Kemer has mountains on its doorstep, but the river our rafting tours use is a long way off. The Kemer Rafting Tour travels to Köprülü Canyon National Park, about two hours’ drive east and beyond Antalya, which makes it a full day of about ten and a half hours: pickup at around 07:30, back at around 18:00. Before you book, it helps to know where all those hours go. Here is the day step by step, followed by an honest look at whether it is worth the trip from Kemer – and what to do instead if it isn’t.
The day at a glance
- Around 07:30 – pickup. We collect guests in Kemer, Beldibi, Göynük, Kiriş, Çamyuva and Tekirova; the time for your hotel comes after booking.
- About two hours on the road. The minibus follows the coast east, passes Antalya and then climbs into the Taurus Mountains between Serik and Manavgat.
- Around 10:30–11:00 – the base near Beşkonak. Life jackets, helmets and paddles are handed out, and the instructors explain the commands.
- About 11:00–14:00 – on the river. Roughly 14 km of the Köprüçay with class II–III rapids – some 2–2.5 hours on the water, including swim and photo breaks.
- Lunch by the river. A buffet at a riverside restaurant; drinks are extra.
- From about 15:30 – the drive back west along the coast, reaching your hotel at around 18:00.
All times are approximate and can shift with traffic and the river level.
Two hours each way: making the drive easier
The transfer is the part of the day worth planning for. In total you spend around four hours in the minibus – longer than you spend on the water. A few things help:
- Go to bed early the night before and keep breakfast light, because the last stretch of road climbs into the mountains.
- If you tend to get car-sick, take the remedy you normally use and ask for a seat near the front.
- Put your swimsuit on under your clothes before you leave, so you are ready as soon as you reach the base.
- Bring a light top for the early morning and something to read or listen to on the way home.
On the Köprüçay
Once you reach the river, guests from Kemer get exactly the same rafting as everyone else: the route doesn’t change, only the transfer does. Every raft seats 8–12 paddlers and one instructor, who steers and shouts the strokes, so no experience is needed. The class II–III rapids bring plenty of waves and splashes, and along the way there are stops where you can get into the water and swim. After about 14 km you come ashore for a buffet lunch, usually grilled chicken, rice or bulgur, pasta, salads and fruit.
Shoe and wetsuit rental, waterproof phone pouches and photos or videos of your raft are sold at the base and are not included. For more about the river and the national park, read our Köprülü Canyon rafting guide.
Is it worth it from Kemer?
That depends on what you want from your holiday. We would say yes if:
- white-water rafting is high on your list and you are happy to give it a whole day;
- everyone in your group is at least 7 and comfortable in water (under-18s raft with a parent);
- you enjoy a long, active day and don’t mind an early alarm.
Think twice if you are travelling with children under 7, who cannot join; if you are pregnant, as rafting is not suitable; or if long drives make you unwell or your stay is short and already full. If you do go, put the rafting day in the middle of your holiday rather than straight after you arrive, and keep the next morning free. Rafting runs mainly from April to October; in November it goes ahead on some days, depending on water and weather.
Shorter alternatives near Kemer
If the drive puts you off, these trips give you water and mountains much closer to the hotels:
- The Kemer Jeep Safari stays in the mountains west of the resort, from 09:00 to about 16:00, and includes a swim and water fun in a cold mountain river, plus lunch with trout or chicken. Our Kemer jeep safari guide follows the route.
- The Kemer Zipline in Göynük Canyon is a half day close to the hotels: two lines and a suspension bridge about 40 metres high, and you are back by about 14:00.
If you like the idea of a day trip east but prefer calm water, the Kemer Green Canyon Boat Tour is a similar long day – pickup at around 07:30, back at around 18:00 – on the turquoise Oymapınar Dam lake, where the boat stops for swims and lunch and soft drinks on board are included. It is open to all ages. Planning both long days? Leave at least one quiet day between them.
What to pack
- Swimsuit (worn under your clothes), a towel and a complete change of dry clothes
- Water shoes or old trainers that stay on your feet in the river
- Water-resistant sunscreen and sunglasses with a strap
- Cash for drinks and the extras at the base
To book, use the tour page or message us on WhatsApp. There is no prepayment – the tour is paid in cash on the day – and cancelling costs nothing until 24 hours before the start. Every trip from the resort, long and short, is on the Kemer safari tours page.
