Rafting and Buggy Safari in Side 2 in 1

• Hotel Pickup: In the morning at the scheduled time, you will be picked up from your hotel in Side in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, and head towards Köprülü Canyon National Park.
• Buggy Safari: Upon arrival near the rafting area, our guides provide a safety briefing for the buggy safari. After a short test drive, an exciting buggy convoy ride begins, lasting about 30–45 minutes on the muddy off-road track.
• Rafting Preparation: After the buggy ride, you will move to the rafting start point by the river. Here, helmets and life jackets are put on and paddles are distributed; experienced instructors explain the rafting rules and techniques.
• Start Rafting: Once aboard the rafts (8–10 people each), your rafting adventure begins on the cool waters of Köprülü Canyon. The first stage lasts about 40 minutes, followed by a break on the riverbank for swimming and rest.
• Lunch Break: Midway through the route, a lunch break is taken by the riverside. Enjoy a delicious meal of grilled chicken, rice and salad at the riverside facility (drinks not included) to refuel your energy.
• Rafting Continues: After lunch, continue rafting for the second stage (around 20 minutes) to complete the 14 km river course. At the finish point, you will return the equipment and the rafting adventure concludes.
• Return to Hotel: At the end of the activities, you can view the professional photos and videos taken during the tour (available for purchase). Then, you’ll board the vehicle and be dropped off back at your hotel at around 4:30–5:00 PM.

Side Buggy Safari and Rafting – A Day Full of Adrenaline

Side is one of Antalya’s most popular holiday resorts and offers countless activities for adventure lovers. Among these, the Rafting and Buggy Safari in Side – 2 in 1 tour is a unique opportunity to experience two different thrills in a single day. Combining the fun of off-road driving with the excitement of river rafting in one program, this tour is ideal for making unforgettable memories. Get ready to defy an ordinary day and feel your heart race with these two incredible adventures!

Throughout this combined adventure, you will kick up dust on the rugged trails at the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, then ride the rapids of a cool river. Starting with a morning pickup from your hotel, the Side buggy and rafting tour offers a full ~8-hour itinerary. The distance from Side to Köprülü Canyon is about 60 km; as we cover this route in our transfer, you will enjoy a scenic drive with stunning mountain views and quaint villages along the way. A professional team, equipped with modern gear and all necessary safety measures, will be by your side throughout the day.

Rafting Fun in Köprülü Canyon

The rafting portion of our tour takes place in Köprülü Canyon National Park, which features one of Turkey’s most famous river courses. You will embark on a group adventure in 8-10 person rafts along a 14 km section of the flowing Köprüçay River. Because the rapids on this route are rated around grade 2 (easy), even those without prior experience can fully enjoy the Side rafting experience. Before setting off, experienced instructors provide detailed training—from how to paddle properly to essential safety instructions—and all participants are given life jackets and helmets. With a guide captain in each raft and everyone paddling in unison, you will navigate the river through a great team effort.

As you raft down the Köprüçay, you’ll be surrounded by magnificent natural beauty. Even while you’re engaged in this adrenaline-pumping sport, you can admire historic landmarks like the centuries-old Roman Oluk Bridge and the lush green forests of the national park. At certain points along the rafting course, short breaks are taken; during these, you can jump into the refreshing water for a swim or relax on the riverbank and soak up the sun. Especially in the height of summer, being in the cool water is a rejuvenating relief from the heat. The total rafting time, including breaks, is roughly 2.5 to 3 hours. After the first stage of about 40 minutes, you’ll have a rest stop where you can grab a quick snack, take photos, and recharge before continuing.

Off-Road Buggy Adventure in the Taurus Mountains

The other half of the tour – the buggy safari – is just as fun and exciting as rafting. A buggy is a two-seater, open-frame off-road vehicle; it is very easy to drive and requires no prior driving experience. Following our guides in convoy formation, you’ll enjoy an exhilarating ride on specially-designed dirt and muddy tracks. Before you take the wheel, a safety briefing is given and basic driving techniques are demonstrated. Guests in two-seater buggies can also take turns driving if they wish, so both riders get a chance to be the driver.

The Side buggy safari track is located among pine forests at the foot of the Taurus Mountains. The small streams and mud pools you’ll pass through make this experience even more fun. You’re guaranteed to get dirty – but that’s one of the best parts of the adventure! Expect lots of laughter as you splash through water and churn up mud like a carefree kid. The convoy will drive for about 40-45 minutes, with our guides positioned at the front and back to ensure safety and maintain the pace. You can also take your own photos or videos during the buggy safari, but keep in mind your devices might get splashed with mud and water.

