City of Side: Jeep Safari & Green Lake Boat Trip with Lunch

A jeep safari through the Taurus Mountains is a lively way to reach Green Canyon and Green Lake without hiring a car. Expect rough tracks, loud music, water fights, mountain views, a lake swim, lunch, and a boat ride, all packed into six to seven hours.

I like the mix of thrills and quiet scenery. The off-road driving brings the fun, while the boat cruise gives you a slower look at Oymapınar Dam and the surrounding hills. I also like the price: at $19 per person, lunch, hotel transport, guiding, and the main activities offer strong value.

The catch is comfort. The jeeps can be cramped and the ride is genuinely bumpy. Dust, splashing water, loud music, and sudden jolts are part of the deal, so this is not the right outing if you want a calm sightseeing day.

Key points to know before booking

• Water fights are part of the safari: Keep phones and cameras safely at the hotel, and do not wear white clothing.
• The off-road ride is the main event: Expect dusty tracks, sharp turns, bumps, and skilled drivers such as Joseph, Atoo, Alex, and Ali Baba.
• Green Lake gives the day a welcome change of pace: You can swim while lunch is prepared, then take a boat ride of about 50 minutes to an hour.
• Lunch is substantial but drinks cost extra: The meal can include chicken, pasta, salad, rice, couscous, and bread.
• Bring a face covering: Dust can be heavy on the mountain roads. Bandanas may be available to buy for about €5.
• The waterfall stop is optional in cost: Manavgat Waterfall is included as a stop, but its entrance fee is not included.

From Side to the Taurus Mountains

Your day begins with pickup at the security gate in front of your Side hotel. The transport is part of the experience: you ride in one of the safari jeeps rather than a standard coach, then usually gather with other jeeps before the main route begins.

Allow roughly six to seven hours from pickup to return. A common schedule runs from about 8:30 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon, though the exact time depends on your hotel and the day’s operation.

Before setting off, you receive a safety briefing and instructions on how to sit in the jeep. Guides speak English, German, and French, and the tour can be arranged for private or small groups. In practice, many departures operate as a convoy, with several jeeps traveling together. That creates a party atmosphere, but it also means you should not expect a private, quiet trip unless you choose that option.

The convoy format explains much of the tour’s character. Music plays, drivers joke with passengers, and the whole group may stop together for photographs. Guides known as Johnny Cash and Miki often help keep the day moving, while individual drivers stay with their own jeep.

What the off-road driving is really like

The first major section takes you into the Taurus Mountains on rough tracks. This is not a gentle scenic drive. You will be thrown around to some degree, particularly on uneven sections, and the open jeeps expose you to sun, dust, and splashes.

That is also why the ride is so much fun for the right person. Drivers such as Joseph, Atoo, Niko, Denny, Alex, and Ali Baba are repeatedly praised for making the route exciting while handling the vehicles with care. The best part is the sense that you are seeing rural Turkey from a viewpoint a normal road trip would miss.

Expect several elements that are not always obvious from the short tour description:

• Dust rising from the jeeps ahead
• Water sprayed between vehicles
• Loud music and group entertainment
• Stops for photos and short breaks
• Plenty of bouncing on rough tracks
• A strong chance of getting wet, even if you do not plan to swim

Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf or bandana. Sunglasses help protect your eyes from dust, while closed or secure footwear is sensible for getting in and out of the jeep. Do not bring delicate electronics. The water fights are fun, but a soaked phone is an expensive souvenir.

Roman aqueducts and mountain viewpoints

The route includes photo stops with views across the lake and hills. These pauses matter because the ride itself can be relentless. You get a chance to stand up, stretch, take photographs, and look at the scenery without the jeep jolting beneath you.

One stop is near old Roman aqueducts. You will have only a short time there, around a few minutes according to the schedule, so think of it as a quick look and photo break rather than a full archaeological visit. The aqueducts add a useful sense of place: this area has supported settlements and water systems for centuries, long before today’s resorts and activity companies arrived.

The mountain roads also give you wide views toward the lake. Guides usually point out photo spots and may organize group pictures. If you want a quieter photograph, move quickly when the jeep stops. The schedule is fairly full, and the convoy will not linger for long.

Green Canyon and Oymapınar Dam

The drive continues toward Green Canyon, where the scenery changes from rough mountain tracks to broad views over the water and the Oymapınar Dam. This is one of the day’s best visual stops.

You are not visiting a formal canyon trail or walking deep into a gorge. Instead, you stop at viewpoints and take in the high-sided waterway from above. The combination of pine-covered hills, steep slopes, and still water makes a clear contrast with the noisy jeep ride.

I would treat this as a photography stop rather than a detailed nature tour. You get attractive views and fresh air, but the guide’s attention is split between the convoy and the day’s schedule. The reward is the setting itself, especially when the weather is clear.

Green Lake, swimming, and lunch

Green Lake is where the day settles down. After the off-road sections, you stop near the water and have time to swim while lunch is prepared. The lake is the most useful pause on the tour because you can cool off, wash away some dust, and enjoy the scenery at your own speed.

You should bring proper swimwear and a towel if you have room. The schedule allows about 30 minutes for swimming before the meal, although the exact pace may vary. If you do not want to swim, this is a good time to sit by the water and take photographs.

Lunch is served at a restaurant near the lake. The food is generally buffet-style or arranged as a filling set meal. Typical items described for the meal include chicken, pasta, salad, rice, couscous, and bread. Portions are designed for an active day, not fine dining. I would call it practical, generous, and appropriate for the price.

