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

Green Lake is the calm center of this busy day, but the route there is anything but quiet. You ride open-sided jeeps through the Taurus Mountains, over rough tracks, past Roman aqueducts, and toward the views around Green Canyon and the Oymapinar Dam. Then the pace changes: lunch by the lake, a swim, and a boat ride with time to enjoy the water.

I like the strong mix of scenery and action, and I like the price. At about $19 per person, lunch, hotel transport, the jeep ride, and insurance are included, with the boat trip included when that option is selected. The drivers and hosts, including Joseph, Atoo, Alex, and the lively guide known as Johnny Cash, add plenty of fun.

The catch is comfort. The jeeps can be cramped, the tracks are very bumpy, and dust and water are part of the entertainment. This is not a quiet countryside outing, and you should leave valuable electronics at your hotel.

Key points to know before booking

• The off-road driving is the main event: Expect jolts, fast turns, dusty tracks, music, and water fights between jeeps.
• Green Lake gives the day a welcome pause: You get time to swim, eat lunch, and take a roughly one-hour boat ride.
• The scenery is varied: The route includes Taurus Mountain views, Roman aqueducts, Green Canyon, Oymapinar Dam, and Manavgat Waterfall.
• Lunch is included and substantial: The meal has been described as buffet-style chicken, salad, pasta, rice, couscous, and bread. Drinks cost extra.
• Pack for dust and water: Sunglasses, swimwear, a hat, and a scarf or bandana are more useful than a camera.
• The $19 price is unusually low for a full day: Photos, drinks, and the waterfall entrance fee are separate costs.

From Side hotels to the Taurus Mountains

Pickup takes place at the security gate in front of your hotel in the Side area. The exact starting time changes with availability, but the complete outing lasts about six to seven hours. A message confirming pickup may arrive the day before, and the same driver generally stays with your group for much of the day.

You first meet the wider team and receive a short briefing about seating, the route, and the day’s program. The jeeps then leave Side, often in a convoy. Some groups have around ten jeeps, with about ten people in each vehicle, although private and small-group options are also available.

This setup matters. The tour feels more like a moving group party than a private mountain drive. Music, jokes, and interaction between the jeeps are part of the plan. If you want a peaceful ride with long stretches of silence, this is the wrong choice. If you like an outgoing group atmosphere, it gets the day moving quickly.

Your first real stop takes you into the Taurus Mountains. The road changes from ordinary paved driving to rough tracks, with turns, bumps, and sections where the driving itself becomes the attraction. Drivers such as Joseph, Atoo, Alex, Niko, and Denny have received repeated praise for handling the jeeps with skill while keeping the ride exciting.

Still, you should take the warnings seriously. The ride throws you around. Hold on, expect dust, and do not wear clothing you want to keep spotless. Several people specifically recommended covering your mouth and nose. Bandanas may be sold at the meeting point for about €5, but bringing your own is simpler.

Roman aqueducts and wide mountain views

The convoy stops at viewpoints above the lake, giving you time to take photos and look across the wooded mountain country. These stops are short, but they break up the rough driving and let you appreciate how quickly the scenery changes outside Side.

The Roman aqueducts provide another brief pause. You have a few minutes to rest and take pictures before returning to the jeeps. This is not a full archaeological visit with a long explanation, so think of it as a scenic photo stop rather than a major ancient site.

That distinction helps set expectations. The tour gives you several snapshots of the region rather than a deep historical presentation. The guide explains the stops in English, German, or French, and the pace keeps moving. You see more places than you could easily reach without your own vehicle, but you do not linger for hours at any one of them.

The views are one of the best reasons to book. From the open jeep, you get a broad view in every direction, rather than looking through a bus window. On the other hand, the open sides also expose you to sun, dust, and wind. Sunglasses are useful for both comfort and protection.

Green Canyon and Oymapinar Dam

The next major stop is Green Canyon, with views toward the canyon and Oymapinar Dam. This is one of the day’s more scenic moments, and the stop lasts about 30 minutes. You will have time for photographs and a look across the water and surrounding hills.

The canyon section also shows why combining the jeep ride with the lake activities works well. The morning is active and rough. Green Canyon gives you a chance to slow down, look around, and take in the larger setting before the convoy heads toward Green Lake.

The route continues by jeep, with more off-road driving on the way. Water fights between the vehicles may happen during the day, and water bottles are used for this purpose. You may also encounter foam or other playful surprises. This is a genuine part of the tour, not an occasional accident, so protect anything that cannot get wet.

Phones and cameras are particularly vulnerable. The instructions specifically warn against bringing electronic devices on the tour date. If you want photos, the team offers its own photo and video service, sometimes including posed pictures and drone images. Prices reported for photo packages vary, with one package costing about €45. Treat this as an optional extra, not part of the $19 price.

Lunch, swimming, and a slower hour at Green Lake

Green Lake is where the day changes gear. After the last off-road section, you stop near the lake, visit an old mosque with the guide, and continue to the restaurant for lunch.

The meal is designed to suit a large group. Expect a filling spread rather than a carefully prepared restaurant tasting menu. Food described during the tour includes chicken, salad, pasta, rice or couscous, and bread. Portions are generally substantial, but drinks are not included and must be paid for separately.

I see good value here. A low-cost excursion can easily become expensive if lunch is missing, but this package includes a proper meal in a scenic setting. You can order drinks at the restaurant, and prices have been described as reasonable, though you should still bring some cash for extras.

