Side Jeep Safari
Open jeeps in convoy to the Oymapınar Dam and Green Canyon, with a village tea break and a lakeside lunch
- Duration7 hours
- Pickup / return09:00 → 16:00
- Tour days: Daily
- Hotel transferFree
- RegionSide
About the Side Jeep Safari Tour
Side Jeep Safari takes you away from the beaches and up into the Taurus foothills north of Manavgat for a full day in open 4×4 jeeps. The jeeps travel in convoy and experienced drivers do all the driving, so you simply sit back, enjoy the views and get ready for the water fights that break out between the jeeps along the way.
The first break is in a mountain village, where you can have a glass of tea and try gözleme, the traditional Turkish flatbread. From there the route continues to the viewpoint over the Oymapınar Dam and then to a photo stop high above Green Canyon, where turquoise-green water lies between steep, forested canyon walls.
The longest stop of the day is at a lakeside restaurant on the Green Canyon lake. Lunch is included, and there is plenty of time to swim in the lake or simply rest before the convoy heads back towards Side in the afternoon. Along the way your guide tells you about the region and life in the mountain villages.
Because you ride rather than drive, this tour works well for families with children, couples and anyone trying an off-road day for the first time. One practical tip: pack swimwear, a towel and a dry bag for your phone, as nobody stays completely dry. Drinks are not included and are paid on the spot.
Highlights
- Open 4x4 jeeps in convoy with experienced drivers at the wheel
- Tea and gözleme break in a Taurus mountain village
- Oymapınar Dam viewpoint and a photo stop above Green Canyon
- Long lunch break with a swim at the Green Canyon lake
- Water fights between the jeeps on the way
Side Jeep Safari Prices
Prices are per person and shown in your chosen currency. You can pay on the tour day.
Itinerary
-
09:00
Hotel pickup
Pickup from your hotel in the Side area; the exact time for your hotel is sent after booking.
-
2
Into the Taurus foothills
The convoy drives inland past Manavgat and leaves the main road for forest and village tracks.
-
3
Tea and gözleme in a village
A relaxed break in a mountain village, with tea and gözleme.
-
4
Oymapınar Dam and Green Canyon views
Stops at the dam viewpoint and high above Green Canyon for photos of the turquoise lake.
-
5
Lunch and swim at the lake
A long break at a lakeside restaurant: lunch is included and you can swim in the lake.
-
16:00
Back to your hotel
The convoy returns to the coast, with a last splash or two, and drops you at your hotel at about 16:00.
What is included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Seat in an open 4x4 jeep with an experienced driver
- Guide for the whole day
- Lunch at a lakeside restaurant
- Swim break at the Green Canyon lake
Not included
- Drinks (at lunch and at the stops)
- Personal expenses
- Photos and video
- Tips for the guide and drivers (optional)
Good to know before you go
Your pickup time depends on where your hotel is and is sent to you after booking. Free hotel pickup from Side, Kumköy, Çolaklı, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Evrenseki and Gündoğdu.
What to bring
- Swimwear and a towel
- A change of clothes – the water fights get everyone wet
- Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- A waterproof bag or pouch for your phone
- Some cash for drinks
Good to know
- Seat belts stay fastened while the jeep is moving, and standing up in the vehicle is not allowed.
- Not suitable for pregnant guests.
- Guests with serious back or neck problems should contact us before booking.
- Families with babies and young children are welcome.
- The order of the stops can change with weather and road conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Will I drive the jeep myself?
No. On every jeep safari, experienced drivers are at the wheel of the open 4x4s, and you ride as a passenger with your seat belt on; standing up while the jeep is moving is not allowed. That leaves you free to look around, take photos and make the most of every stop. If you would rather drive yourself, take a look at our quad safaris and buggy safaris.
What happens on a jeep safari day?
After the hotel pickup, the jeeps gather and set off in a convoy towards the mountains, soon leaving the main road for gravel and forest tracks. The day mixes short drives with stops: viewpoints, usually a village where you see everyday rural life, often a swim or some water fun at a river, lake or waterfall, and a meal at a restaurant on the route. Drinks are paid separately. The exact stops and times of this tour are shown in its itinerary.
How do I book a tour?
Open the tour page and choose your date, the departure group if the tour has several, and the number of guests (on quad and buggy tours, the number of single or double vehicles). Then enter your name, phone, e-mail and hotel. Nothing is paid at this stage. As soon as we confirm the booking, your QR e-ticket arrives by e-mail. Prefer to chat? Send us the tour name and date on WhatsApp and we will book it for you.
How and when do I pay for the tour?
You pay nothing when you book. The tour price is paid in cash on the tour day, directly to your guide. Prices are set in euros, but you are welcome to pay in Turkish lira, US dollars or British pounds at that day's exchange rate. Extras that are not included, such as drinks, photos or equipment rental, are paid separately on the spot.
How will I receive my e-ticket?
Once your booking is confirmed, we e-mail the ticket to the address you entered. Besides a QR code, it lists the tour, the date and the other details of your booking. On the tour day, simply show the code to your guide on your phone; a printout works too. If nothing has arrived, check your spam folder or message us on WhatsApp, and we will send the ticket again.
Is hotel pickup free, and when will I be picked up?
Yes. The transfer from your hotel to the tour and back is included for all hotels in the pickup areas of each region. As the vehicle collects guests from several hotels, your exact pickup time depends on where you are staying, and we send it to you after booking. Please be waiting at the main entrance of your hotel a few minutes beforehand, because the driver works to a tight schedule.
Can children join the tours?
Yes, most tours welcome children. On jeep safaris, Green Canyon trips and the cabrio bus tour, children aged 3–11 pay the child price and babies up to 2 travel free. Rafting and the zipline and rafting tours start at 7 years, the Göynük Canyon zipline at about 5. On quad and buggy tours, children can ride as passengers from 7, while drivers must be at least 16. The ticket table on each tour page shows its age groups.
What should I wear, and what should I pack?
Choose light clothes that may get dusty or wet, and shoes that stay on your feet: trainers for jeep, quad and buggy tours, sports sandals with straps or old trainers for rafting and canyon paths. Pack swimwear, a towel, sun cream, a hat and sunglasses, plus a waterproof pouch for your phone. A light jacket is handy in the mountains and on evening tours. Each tour page also has its own "What to bring" list.
In which languages are the tours guided?
Our guides work in English, German, Russian and Turkish; the languages offered on each tour are listed on its page. Polish-speaking guests are guided in English, while this website is also available in Polish. Before quad, buggy, rafting and zipline activities, the instructors explain and show what to do, so the safety rules are easy to follow whatever your language.
Can I cancel my booking?
Yes. Cancelling is free until 24 hours before the tour starts, and within the same period you can also move to another date if places are free. Just send us a message on WhatsApp or by e-mail. If you cancel later or do not show up, anything you paid in advance cannot be returned. You will find all the details in our cancellation policy.
What happens if the weather turns bad?
Light rain rarely stops a tour, and on a rafting trip you get wet anyway. If heavy rain, a storm, high water or unsafe roads make a tour impossible, we call it off and offer you another date or a full refund of anything paid in advance. Swim stops always depend on the conditions on the day. If the forecast looks doubtful, message us on the morning of your tour and we will tell you whether it goes ahead.
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