Belek rafting begins with a short drive. Köprülü Canyon National Park is closer to Belek than to any other resort on this coast, about 45–60 minutes by road, so your day starts at a civilised 09:00 and most of it is spent on or beside the Köprüçay river rather than in a minibus. This guide follows the day from Belek, explains the choice between rafting and zipline and rafting, and covers who the river suits and what to pack.
Why the canyon is so close
Belek belongs to the Serik district, and Köprülü Canyon lies in the Taurus Mountains between Serik and Manavgat. The road leaves the coastal plain and climbs inland to the rafting bases around Beşkonak, where the Köprüçay runs through the canyon. The national park also protects Oluk Köprüsü, a historic Roman stone bridge across the river.
What the short transfer means for you:
- A later start: pickup at 09:00, after breakfast rather than before it.
- Less time on the road: roughly 1.5–2 hours of driving in total, there and back.
- A free evening: you are back at your hotel at about 17:00.
The rafting day from Belek
- 09:00 – hotel pickup in Belek, Kadriye, Boğazkent or Serik. The exact time for your hotel is sent after booking.
- Equipment and briefing. At the base, usually around 10:30–11:00, you are given a life jacket, a helmet and a paddle, and the instructors teach the paddle commands.
- On the water, roughly 11:00–14:00. About 14 km of class II–III rapids: 2–2.5 hours of paddling, with stops to swim in calm stretches and take photos. Each raft carries 8–12 people and always an instructor.
- Riverside lunch. A buffet at a restaurant on the bank; drinks are extra.
- About 17:00 – back at your hotel. The return transfer leaves the canyon in the afternoon.
Rafting or zipline and rafting?
From Belek you can book the river on its own or together with a zipline at the base. Both tours keep the same timetable, transfer and lunch.
- Belek Rafting Tour: the classic day on the Köprüçay. A sensible choice for beginners, mixed-age groups and anyone who does not like heights.
- Belek Zipline & Rafting: the same river day plus a ride on a short line over or alongside the river, usually a few hundred metres long depending on the base. You wear a harness, an instructor clips you in, and the ride comes before or after the rafting.
The zipline adds a few minutes in the air rather than a second activity of equal weight, so choose it for the extra thrill, not for a longer programme. Both tours start at 7 years, with a child ticket for ages 7–11.
Who the river suits
- Beginners: no experience is needed. The instructor sets the rhythm, and class II–III rapids are suitable for first-timers.
- Non-swimmers: swimming is not required, as the life jacket keeps you afloat, but you should feel comfortable in water. Life jackets and helmets are compulsory for everyone.
- Families: children can join from 7, and under-18s raft with a parent. Our guide to safari tours with children sets out the age rules for every kind of tour.
- Not suitable for pregnant guests. If you have another health condition and are unsure, ask us before booking.
What to pack for the river
- A swimsuit worn under your clothes
- Shoes that stay on when wet, or rent rafting shoes at the base
- A towel and a full change of clothes for the ride back
- Water-resistant sunscreen
- Cash for drinks and for the extras at the base: shoes, wetsuits, waterproof phone pouches, photos and video
The season runs mainly from April to October, and on some days in November when water and weather allow. On cooler days in spring and autumn, a wetsuit from the base is worth the extra.
Prefer calm water? Green Canyon from Belek
If the rapids are not for everyone in your group, or your children are under 7, the Belek Green Canyon Boat Tour offers a quieter day on the water. The transfer runs east along the coast and up into the mountains north of Manavgat to the lake of the Oymapınar Dam. There you cruise for about two to three hours between forested canyon walls, with one or two swim stops. Lunch and soft drinks on the boat are included, there are tickets for infants and children, and the day runs from 08:30 to about 16:30.
For drive times from other resorts and more background on the river, see our Köprülü Canyon rafting guide. Every trip that starts from your hotel is on the Belek safari tours page. Booking needs no prepayment, you pay in cash on the tour day, and you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours ahead.
