Rafting and Tazı Canyon 4 in 1 from Side is a full, active day in the mountains, among pine trees and along the Köprüçay River. One program brings together a cabrio safari, Tazı Canyon, the ancient Roman Oluk Bridge, rafting and an outdoor lunch. You travel by open buses along the scenic roads of Köprülü Canyon National Park, stop for panoramic views at Tazı Canyon, pass over the historic Oluk Bridge and raft 14 km along the Köprüçay River. After the active part of the day, you can have lunch outdoors, rest a little and return to your hotel with vivid memories of the mountains, the canyon and the cool river.
We pick you up from hotels in Gündoğdu, Çolaklı, Evrenseki, Kumköy, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılot and Kızılağaç.
Book your place on the website with no prepayment — pay on the bus on the day of the tour.
Rafting and Tazı Canyon 4 in 1 from Side at a Glance
- Transfer starts: 09:00–10:00
- Return: 18:30–19:30
- Program: cabrio safari, Tazı Canyon, Oluk Bridge, 14 km rafting
- Payment: cash on the bus — $, €, ₺.
Short Tour Program
- Hotel pick-up from 09:00 to 10:00
(The exact time will be shown on your e-ticket after your booking is confirmed.)
- Drive to Köprülü Canyon National Park
- Arrival at the rafting center by the river
- Briefing, changing time and preparation for rafting
- Cabrio safari on the route: rafting center — Oluk Bridge — Tazı Canyon
- Drive over the Roman Oluk Bridge
- Stop at Tazı Canyon for a walk and photos
- Drive down to the rafting start near Oluk Bridge
- 14 km rafting on the Köprüçay River, finishing at the rafting center
- Lunch and rest at the rafting center
- Return to hotels at approximately 18:30–19:30
The order of visits may change, but the program itself remains the same.
What to expect on the Rafting and Tazı Canyon 4 in 1 from Side tour
Spend the day with mountain views, canyon scenery and a cool river
Rafting and Tazı Canyon 4 in 1 from Side is a good choice if you want to add more activity, nature and striking scenery to your beach holiday. In one day you visit Köprülü Canyon National Park, go up to Tazı Canyon, ride along a mountain road in an open safari bus, see Oluk Bridge and raft on the Köprüçay River.
In the morning, we pick you up from your hotel in Side between 09:00 and 10:00. The road then takes you away from the coast toward pine forests, cliffs and mountain scenery. The air becomes fresher, and near the Köprüçay River the coolness is especially noticeable.
Get ready before the route begins
After arriving at the rafting center, you will have time to change and get ready for the active part of the day. The team will explain how the route will work, where Tazı Canyon fits into the program and when the rafting begins.
The instructors provide helmets and life jackets, help you choose the right size and explain the basic rules. You will learn how to sit in the boat, how to hold the paddle and how to follow commands on the river.
No special experience is needed. The route is suitable for beginners, so you can take part calmly even if you are trying rafting for the first time.
Take the cabrio safari to Tazı Canyon
After the preparation, the group switches to open safari buses and heads toward Tazı Canyon. In this program, the drive is longer than on a regular rafting tour: the bus passes the rafting start point and climbs higher toward the viewpoint.
Along the way, you see pine trees, mountain slopes, cliffs and views of Köprülü Canyon National Park. In the open bus you feel the wind, the road climbs upward, and the ride itself already adds to the sense of adventure.
The route also crosses Oluk Bridge over the Köprüçay River. This Roman bridge was built in the 2nd century and is almost 2,000 years old. It is about 27 meters high. The road here is narrow, so long stops are usually not made, but you can get a good look at the bridge as you pass over it.
Get your best shots at Tazı Canyon
Tazı Canyon is one of the most impressive places on the route. It is a narrow gorge about 4 km long, with cliffs rising more than 200 meters in the deepest sections. This place is also called the “Valley of Wisdom”.
At the viewpoint, you will have time for a walk and photos. From the edge of the canyon, you get a wide view of the mountains, cliffs and the Köprüçay River far below. Here you can really feel the scale of the landscape: quiet surroundings, fresh air and open mountain space.
Cool off on the 14 km rafting route
After Tazı Canyon, the group returns to the rafting start point. You are assigned to boats, usually 8–10 people together with an instructor.
The route on the Köprüçay River is about 14 km long. The instructor stays in the boat with the group, guides you, tells you when to paddle, when to hold on and how to pass sections with current.
