Rafting & Buggy Safari from Side – Köprüçay Rapids and a Canyon Drive Behind the Wheel
Rafting is the star of the day and the buggy the bonus: some 14 km down the Köprüçay through Köprülü Canyon, a riverside lunch, then around 45 minutes at the wheel of an automatic buggy.
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Operating days
- Daily
- Pickup
- 09:00 → 18:00
- Destination
- Köprülü Canyon
Some people want a steering wheel in their hands, not handlebars. For them the rafting and buggy safari from Side is the right mix: a morning of white water in Köprülü Canyon National Park, followed by a buggy drive on the tracks above the river. Rafting is the main event and the buggy the bonus – and both fit comfortably into one day away from your hotel on the Side coast.
How the day unfolds
The transfer collects guests from the resorts between Side and Manavgat, heads west and then climbs into the Taurus foothills to the canyon. At the base, instructors and guides give a briefing and hand out helmets, life jackets, paddles and rafts. A vehicle takes you about 7 km to the start near the old Roman bridge, and from there the Köprüçay carries you some 14 km downstream. The rapids are grade 3: there are splashy drops where everybody paddles hard, and quieter stretches where the instructor at the stern lets you catch your breath and look up at the cliffs.
Behind the wheel after lunch
After lunch at a riverside restaurant comes the buggy briefing. Then you drive for roughly 40 to 45 minutes along dusty, muddy and uneven canyon roads. The buggies are automatic and simple to handle, so no licence or driving experience is needed. Drive alone or take a second person in the seat next to you. Back at the base, the photos and videos the crew shot during the day are shown on a TV screen – a good moment to pick your favourite shot.
Buggy, quad or jeep?
Our three rafting combinations from Side share the same morning on the river; only the afternoon vehicle changes:
- Buggy – you steer with a wheel and can have a passenger beside you
- Quad – handlebars and a motorbike feel, with any passenger sitting behind the rider
- Jeep – a ride through the mountain forests together with your group
The exact pickup time is confirmed after booking. Fancy a zipline as well? The rafting, buggy and zipline combo adds a flight over the river, while the Side buggy safari leaves out the water altogether.
Highlights
- Some 14 km of grade 3 rapids on the Köprüçay
- Start near the old Roman bridge
- 40–45 minutes at the wheel of an automatic buggy
- Room for a passenger beside you
- Lunch at a restaurant on the riverbank
- Photos and videos of the day shown on a TV screen
Itinerary
-
09:00
Pickup
Collection from hotels and apartments in Side and Manavgat.
-
Köprülü Canyon National Park
Arrival at the rafting base and a briefing by instructors and guides.
-
Gear up
Life jackets, helmets, paddles and rafts for everyone.
-
Roman bridge
A short drive of about 7 km to the starting point.
-
On the river
Some 14 km of rapids, roughly two hours.
-
Riverside lunch
Break at a restaurant by the water.
-
Buggy safari
Briefing, then about 45 minutes on canyon roads.
-
Photo screening
The crew’s photos and videos on a TV screen.
-
18:00
Hotel drop-off
Back at your hotel or apartment.
Included / Not included
Included
- Hotel transfer from Side and the surrounding resorts
- Lunch
- Guide and rafting instructors
- Helmet, life jacket and raft
- Buggy for the canyon drive
Not included
- Drinks
- Photo and video package
- Water shoes, sunglasses or a bandana bought from the guide
- Personal expenses
Packages & options
Rafting + buggy safari
Rafting, buggy drive, lunch and hotel transfer
Good to know
Good to know
- Rafting is not possible for children under 3 or for pregnant women.
- Leave valuables and metal accessories such as earrings and necklaces behind.
- No water shoes? You can rent or buy a pair from the guide.
- A second person can ride in the buggy seat next to the driver.
What to bring
- A bandana and sunglasses
- Water shoes or sandals that will not slip
- A towel
- One extra T-shirt
- Money for drinks, photos and videos
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a licence to drive the buggy?
No. The buggies are automatic and easy to drive, and you get a briefing before you set off. No driving experience is needed.
Can someone ride with me in the buggy?
Yes. You can drive alone or with a second person sitting next to you.
How long does each activity last?
The rafting covers about 14 km and takes roughly two hours on the water; the buggy drive lasts around 40 to 45 minutes.
Who cannot join the rafting?
Children under 3 and pregnant women. Please let us know the ages of any children when you book.
Can I buy the photos?
Yes. The crew takes pictures and films during the day and shows them on a TV screen at the end; buying them is optional.
Is this the same as the rafting, buggy and zipline combo?
No. This tour concentrates on rafting with a buggy drive after lunch. The zipline combo also includes a zipline flight over the river and a cabrio ride to a viewpoint.
