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

Cold water, big scenery, three ways to play. This full-day trip from Alanya or Side packs one hour of canyoning, whitewater rafting, and a zipline crossing into a single visit to Koprulu Canyon National Park. I like the mix of active fun and natural scenery, and the included lunch makes the $45 price feel strong. The main catch is that extra costs, including drinks, wetsuits, shoes, photos, and the DVD movie, can add up.

I especially like that the day is not only about sitting in a raft. You walk through the canyon, swim through fresh river water, paddle about 14 kilometers in total, and cross the Koprucay River by zipline. The guides also bring plenty of energy, with Sino earning special praise for helping a young child feel safe. The zipline is brief and low, so serious adrenaline seekers may find it less exciting than the rafting.

Key points at a glance

• Three activities in one day: Canyoning, whitewater rafting, and ziplining give the tour more variety than a standard rafting trip.
• The canyoning section is the scenic highlight: Expect a walk through the canyon, jumps into cold water, swimming, and a route toward the rafting start point.
• About 14 kilometers on the river: The route includes roughly 7 kilometers before lunch, followed by more rafting after the break.
• Lunch is included: You stop beside the river for a meal, but drinks, gözleme, and some equipment rentals cost extra.
• Guides shape the day: English and German guiding is available, and guide Sino was praised for being funny, careful, and good with children.
• Bring water shoes: Swimwear is essential, and proper river shoes will make the rocky sections easier.

Koprulu Canyon in one active day

This is an action-packed outing rather than a quiet visit to a national park. You leave your hotel in Alanya or Side in an air-conditioned vehicle, reach the rafting base, receive instructions, change clothes, and collect your safety equipment.

The base is the practical center of the day. You get a helmet and life vest, take a paddle, and prepare for the transfer to the canyoning area. A mini Cabrio bus carries the group onward, which adds a bit of open-air fun but also means you should be ready for sun and changing temperatures.

The schedule has a clear rhythm: canyon first, raft second, lunch in the middle, zipline during the river route, then more rafting to the finish point. This keeps the day moving, though it also means you will spend many hours in wet clothes and active conditions.

The one-hour canyoning section

The canyoning portion is the most scenic part of the experience for many people. You walk through Koprulu Canyon, enter the fresh river water, and swim toward the point where the rafting begins.

The water can be very cold. One rating specifically described it as about 8 degrees Celsius, though warm weather made the chill welcome after the initial shock. You should not treat this as a casual swim at a hotel pool. The cold water, rocks, and current make the helmet and life vest useful, not decorative.

You may jump into the river during this section. The supplied details do not give a height for the jumps, so do not expect a fixed sequence of large cliff jumps. The focus is on moving through the canyon, swimming, and enjoying the scenery before the main rafting run.

I like this opening because it gives you time to see the canyon at water level. A regular rafting trip can rush past the walls and trees. Here, you get out and move through the setting on foot and in the water. For many people, this will be the most memorable part of the day.

The canyoning route does require comfort in the water. This trip is not suitable for non-swimmers, and the cold conditions may be hard for anyone who dislikes extended time in a river. Children under 7 cannot join, and the activity is also not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people with heart problems.

Rafting through 14 kilometers of river

After the canyoning section, you take your place in a rafting boat and begin paddling. The route is described as about 14 kilometers in total, with approximately 7 kilometers before lunch and more after the break.

That distance gives the rafting real substance. This is not a short tourist paddle followed by a photo stop. You should expect repeated paddling, splashing water, and instructions from the guide. Your role is active, even though the guide directs the boat.

The river setting is the main reward. Koprucay River runs through the national park, with canyon walls and wooded slopes around the water. The rafting lets you see a lot of the area without needing a separate walking tour.

A photography team takes pictures during the rafting. You can watch the after-movie and see the photos at the base at the end of the day. These are not included in the $45 price, and the DVD movie and pictures are optional purchases. I would decide before leaving how much you want to spend on souvenir images, since wet, fast-moving activities are difficult to photograph well with your own phone.

The rafting section suits people who want active fun without having to organize specialist equipment themselves. The operator provides the helmet, life vest, and paddle. You need to bring swimwear and water shoes, while rafting shoes and neoprene suits are separate rentals.

Lunch beside the river

The lunch stop breaks up the long rafting route. You leave the boat, eat near the river, and then return to the water for the second part of the trip.

Lunch is included, which matters at this price. A full-day activity can become expensive when you add transport and food, so having the meal covered makes the package easier to judge. Drinks are not included, and neither is gözleme, a Turkish stuffed flatbread often sold as a snack.

The practical tip is simple: bring money for drinks and any extras, but check the price before accepting them. One experience ended on a sour note after an unannounced charge for vodka, while other drinks at lunch and during breaks were clearly priced. You should not assume that anything offered by a guide is free.

This is also a good point to think about comfort. You will have been wet and active before lunch, and the river water can be cold. A change of clothes for the end of the day is sensible, even though it is not specifically listed in the required items.

The zipline over Koprucay River

The zipline is placed during the rafting route. You leave the boat, cross above the river, and then return to the water to continue paddling.

