Rafting and Buggy Safari from Side: Köprülü Canyon

You drive a buggy into mountain terrain, then paddle rapids you've never seen before.

Rafting and buggy safari from Side combines an off-road mountain ride with white water descent down Köprülü Canyon, led by certified guides who handle safety on both sections. The day runs 10 hours total with hotel pickup and drop-off included, lunch partway through, and all protective gear provided. Children from age 4 are welcome. Moderate fitness is needed for the rapids and the terrain.

Step-by-step itinerary

Buggy ride and rafting adventure

• Depart from Side
• Ride mountain buggy
• See local villages and mosques
• Raft down Koprulu River
• Experience white water rapids

The experience

The day starts with a buggy ride into the Taurus Mountains, where you navigate off-road terrain past local villages and mosques before reaching Köprülü Canyon. Once at the river, instructors fit you with a life vest, helmet and paddle, then guide the group down white water rapids. The Köprülü River is the main event here (you're paddling, not watching), and the instructors manage the technical parts while you do the work.

Lunch comes between the buggy section and the water, so you're refueled before the rapids. The 10-hour window includes travel time from your hotel in Side, the buggy ride, the rafting run and the return, which means this fills most of a day but leaves the early morning and late afternoon free. Bring water shoes or rent them on-site. They matter more than you'd think on the river.

What’s included

• Certified guides in English.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Side.
• buggy ride through the Taurus Mountains.
• white water rafting down Köprülü Canyon.
• lunch.
• life vest, helmet and paddle for the river section.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 32

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Tourmania

Is this one for you?The 10-hour commitment means you lose most of the day but keep your early morning and evening free, so this works if you want one major activity without filling every hour. Moderate fitness is required for both the buggy terrain and the rapids, and the physical demand rules out travelers with spinal or cardiovascular concerns.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years). Under 4: they can't be included in the booking.

What's the Köprülü Canyon like for someone who's never rafted before?

Köprülü Canyon has white water rapids that need attention and effort, but the certified instructors guide you through the technical sections and manage safety. The river is the draw (you paddle it yourself rather than ride along), so a moderate level of fitness helps, though children from age 4 can join with adult supervision.

How much of the day is actually spent in the buggy and on the water?

The full experience runs 10 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, which includes the buggy ride through the mountains, the rafting run down the canyon, lunch, and travel time. The actual time on the river and in the buggy makes up most of that, leaving your early morning and evening free for other plans.

What do I need to bring, and what's provided?

Life vest, helmet and paddle are all included, along with lunch. Water shoes are highly recommended for grip and safety on the river. You can rent them on-site if you don't have your own. Bring a change of clothes and a towel since you'll get wet.

Is this suitable if I have a back or heart condition?

The activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health, since both the buggy ride and the rapids involve physical demand and impact. Talk to your doctor or the operator before booking if you have concerns about either.

Can I buy photos of the day?

Photos are available for purchase on-site, so you can capture the buggy and rafting sections if you want them.