Manavgat quad and buggy safaris have a practical advantage: you don’t have to travel far to get dirty. The tracks lie in the forested foothills along the Manavgat River, close to town, so a trip of about four hours gives you roughly 1.5–2 hours at the controls without a long transfer. This guide explains how the Manavgat Quad Safari and the Manavgat Buggy Safari run, which group to choose, how the two vehicles differ and which rules apply.
Where you ride
After pickup, the transfer heads inland to the riding base in the Taurus foothills. From there the tracks follow the Manavgat River through the forest: dry and dusty in places, muddy where they meet the water, and with river crossings that soak the wheels and usually the riders too. The guide leads the convoy at a pace the whole group can manage and stops for a breather and photos. Riding time is about 1.5–2 hours; the rest of the four hours goes on the transfer, the briefing and a short break. After heavy rain, or whenever conditions are unsafe, the trip can be moved to another day.
Three groups a day
- Morning group (09:00 to about 13:00): cooler air in summer and the afternoon free.
- Midday group (13:30 to about 17:30): a slow morning at the hotel first; in high summer, bring extra water.
- Sunset group (15:30 to about 19:30): evening light on the tracks, and you are still back for dinner.
The exact pickup time depends on where your hotel is – Manavgat town, Ilıca, Kızılağaç, Kızılot, Hacıobası or Çenger – and is sent to you after booking. Because the whole trip fits into half a day, it slots easily between beach days or ahead of a longer canyon tour later in the week.
Quad or buggy?
On a quad you sit astride, steer with handlebars and lean into the bends; it is the more physical, open-air ride. A buggy has a steering wheel, pedals and seat belts and feels closer to a small car – steadier on rough ground and less tiring. You book a vehicle rather than a seat, as a single or a double:
- On your own and after a lively ride? A single quad.
- Two of you who want to sit side by side? A double buggy.
- A parent with a child aged 7 or over? A double of either type with the parent driving; the buggy’s seat belts make it the more comfortable choice for children.
- Two people who both want the controls? Two singles.
Whichever you pick, the tracks, the guide and the length of the trip stay the same – only the vehicle changes. Our quad or buggy guide looks at the differences in more depth.
Safety rules and ages
- You do not need a driving licence.
- The minimum age at the controls is 16. Drivers aged 16 or 17 need a parent’s consent, and a few vehicles are kept for drivers of 18 and over.
- Children can come along as passengers from the age of 7.
- Everyone on board, driver or passenger, wears a helmet.
- Every group starts with a safety briefing and a short practice run with an instructor.
- Insurance is included.
- Pregnant guests and people with back, neck or heart problems should not take part.
Let us know how old everyone is at the time of booking, so that suitable vehicles are waiting for you. If you are unsure whether a health condition allows you to ride, ask us before booking.
What to wear and bring
Dress for dust and mud rather than for photos:
- clothes that can go straight into the wash, and closed shoes;
- sunglasses, plus a buff or scarf to keep the dust out of your mouth;
- sunscreen for the open stretches of track;
- a change of clothes and a towel for the ride back;
- a pouch that keeps dust and water away from your phone;
- some cash for drinks – food and drinks are not included, so eat before a midday ride.
More from Manavgat: the river and horseback
Enjoyed the river crossings? Manavgat Zipline & Rafting goes about an hour inland to Köprülü Canyon for a short zipline ride over or along the Köprüçay and about 14 km of class II–III rafting, with lunch by the river; children can join from 7. For a calmer half day, the Manavgat Horse Riding Tour spends about 1.5 hours in the saddle on forest and country tracks around the delta of the Manavgat River before finishing on the beach. There is a morning and a sunset group, beginners are welcome, and riders can join from 6 years, up to a weight of about 100 kg.
Staying in Side rather than Manavgat? Our Side quad and buggy guide covers the off-road tours from there.
All Manavgat tours are on the Manavgat Safari Tours page. Booking on the site or via WhatsApp needs no prepayment; money changes hands only on the tour day, in cash, and a cancellation up to 24 hours ahead costs nothing.
