Side Quad & Rafting Combo: Two Adventures, One Dusty Day
If you only have one day to spare and you want to squeeze every last drop of adrenaline out of it, this is the ride for you. The Side quad and rafting combo pairs a proper off-road ATV safari through the Taurus foothills with a churning white-water run down the Köprülü (Koprucay) river — two completely different adventures, stitched together into a single day, with one free hotel transfer to link it all up. You get the dust, the mud and the throttle of a quad safari in the morning, then the spray, the paddling and the cool river rush of grade II-III rafting to wash it all off. It is the best-value way to do both, and you book it direct with no prepayment — reserve free online and pay the guide on the day.
What the Day Feels Like
The day begins with a free pick-up from your hotel around Side, Manavgat, Kumköy, Colakli, Titreyengöl or Evrenseki. Once everyone is aboard, you head inland, away from the coastline and up into the pine-covered Taurus foothills where the roads turn to dust and the air smells of woodsmoke and river water.
You will tackle the two activities across the day — typically quad first and rafting after, or the other way round depending on the schedule — with a relaxed break in between for lunch and a breather. We won't pin an exact clock time on any of it because pick-ups are staggered by hotel and the river run is timed with the water; expect a full day out, morning until a few hours later in the afternoon, back at your hotel by evening.
The Quad Safari Leg
You ride your own single-seat ATV — no sharing, no passenger seat, just you and the machine. Every safari opens with a hands-on safety briefing and a practice lap on flat ground so you can find the throttle, brake and steering before the real trails start. Helmets and goggles are handed out; there is and no experience required. You are welcome either way. Confident riders take the controls, and anyone who would rather not drive rides the same trail as a passenger without paying a penny more.
Once you are confident, a lead guide sets the pace out front while a sweep guide follows at the back, so nobody gets left in the dust. The route rolls through:
- Dusty forest tracks winding between the pines
- Churned-up mud sections that get gloriously messy
- Shallow water crossings and splashy puddles
- Open stretches where you can open the throttle a little more
And, as is tradition on these off-road runs, the ride often finishes with a full-on water fight — so by the time you climb off the quad you are already halfway soaked and grinning.
The White-Water Rafting Leg
The rafting takes place on the Köprülü / Koprucay river, one of the finest rafting rivers in Turkey, running at grade II-III — lively enough to be a genuine thrill, forgiving enough for first-timers and families. You are kitted out with a life jacket and helmet, briefed by a professional rafting guide who rides in the boat with you, and then you paddle as a team through:
- Bouncy rapids and rolling waves
- Calm emerald pools where you can float and, if you fancy, jump in for a swim
- A gorge of towering pine-clad canyon walls
The water is cold and clean straight off the mountains, which after a hot, dusty quad ride feels absolutely brilliant. If you love the sound of stacking activities like this, take a look at the wider range on our Side combo tours page, or push it even further with the three-in-one quad, rafting and zipline combo.
Who It Suits — and Beginners
This combo is built for people who want variety and value, not just one activity. It suits couples, groups of mates, and active families who want a big shared day out. Both legs are genuinely beginner-friendly: the quad practice lap and the guided pace mean you don't need to have ridden before, and the grade II-III rafting is a great introduction to white water.
A few honest notes. You should be reasonably fit and comfortable getting wet and muddy. Children can usually join the rafting depending on age and water level, and there is often a minimum age for driving your own quad — so if you are travelling with younger kids, mention their ages when you book and we will confirm exactly what works. If you would rather do just one of the two, our standalone Side quad safari is always there.
What to Wear and Bring
You are going to get dusty on the quad and drenched on the river, so dress for the mess:
- Old clothes and trainers you don't mind ruining — closed shoes that can get wet, never flip-flops for the quad
- A full change of dry clothes and a towel for after the rafting
- Swimwear worn underneath
- Sunscreen, and a strap for glasses if you wear them
- A little cash for lunch, drinks, photos and to pay the guide on the day
Leave phones, wallets and anything you would hate to lose either at the hotel or in a dry bag — the mud, water and rapids show no mercy. Sunglasses are handy for the drive but the quad goggles do the real eye-protection work.
Free Hotel Pick-Up & Drop-Off
Transfer both ways is included free from hotels across the Side region — one comfortable transfer covers the entire day and links the quad base and the rafting river together, so you never have to sort your own travel. Just give us your hotel name when you book and the team handles the logistics.
Safety and Gear
Both activities are run by experienced local guides with the proper kit. On the quad you get a helmet and goggles plus that essential briefing and practice lap; a lead and sweep guide keep the group together on the trail. On the river you get a life jacket, helmet and a guide in every raft giving clear paddle commands. Follow the briefings, keep to the pace the guides set, and you can throw yourself into it with total confidence.
Booking — Best Price Direct, Pay on the Day
Booking direct with us is the cheapest way to do it and the easiest. There is no prepayment: you reserve your spot free online, we confirm your pick-up, and you simply pay the guide on the day. You will always get the live, best price direct — no middleman mark-up. See the current rate and grab your date on our tours page.
Quick Questions
Do I need experience for either activity? No. The quad starts with a briefing and practice lap, and the grade II-III rafting is beginner-friendly with a guide in your boat.
How long is the day? It is a full day out — morning pick-up, back at your hotel a few hours later in the afternoon or early evening. Exact timings depend on your hotel and the river schedule.
Will I get wet and muddy? Absolutely — that is the whole point. Mud and water crossings on the quad, a soaking on the river, and often a water fight to finish. Bring dry clothes.
How do I pay? Reserve free online with no prepayment and pay the guide directly on the day, at the best price direct.
What if I want even more? Add a canyon zipline with the three-in-one combo, or browse other pairings on our combo tours page.
Ready to ride and raft? Reserve your Side quad and rafting combo now — free to book, no prepayment, pay the guide on the day. Grab your date on our tours page and get set for a full day of dust, mud and white water.