REVIEW · SIDE
Full-Day Rafting, Ziplining, Quad and Buggy Adventure from Side/Manavgat
Book on Viator →Operated by Excursion Market · Bookable on Viator
Whitewater, dirt bikes, and zip lines in one day is a lot. It’s also a smart way to get action on Turkey’s southern coast without planning every hour yourself. I like how the day mixes real rafting with overland fun, then tops it off with a quick zipline moment.
The best parts for me are the 15 km rafting run in Köprülü Canyon and the straightforward “do-it-all” structure that keeps moving. The price also feels hard to beat for an 8-hour day with transport, lunch, and multiple activities. One consideration: pickup timing can be messy if you’re expecting a perfectly precise 8:00 start, so build in some patience.
Here’s the core rhythm: you’ll get driven into the park, raft for about 2 to 2.5 hours, get a short swim window, eat lunch at Rapido Restaurant, then shift gears to quad/buggy and finish with ziplining. The exact order can change based on pickup waves and logistics between spots.
In This Review
- Key highlights to know before you go
- Entering Köprülü Canyon: why this itinerary makes sense
- Getting picked up in Side and Manavgat (and why timing matters)
- Rafting Köprülü: 15 km of fast water plus a short swim
- The rafting gear and shoe-cost trap
- Lunch at Rapido Restaurant: solid fuel between thrills
- Tazi Canyon quad safari and buggy ride: muddy fun, real-world chaos
- Ziplining after the mud: short flights with a change of pace
- Price and value: what $29.79 buys in an 8-hour day
- Who should book this and who should skip it
- What to bring so the day feels fun, not stressful
- My take: the right way to enjoy this Side adventure
- Should you book this full-day rafting, ziplining, quad and buggy trip?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- Is hotel pickup included?
- What activities are included in the full day?
- How long is the rafting part?
- How long does the quad safari last?
- How long does ziplining take?
- Is lunch included, and where do you eat?
- Are drinks included?
- Do I need to cancel due to weather or other issues?
Key highlights to know before you go

- Köprülü Canyon rafting: a 15 km run with big wet-water energy and a built-in swim window
- Lunch is included at Rapido Restaurant, so you’re not hunting food mid-adventure
- Quad and buggy time is scheduled for about an hour, with enough chaos to feel like a real excursion
- Ziplining is short (5–10 minutes), but it adds a different kind of thrill before you head back
- Bring the right gear: you’re going to get soaked and muddy, and there’s no wetsuit mentioned
Entering Köprülü Canyon: why this itinerary makes sense

Köprülü Canyon is the kind of place that earns its reputation. Even if you’ve done adventure tours elsewhere, this one feels like it’s built around the canyon itself, not just around selling activities. You get the main event first: whitewater rafting on a proper stretch of river.
From there, the day is designed to keep your energy up. You’re not stuck watching other groups for hours. You raft, grab lunch, then jump straight into quad/buggy time and finish with ziplining.
The order can shift. That’s normal for tours that also handle transfers and timing between attractions, so don’t treat the schedule like a train timetable. Instead, treat it like a full-day circuit where you’re constantly doing something.
Getting picked up in Side and Manavgat (and why timing matters)

Pickup starts at 8:00 am with roundtrip hotel transfer included. One practical detail: the company specifies your vehicle plate number the day before, which helps when you’re meeting in a busy area.
That said, real-world timing can wobble. Some guests reported waiting longer than expected, and it can get frustrating if you don’t see the bus when you expect it. I’d treat this as an “early but flexible” day: be ready at the pickup point, keep your phone available, and don’t plan anything tight right after.
Also note the language setup: the tour is offered in English, though on-the-ground communication can vary when your group is mixed. A good guide can smooth it out fast, and you’ll likely rely on the briefing more than you expect.
Rafting Köprülü: 15 km of fast water plus a short swim

Your raft day starts when you arrive at Köprülü Kanyon Milli Parki. The rafting itself runs about 2 to 2.30 hours covering roughly 15 kilometers, which is long enough to feel like a full experience, not a quick splash for beginners.
After the ride, you get 15–30 minutes to swim. That means you should think of this as water time all around. In practice, you’ll want a swimsuit under your clothes and a towel you don’t mind using quickly.
There’s an important gear reality here: there’s no wetsuit mentioned, so you’re dealing with cold-enough water and lots of getting wet. You’ll be happier if you wear closed-toe shoes and accept that your feet will probably feel it once you’re done.
One guest pointed out that closed-toe footwear matters, and another emphasized that the soaking is real. Plan your clothing like you’re preparing to come back looking like you just escaped a splash zone.
The rafting gear and shoe-cost trap

If you forget footwear, you might end up paying to solve the problem on-site. One traveler was charged 5 euros for shoe hire, so I’d rather avoid that surprise.
A simple strategy works: wear the kind of water-friendly closed shoes you already own. If you’ve got crocs or similar, you may be okay as long as they’re secure enough for wet walking, but the key is closed-toe, stable footing.
Expect safety equipment and life-saving gear to be provided. That’s included, along with insurance and a professional guide. Still, your comfort depends on you bringing something you can move in while wet.
Lunch at Rapido Restaurant: solid fuel between thrills