On the river, there are splashes, small waves, teamwork and the pleasant coolness of mountain water. On a hot day, this rafting route feels especially refreshing. The route is not difficult, so it is often chosen by families, couples and groups of friends with no rafting experience.
Rest by the river after the active part
After rafting, the group returns to the rafting center. Lunch is served outdoors. The menu usually includes chicken, pasta and salad.
After lunch, you can change clothes, sit by the river, take photos and rest a little before the return journey. After the mountain route and rafting, this quiet break feels especially welcome.
Return to the hotel
In the evening, the group gathers by the bus and heads back to Side. Return to the hotels usually takes place between 18:30 and 19:30. The exact time depends on your hotel area, traffic and the overall pace of the group.
Want to see the wide views of Tazı Canyon, ride a cabrio safari along mountain roads, discover the ancient Oluk Bridge and raft on the Köprüçay River, all in one day?
Book your place online with no prepayment. You can pay for the tour on the bus on the day of the trip.
Tour Video
Tour video: Tazı Canyon, Oluk Bridge and rafting
Press the Play button twice to watch the video.
7 Tours in Köprülü Canyon: Which One Should You Choose?
The main difference between the programs is whether the tour includes Tazı Canyon, rafting, zipline, buggy safari or quad safari.
1. Tours with Tazı Canyon and rafting
- Rafting and Tazı Canyon 4 in 1 from Side | $25 — You are here
Cabrio safari on the route rafting center — Oluk Bridge — Tazı Canyon (about one hour on an open bus), 14 km rafting.
- Rafting and Tazı Canyon 5 in 1 from Side | $30
The same as 4 in 1, plus a zipline over part of the canyon.
- Combo Rafting Tazı 6 in 1 from Side | $40
The same as 5 in 1, plus your choice of buggy safari or quad safari.
2. Tours without Tazı Canyon
3. If you want a tour without rafting
- Tazı Canyon 5 in 1 from Side | $25
Cabrio safari on the route rafting center — Oluk Bridge — Tazı Canyon (about one hour on an open bus), Selge, Adam Kayalar, lunch and rest by the river. There is no rafting in this program.
What Is Included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off by enclosed, air-conditioned minibus
- Cabrio safari from the rafting center to Tazı Canyon
- Walk at the first Tazı Canyon viewpoint with a view of the gorge and the Köprüçay River
- Drive over the Roman Oluk Bridge
- 14 km rafting on the Köprüçay River
- Helmet and life jacket
- Group boat for 8–10 people with an instructor
- Lunch
- Insurance
What Is Not Included
- Drinks during the tour
- Personal expenses: souvenirs and other purchases
Optional Extra Services
- At Tazı Canyon there are two viewpoints to choose from. The first viewpoint is free and already included in the tour price. The second viewpoint is a wooden panoramic platform built by the national park, and entrance costs $5 per person. During the tour, you choose one of these viewpoints. You cannot visit both viewpoints on the same tour.
- Photos and videos from the tour — $30
- Water shoes for rafting: rental $5, purchase $10. These shoes stay securely on your feet, do not slip and protect your feet in the boat and in the water.
- Wetsuit — $10. It can be useful in spring, autumn or if you usually get cold in cool water.
- Rafting in a two-person kayak — $10 per kayak, not per person. If you want this option, mention it when booking in the “Special Requests” field.
What to Bring
- Comfortable shoes that grip well on stone surfaces — for walking near the canyon edge
- Swimsuit or swim shorts
- Towel
- A change of clothes — you will be wet after rafting
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat — there is little shade at the canyon
- Water
- A light snack — the mountain air and active program can make you hungry, and lunch at the rafting center takes place in the afternoon. You can bring something light with you, such as a roll from hotel breakfast, fruit or nuts.
- Phone or camera for photos
- Cash for drinks, photos, shoes, wetsuit and personal expenses
Distance to Tazı Canyon
- Kızılot — Tazı Canyon: 99 km — about 1 h 50 min
- Kızılağaç — Tazı Canyon: 96 km — about 1 h 45 min
- Titreyengöl — Tazı Canyon: 88 km — about 1 h 40 min
- Sorgun — Tazı Canyon: 85 km — about 1 h 35 min
- Side — Tazı Canyon: 82 km — about 1 h 35 min
- Kumköy — Tazı Canyon: 80 km — about 1 h 30 min
- Evrenseki — Tazı Canyon: 76 km — about 1 h 30 min
- Çolaklı — Tazı Canyon: 72 km — about 1 h 25 min
- Gündoğdu — Tazı Canyon: 68 km — about 1 h 20 min
Distances and travel times are based on Google Maps and are intended as a guide. The actual journey time depends on traffic and on how long it takes to pick up guests from other hotels.
