What to Bring and Wear for Rafting in Köprülü Canyon
The river treats everyone the same: you will get wet, gloriously and completely, whatever you turned up in. That single fact decides the entire packing list. This guide is the short, practical version of what we tell guests on our Köprülü Canyon rafting tour from Side, so you can pack in five minutes the night before.
What to Wear on the Water
The tour notes are refreshingly simple: shorts, T-shirts, swimwear or bikinis are all suitable. In practice, here is what works best:
- Swimwear as your base layer. Wear it under shorts and a T-shirt. The Taurus meltwater stays ice-cold and crystal-clear even in the height of summer, and there are swimming stops in turquoise pools along the route, you will want to jump in.
- Quick-dry fabrics over cotton. A soaked cotton T-shirt stays cold on your skin; a thin sports T-shirt dries between rapids.
- A T-shirt over swimwear, even for confident sunbathers. You are on open water for hours, and the reflection off the river doubles the sun's work on your shoulders.
Footwear: The One Thing People Get Wrong
The official kit list says it plainly: water-resistant, non-slip footwear, and flip-flops are not recommended. The riverbed is stone, the boat floor is wet, and a flip-flop leaves its owner at the first proper rapid, never to be seen again. If you own water shoes or strap-on sports sandals, bring them. If not, don't buy anything specially at home: water shoes are available to rent or buy right at the rafting base. This is the only "extra" most guests actually spend money on, and it is worth it.
What to Pack in Your Bag
Straight from the tour's own checklist, plus a few notes from our guides:
- Towel, for after the final swim stop and before lunch.
- A dry change of clothes: you leave your wet gear behind before sitting down to the riverside lunch, and the air-conditioned ride back to Side is far more pleasant in dry clothes.
- Sunscreen, waterproof if possible; reapply at the breaks.
- Sunglasses, ideally with a strap, or accept the small risk of donating them to the river.
- A waterproof bag for anything that must stay dry, as the tour FAQ recommends.
What to Leave at the Hotel
The official advice is to leave valuable items at the hotel, and we mean it. Phones, watches, jewellery and passports have no business in a raft. You do not need your phone for photos anyway: professional photographers are positioned along the course and capture your best moments mid-rapid: the photo and video packages are an optional purchase at the end, so your camera roll is covered without risking your device.
Everything Safety-Related Is Provided
You do not need to bring — or budget for — any technical equipment. Your life vest, helmet and paddle are all included and meet international standards, and certified guides brief you on paddling commands and safety rules before you launch. Your only job is to arrive in swimwear with a dry bag.
Packing for the Combo Day
Joining the rafting and jeep safari combo tour? Pack exactly the same, with one addition: the jeep legs through Beşkonak's riverbeds and dusty tracks are open-top, so the combo's own notes recommend comfortable clothes, water-resistant shoes and spare clothing. Your sunglasses earn their keep twice on this one.
Before You Go
If you are still deciding which trip suits your group, our first-timer and family rafting guide covers ages, difficulty and who the day is for, and the rafting prices guide breaks down exactly what is included. For the bigger picture of your week in the area, browse the complete local guide to Side excursions.