Alanya/City of Side: Canyoning, Rafting and Ziplining Tour

Koprulu Canyon National Park gives you three water-based activities in one long day: canyoning through a narrow river gorge, whitewater rafting, and a zipline over the Koprucay River. You start with a one-hour canyon walk and swim, then paddle roughly 14 kilometers through the park.

I like the way the canyoning comes first, when you are still fresh, and I like the mix of active fun and scenic river time. The guides, including the cheerful Sino and a captain nicknamed Neymar, add plenty of energy. The main drawback is that the zipline is short and low, and extra charges for wetsuits, drinks, photos, and an unexpected vodka bill have caused some awkward moments.

Key details before you book

• One full day, three activities: You combine canyoning, rafting, and ziplining instead of paying for separate outings.
• A cold canyon swim: The river water can feel very chilly, with one participant describing it as about 8 degrees Celsius.
• About 14 kilometers of rafting: The route begins with roughly 7 kilometers, pauses for lunch, then continues to the finish.
• Sino is a memorable guide: He has been praised for being funny, attentive, and careful with younger participants.
• The zipline is an extra rather than the main event: Expect a brief crossing over the Koprucay River, not a long high-speed flight.
• Bring water shoes: Swimwear is required, while neoprene suits, rafting shoes, phone covers, photos, and drinks cost extra.

Starting from Alanya or Side

Your day begins with pickup from a hotel in the Alanya or Side area. An air-conditioned vehicle takes you to the rafting base station, where the guides explain the activities and help you prepare.

The transfer matters because Koprulu Canyon is not in either resort town. You are committing to a full day away from the coast, with transport, equipment, lunch, and the activity program folded into the $45 price. That is a strong deal if you want an active outing without arranging cars, guides, or separate tickets.

The exact pickup time depends on availability and your hotel area. Since this is a one-day tour with several stages, expect a long outing rather than a quick morning activity. Wear your swimwear under your clothes, and pack water shoes for the rocky river sections.

At the base, you change and put on a helmet and life vest. You also take a paddle with you onto the bus. The tour provides the core safety equipment, but neoprene suits and rafting shoes are not included, so ask about those costs before setting off.

The canyon walk and cold-water swim

After preparation at the base, you continue to the canyoning area in a small open-sided Cabrio-style bus. This transfer is part of the fun, but it also means you should protect loose belongings and avoid bringing anything you cannot afford to get wet.

The canyoning section lasts about one hour. You walk into the gorge, follow the river, jump into fresh water, and swim toward the rafting start point. This is the most scenic part of the program, and it gives you a close look at the rock walls and clear river water before the louder, faster rafting begins.

The canyon is also where the cold hits hardest. A participant described the water as roughly 8 degrees Celsius. Even in hot Turkish weather, that can feel like a shock. You should be comfortable in open water and ready to swim in a life vest. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers.

The swim is not a good fit for everyone. Children under seven, pregnant women, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, and people with mobility impairments should not book this tour. The operator also excludes pets.

For families with older children, the pace can work well. One family with children aged nine and thirteen found the canyoning manageable because guide Sino took care with the younger child and adjusted the pace. That does not remove the physical demands, but it shows how much the guide team can affect the day.

Rafting 14 kilometers on the Koprucay

Once you reach the rafting start point, you board the raft and begin paddling. The first section covers about 7 kilometers, with the full route advertised at roughly 14 kilometers after the lunch stop.

You will work as a team, follow the guide’s commands, and pass through whitewater sections on the Koprucay River. The experience is more active than a scenic float, but you do not need advanced rafting skills. The instruction at the base and the guide in your boat provide the structure.

The river is the main event for anyone who wants real activity rather than a simple photo stop. You get a long period on the water, and the canyon walls keep the setting more interesting than a purpose-built amusement park ride. The tradeoff is that paddling for much of a day can be tiring, especially after the cold canyon swim.

Bring a dry change of clothes if you can. The listed packing advice calls for swimwear and water shoes, but an extra outfit makes the return journey more comfortable. A phone cover is not included, so do not take your phone onto the river unless it is properly protected.

A photography team takes pictures during the rafting. You can watch the finished video and view the photos back at the base station. These are optional purchases, not part of the $45 package. If you want pictures, confirm the price early instead of waiting until the end.

Lunch beside the river

The rafting route pauses around the middle for lunch near the river. Lunch is included, which helps the price make sense, since you would otherwise need to buy food during a remote outdoor day.

The break is useful for more than eating. It gives your arms a rest before the second rafting section and lets you warm up after the canyon swim. Drinks are not included, and a Turkish gözleme snack is also listed as an extra, so keep some cash or another payment method available.

This is one place where you should ask clear questions. Food included does not mean every drink or snack is free. Most charges are easy to understand when explained in advance, but unclear add-ons can put a sour note on an otherwise good day.

