Welcome to kayakstan.net, the homepage of the British University Kayaking Expedition to Kyrgyzstan in the summer of 2005.
Interested in the expedition? What to know who we are? What we did?
Firstly, let us introduce the team, nine students from various universities around the UK. The expedition itself was undertaken from 20-Aug-2005 to 20-Sept-2005, and you can read the grisley day-to-day challenges we faced in our dispatches. Have a quick shifty at some photos of the trip, or maybe listen along to some authentic Kyrgyz music in one of the available videos. You'd like to know still further details? Have a look at the media exposure the expedition received to find related magazine articles and so on.
Are you going kayaking in Kyrgyzstan yourself? Need info on rivers, logistics?
First lesson of warfare is always "know your enemy". Check out some details of the country itself - the geography, logistics and chase up some maps of the region. You'll also need to sift through the river guides - is it to be a quick blast down the Arashan, or do you feel lucky, and want to challenge the Killer Canyon of the Saryjaz? Either way, don't forget your guidebooks!
Has the BUKE idea continued ...?
Yes. After a push by Tim to create a new expedition a new 2007 team has been formed: the 4 borders expedition. We wish them the best of luck!
As strapped-for-cash student types, want to know how we managed to pull the whole thing off?
We cheated. Its a recommended option I'd say. Seriously, the trip would never have been remotely feasible without an awful lot of help. We'd like to thank not just our sponsors, but also all those who emailed us river info, or answered tricky forum questions. Cheers guys.