It is a fun change of pace and gives you a different view of the river. Still, keep your expectations modest. One rating described the zipline as too short and too low, while another called it an unnecessary filler. If you are booking mainly for a long, high zipline, this tour may disappoint.

I see the zipline as an extra rather than the main reason to book. It adds another activity without requiring a separate excursion, and families may enjoy the change from paddling. The rafting and canyoning carry the day, while the zipline is a quick bonus.

Guides, safety, and the mood of the day

The guide can make a major difference on an activity like this. English and German guiding is available, and the guide team is described as lively and encouraging.

Sino received particularly warm praise for helping a 9-year-old child during the canyoning section. He kept the activity paced for her, watched her safety, and still kept the day funny and enjoyable. That is useful evidence for families with older children, although each child must be comfortable in cold water and able to swim.

Another rating described the guide as cheerful and good at getting people excited. Names such as Captain Neymar also appear in the comments, suggesting a playful team atmosphere. The tone seems social and energetic rather than quiet and formal.

That energy will not suit everyone. Guides may joke, encourage loud participation, and offer drinks at stops. If you prefer a calm, tightly controlled outing, ask questions at the base and keep track of what is included before the activities begin.

The safety equipment is straightforward: helmet, life vest, and paddle. Listen closely during the opening briefing, particularly if you have little rafting experience. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and the provider excludes several medical and mobility conditions for good reason.

What the $45 price really covers

At $45 per person, the package offers good value if you want a complete activity day. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off from Alanya or Side, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, canyoning, rafting, ziplining, lunch, and the basic rafting equipment.

You are not paying only for a boat ride. The canyon transfer, river route, meal, and return transport add useful value. Booking three activities separately would normally require more planning and could cost more.

The price does not cover drinks, gözleme, neoprene rental, rafting shoes, mobile phone covers, photos, or the DVD movie. These are ordinary add-ons, but the equipment costs can surprise you if you arrive without suitable footwear.

Bring water shoes rather than relying on bare feet or ordinary sandals. A mobile phone cover is also listed as an extra. You may want one if you plan to carry your phone near the river, but do not risk a favorite phone in wet conditions.

The clearest advice is to ask about every paid extra before you accept it. In particular, confirm drink prices and any rental fee for neoprene or shoes. The trip itself can be good value, but unclear charges can spoil the final hour.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would recommend this tour to active families, couples, groups of friends, and first-time rafters who want several activities in one day. It works especially well if you are staying in Alanya or Side and want a complete outdoor excursion without arranging transport to the national park.

Families should focus on swimming ability, water confidence, and the cold river. The warm-weather setting may make the water feel refreshing, but the river was described as around 8 degrees Celsius by one participant. Children over 7 may enjoy it, but age alone does not determine readiness.

You should also have reasonable mobility. The day includes walking in the canyon, swimming, getting into and out of boats, and using the zipline. It is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

This is not the right pick if you want a relaxed sightseeing day, dislike cold water, or cannot swim. It may also be a poor fit if the zipline is the main attraction you have in mind. Choose it for the combination of canyon scenery and rafting, not for a long aerial ride.

What to pack and what to expect after the finish

Wear swimwear under clothes that can get wet. Water shoes are the most useful item to bring, especially for the rocky canyon sections and river access points.

You receive a helmet and life vest, but neoprene and rafting shoes are not included. Ask about rental costs at the base before changing, and bring enough money for drinks or optional food.

At the finish, you remove your equipment and watch the after-movie and photos. Hotel drop-off follows, so the day ends with transport back to Alanya or Side rather than leaving you to arrange your own return.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Pickup is offered from hotels in the Alanya and Side areas, but you should check the available start time for your date.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a busy, social day with real time on the river. The strongest parts are the canyoning route, the long rafting section, the included lunch, and the care shown by guides such as Sino. A score of 4.6 from 49 ratings fits the overall picture: very good fun, with a few practical cautions.

Do not book it for the zipline alone, since it may feel short and low. Also budget for footwear, neoprene, drinks, and optional photos, and ask clearly about prices before accepting anything offered during the day.

At $45, the package is a sensible choice for an active visit from Alanya or Side. Bring water shoes, accept that the river is cold, and think of the zipline as a small extra. The canyoning and rafting are the reasons to go.

FAQ

Where does this tour take place?

The tour takes place in Koprulu Canyon National Park in Antalya Province, along the Koprucay River.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

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

How long does the tour last?

It is a full-day experience. Starting times vary, so you should check availability for your date.

What activities are included?

The day includes about one hour of canyoning, whitewater rafting, and a zipline crossing over the Koprucay River.

How far do you raft?

The rafting route is described as about 14 kilometers in total. The first section is approximately 7 kilometers before lunch, followed by more rafting afterward.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch near the river is included. Drinks and gözleme are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and water shoes. You may also want money for drinks, optional food, equipment rentals, photos, and the DVD movie.

Is the tour suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers. It is also not suitable for children under 7, pregnant women, wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or people with heart problems.

Are photos and the DVD movie included?

No. Photos and the DVD movie are optional extras and are not included in the tour price.