Green Canyon Jeep Safari – Land Rover Tracks and an Hour on the Lake

By late morning you will be covered in a fine layer of Taurus dust; by lunchtime you will be floating in cool emerald water. That swing from rough to refreshing is what makes this one of our best-loved day trips from Alanya and Side. Experienced drivers handle the Land Rovers, so all you do is hold on, take photos and – inevitably – join the water fights.

Into the Taurus by Land Rover

After pickup at around 09:00 the group drives along the coast towards Manavgat, where the convoy leaves the tarmac. The first off-road section climbs into the hills to the remains of the Roman aqueduct that once carried water to Side. There is the option of a short stop at a small zoo (entrance not included), and a hilltop viewpoint later lets you see the canyon and the sea at once.

An hour on the emerald lake

The Green Canyon is the reservoir of the Oymapınar dam, a long, winding lake hemmed in by pine-clad cliffs. Your boat spends about an hour on it, including a stop of roughly 30 minutes for swimming in the clear mountain water. Life jackets are on board for anyone who is not a confident swimmer.

Lunch by the water, then back on the tracks

Lunch is served at a restaurant right on the shore, with more time for a dip afterwards. At about 15:00 the jeeps set off on the second off-road stretch, and you are back at your hotel at around 16:00.

Who it suits

The tracks are bumpy, so the trip is not recommended during pregnancy or for anyone with back problems; otherwise children usually love it. Adults pay €33, children aged 3–11 €20 and under-3s ride free. Drinks, photos and the zoo ticket are extra. Wear clothes that can get dusty and wet, and keep electronics in a waterproof bag. For a calmer day on the same lake, choose the Green Canyon boat trip; animal lovers may prefer the Lion Park and jeep combination.