Rafting Koprucay Canyon from Side: Full-day adventure with lunch

Twelve hours on the water, from hotel to canyon and back

Full-day rafting in Koprucay Canyon National Park departing from Side, with hotel pickup, a local guide, all safety gear and lunch included. The rapids suit families with children from age 4 onward, and the guide handles the logistics so you focus on paddling. Moderate fitness is needed. Water shoes are recommended and available to rent on-site.

The experience

Twelve hours from pickup to drop-off means you spend most of the day on the water. The guide meets you at your hotel in Side, then drives to Koprucay Canyon National Park, where you suit up in a helmet and life jacket before pushing into the rapid currents. The canyon's water moves fast enough to feel it, but the guide reads the flow and positions the raft so the family stays together and safe. You paddle through the day in shifts, stopping for lunch partway through before heading back out onto the water.

What makes this work for families is the setup itself: the guide stays in control of the raft's line through each rapid, and you contribute the paddle work without needing to steer. Children from age 4 sit on an adult's lap in the boat, so a parent and child count as one seat. The guide speaks English, German or Russian depending on your group, and the National Park fees and all your safety gear are already paid for. Bring water shoes or rent them there. Either way, your feet stay protected on the rocky sections.

Lunch comes midday at a stop along the canyon, giving you a break before the second half of paddling. The full day is physically demanding (you need at least moderate fitness to paddle for hours), but the guide adjusts the pace if the group needs it. By the time the van drops you back at your hotel, you've covered the whole canyon and felt the current work against the raft.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Side.
• local guide in English, German or Russian.
• Koprucay Canyon National Park entry fees.
• helmet and life jacket for each paddler.
• lunch during the day.
• water shoe rental on-site if you need it.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00Last departure this season: 30 Nov

Book up to8h before

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

GroupUp to 27

Live guideEnglish, German and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tourmania

Is this one for you?Book this if you have children aged 4 and up: the guide steers while your group paddles together, keeping the pace steady for mixed ages and abilities across a full day.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, German and Russian.

Can children come?

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

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the water like in Koprucay Canyon when I'm rafting?

Koprucay Canyon has rapid water currents that move fast enough to feel the push against the raft, but the guide positions the boat through each section so the group stays stable. You paddle as part of the team rather than steering, which is why families with children can do this together.

Do I need to bring my own water shoes, or can I rent them?

Water shoes are recommended for comfort and safety on the rocky sections, but they're available to rent on-site if you don't have a pair. Either way, your feet stay protected during the day.

How does the guide handle the raft through the rapids?

The guide reads the water and controls the raft's line through each rapid while you paddle. You're contributing the paddle work as part of the team, not steering the boat yourself, which keeps everyone safe and lets families paddle together.

What's included in the full-day price from my hotel?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, the local guide, all National Park fees, helmet and life jacket, and lunch are all included. You pay one price and the logistics are handled. You just show up ready to paddle.