Rafting & Quad Safari from Side – Köprülü Canyon Rapids and an Off-Road Ride in One Day
Two adventures in one day: 14 km of grade 3 rapids on the Köprüçay in Köprülü Canyon National Park, lunch by the river, then an automatic quad on dusty, muddy canyon tracks.
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Operating days
- Daily
- Pickup
- 09:00 → 18:00
- Destination
- Köprülü Canyon
Can’t decide between white water and dirt tracks? The rafting and quad safari from Side packs both into one day. Köprülü Canyon National Park lies inland, around 80 km from Side, where the Köprüçay river cuts through pine-covered cliffs in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains. The morning belongs to the river; after lunch you trade the paddle for the handlebars of an ATV.
Rafting 14 km through Köprülü Canyon
At the rafting base the instructors run through the paddle commands and safety rules, and everyone is fitted with a life jacket and helmet. A drive of about 7 km brings the group to the put-in near the ancient Roman bridge. From there you paddle roughly 14 km downstream – about two hours on grade 3 rapids, lively enough for a real rush yet fine for first-timers. Rafts hold six, eight or ten people with an instructor at the back of each, and experienced paddlers can ask for a one- or two-person boat.
Riverside lunch, then the quad ride
Lunch is served at a restaurant right on the riverbank. Next comes a short quad briefing, and then the convoy sets off for 40 minutes to an hour along rough, dusty and often muddy roads beside the canyon. The ATVs are automatic, so you need neither a licence nor any experience. Ride a quad of your own or share one: the second person sits behind the driver, and children under 15 always ride as passengers behind an adult. Before the drive back to Side, the team shows the photos and videos of your day on a screen.
Good to know
- Hotel pickup in Side, Manavgat, Kumkoy, Sorgun, Titreyengol and the other resorts of the Side area
- Lunch, instructors and the main equipment – helmet, life jacket and raft – are included
- Drinks and the photo and video package are paid on the spot
The exact pickup time is confirmed after booking. Would you rather stay on the water all day? The classic Köprülü Canyon rafting is the river-only option, and if the quad is what you came for, try the Side quad safari.
Highlights
- About 14 km of grade 3 rafting on the Köprüçay river
- Start near the ancient Roman bridge in Köprülü Canyon
- 40–60 minutes on an automatic quad – no licence needed
- Lunch at a restaurant on the riverbank
- An instructor in every raft
- Pickup from hotels across the Side area
Itinerary
-
09:00
Hotel pickup
Transfer from your hotel in the Side area to Köprülü Canyon National Park.
-
Briefing and equipment
Safety talk by the instructors; life jackets, helmets, paddles and rafts are handed out.
-
To the put-in
About 7 km (roughly 15 minutes) by vehicle to the start near the Roman bridge.
-
Rafting
Around 14 km and about two hours on the Köprüçay rapids.
-
Lunch
Lunch break at a riverside restaurant.
-
Quad safari
Briefing, then 40–60 minutes on dusty, muddy canyon tracks.
-
Photos and videos
The team’s pictures of the day on a TV screen – buy them if you like.
-
18:00
Back at your hotel
Drop-off at your hotel in the Side area.
Included / Not included
Included
- Pickup and drop-off at hotels in the Side area
- Lunch at a riverside restaurant
- Rafting instructors and guide
- Helmet, life jacket, paddle and raft
- Quad (ATV) for the canyon ride
Not included
- Drinks
- Photos and videos (optional)
- Water shoes – rent or buy them from the guide
- Personal expenses
Packages & options
Rafting + quad safari
Rafting, quad ride, lunch and hotel transfer
Good to know
Good to know
- Children under 3 and pregnant women cannot join the rafting.
- On the quad, children under 15 ride only as passengers behind an adult.
- Leave valuables and metal jewellery such as earrings or necklaces at your hotel.
- You will get wet on the river and dusty on the quad – wear clothes that can take it.
What to bring
- Swimwear under your clothes
- Towel and a spare T-shirt
- Shoes that grip on wet ground, such as water shoes or sport sandals
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a bandana for the dust
- Cash for drinks, photos and videos
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a driving licence for the quad?
No. The quads are automatic, and a briefing before the ride covers everything you need to know. No previous experience is required.
Can two people share one quad?
Yes. You can ride alone or with a second person sitting behind you. Children under 15 always ride as passengers behind an adult.
Is the rafting suitable for beginners?
Yes. The river is graded 3, which suits first-timers as well as experienced rafters, and every raft has its own instructor who steers and calls the commands.
Can children take part?
Children aged 3 and over can join the rafting; on the quad they ride as passengers behind an adult. Please tell us the children’s ages when you book.
What is not included in the price?
Drinks, the photo and video package and personal expenses. Water shoes can be rented or bought from the guide if you have none.
What clothes work best?
Put your swimwear on under something light and choose shoes you don’t mind soaking. A bandana and sunglasses help against the dust on the quad, and a towel and dry T-shirt make the ride home more comfortable.
