City of Side: Quad Safari Off-road with Transfer

The best part of this Side quad safari is the setting. You leave the resort strip behind and ride into the Taurus Mountains, along forest tracks, dusty paths, muddy patches, and rough ground with mountain views. It is not a sightseeing tour in the usual sense. You come for the feel of the machine, the open air, and the small thrill of steering through changing ground.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, since you do not need to arrange a taxi to a remote starting point. I also like the simple format: safety briefing, test ride, roughly 10 kilometers on the trail, a break, then another 10 kilometers back. The main drawback is the timing information. The activity is advertised as one hour, but the detailed schedule includes bus rides, two riding sections, and a 20-minute stop, which adds up to much longer. Confirm your exact pickup and return time before booking.

Quick reasons to consider this ride

• About 20 kilometers of ATV riding: Two trail sections take you through forests, dusty tracks, puddles, and mountain scenery.
• A summer swimming break: A 20-minute stop at a natural spot gives you a chance to cool off before the second ride.
• Beginner-friendly setup: You receive a briefing, helmet, and short test ride before entering the main trail.
• Pickup across the Side resort area: Service covers Side and nearby areas including Gundogdu, Colakli, Evrenseki, Kumkoy, Sorgun, Titreyengol, Kizilagac, Kizilot, and Çenger.
• Low advertised price: At $18 per person, the tour offers strong value if you want active outdoor fun rather than a polished sightseeing program.
• Photos are optional: The photography team takes pictures during the ride, but you pay only if you choose to buy them.

From Side hotels to the ATV base

Pickup takes place in front of your hotel’s main security gate. That detail matters in the large resort zones around Side, where drivers may not be allowed to enter hotel grounds or search for individual rooms. Be ready at the gate rather than waiting in the lobby.

The listed transfer time is about 35 minutes on the way to the Taurus Mountains and about 30 minutes on the return. The exact timing can vary by pickup point, since the service covers a wide run of resort areas. If you are staying in Gundogdu, Colakli, Evrenseki, Kumkoy, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengol, Kizilagac, Kizilot, or Çenger, pickup is included.

One timing problem deserves attention. The tour description gives a one-hour duration, but the schedule shows 35 minutes by coach, 45 minutes of riding, a 20-minute break, 50 minutes of riding, and 30 minutes back by coach. That detailed plan suggests a half-day style outing once pickup and return are included. I would not book it between two tightly scheduled activities. The early morning pickup has also caused confusion for at least one person who expected a 10 a.m. departure but was collected at 8:30 a.m. Confirm the pickup hour carefully.

Learning the ATV before the rough ground

At the base, you receive a short explanation of the route and basic safety instructions. Helmets are included, and you get a quick test ride before setting off. This is useful if you have never handled a quad bike, since the controls and steering feel different from a car or scooter.

The team speaks English, German, and Russian. Cem is one of the staff members named in connection with the operation, and the group is also known for its friendly dogs and fresh fruit offered before the mountain ride. Those small touches make the starting point feel more personal than a simple equipment yard.

You should still treat the briefing seriously. An ATV can feel easy on flat ground, but dusty tracks, puddles, slopes, and loose surfaces require steady steering. The format is designed for beginners, yet you should not expect to race. The guide sets the pace, and the group moves together.

Drivers must be older than 16. Children older than 3 may ride as passengers, but children under 3 are not accepted. Pregnant women should not book this activity.

The first 10 kilometers through forest and dust

The first riding section takes you into the Taurus trails for about 10 kilometers. Expect a mix of forest paths, dusty ground, mountain views, and off-road sections rather than a smooth road ride. The attraction is the change under your wheels. You may move from firm dirt to sand, puddles, or rougher ground within the same outing.

The ride gives you a closer look at the countryside around Side than you get from a hotel pool or standard coach excursion. You are not stopping at a long list of monuments. Instead, the scenery unfolds as you steer through the hills, with the sound of the quad and the trail itself providing most of the entertainment.

Dust is part of the bargain. So are dirt and, depending on conditions, mud. I recommend old clothes, closed and comfortable shoes, and sunglasses. The operator provides helmets, but bandanas and protective goggles are not included. You can buy those at the base if you want more cover for your face and eyes.

The route is guided, which helps keep the ride orderly and safer for mixed-experience groups. It also means this is not the place to set your own speed or break away for a private adventure. If you want a fast, competitive ATV course, this may feel controlled. If you want a supervised introduction to off-road riding, the pace is more suitable.

A 20-minute swimming break in summer

During summer, the tour includes a 20-minute swimming break at a natural spot in the mountains. This is a practical pause as well as a pleasant one. After dust, heat, and engine noise, a short swim lets you cool down before the second riding section.

Bring a towel and remember that swimming is a summer feature, not a guaranteed part of every departure in every season. The information provided does not identify the exact swimming location or say whether changing facilities are available, so wear something practical and keep your expectations simple.

