ALTINBESIK CAVE AND ORMANA VILLAGE TOUR FROM SIDE

• Join us for an exhilarating tour that includes a visit to the stunning Altinbesik Cave and its lake, one of the largest underground lakes in the world. The tour begins with a visit to a lookout point to enjoy the panoramic view of the Green Canyon. Next, you'll travel to the village of Ormana, where you'll learn about Turkish culture and history and visit an ancient Ottoman mosque. The final stop will be at Altinbesik Cave, where you'll explore the three-level horizontal cave, take a ride on an inflatable boat across the lake, and marvel at the stalactites, stalagmites, and natural arches. The water in the cave is icy, and the air temperature is always 16 degrees Celsius, regardless of the season. We invite you to join us on this exciting tour!
• Check out the latest prices and detailed program descriptions on our website. Book your excursion today and pay on the bus. We have ensured that traveling with us is not only interesting but also comfortable, so the price includes transfers from hotels in Gundogdu, Colakli, Evrenseki, Kumkoy, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengol, Kizilot, and Kizilagac. Enjoy your vacation with us.

Tour Program

• Pick-up from hotels by region at 08:30 - 09:30 (Exact pick-up time will be added to your e-ticket after booking confirmation.)
• Drive to a peak of 1200 meters
• Photo stop (panorama of Ormana)
• Visit to the Turkish village of Ormana
• Lunch (chicken kebab or baked trout and salad)
• Visit to the mosque (short information and free time for photos)
• 20 - 25 minute ride on inflatable boats in Altinbesik Cave and its lake.
• Return to hotels at 16:30 - 17:30

More About the Tour

• Our tour program starts at 08:30 - 09:30. We will pick you up at your hotel's security gate and embark on an amazing journey to Altinbesik Cave, which houses one of the largest underground lakes in the world. Along the way, you will visit other interesting sights and listen to fascinating stories from your guide about these places.
• The first stop will be at the Green Canyon lookout point, located at an altitude of 1200 meters. From here, you'll have a breathtaking panoramic view of the lake and nature reserve.
• After enjoying the natural beauty and taking some memorable photos, you'll continue your tour.
• The winding mountain road will lead you to the small village of Ormana, famous for its houses built in a unique architectural style. You'll also meet the locals and learn about their culture, history, and daily life.
• Here, you'll have a lunch break consisting of traditional dishes included in the tour price.
• After lunch, you'll head to another local landmark - an ancient Ottoman mosque over 800 years old. You'll have free time to explore and photograph the mosque.
• Leaving the village, you'll continue your journey. Finally, the road will lead you to a massive mountain with reddish slopes. Inside this mountain is the horizontal, three-level cave with the famous Altinbesik lake.
• Your guide will give you a brief safety briefing, provide you with a life jacket, and help you get into an inflatable boat.
• You'll enjoy an unforgettable 20-25 minute boat ride on the cave lake. During this time, you'll explore the inside of Altinbesik Cave, see the stalactites, stalagmites, and natural stone arches.
• Returning to shore, filled with new impressions and emotions, you'll board the bus again and head back to your hotel, with the transfer bringing you back by 16:30-17:30.

What's Included

• Hotel transfer
• Lunch
• Insurance
• Guide service
• Inflatable boat ride

What's Not Included

• Personal expenses (photos, souvenirs, etc.)
• Any drinks during the tour

What to Bring

• Camera, water
• Towel, swimsuit
• Sunscreen, sunglasses
• Money for personal expenses

Distance

• Distance from Kizilot to Ormana: 1 hour 5 minutes - 82 km
• Distance from Kizilagach to Ormana: 1 hour 5 minutes - 82 km
• Distance from Titreyengol to Ormana: 1 hour 15 minutes - 97 km
• Distance from Sorgun to Ormana: 1 hour 15 minutes - 97 km
• Distance from Side to Ormana: 1 hour 15 minutes - 97 km
• Distance from Kumkoy to Ormana: 1 hour 25 minutes - 104 km
• Distance from Evrenseki to Ormana: 1 hour 25 minutes - 106 km
• Distance from Colakli to Ormana: 1 hour 30 minutes - 108 km
• Distance from Gundogdu to Ormana: 1 hour 30 minutes - 112 km

Watch the Tour Video

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Additional Information

Early Booking Discounts

• Book in advance!
• Book the tour at least 7 days before the tour date and receive a 4% discount
• Book the tour at least 30 days before the tour date and receive a 5% discount

Additional Information

• The guide reserves the right to change the order of the tour without changing the overall program.
• Children who go on the tour for free do not get separate seats on the bus. They will sit with adults (on laps). If you want your child to have a separate seat, please book the tour as a paid child.

About the Sights

Altinbesik

• Your journey will be on a comfortable bus. The route goes through scenic mountain roads of the Taurus Mountains to a lookout point at an altitude of 1200 meters, which offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Green Canyon - this will be the first stop.
• Next, you'll head to the small village of Ormana, attracting attention with its uniquely architectured houses that look like buttons. The button houses are world-famous, built without a single nail, from stone and Lebanese cedar. They have stood here for centuries, remaining strong and cozy homes for people. You'll hear an interesting story from the guide about Turkish culture and history, which will give you a new perspective on the country.
• Here, you'll have a stop for lunch consisting of national dishes and a visit to an ancient Ottoman mosque over 600 years old.
• The last stop will be near the Altinbesik Cave, which translates to "Golden Cradle." This unique place was discovered in 1966 and is still not fully explored.
• Altinbesik is a horizontal three-level cave, 2500 meters long with a highest point of 101 meters. You'll visit the first level, sail on the lake from which the Manavgat River originates, and admire the stalactites, stalagmites, and natural arches.
• The tour's uniqueness is that you'll explore the cave on an inflatable boat designed for 10 people. The water in the cave is icy, and the air temperature is 16°C, regardless of the season.