Drinks are not included. Prices at the stops have been described as reasonable, but bring some cash in case you want a cold drink with lunch. Since the tour price is only $19, paying separately for beverages is not an unreasonable arrangement, but you should know about it before sitting down.

The Green Lake boat cruise

After lunch, you board a boat waiting near the lake. The cruise lasts roughly 50 minutes to an hour and gives you a much calmer view of the water and surrounding hills.

This is the best counterpoint to the jeep ride. You can sit, enjoy the breeze, listen to music, and watch the shoreline pass without dust in your face. There is also another chance to swim from the boat. If you have already had enough activity, you can stay aboard and enjoy the ride.

Some departures turn the boat trip into a lively group event, with music and plenty of social energy. Do not expect a silent nature cruise. The tone remains cheerful and informal, which suits people looking for a full day of entertainment. If you want solitude, this may feel too busy.

The boat is also where the tour’s value becomes clear. A separate boat trip on Green Lake can cost much more than the entire package once transport and food are added. Here, it is folded into the same outing, provided you select the boat-trip option when booking.

Manavgat Waterfall as the final stop

The last major stop is Manavgat Waterfall, usually for about 20 to 30 minutes. It is an easy way to finish the day with running water, greenery, and a few final photographs after the dusty roads.

The waterfall entrance fee is not included, so budget for that separately. The stop is short, and you should not expect a long visit or extensive time to explore the surrounding area. Still, it adds variety and gives you a pleasant final break before the drive back to Side.

If you are tired by this point, you can simply enjoy the cooler air and stretch your legs. If you want photographs, move promptly because the group will return to the jeeps on schedule.

How much value do you get for $19?

At $19, this is unusually inexpensive for a six to seven-hour outing with hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, off-road transport, lunch, and insurance. Add the Green Lake cruise when included in your chosen option, and the package becomes especially strong value.

The price works because this is a shared, high-volume operation. You may travel in a convoy, share the restaurant with other groups, and have limited time at each stop. That is not a flaw, but it is the tradeoff for keeping the cost low.

Extra spending can include drinks, photographs, a bandana, and the waterfall entrance fee. Photos and videos may be offered separately, with one package reported at about €45. You are under no obligation to buy them, but the photographers often capture the water fights, jeep convoy, and posed group shots that are difficult to take yourself.

The low price should not lead you to expect a luxury vehicle or a polished private guide. Think of it as an active group day with a strong entertainment angle. For the amount of ground covered, it is hard to complain about the cost.

Who will enjoy this, and who may not?

I would recommend this tour to families with older children, couples who want a busy day, groups of friends, and anyone who likes a mix of scenery and harmless chaos. Teenagers often enjoy the water fights and rough driving, while adults can appreciate the lake, mountain views, and included meal.

The experience can work for younger children too. One family with a three-year-old had a good day, and drivers can show care when a small child is aboard. Still, the ride is rough, and children under two are not permitted. You should judge the outing by your child’s tolerance for noise, heat, dust, and sudden movement.

I would not choose it for anyone with back or neck problems, anyone seeking a quiet nature trip, or anyone uncomfortable with open vehicles and water sprays. One account also noted that a jeep felt cramped when overbooked. Seating space can vary, so private or small-group arrangements may be worth considering if comfort matters.

Weather changes the experience. Summer heat helps you dry quickly after the water fights, while cooler months can feel chilly during the morning pickup and mountain ride. A jacket is useful in late autumn and winter. Sunglasses remain useful in every season.

Practical preparation for a better day

Pack lightly. You need:

• Swimwear
• Sunglasses
• A sun hat
• A scarf or bandana for dust
• Cash for drinks and the waterfall entrance
• A change of clothes if you dislike staying damp

Do not take your phone onto the jeeps unless it is sealed in a genuinely waterproof pouch. The water fights are an advertised part of the day, not an occasional accident. Wear clothing that can handle dust and splashes, and avoid white clothes.

Pickup takes place at the front security gate of your hotel, so be ready there rather than waiting inside the lobby. A message confirming the pickup time may arrive the day before. The tour is available with English, German, or French guidance, but the amount of spoken information may vary as the day focuses heavily on driving and entertainment.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Side plans depend on the weather, though you should still check the exact departure time and confirm that the boat option is selected.

Should you book the Side jeep safari?

Book it if you want a full, inexpensive day with action, water, music, and mountain scenery. The strongest parts are the skilled drivers, the changing pace from rough tracks to calm lake water, the substantial lunch, and the amount included for $19.

Skip it if you want peaceful sightseeing, personal space, or a carefully paced cultural tour. The jeeps can be crowded, the ride is bumpy, and the water fights are impossible to treat as a minor detail.

For most active visitors staying in Side, this is a very good-value outing. Bring a bandana, protect your electronics, accept the dust, and choose it for the fun rather than for luxury. You will see a different side of the area, and the combination of Green Canyon, Green Lake, lunch, boat time, and Manavgat Waterfall makes the day feel much bigger than its price suggests.

FAQ

How long does the jeep safari and Green Lake trip last?

The experience lasts about six to seven hours, including hotel pickup and return to Side.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup takes place at the security gate in front of your hotel in the Side area.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off by jeep are included.

What languages are available?

Live guiding is available in English, German, and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch near Green Lake is included, but drinks are not.

Is the Green Lake boat trip included?

The boat trip is included if you select the option that includes it when booking.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. There is time to swim at Green Lake and another swimming opportunity during the boat cruise.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, and swimwear. A scarf or bandana is also useful for the dusty roads.

Are electronic devices allowed?

You should not bring electronic devices because water fights take place between the jeeps.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

Children under two are not permitted. Older children can join, but you should consider the bumpy ride, dust, water fights, and loud music.