Choose a quad if you want the most physical ride and do not mind dust and mud; choose a buggy if you want a steering wheel and a passenger sitting beside you. Both run as guided half-day tours in the Taurus foothills with hotel pickup from Side. Drivers must be at least 16, and children from 3 can come along as passengers. In 2026 the quad costs €30 per driver and the buggy €35.
How a quad and a buggy differ
- Quad (ATV): a four-wheeled motorbike you sit astride and steer with handlebars; on our Side tour the quads are 250cc. You feel every bump and lean into the corners, and it takes a few minutes to get used to.
- Buggy (UTV): a small open off-road car with a steering wheel and pedals, with the passenger sitting beside the driver. Most first-timers find it easier to drive.
What the tour involves
A minibus collects you from your hotel and drives you to the base station, with departures around 11:00 or 14:00; the tour page shows the pickup time for your hotel. You get the equipment, a safety briefing and instruction, then ride behind the guide on dirt and forest tracks. On the buggy tour the route is about 20 km in two loops with a break, near the Manavgat river, after a short test drive. Back at the base you can take a shower before the minibus returns you to the hotel. Allow about three hours in total.
Age limits and who can join
- Drivers must be at least 16 years old.
- Children from 3 years can ride as passengers; children under 3 cannot join.
- The tours are not recommended for people with walking disabilities.
2026 prices
- Quad safari in the Taurus mountains: €30 per driver, €15 per passenger.
- Buggy safari in the Taurus mountains: €35 per driver, €20 per passenger.
- Köprülü Canyon river quad or buggy adventure: about four hours on a 20 km course by the river, €30 per quad driver and €35 per buggy driver. The tour is listed with a zip-line; the tour page shows what your option includes.
Hotel pickup and drop-off, the guide, the vehicle and travel insurance are included. Goggles, a bandana, a locker, photos, videos and drinks are extra. See both on our Side jeep, quad and buggy safari page.
What to wear and bring
Clothes you do not mind getting dirty, a change of clothes, closed shoes, sunglasses and a bandana or scarf against the dust. Leave valuables at the hotel.
Quad, buggy or jeep safari?
On the Green Canyon jeep safari our drivers drive, and the day is about scenery, Green Lake and lunch on its shore. On a quad or buggy you drive yourself, and the tour takes half a day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum age to drive a quad or buggy in Side?
16. Younger children from 3 years can join as passengers.
Which is easier for beginners, a quad or a buggy?
The buggy, for most people: it drives like a small car and the passenger sits beside you. The quad needs a little more balance and confidence in the corners.
How long is a quad or buggy safari in Side?
About three hours including hotel pickup and drop-off, with departures around 11:00 or 14:00. The Köprülü Canyon quad or buggy tour takes about four hours.
How much does a quad or buggy safari in Side cost?
In 2026, €30 per quad driver and €35 per buggy driver, with hotel pickup included; passengers pay €15 on the quad and €20 on the buggy.
What happens if it rains on the day of my quad or buggy safari?
The tour goes ahead, because our quad and buggy safaris run in the rain. We call a tour off only for a storm or when it is unsafe, and whenever we cancel, you get back everything you paid.
If I change my mind and don't want to go, do I get my money back?
Yes, if you cancel up to 24 hours before the tour starts: cancellation is free, with a full refund of what you paid. For later cancellations and no-shows, see our cancellation and refund page.
When is the busiest time for quad and buggy safaris in Side?
Across all our tours, August had the most guests on our 2026 bookings, followed by July and October. The quad and buggy tours alone have too few bookings to rank the months, so these are the figures for all our tours together.
Can I still do a quad or buggy safari in November?
Yes. In 2026 the quad and buggy safaris in the Taurus mountains and the Köprülü Canyon quad or buggy tour all run from 1 May to 30 November.
Can I join if I'm pregnant or have a heart condition?
Not on the quad safari in the Taurus mountains: its tour page lists pregnant women and people with heart problems as not suitable, as well as people with mobility impairments and children under 3. If either applies to you, ask us before booking the buggy safari or the Köprülü Canyon tour.
How do I know if you can pick me up from my hotel?
Choose your hotel under "Check your pickup area" on the tour page: it shows whether your hotel is covered and its pickup time. If you are staying in Side's old town, choose "Side Anadolu Türkü Evi" as your pickup point for the buggy safari or the Köprülü Canyon tour, and we send you its Google Maps link the day before.
Can I go swimming on the Köprülü Canyon quad or buggy tour?
Yes. Midway through the Köprülü Canyon ride there is a break at the edge of the Köprüçay river, where you can wash off the dust and cool off with a swim. A change of clothes is on the tour's what-to-bring list.