Discounts
- Book at least 7 days before the tour and get a 4% discount
- Book at least 30 days before the tour and get a 5% discount
- Get $1 off for each Instagram follower (@goldwaytravel) in your booking
- Discounts cannot be combined: you can choose either the early booking discount or the follower discount, whichever is better for you
Frequently Asked Questions About Rafting and Tazı Canyon 4 in 1 from Side
How much does the Rafting and Tazı Canyon 4 in 1 from Side tour cost?
An adult ticket from age 13 costs $25. For children aged 6 to 12, the price is $15. Children aged 0 to 5 travel free of charge, but do not take part in the rafting.
To see the final total for your group, select the number of adults and children in the “Online Booking” form — the system will calculate everything automatically.
What is Tazı Canyon?
Tazı Canyon is a mountain gorge in Köprülü Canyon National Park. It was formed by the Köprüçay River, which carved its path through the rocks over many centuries.
The canyon is about 4 km long, and the cliffs in the deeper sections rise more than 200 meters. This place is also called the “Valley of Wisdom”.
We bring you almost right up to the canyon, so there is no long hiking route. You only need to walk a little to see the views and take photos.
Be careful near the canyon edge. The edge is not fenced, so do not go too close and keep a close eye on children.
Do you need to pay extra to see Tazı Canyon?
No. From the first Tazı Canyon viewpoint, there is a view of the gorge, the mountains and the Köprüçay River far below — and this view is included in the tour price.
The second viewpoint is a wooden panoramic platform built by the national park. Entrance is a separate $5 ticket and is optional. You decide on the spot whether to go up or not; payment is collected by our representative at the canyon.
What is a cabrio safari?
A cabrio safari is a ride in open buses from the rafting center to Tazı Canyon and to the rafting start point. The route passes through pine forests and mountain sections of Köprülü Canyon National Park. It is part of the adventure within the program, not the hotel transfer.
From the hotels, you travel in enclosed, air-conditioned transport.
Can you join the rafting without experience?
Yes, no experience is needed. Rafting takes place on the Köprüçay River, and the route is suitable for beginners with no difficult rapids. There is an instructor in every boat.
Before the start, you will be shown how to sit, hold the paddle and follow commands. All participants wear a helmet and a life jacket.
What is the water like in the Köprüçay River?
The Köprüçay is a mountain river, so the water here is cool, around 15–20 degrees.
If you get cold quickly, you can rent a wetsuit for $10.
How long does the rafting on the river last?
The rafting route is about 14 km long.
The rafting itself takes about 1.5–2 hours. The exact duration depends on the water level and the pace of the group.
At what age can children take part in rafting?
Children can join the rafting from age 6. Children aged 0–5 travel free of charge, but do not take part in the rafting — they stay at the rafting center with one of the adults.
A child ticket applies for children aged 6–12. From age 13, an adult ticket is issued and the participant takes part in the full program.
Can you choose a two-person kayak?
Yes, you can. The two-person kayak is paid separately — $10 per kayak, not per person.
If you want to choose this option, mention it in the “Special Requests” field when booking.
What shoes do you need for rafting?
For rafting, you need shoes that stay securely on your feet and do not slip on wet surfaces. You are not allowed to raft barefoot.
At the rafting center, you can rent water shoes for $5 or buy them for $10.
Do you need a wetsuit?
In summer, a swimsuit or swim shorts is enough for most guests. Consider a wetsuit in spring, autumn or if you get cold quickly in cool water. Wetsuit rental costs $10.
Where can you leave your belongings during the active part of the program?
You can leave your belongings in the open bus. While you complete the water part of the route, the bus returns to the rafting center. After the finish, you will collect your belongings again.
It is better not to bring valuables with you on the tour.
Are photos and videos already included in the price?
No, professional photos and videos are paid separately. The cost of photos and videos is $30. Buying them is optional.
It is better to leave your phone on the bus with your belongings during rafting so you do not risk damaging it on the water.
Will a child have a separate seat on the bus?
If you book a paid child ticket for the child, they will have a separate seat. If a child travels free of charge, a separate seat is not provided — in that case, the child sits on an adult’s lap.
If you want a separate seat for your little one, book a paid child ticket for them.
