Out of Side and Up into the High Taurus: a Full Day in an Open 4x4, with Lunch by the Water
The Experience
Just outside Side the asphalt ends, and that is where this day really begins. You are collected from your hotel in the morning after breakfast time and join a convoy of open-top 4x4 jeeps, each seating eight to ten guests and driven by a professional driver — nobody in your group needs to take the wheel. The first stop is an old Roman bridge, and from there the track climbs through a landscape most visitors never see: orchards of oranges and lemons, pomegranate trees, cotton and sesame fields, with a chance of spotting nomadic Yörük families living in the foothills the way they have for generations. The route strings together the greatest hits of the Manavgat highlands. You pause at ancient Roman aqueducts, look down on the impossibly green water of Green Lake from a panoramic viewpoint, and roll into Oymapınar village, where there is time to swim and where freshly made Turkish pancakes are served with a drink. A photo stop at Oymapınar Dam and a viewpoint above Green Canyon follow before lunch at a lakeside restaurant, with the emerald water right below you. Afterwards you can add a one-hour boat trip on Green Lake for a small extra charge, visit a traditional village mosque with your guide, and, depending on the day's program, stop at Manavgat Waterfall on the way back (entrance fee payable on site). In summer, be ready for the famous water fights between the jeeps — children usually declare this the best part of their holiday, so pack a dry change of clothes and a waterproof pouch for your phone. In the cooler months the convoy switches to covered jeeps and the water games take a break, leaving the mountain scenery to do the talking. The pace is sightseeing, not extreme off-road: bumpy and dusty in places, so guests with back or neck problems should let the team know before boarding. Young children are welcome riding with an adult. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in Side, Kumköy, Çolaklı, Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç and Kızılot, and you are back at your hotel in the late afternoon. Reservation is free — you pay on the tour day, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Highlights
- Open-top 4x4 convoy through the Taurus foothills — professional drivers, you enjoy the ride
- Green Canyon and Green Lake viewpoints with photo stops at Oymapınar Dam
- Swim break and fresh Turkish pancakes in Oymapınar village
- Lakeside lunch overlooking the emerald water — included
- Roman bridge and ancient aqueducts along the mountain track
- Famous summer water fights between the jeeps
- Hotel pickup and drop-off across the Side resort area — included
What's Included
- ✓Hotel pickup and drop-off from Side and the surrounding resort areas
- ✓Full-day jeep safari in 8-10 seat 4x4 vehicles with professional drivers
- ✓Lunch at a lakeside restaurant by Green Canyon
- ✓Tour guiding throughout the day
Not Included
- ✕Optional 1-hour Green Lake boat trip (€5 per person)
- ✕Manavgat Waterfall entrance fee (optional stop)
- ✕Mini zoo tickets during the village break (optional)
- ✕Photos and videos taken by the tour team
- ✕Drinks and personal expenses
Good to Know
- ℹJeeps are open-top in summer — expect sun, wind and some dust on the tracks
- ℹSummer departures include water fights between jeeps; winter runs use covered jeeps with no water games
- ℹMeeting point is the main entrance gate of your hotel
- ℹRoads are bumpy in places — mention back or neck problems before boarding
- ℹManavgat Waterfall and the Green Lake boat trip are optional extras paid on site
- ℹGuiding is available in English, German and Russian (plus Turkish)
What to Bring
- ▸A dry change of clothes (water fights!)
- ▸Waterproof pouch for phone and camera
- ▸A light scarf or buff against the dust
- ▸Comfortable closed shoes
- ▸Swimwear and a towel
- ▸Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat
Where You'll Be
Everything on this page starts from Side. Hotel pickup across the resort area is arranged after you book, and the exact time is confirmed with you personally rather than printed here.
◆ SIDE · 36.77°N 31.39°E · ANTALYA RIVIERA
Tours in SideQuestions & Answers
Do I drive the jeep myself?+
No — every jeep is driven by a professional driver, so the whole group can relax, take photos and join the fun without anyone needing any off-road experience.
Is lunch really included?+
Yes. Lunch at a lakeside restaurant by Green Canyon is part of the price. Drinks are ordered and paid separately.
Will we get wet?+
In summer, almost certainly — water fights between the jeeps are a beloved tradition, and there are swim stops on the route. Bring a dry change of clothes and keep your phone in a waterproof pouch. Winter tours skip the water games.
Can we bring our children?+
Yes, this is a family day out: children ride with an adult, kids aged 7-12 pay a reduced child price and the youngest band on the price list travels free. Kids usually rate the water fights as the highlight.
Is the ride rough?+
It is a sightseeing-paced convoy, not extreme off-roading, but the mountain tracks are unpaved, bumpy and dusty in places. If you have back or neck problems, tell the team before boarding.
What are the optional extras?+
A one-hour boat trip on Green Lake after lunch (€5 per person), the Manavgat Waterfall stop on the return leg (entrance fee paid at the gate, program-dependent) and a small mini zoo visit during the village break.
How do payment and cancellation work?+
Reservation is free — you pay on the day of the tour, and you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before departure. Hotel pickup across the Side area is included.
Guest Reviews
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