You also get a swimming break while the meal is being prepared. The lake water is the reward after a dusty morning, and swimwear is one of the few essential items to pack. You may get wet during the water fights even if you never intend to swim, so a change of clothes would be sensible, though it is not listed as a required item.

The swimming stop lasts around 30 minutes. It is not a long beach day, and the schedule remains active. Use the time to cool down, rinse away dust, and enjoy the water rather than expecting a relaxed afternoon at the lake.

A 50-minute boat ride on Green Lake

After lunch, you take a seat on the boat waiting near the lake. The cruise lasts roughly 50 minutes to an hour, depending on how the day is timed. It is the gentlest part of the excursion and a welcome contrast to the jeep ride.

You can admire the cliffs, water, and forested hills from a low position on the lake. There is also another chance to swim from the boat. Music may continue here, and some tours turn the cruise into a small party, with singing and dancing rather than a quiet nature cruise.

That atmosphere is worth considering before you pay for the boat option. The scenery is peaceful, but the overall experience may still be lively and noisy. Families with older children and teenagers often fit the mood well. Young children may enjoy the water and music, but the bumpy jeep ride needs more thought.

The boat trip is listed as included when the option is selected. Check the exact option at booking, since the basic price and selected extras can differ. If the boat is not included in your choice, you should not assume it will be added automatically at the lake.

Manavgat Waterfall closes the route

Once the boat returns, you board the jeeps for the final stop at Manavgat Waterfall. The stop is short, usually about 20 to 30 minutes, and gives you fresh air, rushing water, and one more set of photographs.

The waterfall entrance fee is not included. It is an optional extra, so carry money if you want to enter. You can still treat this as a quick final sightseeing stop, but the length of the visit does not allow for a long walk or extended time by the water.

Afterward, the jeeps return you to your hotel in Side. The full day usually runs from a morning pickup to mid-afternoon, though the exact timing depends on hotel locations, traffic, and the number of vehicles in the convoy.

What the $19 price really includes

At $19, this is one of those excursions where the value comes from combining several modest activities into one day. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, the jeep ride, a guide, lunch, insurance, and the boat trip if selected. You also get access to viewpoints and rural routes that would be difficult to cover without hiring a car.

The low price does not mean everything is covered. Budget separately for:

• Drinks with lunch
• The Manavgat Waterfall entrance fee
• Photos and videos
• A bandana if you do not bring one
• Any other personal purchases

The price is especially strong for families and groups because transport, lunch, and several stops are bundled together. The main compromise is that the tour uses a large convoy and a busy schedule. You are paying for variety and energy, not privacy or long visits at each place.

Who will enjoy this jeep safari most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a full day with several different activities and do not mind a little chaos. It suits couples, families with older children, teenagers, and groups of friends who enjoy music, jokes, water fights, and a physical ride.

It also works well if you are staying in Side without a rental car. The route reaches mountain viewpoints, Green Canyon, Green Lake, and Manavgat Waterfall in one outing. For a first look at the countryside around Side, that is efficient.

The tour is less suitable if you have back problems, dislike sudden movement, or want a quiet nature experience. The jeeps are open, the tracks are rough, and one person reported that an overbooked jeep felt cramped. Children under two are not accepted, and anyone with mobility concerns should discuss the arrangement before booking.

Weather also changes the feel of the day. Morning conditions can be chilly late in the season, especially in November, so bring a light jacket. On hot, dry days, dust becomes more noticeable. A hat, sunglasses, swimwear, and a scarf or bandana cover most of the practical needs.

The guides are a major part of the mood. Johnny Cash is often the main host, with names such as Miki, Joseph, Atoo, Alex, and Axel Rose attached to different vehicles and groups. The guide team explains the program, keeps the convoy together, and adds humor between stops. If you prefer a formal guide who speaks at length about archaeology and ecology, you may find the commentary light.

Should you book the Green Lake jeep safari?

Book it if you want action, scenery, lunch, and swimming at a very low price. The strongest parts are the skilled driving, the changing views, the lake stop, and the simple pleasure of moving from a dusty mountain track to a boat on clear water within the same day.

Skip it if you want a calm boat cruise, a private vehicle, or a slow visit to historic sites. The ride is bumpy, the jeeps may be crowded, and the water fights mean that dust, music, and getting wet are not optional surprises.

For most active visitors staying in Side, I would consider it a good-value day out. Bring sunglasses, swimwear, a hat, a face covering, and no electronics you cannot risk losing. Confirm that the boat trip is part of your selected option, keep a little money for drinks and the waterfall, and you will be prepared for what this lively mountain outing actually offers.

FAQ

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

The experience lasts about six to seven hours, including hotel pickup, the jeep ride, sightseeing stops, lunch, swimming, the boat cruise, and the return to Side.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in the Side area. Pickup takes place in front of the hotel security gate.

What languages are available?

Live guides are available in English, German, and French.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at the Green Lake restaurant is included. Drinks are not included and cost extra.

Is the Green Lake boat trip included?

The boat trip is included when the selected booking option includes it. Check the option details before paying, since not every option may be identical.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. There is a swimming stop at Green Lake and another opportunity to swim during the boat trip.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, and swimwear. A scarf or bandana is also useful because the off-road roads can be dusty.

Can I bring my phone or camera?

The tour information warns against bringing electronic devices because water fights take place between the jeeps. Photos and videos are available as an optional paid service.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

Children under two are not accepted. The activity can suit families, but the jeep ride is rough and may feel cramped, so consider your child’s comfort before booking.