Rafting Köprülü Canyon from Side: whitewater adventure

Run a raft down a river most visitors to Turkey never see

Whitewater rafting on the Köprülü Canyon near Side is a 9-hour activity where you operate the raft through 14km of river, with a guide, all safety gear, lunch and hotel pickup included. The rapids are gentle enough for first-timers with no experience needed. Children from age 4 are welcome, and neopren suits and rafting shoes are available if you want them.

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel and a drive to Köprülü Canyon, where you'll get a safety briefing and gear up — lifevest, helmet and paddle are provided, and an English, German or Russian-speaking guide walks you through what comes next. The raft holds eight people, so you're in a small group, not a crowd. If you want something tougher than the standard run, a two-person canoe is available as an add-on and gives you a wilder ride.

Once on the water, you paddle through 14km of river flanked by towering cliffs and dense pine forest. The rapids are rated gentle, which is why beginners can do this without prior rafting experience — the guide handles the technical calls, and you do the paddling. Somewhere in the middle of the run, you'll pull over for a swim break and a complimentary lunch before heading back downstream to the takeout.

The whole outing takes nine hours from pickup to return, which accounts for the drive, the briefing, the 14km on water and the lunch stop. Travel insurance is included in the price. An air-conditioned vehicle brings you back to your hotel at the end.

What’s included

• Safety briefing and instruction from a live guide.
• lifevest, helmet and paddle.
• complimentary lunch during the swim break.
• travel insurance.
• air-conditioned vehicle pickup and return to your hotel.
• neopren suits and rafting shoes available as optional add-ons.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Side Tours Antalya

Is this one for you?Book this if you're willing to spend most of a day traveling to reach the canyon, rather than seeking a quick river experience closer to town — the gentle rapids suit swimmers with basic comfort in a raft.

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Top questions

What's the Köprülü Canyon like when you're actually on the water?

Köprülü Canyon is a river gorge with steep cliffs on both sides and pine forest covering the slopes — it's far from the busy tourist zones around Side, so the canyon stays quiet. You raft past these rock walls and forest the whole way down.

Do I need rafting experience to do this?

No experience is necessary. The rapids on this 14km run are gentle, which is why it's designed for beginners. Your guide gives you a safety briefing and shows you how to paddle before you launch.

What happens if I want to bring my four-year-old?

Children from age 4 are welcome on the raft. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. The operator notes the activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or pregnant travelers.

Is there a harder version if I want more of a challenge?

Yes — you can add a two-person canoe as an extra option, which gives you a wilder ride than the standard eight-person raft.

What gear do I get, and what should I bring?

Lifevest, helmet and paddle are provided. Neopren suits and rafting shoes are available as optional add-ons if you want extra warmth or grip. Bring a towel and a change of clothes for after.