No driver’s license is required to operate these vehicles; anyone aged 16 or above can drive their own buggy. Younger guests under 16 can join as passengers in the buggy alongside an adult. By the end of the track, you’ll step out of your vehicle covered in dirt from head to toe but with a huge smile on your face – that’s when you’ll realize just how special this experience is!

An Immersive Nature Experience

This tour not only delivers adrenaline, but also offers a chance to get away from the city and crowded resorts and be one with nature. You’ll spend your entire day outdoors, breathing fresh mountain air and taking in beautiful scenery. The forested trails and riverside setting create an atmosphere that refreshes both body and mind. Spending time in the cool shade of the Taurus Mountains, far from the crowds of Side, helps you de-stress and reconnect with nature. Thanks to this close-to-nature experience, you’ll return from your vacation feeling recharged and full of energy.

Safety and Guidance

On our rafting and buggy safari tour, guest safety is our top priority. Before both activities begin, a comprehensive safety briefing is conducted. During rafting, all participants are required to wear helmets and life jackets, and guides accompany you throughout the journey on the river. Similarly, on the Side Buggy Safari track, the convoy’s speed and order are controlled by the guides so that no one falls behind or faces any undue risk. While you focus on having fun, our team handles all the organization and safety precautions.

The rafting base at Köprülü Canyon has lockers where you can store your belongings and cabins for changing into your swimwear. We also have recommendations to keep your personal items secure: Before rafting, you may leave your phone, camera, jewelry and other valuables on the bus or in waterproof bags. If you wish to smoke, please do so only during the designated breaks. Also, wearing appropriate footwear is crucial; open shoes like flip-flops are not safe on the raft or during off-road driving. If you don’t have water-resistant shoes, you can purchase special rafting shoes at the facility for a reasonable price. Our team will be ready to assist you with anything you need throughout the day (for example, adjusting your helmet or ensuring your child is seated safely).

In addition, a professional photography team will accompany the tour to capture your best moments. Your most exciting moments are recorded on photo and video. At the end of the day, you’ll get to watch these clips of you battling the rapids or driving through mud, and you can choose to buy any that you like. That way, you’ll have lasting mementos to remember this special day for years to come.

Who Can Participate?

This 2-in-1 adventure tour is suitable for just about everyone in reasonably good health. You don’t need to have done rafting or driven a buggy before; even if it’s your first time, you’ll get the hang of it quickly with our instructors’ guidance. Children aged around 5–6 and up can safely join the rafting portion under their parents’ supervision – in fact, this experience will likely become an unforgettable holiday memory for them. Being able to swim is a plus for rafting, but even non-swimmers can participate with life jackets on. Friends, families or solo adventurers can all come together on this tour and share lots of fun moments. Being part of a group boosts team spirit and even gives you a chance to forge new friendships.

However, we do not recommend this tour for pregnant women or guests with serious back, neck or heart conditions. The bumpy off-road ride and the river’s currents could pose a risk for these individuals. If you prefer a calmer activity in nature, you might consider an alternative like the Side Jeep Safari tour. That way, you can still enjoy a fun day with off-road vehicles, but with a more relaxed adventure that doesn’t involve water sports.

Tour Price and Booking

The price of the Side Buggy Safari and Rafting tour is per person. This rate includes round-trip hotel transfers, lunch, guiding services, and all required safety equipment. In short, everything you need for the day is included in the tour price. Moreover, during the riverside lunch break you can enjoy a delicious meal of grilled chicken, rice and salad to recharge – this meal is also included at no extra cost. Experiencing two of the region’s most popular activities in one go makes our tour a very budget-friendly choice. You’ll save time and also spend less compared to joining two separate tours for rafting and buggy.

Our tour is organized daily during the summer season, typically starting around 9:00 AM and finishing by about 5:00 PM. When you book, we will confirm the exact pickup time from your hotel based on its location. During peak season, spots can fill up fast, so it’s recommended to reserve your tour a few days in advance.

On this adrenaline-filled day, our professional team will be with you and all equipment will be provided by us. All you have to do is savor the adventure! If you want to experience an extraordinary day on land and water during your Side vacation, this combo tour is the perfect choice for you. We wish you lots of fun in advance!

If you’d like to enjoy off-road thrills with a different vehicle, the Side ATV Safari tour is another popular option in the region.