REVIEW · SIDE
From Side: Rafting w/ Zipline, Quad, Jeep Safari & Lunch
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Timur Travel · Bookable on GetYourGuide
One great canyon day is hard to plan. This one bundles rafting, zipline, and off-road rides into a single 9-hour hit in Köprülü Canyon National Park. I like that you can choose your mix of activities, so the day matches your energy level. One thing to consider: the included transfer can be a bit chaotic, so build in patience.
The rafting here is the star. You’ll gear up with provided safety kit, ride the Köprüçay River rapids, then cool off in the cold, clear water during calmer stretches. I also love the zipline portion for the simple reason that you get canyon views while everyone else is still getting muddy. The possible drawback is logistics: if you’re counting on a specific language during transfer, don’t assume it will be perfect.
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll feel immediately
- Getting There from Side: The Transfer Part That Matters
- Rafting the Köprüçay River: Rapids, Cold Water, and a Real Reset
- What makes the rafting base feel different
- Zipline Across the Canyon: Views While Everyone Else Is Recovering
- Quad Bike or Buggy: Mud Trails You Can Actually Feel
- Clothes to wear for the off-road parts
- Open Jeep Safari: Rocky Paths, No Chill, Great Photos
- Lunch After the Work: What You’ll Eat and What to Budget
- Drinks are extra
- Timing and What Can Shift During the Day
- Price and Value: Why It’s Often a Good Deal at $28
- Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)
- Quick packing list that saves your day
- Should You Book This Tour?
- FAQ
- What’s the total duration of the tour?
- How much rafting do I get?
- Can I choose only some activities?
- Do I need to bring swimwear and a towel?
- Is lunch included, and what’s it like?
- Are drinks included with lunch?
- What equipment is provided for rafting?
- Are there age rules for quad biking?
- Is hotel pickup included, and where do I wait?
- Can I cancel for a refund?
Key highlights you’ll feel immediately
- 14 km rafting option when you book just rafting (other activities shorten the raft time)
- Cold river swim break during calmer parts of the river
- Zipline seat over the canyon for a fast, scenic aerial moment
- Quad or buggy mud-and-rock routes that feel like real off-road travel
- Open jeep safari that mixes rocky tracks with photo chances
- Buffet lunch after the mess, with drinks sold separately
Getting There from Side: The Transfer Part That Matters

Most tours like this start with an air-conditioned pickup, and this one does too. Expect a shared transfer from your hotel area, then a drive to Köprülü Canyon National Park. The tour duration is listed as 9 hours, but that includes transfer time and can vary based on where you’re staying.
Here’s the practical bit: if your hotel is farther from the park, the journey may take over 1 hour. That means comfortable shoes and a little mental buffer help a lot. One traveler experienced a rough version of this—shuffled between multiple buses and long roadside stops before finally reaching the base—while the rest of the day ran smoothly once activities started. So think of the transfer as the biggest “wild card” in the whole program.
Language-wise, the instructor team includes Arabic, English, French, German, Russian, and Turkish. But language can vary by role. If you’re booking for a German-language experience, I’d treat the transfer drivers as an extra unknown, even if an option exists.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Side
Rafting the Köprüçay River: Rapids, Cold Water, and a Real Reset

Rafting is why most people book this day, and the canyon does not disappoint on sheer water energy. When you choose rafting as your only main activity, the tour describes a full 14-kilometer run on the Köprüçay River. If you add zipline, quad, buggy, or jeep, the rafting distance is slightly reduced so the schedule can fit everything.
What you should expect on the water:
- You’ll get helmet and life jacket gear as part of the package.
- You’ll be led by an instructor who manages the route and safety instructions.
- You’ll hit a mix of fast rapids and calmer stretches.
The best “cool down” moment comes during the calmer sections. You’ll have a chance for a swim break in cold, crystal-clear river water. Bring a towel and swimwear, because “wet” is basically part of the uniform for this day.
One very helpful detail from real-world experience: expect to get soaked more than you think. Some rafting guides are more playful than cautious. A tossed-in moment can happen, and once it does, you’ll be glad you’re in old clothes and not your best summer shirt.
What makes the rafting base feel different
The vibe at the rafting base can make or break your mood. One standout named Oskar earned high praise as a friendly, cheerful guide who explained everything and took good care of the group. If you’re lucky enough to match with him, you’ll likely feel more relaxed right before you hit the water.
Zipline Across the Canyon: Views While Everyone Else Is Recovering

After the river, your brain is probably still loud from adrenaline. That’s exactly why zipline is a smart pairing here.
The zipline setup is described as a specially designed seat attached to a sturdy metal wire, gliding across the canyon from one side to the other. This is the moment you slow down just enough to see the bigger picture: the canyon walls, the river below, and the scale of the natural park.
A practical note: the zipline is typically scheduled later in the day. One person who did four activities said the finish included two medium-sized zip lines, which is a good size for most people—enough to feel like a real ride, not so long that your timing gets tight.
Quad Bike or Buggy: Mud Trails You Can Actually Feel

If your idea of fun includes getting dirty on purpose, this is your stop. You can choose a quad bike or buggy safari (both are listed as part of the experience when selected).
The route description is straightforward: you’ll move along rugged mountain trails, and expect rocky and muddy paths with splashes. It’s not a “sit and watch” ride. You’re navigating uneven ground and dealing with the fact that mud is not a guest, it’s the host.
Age rules matter here:
- To drive a quad, you must be 18+
- Passengers can be younger, but you need an adult in each car
That rule affects families and friend groups. If you’re traveling with teens, double-check who’s driving before you arrive at the base, so you don’t get stuck waiting for the schedule to match rules.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Side
Clothes to wear for the off-road parts
Old clothes are the move. Plan for mud, water, and smells that need washing later. Waterproof footwear helps, and if you have water shoes, this is the day to use them.
One more caution: some people mention borrowing extra items can come with charges. So if you’re relying on borrowed gear, ask what’s included versus what’s paid on the spot.
Open Jeep Safari: Rocky Paths, No Chill, Great Photos

