City of Side: Quad Safari Tour

The best part of this outing is the chance to ride a 250cc quad through and beside the Koprucay River, with Koprulu Canyon National Park around you. I like the cool swimming stop after the dusty first 10 km, and I like that hotel pickup, a helmet, a guide, and Allianz insurance are included.

The main catch is that the advertised four hours includes transport, preparation, and possible waiting. The actual ride may feel shorter, and busy periods can mean standing around while other groups take their test rides. Bring goggles, too. River dust is not kind to bare eyes.

Key points at a glance

• 20 km of guided riding: The route is split into two 10 km sections, with a swim break in between.
• River and canyon scenery: You ride around the Koprucay River near Koprulu Canyon National Park, one of Turkey’s best-known areas for outdoor sports.
• Hotel transfers included: Air-conditioned pickup and drop-off cover hotels in Side and nearby resort areas.
• Safety comes first: You receive driving instruction, a test ride, a free helmet, and Allianz insurance.
• Bring the right kit: Pack sunglasses or goggles, swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes. Bandanas, masks, sunglasses, and suitable shoes cost extra.
• Best for older children and adults: Anyone under 16 may only sit in the back seat of an ATV. The activity is not suitable for children under 3 or pregnant women.

From Side to the Koprucay River

Your day starts with pickup from your hotel in Side or one of the nearby resort areas: Titreyengol, Sorgun, Kumkoy, Evrenseki, Colakli, and Gundogdu. The transfer is by air-conditioned bus, which matters in Antalya Province, especially when the sun is strong and you have a dusty outdoor activity ahead.

The drive takes you away from the beach resorts toward Koprulu Canyon National Park. This is a useful change of scene. Side is known for its coast and ancient ruins, while the Koprucay area gives you river water, canyon walls, and a more rugged setting.

The total activity is listed as four hours, but do not read that as four solid hours on the quad. You spend part of the time on the bus, receiving instruction, getting fitted with equipment, waiting for your turn, and viewing the photos and video at the end.

Getting ready for a 250cc quad

On arrival, you receive a safety briefing explaining how to handle the quad bike. You also have a chance to test-drive it around the facility before setting out. That short practice is important, even if you have driven an ATV before. A quad is easy to understand, but steering, braking, and throttle control still need a few minutes to feel natural.

The bikes are 250cc all-terrain vehicles. That gives you enough power for a lively ride without turning the activity into a race. You are part of a guided group, so the route is controlled and the pace is set by the tour leader.

A helmet is included, and the bikes are insured by Allianz. Additional equipment is available to buy, including a bandana, mask, sunglasses, and suitable shoes. I would treat eye protection as more than a souvenir option. Dust from the track can make it hard to see, particularly when you are following another quad.

Wear clothes that can get wet and dirty. The supplied list is sensible: swimwear, sunglasses, a towel, and a change of clothes. You should not wear anything precious. The river section and dusty trail can leave you looking as if you have had a much longer adventure than four hours.

The first 10 km: dust, engines, and open space

The first part of the route follows a special circuit near the river. You drive for about 10 km before reaching the swimming stop. The route is designed for steady off-road riding rather than stunt work.

That point is worth understanding. You should not expect jumps, drifting, or a motocross course. The attraction is the steady run through nature, the sensation of controlling your own machine, and the changing views around the river and canyon. You can enjoy the speed, but you are expected to remain in line and follow the guide.

For some people, this is exactly right. You get the fun of a motorized outdoor activity without needing advanced driving skills. For others, the lack of big obstacles may feel tame. If you are hoping to perform tricks, this is not the right tour.

The ride can also feel repetitive at times. Much depends on how much you enjoy the simple rhythm of throttle, steering, dust, and scenery. I would choose it for the setting and the chance to ride beside the river, not for technical off-road challenges.

A cold swim beside the river

After the first 10 km, you stop for a swimming break. This is one of the most useful parts of the schedule, not just a pleasant extra. After riding in the heat and dust, cool water gives you a chance to wash off, catch your breath, and reset before the second half.

The water can feel cold, so do not expect a warm resort pool. That is also why it is refreshing. Bring a towel and spare clothes so you are not forced to sit through the return transfer in wet gear.

Keep your belongings simple. The supplied information does not describe a secure storage arrangement, so bring only what you need for the ride. Your phone, wallet, and other items are better left at the hotel unless the operator gives you clear instructions about storage.

The second 10 km around Koprucay

After the swim, you continue for another 10 km in and around the river. This second section gives you more time to settle into the quad. If the first circuit feels awkward, you should find the controls easier by now.

The scenery is the real reward. You are near turquoise river water, canyon country, and the forested setting of Koprulu Canyon National Park. The route also passes areas described as having ancient landmarks, though the activity is not an archaeological tour and you should not expect extended sightseeing stops at ruins.

The guide leads the group and keeps everyone moving together. That helps with safety, but it limits your freedom. You cannot simply turn off onto any path or set your own pace. The experience is guided outdoor fun, not an independent quad rental.

A useful practical point: the return leg may allow a faster pace, but you still need to ride within the group and follow the guide’s instructions. This is not a place to prove how fast you can go. The line system keeps the outing manageable and reduces the chance of collisions.

What the four-hour schedule really means

The tour is promoted as a four-hour activity, but the riding portion can feel closer to an hour, depending on transfers, preparation, group rotation, and the swimming stop. At a busy facility, you may wait while other teams complete their test rides and leave for the circuit.

