Buggy Safari + White-Water Rafting: One Big Day From Side
Fancy a day that throws two of the Taurus foothills' best adventures at you back to back? Our buggy safari and Köprülü Canyon rafting combo pairs a dusty, muddy off-road buggy blast with a cold, splashy run down the Köprüçay river. It's a proper full day out from Side and Manavgat, and because you drive a two-seat side-by-side buggy and then share a raft with a crew, it's brilliant for couples, mates and families who want the thrill without going it entirely alone.
You'll be picked up from your hotel, taken out to the trails, briefed and set loose on the buggy course, then moved on to the river for your rafting run. It's one booking, one day, two very different kinds of fun — and you pay the guide on the day, so there's no faffing about with prepayment.
How The Combo Day Flows
The day runs on a simple rhythm: buggy first, river second (the exact order can flex on the day depending on the river and group size). You get free hotel pickup in the morning, a short drive out towards the Taurus foothills, and then a safety briefing before either activity. Expect the whole thing — both activities plus all the transfers and a break to eat — to fill a full day, roughly morning until late afternoon. We won't pin a fake clock time on it because pickup depends on where your hotel sits along the coast.
Between the two activities there's usually a stop for lunch and a chance to dry off, swap stories and get your breath back. By the time you're dropped home you'll be pleasantly wrecked in the best possible way.
The Buggy Bit
You'll drive a two-seat side-by-side off-road buggy — think roll cage, proper seatbelts and a raised, planted stance built to eat rough ground. Two people share one buggy and take turns driving, so you swap between wheel and passenger seat as you like. The trails wind through dusty and muddy Taurus-foothill tracks with water crossings that will soak and splatter you, which is exactly the point.
Before you're let loose there's a briefing on the controls, hand signals and how to follow the lead guide, plus a short practice lap to get the feel of the throttle and steering. No licence is needed and helmets and gear are provided. Keep to the convoy, watch your spacing, and you'll be grinning through the mud in no time.
The Rafting Bit
The rafting takes place on the Köprüçay river inside Köprülü Canyon, one of Turkey's classic white-water runs. It's a friendly grade II-III — enough bounce, waves and splashy sections to get the adrenaline going, but manageable for first-timers with a river guide steering every raft. You'll paddle as a team through the canyon, past pine-clad slopes and the odd ancient Roman bridge, with calm stretches where you can catch your breath and take it all in.
One honest heads-up: the water is cold snowmelt off the Taurus mountains, so it's refreshing even in high summer. Your river guide runs a proper safety briefing before you push off — how to hold the paddle, how to sit, what to do if you go in — and hands out life jackets and helmets. Rafting season runs roughly April to October, when the river is up and running.
One Buggy, Two People — How Sharing Works
Each buggy seats two, side by side, and you take turns driving. That means you can bring a partner, a friend or an older child along and split the day between driving and riding shotgun. It keeps the price sensible, makes the whole thing more sociable, and means nobody has to sit out. If you're a solo traveller, let us know when you book and we'll do our best to pair you up or sort an arrangement.
On the river you're never alone either — every raft carries a trained guide and a full crew, so you're paddling as a team rather than fending for yourself. It's this shared, safety-first setup that makes the combo work so well for mixed-ability groups.
Who The Combo Suits
This one's for people who want maximum adventure in a single day: couples after a memorable outing, groups of friends, and active families. You don't need any off-road or rafting experience — the briefings, practice lap and guides cover everyone. For the rafting there are usually minimum age and health guidelines (it's cold, moving water), so if you're bringing younger children or anyone with health concerns, ask us first and we'll tell you honestly whether it's a fit.
If a river run isn't your thing but you still want more than one activity, take a look at our buggy, rafting and zipline combo for an extra dose of altitude, or keep it pure off-road with a Side buggy safari. Adrenaline hunters who want the lot can go for the buggy 4-in-1 adventure.
What To Bring
- Clothes you don't mind trashing — you'll get muddy on the buggy and soaked on the river
- A full change of dry clothes and a towel for after rafting
- Trainers or shoes that can get wet and stay on your feet (no flip-flops for rafting)
- Swimwear under your clothes, sun cream, sunglasses and a hat
- Some cash to pay the guide on the day, plus a little extra for lunch, drinks and photos
- A waterproof phone case if you want to snap the action yourself
Helmets, life jackets and the buggy itself are all provided, so you don't need to bring any specialist kit.
Free Hotel Pickup
We include free hotel pickup and drop-off across Side, Manavgat and the nearby resorts. When you book, just give us your hotel name and area and we'll sort the logistics. Pickup happens in the morning; the exact time depends on where you're staying along the coast, so we'll confirm the arrangement with you rather than quote a made-up clock time.
Booking — Best Price, Pay On The Day
Booking direct with us gets you the best price, with no prepayment required — you simply pay the guide on the day. That keeps things flexible and means your money stays in your pocket until the adventure actually happens. For live pricing and to lock in your date, send us your hotel and preferred day and we'll confirm availability. You can compare this combo against our full line-up on the tours page.
Quick FAQ
Do I need experience to do this combo?
No. The buggy comes with a briefing and a practice lap, and every raft has a trained river guide. Beginners do this combo all the time.
Do I need a driving licence for the buggy?
No licence is needed. Just follow the briefing and stay with the convoy.
Is the rafting scary or dangerous?
The Köprüçay run is a friendly grade II-III — lively but manageable, with a guide steering and full safety kit. It's exciting rather than terrifying, though the snowmelt water is genuinely cold.
When can I do the rafting combo?
Rafting runs roughly April to October, when the river is flowing. Outside that window the buggy safari still runs on its own.
How long does the day take?
Plan for a full day — around morning until late afternoon — including both activities, lunch and all transfers.
Do we really pay on the day?
Yes. Best price direct, no prepayment; you pay the guide on the day of the tour.
Ready to mud it up and get soaked in one go? Send us your hotel and date to book your buggy + rafting combo from Side — best price direct, pay on the day.