Culture & History Green Canyon
Altınbeşik Cave & Ormana Village Tour
Glide by inflatable boat across Turkey’s largest underground lake inside Altınbeşik Cave, then stroll through the mountain village of Ormana with its hand-built “button houses” and 600-year-old mosque – with a Green Canyon viewpoint and village lunch.
- approx. 8 hours
- Mon, Thu
- Free hotel pickup
- Free cancellation
- Family friendly
Overview
- Duration
- approx. 8 hours
- Operating days
- Mon, Thu
- Pickup
- 08:30 → 17:00
- Guide languages
- English, German, Russian, Turkish
- Destination
- Green Canyon
- Pay on the tour day
- Free cancellation
High in the Taurus Mountains behind Side and Manavgat lies a different Turkey: quiet villages, cool forests and one of the most impressive caves in the country. The Altınbeşik Cave and Ormana village tour takes you there on a full day with a licensed guide – a perfect change from the beach.
Turkey’s largest underground lake
Inside Altınbeşik Cave, part of a national park, lies the largest underground lake in Turkey. You glide across its emerald water in an inflatable boat through a three-level cave system decorated with stalactites and stalagmites. The temperature stays at a constant 16°C all year round – wonderfully refreshing on a hot summer day.
Ormana – the village of button houses
On the way, the bus stops at a panoramic viewpoint high above the Green Canyon. Then you reach Ormana, a mountain village famous for its more than 300 hand-built “button houses”, whose stone walls are held together by round timber beams that look like buttons. Your guide shows you the 600-year-old Ottoman mosque and the narrow lanes before a traditional lunch of chicken skewers or baked trout in the shade of the pines.
- Boat ride inside the cave included
- Licensed guide and village lunch
- Every Monday and Thursday
Want to see the Green Canyon from the water? Book the Green Canyon boat trip. For Roman history, choose the Aspendos, Side & Manavgat tour.
Highlights
- Boat ride on Turkey’s largest underground lake
- Three-level cave with stalactites and stalagmites
- Ormana village and its 300+ button houses
- 600-year-old Ottoman mosque
- Green Canyon panoramic viewpoint
- Traditional village lunch
Itinerary
-
08:30
Hotel pickup
Pickup in Side, Manavgat and surroundings (Alanya earlier).
-
10:00
Green Canyon viewpoint
Scenic drive into the Taurus Mountains and photo stop.
-
11:00
Ormana mosque
Visit to the 600-year-old Ottoman mosque.
-
11:30
Button houses
Guided walk through the historic village.
-
12:30
Village lunch
Chicken skewers or baked trout with salad.
-
13:30
To Altınbeşik Cave
Short drive to the national park.
-
14:00
Cave boat ride
Inflatable boat across the underground lake.
-
15:00
Free time
Photos around the cave entrance, then return.
-
17:00
Hotel drop-off
Arrival time depends on your area.
Included / Not included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Air-conditioned transport
- Professional licensed guide
- Inflatable boat ride inside Altınbeşik Cave
- Lunch (chicken skewers or baked trout with salad)
- Insurance
Not included
- Drinks
- Professional photos
- Souvenirs and personal expenses
Good to know
Good to know
- Runs on Mondays and Thursdays.
- Cave paths can be damp – wear shoes with good grip.
- Guests from Alanya are picked up earlier than guests from Side and Manavgat.
What to bring
- A light jacket (the cave is 16°C)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Modest clothing for the mosque
- Camera or phone
- Cash for drinks and souvenirs
Cancellation & payment
- Free cancellation up to 18 hours before the tour
- No prepayment – pay in cash (EUR, USD, GBP or TRY) on the tour day
- Quick confirmation via WhatsApp
Free pickup areas
- Alanya (centre)
- Oba
- Kestel
- Mahmutlar
- Konakli
- Turkler
- Avsallar
- Okurcalar
- Cenger
- Incekum
- Kizilagac
- Side
- Manavgat
- Kumkoy
- Evrenseki
- Gundogdu
- Titreyengol
- Bogazkent
Your exact pickup time depends on your hotel and is confirmed after booking. Staying somewhere else? Contact us – pickup from other areas can often be arranged.
Frequently asked questions
How cold is Altınbeşik Cave?
The cave keeps a constant temperature of about 16°C all year. A light jacket is enough to stay comfortable during the boat ride.
What are the button houses of Ormana?
They are traditional stone houses whose walls are reinforced with timber beams; the round ends of the beams look like buttons, giving the houses their name.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Yes, children enjoy the boat ride in the cave. Children aged 3–11 pay the child price and children under 3 are free.
On which days does the tour run?
The Altınbeşik Cave and Ormana tour runs on Mondays and Thursdays.