A brief zipline over the river

After lunch, you return to the rafts and continue downriver. The next main stop is the zipline, where you cross above the Koprucay River before getting back into the boat.

The zipline adds variety, but it is not the reason to book this trip. Some people found it too short and too low, while another described it as an unnecessary filler between the stronger canyoning and rafting sections. That is fair. If you want a long, high zipline ride, this will likely disappoint.

If you see the zipline as a quick extra, it works better. You get a different view of the river and a short burst of height before continuing downstream. The tour does not force you to choose between activities, so it is a simple way to try three outdoor pursuits in one day.

The sequence also keeps the program moving. You are not spending hours at one platform waiting for repeated zipline runs. For families and mixed groups, that can be helpful, since one person may love rafting while another prefers a quick aerial ride.

Guides, safety, and the group mood

Your guides are central to this experience. The program is offered in English and German, and the team handles the safety briefing, equipment, activity instructions, and transfers between sections.

Sino has received particularly warm praise for his humor and care. His attention to a nine-year-old participant shows the sort of practical support that matters on a cold, active river day. Captain Neymar is another name associated with the lively atmosphere. Expect guides who use jokes and energy to keep the raft engaged.

That upbeat style will suit you if you like a social excursion. It may feel less appealing if you want quiet time in nature. The tour also includes a photography team and a final video presentation, so the day has a group-outing feel rather than a private wilderness trip.

Safety still depends on your own limits. You need to be able to swim, tolerate cold water, walk through a canyon, and take part in rafting. Tell the guide if you feel unwell or cannot keep pace. The listed restrictions are important, not fine print to ignore.

There was also an uncomfortable complaint about alcohol being offered from a guide’s vodka bottle during stops, followed by an $18 charge that had not been made clear. You should not assume any drink is free. Ask the guide or base staff about prices before accepting alcohol, soft drinks, or other extras.

What the $45 price really includes

At $45 per person, this tour offers strong value for an active day. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, canyoning, rafting, ziplining, lunch, equipment such as a helmet and life vest, and a tour guide.

The value is best for you if you would otherwise pay separately for rafting and canyon activities. Transport also matters. Getting from Alanya or Side to Koprulu Canyon on your own would add time, fuel, and planning.

The price does not cover everything. Budget extra for:

• Photos and the DVD-style after-movie
• Drinks
• Gözleme
• Neoprene rental
• Rafting shoes
• A waterproof phone cover

The wetsuit issue deserves special attention. The river can be very cold, especially during the canyon swim. Ask before departure whether you want to rent neoprene, and ask exactly what it costs. Clear pricing at the base will help you avoid an unpleasant end to the day.

The booking terms are flexible. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying on the day of booking. Availability controls the starting time, so check the schedule before building other plans around it.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this for active families with children seven and older, couples who want a full day outside the resort, and friends who prefer several activities over a single long raft trip. It is also a good fit if you want to meet a lively guide team and do not mind a group atmosphere.

The trip is less suitable for anyone seeking a gentle sightseeing day. You will get wet, paddle, swim, walk through a canyon, and spend much of the day in sports equipment. Non-swimmers should not book, and the operator specifically excludes people with mobility impairments, wheelchair users, pregnant women, and people with heart problems.

Your comfort with cold water is another deciding factor. The warm weather may make the swim refreshing, but the river itself can be startlingly cold. Water shoes are a smart choice because they protect your feet during the canyon section and help with wet river surfaces.

My verdict on the Alanya and Side canyon tour

Book this tour if you want a high-value action day with three different activities, hotel transfers, and lunch included. The canyoning is the strongest part for scenery, the rafting supplies the most sustained activity, and the zipline works as a short bonus.

Go in with realistic expectations. This is not a quiet national park walk, a luxury lunch outing, or a major zipline adventure. It is a busy, physical day with cold water, optional charges, and a cheerful group style.

I would book it for the canyon and rafting, not for the zipline alone. Before leaving the base, confirm wetsuit rental, drinks, photo prices, and any other extras. With that small bit of planning, the $45 package gives you a lot of time on the river and a memorable way to see Koprulu Canyon.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience takes one full day. Check availability for the exact starting time.

Where does the tour pick up?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in the Alanya and Side areas.

Which activities are included?

The tour includes canyoning, whitewater rafting, and ziplining, along with lunch, a tour guide, and hotel transfers.

How long is the rafting route?

The full rafting route is about 14 kilometers. The itinerary describes an initial section of roughly 7 kilometers, followed by lunch and more rafting to the finish point.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English and German.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and water shoes. You may also want a dry change of clothes, although that is not specifically listed as a requirement.

Are drinks, wetsuits, and photos included?

No. Drinks, neoprene rental, rafting shoes, phone covers, photos, and the DVD-style movie cost extra. Gözleme is also not included.