re sure you will be too!
On the first day of our trip, we’ll meet at the Lisova metro station and set off to explore nature. We’ll arrive at the starting point of the route, listen to a briefing, prepare breakfast and get the kayaks ready. Then the kayaking begins: we’ll learn how to steer a kayak and take in the views of the Desna River. Along the way, we’ll make stops, take a break and have lunch right on the riverbank. As evening approaches, we’ll set up camp for the night, pitch our tents and prepare dinner. We’ll then continue the evening in a relaxed atmosphere: chatting by the campfire, gazing at the starry sky, listening to the silence of the river and feeling completely disconnected from the city.
The morning gets off to a leisurely start – we wake up at camp, have breakfast and pack our things. We drink coffee whilst enjoying an incredible view of the river. Today’s route is a bit shorter than on the first day, so the pace is more relaxed and comfortable. We continue along the route, go for a swim, take photos and enjoy the weekend ☺ The trip ends in the village of Pirnove: we gather our gear, pack up, share our impressions and gradually make our way back to the city.
How can I take part in a rafting trip down the Desna?
A kayaking trip down the Desna is undoubtedly one of the best ways to spend weekends and holidays for those who enjoy active leisure. After all, in just two days of kayaking, you’ll get away from the city, make new friends (or strengthen old friendships), get a tan, and recharge your batteries with wonderful memories for a productive working week!
Depending on weather conditions, the group’s condition and general preferences, the tour leader reserves the right to make changes to the itinerary.
To take part in the hike, you must not have any medical conditions that are incompatible with active tourism: see the list here.
The kayaking trip takes place in all weather conditions, except where conditions may pose a risk to participants’ health.
The weather along the route can change quickly, so it’s a good idea to pack for both sunny and rainy conditions. We’ll be spending the nights by the river, so you’ll need mosquito repellent. It can get cool and damp in the evenings and at night, so you’ll need warm clothes for sleeping and for when you’re at camp.
The price of the programme includes our standard three-person Red River kayaks. If you would like a two-person kayak, there is an additional charge of 150 UAH per day of the trip (or 75 UAH per person), and we will reserve a two- or three-person kayak for you, subject to availability.
The group arrives at the campsite at around 6 pm, where the support vehicle is already waiting and preparations are underway: the camp is being set up, tables are being laid out, a fire is blazing, and herbal tea is brewing. The team leader and camp manager will help you choose a spot and pitch your tent. Every evening, we plan to sit around the campfire and chat with our new friends.
In the morning, we pack up the tents, the assistant packs the group’s equipment, and we set off for the next overnight stop (applicable for trips of 3 days or more).
You’re probably wondering what we’ll be eating. Let’s get this straight: there’s no need to worry. Many participants say they eat better on the trip than they do at home.
If there are any foods you don’t eat, please be sure to let your consultant know so that the team leader can adjust the menu slightly to suit your needs. We also recommend bringing along a few snacks – such as nuts or sweets.
Please note that the menu shown is for guidance only. Event hosts usually have their own signature dishes, which they love to treat participants to.
Dietary guidelines for vegetarians – if you don’t eat meat, be sure to read this. We explain what we’ll be serving and are offering a 5% discount on our products.
A sample menu for the basic programme (2 to 3 days), which can be adapted for vegetarians or vegans:
| Menu for 3-day rafting trips | ||||||
Day 1 | Breakfast | Buckwheat porridge with mushrooms, chicken, vegetable salad, sauces, bread | ||||
| Lunch (snack) | Sandwiches with cheese, meat, bacon, fresh vegetables, boiled eggs, sauces, herbs, and sweets | |||||
| Dinner | Red borscht with smoked ribs, served with sour cream, bread, lard, sauces and sweets | |||||
Day 2 | Breakfast | Pilaf with meat (chicken), fresh vegetables, herbs, sauces, bread (lavash), sweets | ||||
| Lunch (snack) | Sandwiches with cheese, meat, bacon, fresh vegetables, boiled eggs, sauces, herbs, and sweets | |||||
| Dinner | Meat-based kharcho soup (or bograch), bread, lard, sauces, sweets | |||||
Day 3 | Breakfast | Pasta with hard cheese and sauce, fresh vegetables, herbs, sauces, bread, sweets | ||||
| Lunch (snack) | Sandwiches with cheese, meat, bacon, fresh vegetables, boiled eggs, sauces, herbs, and sweets | |||||
For children aged 3 and under, participation in the trip is free of charge (without a separate seat in the kayak). For children with a seat in the kayak, the discount is 20%. Find out more about discounts.
The main item of additional costs is the transfer from Kyiv to the start of the rafting trip and back from the finish to Kyiv. The amount depends on the number of participants in the group and factors beyond the club’s control, such as rising fuel prices.
There are also optional expenses. Participants buy souvenirs as mementos and sometimes have dinner together at a restaurant. We recommend bringing at least 800 UAH with you. As for the maximum amount, that’s up to you.
We limit the number of participants in each group. To secure your place, you must pay a deposit of :
Please hand over the remaining amount to the team leader when you meet. Prepayment refund policy and payment methods =>>