The jeep portion is built for people who like movement without the full responsibility of driving a quad. It’s described as an open jeep safari where you travel through rocky and muddy mountain paths.
This ride is less about precision and more about holding on while the vehicle finds a line through rough terrain. A real caution from past experience: hold on tight—one rider described it as so intense that you should prepare like you mean it, so you don’t fall out.
The good side: you’ll get scenic views and photo opportunities, especially because open jeeps let you turn your camera toward the action.
Lunch After the Work: What You’ll Eat and What to Budget

After you’ve rafted, zipped, and chased dirt, hunger hits fast. Lunch is a buffet and is included in the price.
The buffet described includes items like:
- bread rolls
- pasta
- rice
- chicken
- salads (and grilled chicken is also referenced)
This is solid post-adrenaline food. It’s not gourmet, but it’s dependable and enough to fuel the rest of the day (or a ride back that feels longer than it should).
Drinks are extra
Drinks are not included. That’s an easy thing to miss when you’re counting value. If you want water or soft drinks, plan on paying separately. If you’re the type who gets cranky when dehydrated, add that cost into your mental budget.
Timing and What Can Shift During the Day
This tour runs about 9 hours, and it’s designed to fit multiple activities into one schedule. Even if the plan looks smooth on paper, timing can shift because:
- rafting weather and water conditions matter
- off-road rides can take time depending on group flow
- you may wait briefly if other groups are finishing earlier segments
One practical tip: if you’re doing more than one activity, don’t plan a tight next booking right after this. Give yourself a buffer. Your clothes will be wet and your brain will want downtime.
Price and Value: Why It’s Often a Good Deal at $28
At $28 per person, the value is mostly about bundling. You’re getting:
- hotel pickup and drop-off
- buffet lunch
- equipment (helmet and life jacket)
- an instructor
- and the activities themselves (zipline, buggy, quad, jeep) when selected
That’s a lot packed into one day, especially for a place like Köprülü Canyon where logistics alone can chew up time and cash. The main “value leak” is what you add on:
- drinks
- photo/video packages
- personal expenses
If you want the action and you’re comfortable with getting wet and muddy, this price can feel fair—almost like a bargain—because you’re paying once for a full day program.
If you’re more cautious and want minimal mess, you might feel the cost less worth it once you factor in extra items, borrowed gear charges (if you need them), and the reality that you’ll be washing off canyon day grime later.
Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)
This day suits you if you want one organized trip that checks boxes:
- rafting adrenaline
- a zipline view moment
- off-road riding (quad or buggy)
- and an open jeep drive with photo chances
It’s also a good fit for mixed groups. Some people love the rapids; others prefer the off-road; and the zipline keeps things from feeling repetitive.
You might consider a different option if:
- you hate waiting around (because schedules can shuffle)
- you’re very sensitive to getting wet
- you need strict language matching for every part of the day (transfer roles may not match your expectations)
Quick packing list that saves your day

You’ll be happier if you go in prepared. Plan for:
- comfortable old clothes you don’t mind ruining
- swimwear for rafting
- a towel
- waterproof shoes or at least shoes that can handle water and mud
If you bring a change of clothes for the ride back, you’ll feel human again when you get dropped off.
Should You Book This Tour?
I’d book this tour if you want an action-packed Köprülü Canyon day where the work and the payoff are both real. The best part is the combination: rafting gives you water intensity, zipline gives you canyon views, and quad/buggy/jeep gives you the dirt-and-rock thrill.
I’d think twice if your priority is a calm, tightly controlled experience. The transfer can be the weak link, and the day can involve waiting and getting wet no matter what. But once you’re on the activity side of the schedule, the program has a strong “keeps moving” feel—and guides can make a big difference, including at the rafting base with praised support like Oskar.
If you go in ready for mud, water, and a full day, this is one of those trips that tends to feel worth every minute.
FAQ
What’s the total duration of the tour?
The duration is 9 hours, and it includes transfer time. Your pickup and timing can vary depending on where your hotel is located.
How much rafting do I get?
If you choose rafting only, you’ll ride a full 14 kilometers on the Köprüçay River. If you add other activities, the rafting distance is slightly reduced to fit the rest of the program.
Can I choose only some activities?
Yes. You can tailor your day by selecting the activities you want. Zipline, buggy, quad, and jeep safari are included only if you pick those options.
Do I need to bring swimwear and a towel?
Yes. You’re advised to wear comfortable, changeable clothes for water activities, and to bring a towel and swimwear for rafting.
Is lunch included, and what’s it like?
Lunch is included as a buffet. The food described includes items such as bread rolls, pasta, rice, chicken, and salads.
Are drinks included with lunch?
No. Drinks cost extra, so it’s smart to budget for them.
What equipment is provided for rafting?
You’ll get the necessary safety equipment, including a helmet and life jacket.
Are there age rules for quad biking?
To drive a quad bike, you need to be 18+. Passengers can be younger, but you need an adult in each car.
Is hotel pickup included, and where do I wait?
Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Pickup is optional, and you should wait outside at the hotel’s main entrance about 5 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.
Can I cancel for a refund?
Yes. There’s free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.




