Between activities, you’ll eat at Rapido Restaurant. Lunch is included, and the food is generally described as good, which matters because you’ll be tired and damp.
This is also your chance to reset mentally. Rafting is physical. Quad and buggy rides are physical in a different way—more dust, more bouncing, more time with your body trying to stay in place.
One small but useful detail: some people leave belongings in the bus before you change and head out. You’ll likely be without your stuff for a while, so bring what you’ll need early (like a phone you can manage and a towel).
Tazi Canyon quad safari and buggy ride: muddy fun, real-world chaos

After rafting, you head to the park area for the quad safari portion, lasting about an hour. In some cases you might switch between quad and buggy options depending on how the group gets organized on the day.
This is where the tour gets appropriately messy. One traveler said buggy riding gets very dirty, and the advice was clear: wear old clothes you’re fine throwing away. A face scarf can also help if dust and spray annoy you.
Some extra safety/comfort ideas came up:
- sunglasses (good to have for dust and speed)
- possibly a mouth cover if you’re sensitive to grime
- a plan for drying off afterward, because you won’t be neat by the end
It’s also worth noting that group size can affect pacing. One guest said that getting changed and outfitted felt rushed, especially for kids. That’s not the ride itself being short so much as the “getting ready” window being tight.
Ziplining after the mud: short flights with a change of pace

Ziplining comes after the quad/buggy time and lasts only 5 to 10 minutes. That short window can feel almost too brief—but the value is that it changes the type of thrill you’re getting.
Instead of more water and more bouncing, you get a controlled view and a fast adrenaline hit. One person described the zip connection and encouragement to go quickly, and overall it was seen as fine even if it’s not the longest or most elaborate zip lineup you’ll ever do.
If you’re hoping for a slow, scenic skywalk, you might find it a bit fast. If you want variety and momentum, it fits.
Price and value: what $29.79 buys in an 8-hour day

At $29.79 per person for around 8 hours, this tour offers strong value if you want multiple activities in one package. You’re getting:
- roundtrip hotel transfer
- lunch
- rafting plus safety equipment and insurance
- quad & buggy
- ziplining
- a professional guide
The things that cost extra are predictable: drinks and photos/videos. One guest noted drinks priced at about 3 euros for a can, so if you want a beverage budget, plan for it.
Also, the time investment is real: you’re out most of the day. The “value” only works if you’re actually excited to be wet, dirty, and active. If you’re the type who wants a calm sightseeing day, this isn’t it.
Who should book this and who should skip it
This tour is a great fit if you:
- want a high-action day without planning transfers between separate vendors
- don’t mind getting wet and dirty
- can handle basic outdoor adventure logistics like changing on-site
It’s especially good for families where kids are old enough to enjoy active rides. One traveler went with an 11-year-old, and the rafting plus ziplining worked well for that age group. Another set of kids (11 and 15) also had a strong time with the rafting.
Skip it or adjust your expectations if you:
- hate uncertainty about exact pickup timing
- need a day with zero mess
- have mobility issues that make wet changing hard (the tour says most travelers can participate, but “can participate” doesn’t mean “comfortable for everyone”)
What to bring so the day feels fun, not stressful
From what’s been shared by people who did this, you’ll be happiest with:
- swimsuit under shorts and a t-shirt (so you can raft without awkward outfit changes)
- closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting soaked
- a towel
- old clothes for quad/buggy, plus something to dry up after
- a face scarf if you dislike dust
- a waterproof phone pouch if you care about photos
One very practical tip: you’ll want a “come back to the room” plan. Dry clothes waiting in your bag is the difference between a good day and a miserable end.
If you’re sensitive to cold water, pack accordingly. No wetsuit is mentioned, so don’t assume you’ll be warm and cozy.
My take: the right way to enjoy this Side adventure
If your ideal vacation includes a wet ride, a muddy ride, and a quick zipline payoff, this tour does exactly that. The mix of activities keeps the day from getting stale, and the included lunch is a real help when you’re burning energy.
Just respect the reality of the day: it’s active and it’s outdoor logistics. If you show up prepared, the itinerary feels like a bargain. If you show up in new clothes and expecting a polished, clockwork operation, you may not enjoy it.
Should you book this full-day rafting, ziplining, quad and buggy trip?
Yes, if you want one big action day from Side/Manavgat with rafting as the centerpiece, plus quad/buggy and ziplining. It’s also a smart choice if you’d rather pay one price and handle one pickup than coordinate separate activities.
I’d hesitate if you’re extremely time-sensitive about pickup or if getting wet and dirty is a dealbreaker. For most people, though, it’s the kind of tour you remember because you don’t just watch the scenery—you work for it, splash for it, and come back grinning.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The tour starts at 8:00 am.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Roundtrip hotel transfer is included. Pickup details include the vehicle plate number provided the day before.
What activities are included in the full day?
You’ll do rafting, quad & buggy, and ziplining, plus lunch.
How long is the rafting part?
Rafting takes about 2 to 2.30 hours and covers around 15 kilometers, followed by 15–30 minutes to swim.
How long does the quad safari last?
The quad safari portion is about 1 hour.
How long does ziplining take?
Ziplining lasts roughly 5 to 10 minutes.
Is lunch included, and where do you eat?
Yes, lunch is included, served at Rapido Restaurant.
Are drinks included?
No. Drinks are not included.
Do I need to cancel due to weather or other issues?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.









