Jeep Safari & Rafting from Side – Köprülü Canyon by Raft and by Jeep

The jeep safari and rafting from Side shows you Köprülü Canyon twice over: first from the water, then from the dusty roads that wind through the mountains around it. You are collected in the morning from hotels in Side and the nearby resorts and are back by late afternoon – a full day out that still leaves the evening free.

Paddling the Köprüçay

At the company station inside the national park, professional instructors explain how the raft is steered and what to do on the rapids, then hand out helmets, life jackets and paddles. Company vehicles drive you some 7 km, about a quarter of an hour, to the starting point by the ancient Roman bridge. The river section is around 14 km long and takes about two hours. Graded 3 on the international scale, it suits beginners and seasoned rafters alike; groups share rafts for six, eight or ten people, and experienced paddlers may take a single or double boat.

Into the Taurus by jeep

Lunch is served at a restaurant on the riverbank. Afterwards everyone climbs into the jeeps for a ride of about 40 minutes on rough, dusty roads in the Taurus Mountains, past forests and clear streams with views over the canyon – and there are stops for photos along the way. Before the group leaves the canyon, the team plays the pictures and videos of the day on a TV screen.

Who this combination suits

• Friends and families who like to stay together in one vehicle
• Anyone who prefers scenery to speed once the rapids are done
• Guests who want to be back at the hotel by late afternoon

The exact pickup time is confirmed after booking. For a full day in a jeep, see the Side jeep safari; if the river alone is enough, the classic Köprülü Canyon rafting is the simpler choice.