A quad safari in Side is an adventure activity — and we run every departure on a fixed safety system: a professional briefing at our base, a supervised test drive for every driver, a helmet for every guest, and experienced guides riding at the front and the back of the group to control the pace. The track through the Taurus foothills behind Side is the route our team rides every day — we know every corner and every mud pit on it. The Side Quad ATV Safari costs €25 per adult and €15 per child, takes about 3 hours door to door with free hotel pick-up, and booking is free online — you pay on the day of the tour.
Here is how that system works, what the terrain is really like, and who should drive versus ride as a passenger — from the team that runs these tours every day.
Our Safety System, Step by Step
Every departure follows the same four steps, whether it is your first time on a quad or your fiftieth.
| Step | What happens | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Safety briefing | Our guides explain throttle, brakes, riding position, following distance and the hand signals used on the track | Everyone starts with the same clear rules |
| 2. Helmet fitting | Every guest gets a helmet, included in the price | Head protection on dusty, muddy forest tracks |
| 3. Supervised test drive | Every driver rides a practice loop at the base under our guides' eyes | We see how you handle the machine before the off-road ride |
| 4. Guided convoy | Guides ride at the front and back of the group — max 40 guests — and set the pace | The group stays together; nobody is pushed faster than they want |
The supervised test drive is the heart of the system. Guests who handle the machine confidently ride as drivers; anyone who prefers not to drive joins as a passenger and enjoys the same track. No pressure either way.
The Terrain, Honestly
We will not pretend the route is a paved park lane. Expect roughly 1.5 to 2 hours of actual driving on forest tracks in the Taurus foothills: dust clouds behind the machine ahead, mud pits that splash to your shoulders, and water-splash stops where getting soaked is the whole point. That is why every guest wears a helmet, and why we tell everyone to bring a complete change of clothes — the base has changing cabins and showers. Protective goggles and bandanas are available at the base as paid extras.
Managing that terrain with zero experience is exactly what the test drive is for — see our honest guide on whether beginners can drive a quad or buggy in Side.
Who Drives — and Who Rides as a Passenger
- Drivers must be at least 16 and show ID at the base.
- Driving is decided by skill: on the supervised test drive our guides see who is confident on the machine. Confident guests drive; everyone else is welcome as a passenger.
- Passengers join from age 6, securely belted — in the two-seater buggy the passenger sits belted next to the driver inside a roll cage.
- Guests with back or neck issues should ride as passengers — the terrain is bumpy by design.
A quad is a single-rider ATV: one machine per driver, handlebar throttle, full control. If you would rather share a machine, the buggy with its steering wheel and seat belts is the natural choice — compare all machines and routes on our quad safari in Side overview.
Heat, Rain and Mud: Dress for the Day
The route runs in real summer heat, and after rain the mud pits get noticeably deeper — both are part of the experience, so dress accordingly: closed shoes you do not mind ruining, light clothing, and that change of clothes. Drink water before the tour on hot days; expect deeper mud and bigger splashes after rain.
Practical Details
- Price: €25 per adult, €15 per child; infants free.
- About 3 hours door to door, with roughly 1.5–2 hours of riding.
- Free hotel pick-up and drop-off on the Side coast: Side centre, Kumköy, Evrenseki, Çolaklı, Gündoğdu, Sorgun and Titreyengöl. Morning or afternoon session — exact time confirmed at booking.
- Included: safety briefing by professional guides, supervised test drive, helmet, changing cabins and showers at the base.
- Paid extras at the base: goggles, bandanas, food and drinks, professional photo/video service.
- Booking is free online — you pay on the day of the tour.
For the full day from pick-up to drop-off, read what happens on a quad safari in Side, hotel to hotel.
FAQ
Do I need any experience to join a quad safari?
No. The briefing and the supervised test drive exist so first-timers can start from zero. Our guides watch every driver on the practice loop; if you handle the machine confidently you drive, and if you would rather not, you join as a passenger on the same track.
What if I fall behind the group on the track?
You will not be left behind. Guides ride at the front and the back of every group and control the pace, so the convoy moves at a speed the whole group can hold, with stops along the way.
Can my children come along?
Yes — children join as securely belted passengers from age 6; a child ticket costs €15. To drive, a guest must be at least 16 and show ID at the base.
I have a back problem — can I still take part?
Join as a passenger rather than a driver. The tracks are bumpy by design, so guests with back or neck issues get the fun of the ride without absorbing the bumps through the handlebars.
Ready to see the Taurus foothills the fun way? Book the Side Quad ATV Safari free online — no prepayment, you simply pay on the day of the tour at the base.