City of Side: Quad Safari Off-road with Transfer

The best part of this Side excursion is the 20 km off-road route through the Taurus foothills. You move from forest tracks to dusty paths, puddles, and mountain views, with a summer swimming stop that breaks up the riding. It is less about polished sightseeing and more about getting dirty outdoors.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, which saves you from finding the base yourself. I also like the quick practice ride before setting off, especially if this is your first ATV outing. The main caution is timing: the advertised duration says one hour, but the detailed schedule adds up to about three hours once transfers, riding, and the break are included.

Key points to know before booking

• Two 10 km ATV rides: The route is split into two sections, with a break in the Taurus Mountains between them.
• A real off-road setting: Expect forest paths, dust, dirt, puddles, and uneven ground rather than a smooth sightseeing road.
• A summer swimming stop: You get about 20 minutes to cool off at a natural spot during the warm season.
• Beginner-friendly setup: A safety briefing, helmet, and short test ride are provided before the main route.
• Pickup across the Side resort area: Transport is available from Gundogdu, Colakli, Evrenseki, Kumkoy, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengol, Kizilagac, Kizilot, and Çenger.
• Low headline price: At $18 per person, this is one of the cheaper ways to add an active half-day to a Side holiday, though photos, goggles, masks, drinks, and other extras cost more.

What the Side quad safari is really like

This is a straightforward ATV outing built around mud, dust, and open-air fun. You are not signing up for a long mountain expedition or a scenic drive with a few photo stops. You are signing up to ride a quad bike along rough Taurus trails under the direction of a guide.

That distinction matters. If you want a calm introduction to the countryside, the route may feel noisy and dusty. If you want a simple burst of action away from the hotel pool, it gives you exactly that without the price of a full-day adventure.

The company operating the activity is Murat Atalay Seyahat Acentası. The team includes Cem, who is named in the booking information, and the base has a friendly, informal character. You might see dogs around the property, and fruit grown locally may be offered before the ride. Those small touches help the starting point feel more like a working local base than a large amusement park.

The riding is guided, and the setup is meant to work for first-timers as well as people who already know their way around a quad. Still, a quad bike is a motor vehicle on uneven ground. You should be comfortable steering, braking, following directions, and staying with the group.

Hotel pickup from Side and the trip to the base

Pickup takes place at the main security gate in front of your hotel. This is worth noting because drivers may not go inside the hotel grounds. Be ready at the gate and keep your phone available in case the pickup time shifts.

The listed coach journey takes about 35 minutes on the way out and 30 minutes on the return. The exact ride depends on where you are staying, since the service covers a long stretch of the Side resort area. A hotel in central Side should have a different transfer time from one in Çenger or Kizilot.

The main practical issue is the start time. One booking had a pickup scheduled for 8:30 instead of 10:00, which created a frustrating wait before planned breakfast. I would confirm the pickup time carefully and treat the time shown at booking as a guide rather than a guarantee. If breakfast matters, ask your hotel about an early meal or takeaway option.

Transport is included, so you do not need to arrange a taxi to the ATV base. Travel insurance is also included, along with the guide and helmet. Drinks are not included, so bring water or budget to buy one.

Safety briefing and the first practice ride

At the base, the team gives you a short briefing on the quad, the route, and basic safety. Helmets are supplied. You can also buy a bandana, protective mask, or safety goggles if you want more cover from dust, but these items are not part of the $18 price.

You then get a short test ride. This is one of the most useful parts of the setup because it gives you time to learn the throttle, brakes, steering, and stopping distance before reaching the rougher tracks.

Use this moment properly. Do not treat it as a formality. If the ATV feels too fast, too heavy, or difficult to control, tell the guide before the main ride begins. A calm start makes the rest of the route more enjoyable.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women. Children under three are not allowed. Drivers must be older than 16, while passengers can be older than three. The supplied information does not give a maximum passenger age or explain the exact passenger arrangement, so ask the operator if a child will be riding with an adult.

First 10 km through forests and dusty tracks

Once the group leaves the base, the first riding section covers about 10 km. The route passes through forest areas, dusty tracks, rough ground, and mountain scenery. Depending on recent weather, you may encounter puddles and mud as well as dry dust.

The scenery is a pleasant change from Side’s beach hotels and Roman ruins. You see the Taurus foothills from ground level, with the ride itself providing the movement and excitement. The point is not to stop at a long list of viewpoints. Instead, the views appear as part of the route while you work the quad over the track.

This section should suit a beginner who wants some excitement without committing to a full day. The guide sets the pace and keeps the group together. That also means your speed is not entirely your own. A booking from Belgium noted that a young child in the group made the riding slow. This is a fair possibility on any mixed group ATV trip.

If you are an experienced rider, you may occasionally wish for a faster pace. The benefit is that the route remains accessible to people with different skill levels. The trade-off is less freedom to ride as you like.

Dust is part of the deal. Wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty, and do not bring anything you would hate to cover in fine grit. Sunglasses help protect your eyes in bright conditions, though they are not a substitute for proper goggles if you want stronger dust protection.

The 20-minute summer swimming break

During summer, the route includes a 20-minute stop at a natural swimming spot. This is a useful pause after the first section, especially on a hot day when the combination of sun, helmet, dust, and engine heat can become tiring.

Bring a towel and swimwear. The recommended packing list includes comfortable shoes, sunglasses, and a towel, but it does not specifically promise changing rooms, lockers, showers, or a staffed swimming area. Keep valuables to a minimum, and do not assume that a safe box is included. A safe box is listed among the items not included.

The break is short, so think of it as a quick cool-down rather than a long swim. You will need to dry off and get back on the quad for the second section. The natural setting adds variety to the day, but the stop depends on the season and the conditions.