The break is short. You have time to cool off and relax, not time for a long picnic or a full afternoon by the water. Drinks are not included, so carry money if you want to buy refreshments. The tour also lists a safe box as not included, so keep valuables to a minimum and ask the staff where they should be stored before riding.

The second 10 kilometers and the return to base

After the break, you set off for another 10-kilometer ATV section. This second run gives you more time to settle into the machine and enjoy the freedom of the trails. The route continues through mountain scenery and off-road ground before returning to the starting point.

For many people, this is the stronger part of the ride. The first section is spent learning the ATV, watching the guide, and getting used to dust and uneven ground. By the second section, you know how the machine responds and can pay more attention to the views.

The group pace remains important. One person who joined a group with a young child found the ride slower than expected. That is not necessarily a flaw, but it is worth considering. A mixed group can include first-time drivers, passengers, and children, so the pace may be gentle rather than thrilling. You will get more enjoyment from this experience if you value a shared outdoor ride over speed.

Photos, goggles, and the real cost

The $18 price is the biggest selling point. For that amount, you receive transport from your hotel, a guide, insurance, ATV riding, and a helmet. You do not need to pay separately for the main activity or arrange transport to the base.

The low price does not cover everything. Drinks, photos, bandanas, protective goggles, and the safe box are excluded. The photography team takes pictures during the ride, then shows them at the end. You can choose to buy the images you like, but there is no requirement to purchase them.

I would treat the photos as an optional souvenir rather than part of the tour cost. If you want pictures, wear something you do not mind getting dusty and ask how the photo selection works before leaving the base. If you would rather keep the price close to $18, skip the add-ons and bring your own sunglasses and towel.

Travel insurance is included, which adds useful protection to a motorized outdoor activity. Still, you should follow the guide’s instructions and tell the staff if you are uncomfortable with the machine or the route. Insurance does not make poor judgment a good idea.

What the experience feels like in practice

This is a straightforward, good-value adventure rather than a luxury excursion. The strongest elements are the access to the Taurus trails, the beginner briefing, the two riding sections, and the chance to cool off in summer. The friendly staff also matter. Cem and the wider team have earned praise for being welcoming, and the presence of dogs and home-grown fruit gives the base a relaxed, local feel.

The ride can be dusty, muddy, and physically tiring. You should expect to return with dirty clothes and possibly a face covered in dust if you do not buy a mask or bandana. That is part of the fun for some people, but it may not suit anyone looking for a clean, calm morning.

I would also allow extra time around the advertised schedule. The listed route includes a coach transfer in both directions, two trail sections, and a break. Pickup from the outer resort areas may take longer than pickup from central Side, so do not schedule this immediately before a flight, dinner reservation, or another timed tour.

Who should book this Side safari

I think this trip suits you best if you want:

• A low-cost outdoor activity near Side
• A first ATV experience with a guide and test ride
• Dusty forest trails instead of a paved sightseeing route
• A short summer swim stop
• Hotel pickup and return
• A relaxed group ride with English, German, or Russian support

It may not suit you if you want a private ride, high speed, or a tightly controlled one-hour outing. It is also a poor choice if you dislike dust, mud, heat, or motorized activities. Children under 3 and pregnant women cannot take part, while drivers must be at least 16.

You should bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses, and a towel. I would add clothes that can get dirty, although the required items listed for the tour do not specifically include spare clothing. Drinks are not included, so plan for that separately.

Should you book the $18 quad safari?

I would book this if you want an inexpensive burst of off-road fun and can accept a group pace. The price is hard to argue with when hotel transfers, insurance, a guide, ATV riding, and a helmet are included. The mountain setting gives the activity more character than a short ride around a purpose-built track.

Before paying, I would confirm two things: your exact pickup time and the expected total duration. The one-hour description does not match the detailed schedule, which includes roughly three hours and 20 minutes of stated transport, riding, and break time before any extra waiting or hotel pickups. Once that is clear, this is a sensible choice for active couples, friends, and first-time ATV riders who want dust, views, and a little mud without spending much.

FAQ

Where does the quad safari take place?

The ride takes place on off-road Taurus Mountain trails in Antalya Province, near Side. The route includes forest paths, dusty tracks, mountain views, and other rough ground.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in Side and the listed nearby areas. You should wait in front of your hotel’s main security gate.

How long is the activity?

The activity is advertised as one hour, but the detailed schedule lists about 35 minutes by coach, 45 minutes of riding, a 20-minute break, 50 minutes of riding, and 30 minutes by coach. Confirm the exact timing before booking.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English, German, and Russian.

What age must ATV drivers be?

Drivers must be older than 16. Children older than 3 may take part as passengers, but children under 3 are not accepted.

Is swimming included?

During summer, there is a 20-minute swimming break at a natural spot. Bring a towel. The exact location and available changing facilities are not specified.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, a tour guide, travel insurance, quad bike riding, and a helmet are included. Drinks, photos, bandanas, protective goggles, and the safe box are not included.