That waiting is the biggest weakness for anyone who wants a tightly timed excursion. If you have a dinner booking, another paid activity, or a bus to catch, allow extra room after the stated end time. Hotel pickup and drop-off help, but traffic and group timing still matter.

The benefit of a shared schedule is price. At $32 per person, the tour includes transport, a 20 km guided ride, insurance, a helmet, and a swimming stop. Paying separately for a vehicle, transfer, guide, and insurance would usually be less convenient. The value is strongest if you are staying in Side and want an easy half-day outing without arranging transport.

The cost does not include food or drinks, so eat before pickup or bring what the operator allows. Do not count on the quad facility as a full refreshment stop. Extra equipment, photos, and video also cost more.

Hotel pickup from Side and nearby resorts

Pickup is included from hotels in the main Side resort belt. That covers Titreyengol, Sorgun, Side, Kumkoy, Evrenseki, Colakli, and Gundogdu.

This makes the tour especially convenient for package-holiday visitors who do not have a rental car. You do not need to find the river base yourself, and the air-conditioned bus gives you a break from the heat before and after the ride.

Pickup times vary, so check the available starting times when booking. The four-hour duration is fixed as a general guide, but the exact rhythm depends on your pickup point and the number of groups using the facility.

Guides can lead the activity in German, English, or Russian. You should confirm your preferred language when selecting a time, particularly if clear safety instructions are important to you.

Photos, video, and the return to the hotel

When you finish riding, the operator shows professional photographs and video footage taken during the route. These items are available to purchase. The footage can be a good record of the experience because quad riding leaves your hands busy and your camera safely tucked away.

Treat this as an optional extra, not part of the $32 price. If you are trying to keep costs down, you can enjoy the tour without buying anything afterward. If you want a picture of yourself riding through the river setting, this is likely to be your main chance.

After the viewing, you return to your hotel by air-conditioned bus. Plan to change before the ride home if you went swimming. A towel and dry clothes will make the final transfer much more comfortable.

Safety, age limits, and who should skip it

The tour includes a safety briefing, a practice ride, a guide, a helmet, and Allianz insurance. Those are reassuring basics, but you still need to take the rules seriously. Stay in line, listen to the tour leader, and avoid trying to overtake or perform stunts.

Anyone under 16 can only sit in the back seat of an ATV. The activity is not suitable for children under 3 or pregnant women. The supplied information does not give a minimum driving age beyond that passenger rule, so check directly if a teenager will be driving rather than riding as a passenger.

The tour suits adults, older teenagers who meet the operator’s rules, couples, and families with older children. It also works for anyone who wants a simple outdoor thrill without committing to a full-day rafting trip.

It is less suitable if you dislike dust, shared group rides, waiting, or wet clothing. It is also a poor match for anyone seeking a quiet nature outing. The engine noise and motorized route are central to the experience.

My practical packing list

I would bring:

• Sunglasses or, better, protective goggles
• Swimwear
• A towel
• A complete change of clothes
• Closed shoes that can get dirty, if you have them
• Only a small amount of cash for optional extras

The operator lists sunglasses, a bandana, a mask, and suitable shoes as extra equipment. You do not have to buy them, but eye protection deserves serious thought. Dust can sting and reduce visibility when another quad is ahead.

Pets are not allowed. The activity is also not designed for pregnant women or children under 3.

Is the $32 price good value?

Yes, if you want a convenient half-day adventure from Side. The price covers the parts that are often annoying to organize yourself: transport, the vehicle, insurance, basic safety equipment, an expert guide, and access to a marked route near Koprucay River.

The value is not quite as strong if you judge the tour only by driving time. The four-hour booking includes several non-riding stages, and busy days can bring a wait before your group gets moving. You should book it for the full package and setting, not because you expect four uninterrupted hours at the throttle.

The 4.5 rating from 71 submitted scores also suggests a generally positive experience, with the strongest praise focused on fun, duration, scenery, helpful staff, and reliable quads. The most useful caution is equally clear: protect your eyes, and expect a controlled ride rather than a stunt course.

Should you book the Koprucay quad safari?

I would book this tour if you are staying in Side, want a straightforward outdoor activity, and like the idea of riding through a river setting with canyon views. The hotel transfer and $32 price make it easy to fit into a beach holiday, and the swim stop keeps the experience from becoming only dust and engine noise.

I would skip it if you need a precisely timed schedule, dislike waiting, or want technical quad driving with jumps and drifting. For most people, the best approach is simple: wear old clothes, bring goggles and a towel, accept that the ride is guided, and enjoy the river setting rather than expecting a racing course.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Antalya plans are still moving around.

FAQ

How long is the City of Side quad safari?

The activity lasts four hours, including hotel transfers, preparation, the guided ride, the swimming stop, and the return process. The route itself covers 20 km.

How far do you ride on the quad?

You ride for a total of 20 km. The route is split into two 10 km sections, with a swimming break between them.

Where does the quad safari take place?

The tour runs in and around the Koprucay River near Koprulu Canyon National Park in Antalya Province, Turkey.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned bus are included from hotels in Titreyengol, Sorgun, Side, Kumkoy, Evrenseki, Colakli, and Gundogdu.

Is a helmet included?

Yes. A free helmet is provided. Bandanas, masks, sunglasses, and suitable shoes are available at an additional cost.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a change of clothes, and a towel. Protective goggles are a sensible choice because the route can be dusty.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

Can children join the quad safari?

Children under 3 are not permitted. Anyone under 16 may only sit in the back seat of an ATV.

What languages are available for the guided tour?

Guides are available in German, English, and Russian.