The second 10 km ride back through the Taurus foothills

After the break, you ride another 10 km before returning to the base. The second section offers more forest tracks, dirt, open mountain views, and the same rough outdoor character as the first.

By this point, you will have learned how the quad responds, so the ride may feel more relaxed. You can focus less on the controls and more on the scenery around you. You may also be dustier, warmer, and more tired than expected, which is why the short swimming stop matters.

The route is designed as a guided group ride, not an individual off-road rental. You follow the lead of the guide and remain with the group. That makes the activity easier for beginners and helps with safety, but it limits your ability to stop whenever you want for photos.

The company’s photography team takes pictures during the ride. At the end, you can look through the images and choose whether to buy any. Photos are optional and not included in the price. This is common on motorized adventure outings, but you should decide your budget before you see the pictures. Dusty tracks and mountain views can make appealing action shots, yet you are under no obligation to purchase them.

How much value do you get for $18?

At $18 per person, the price is low for an activity that includes hotel transfers, a guide, insurance, helmet use, and roughly 20 km of riding. If you want an inexpensive active outing from Side, the numbers work well.

The value is strongest if you already have transport included in your holiday and want something different from the beach. You are paying for a guided ride, not a private ATV and not a full-day mountain trip. The group format and fixed pace help keep the price down.

Budget for extras. Drinks, photos, bandanas, safety goggles, protective masks, and use of a safe box are not included. You may decide that sunglasses are enough, but goggles or a mask can make the ride more comfortable if the dust is heavy.

The schedule needs careful reading. The headline duration is one hour, yet the detailed timing lists a 35-minute transfer, a 45-minute first ride, a 20-minute break, a 50-minute second ride, and a 30-minute return transfer. That is about three hours in total, not one hour. The riding itself adds up to 95 minutes, with transport and the swimming stop making up the rest.

I would plan for a half-day window rather than trying to fit this tightly between breakfast, lunch, and another timed activity.

Who will enjoy this most?

This suits you if you want a low-cost outdoor activity, like motorized adventure, and do not mind dust or a group pace. It is also a sensible choice for a first ATV ride because you receive instruction, a test ride, a helmet, and a guide.

It works well for couples and families with older children who meet the age rules. A child over three may ride as a passenger, but the information does not specify the exact passenger setup, so confirm the arrangement before booking.

Experienced ATV riders may find the guided pace conservative. That is not a fault, but it is important to know what you are buying. This is a social, beginner-friendly safari rather than a private technical ride.

I would skip it if you dislike dirt, heat, engine noise, or uncertain group speeds. I would also avoid booking it on a day when you need to return at a precise time. Pickup changes and the long route timing can make the schedule less tidy than the one-hour headline suggests.

Language, staff, and the feel of the base

Guiding is available in English, German, and Russian. That gives many Side visitors a useful choice when receiving safety instructions and route information.

The base appears to have a relaxed, personal feel. Cem is associated with the team, and the staff have been described as friendly and welcoming. Dogs and homegrown fruit may be part of the scene, adding a small local touch before the more mechanical part of the day begins.

Do not expect a luxury setup. The included items are practical: transport, insurance, a guide, quad riding, and a helmet. Paid extras and photo sales are handled separately. The experience is best approached as a simple working safari operation, with the emphasis on the trail rather than polished facilities.

What to bring and what to wear

Wear comfortable shoes with a firm sole. Flip-flops are a poor choice for controlling a quad or walking around a muddy base.

Choose clothes that can handle dust and puddles. Light-colored outfits may look less attractive by the end of the ride. Sunglasses are useful, and a towel is important if you plan to swim during the summer stop.

Bring only what you need. Dust can get into bags and clothing, and the safe box is not included. Keep phones and cameras protected, especially if you plan to carry them during the ride.

You do not need to bring a helmet because one is provided. If you want a bandana, safety goggles, or a protective mask, plan to buy them at the base.

Booking flexibility and practical limits

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Side plans are still changing.

Pickup is included from a broad group of resort areas, but you must meet the vehicle at the main hotel security gate. Check that your hotel is within the listed pickup zones before paying.

The minimum driver age is 16. Children under three cannot take part, and pregnant women should not book this activity. The passenger rule allows children older than three, but ask how children will be seated before making a family booking.

Should you book the Side quad safari?

Book it if you want cheap, dusty outdoor fun with transport already arranged. The two 10 km rides, summer swim stop, mountain views, and beginner briefing make it a good change from a resort day.

Go in with realistic expectations. The group may move slowly, optional extras cost more, and the actual door-to-door outing is much longer than the one-hour headline suggests. Confirm your pickup time, bring clothes that can get muddy, and allow about half a day.

For $18, I think it is good value for a first ATV outing from Side, especially for couples and families with older children. It is less suitable for serious riders seeking speed, privacy, or a highly polished adventure operation.

FAQ

How long does the activity take?

The listed duration says one hour, but the detailed schedule includes about 35 minutes of outbound transfer, 45 minutes of first riding, a 20-minute break, 50 minutes of second riding, and 30 minutes of return transfer. Plan for roughly three hours in total.

Where is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is offered from Gundogdu, Colakli, Evrenseki, Kumkoy, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengol, Kizilagac, Kizilot, and Çenger. You meet the vehicle at the front security gate of your hotel.

Is a helmet included?

Yes. Helmets are included, along with the quad ride, guide, travel insurance, and hotel transfers.

Are safety goggles and masks included?

No. Bandanas, protective masks, safety goggles, drinks, photos, and safe box use are not included. You can buy some of these items at the base.

Can children take part?

Children under three are not allowed. Drivers must be older than 16, while passengers can be older than three.

Is swimming part of the activity?

In summer, the tour includes a 20-minute swimming break at a natural spot in the Taurus Mountains. Bring a towel.

Which languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English, German, and Russian.