REVIEW · SIDE
Side Quad Safari Experience (Adventure Tour) w/ Hotel Transfer
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Side gets a whole lot more fun with dust. This quad safari sends you to the foothills of the Taurus Mountains, where you’ll drive through rough, muddy off-road trails. I like that it’s built around a 2-hour quad ride, not just a quick spin for photos, and you also get hotel transfer both ways so you’re not scrambling for transport.
The setup is straightforward: pickup, a meet-and-greet with the instructors, safety gear, then your time on the bikes with a guide. If you’re okay with a bit of grime and you have a moderate fitness level, this is a great way to feel like you actually got out of Side. One thing to keep in mind: some feedback notes the quads can be on the older side and only in acceptable condition.
With a listed rating of 4.5/5, the vibe here is simple: you come for the fun. The whole experience runs about 4 hours, starting at 10:00 am, with a group capped at 60 people. It’s also weather-dependent, and there’s one small catch: goggles and a face mask aren’t included, even though the trails can get dusty.
In This Review
- Side Quad Safari in Plain Terms: What You Really Do
- Hotel Transfer and Timing from Side (No Stress Start)
- Safety Gear, Full Insurance, and the Trail Reality
- The 4-Hour Flow: Pickup, Meet-and-Greet, Ride Time, Return
- Two Hours of Quad Riding on Rough, Dusty Trails
- The one drawback to factor in: quad condition
- Who This ATV Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Pass)
- English Guiding and a Group Size That Stays Manageable
- Price and Value: Is $40 Worth It?
- What to Bring for Dust, Mud, and Comfort
- Weather Rules: Plan for Real Outdoor Conditions
- Should You Book the Side Quad Safari?
- FAQ
- How long is the Side Quad Safari experience?
- What time does the tour start?
- Do I get hotel transfer both ways?
- How long will I ride the quad?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- What safety items are included?
- Is full insurance part of the price?
- Are goggles and a face mask included?
- What happens if weather is poor?
Side Quad Safari in Plain Terms: What You Really Do
This is an adventure-style ATV tour in and around Side, Turkey. The plan is to pick you up from your hotel, drive you to a quad biking center in the countryside at the Taurus foothills, then get you riding for about two hours on off-road terrain.
You’re not just tooling around on smooth paths. You’ll spend time on dusty, muddy trails where control matters. That’s why the tour is best if you’re comfortable sitting on a bike, staying balanced over bumps, and listening to instructions when the ground gets uneven.
Also, this is not a tiny private thing. The group size is limited to 60, so you’ll have company, but it shouldn’t feel like a giant crowd on the trail.
Hotel Transfer and Timing from Side (No Stress Start)

The day begins with pickup from your hotel, then you’re transported in modern, fully air-conditioned vehicles to the quad center. That matters more than it sounds. Side traffic can be unpredictable, and getting everyone to the start point without you handling logistics keeps the tour from turning into a half-day headache.
The start time is 10:00 am, and the total duration is about 4 hours. So you’re getting a full adventure without eating your whole day. It also gives you enough daylight to enjoy the ride and still get back comfortably.
There’s also a mobile ticket involved, which helps if you don’t want to manage paper vouchers on a phone already full of maps and restaurant saves.
Other quad & buggy tours we've reviewed in Side
Safety Gear, Full Insurance, and the Trail Reality
Safety equipment is included, and you’ll ride with guidance. The tour also lists full insurance, which is a big reassurance for a quad experience where accidents can happen if you get too confident.
Here’s the practical side: even with safety gear, you’re going to deal with dust and mud. That means your “comfort level” will depend on how you handle conditions like:
- Screeched-to-a-stop moments when the terrain changes
- Mud splatter that gets into sleeves and shoes
- Dust that makes eye and face protection important
One booking detail to watch: goggles and a face mask are not included. Safety gear is included, but you should plan to protect your eyes and breathing. If you’ve ever had sand in your contacts or felt dust crawl up your nose, you already know why.
And yes, there’s a caution from the feedback: the quads may be fairly old, in just acceptable condition. That doesn’t automatically mean your day is ruined, but it does mean you should expect normal wear-and-tear—then ride smart and follow the instructor lead.
The 4-Hour Flow: Pickup, Meet-and-Greet, Ride Time, Return
Even though the trip is simple, it follows a clear rhythm. Think of it as a quick cycle: start in Side, head out to the countryside, ride hard for two hours, then head back.
1) Hotel pickup in Side
You start when your team member collects you from your hotel. This is where the day stays easy. No need to figure out where the quad center is. No waiting around with your own transport.
2) Travel to the Taurus foothills area
You’re taken by modern, air-conditioned vehicle to the quad biking center located on the foothills of the Taurus Mountains. The drive itself is often part of the experience, because it positions you away from the beach crowds and into more open terrain.
3) Meet-and-greet with instructors
At the starting point, there’s a meet-and-greet session with the quad safari instructors. This is where you’ll get the basics so you can spend your riding time actually riding instead of guessing.
4) Safety briefing and gear
Safety equipment is provided. Use it correctly. If they show you how to wear it or adjust parts, do exactly that. It’s not the moment to improvise.
5) Two hours of quad riding
This is the heart of the tour. You’ll drive through rough, dusty, muddy off-road trails. Expect a mix of momentum and slower sections, depending on the terrain.
6) Return transfer
After your ride window, you’re sent back with the included hotel transfer, since this is listed as both ways.
Two Hours of Quad Riding on Rough, Dusty Trails
This is why the Side Quad Safari works as a vacation highlight. The tour doesn’t sell itself as a gentle scenic activity. You get 2 hours quad riding, and the setting is purpose-built for off-road driving.
You should go in knowing what that means:
- You’ll feel bumps and ruts under the wheels
- You’ll likely get dusty no matter how careful you are
- You may need to shift your weight when the ground turns sloppy
The instructors and guiding service matter here. When you’re on uneven terrain, the person leading the group is basically your “what to expect next” system. You’ll want to stay in line and follow directions, especially if the trail is mixed—part smooth enough to pick up speed, part muddy enough to slow you down fast.
The one drawback to factor in: quad condition
A recurring point from the feedback is that the quads can be pretty old and in just acceptable condition. That doesn’t mean the tour won’t be fun. It does mean you should keep expectations realistic:
- You might notice older engines or wear
- You may have to ride with a little more patience
- A smooth ride depends more on you syncing with the bike than on perfect machinery
If you’re the type who gets frustrated by small mechanical imperfections, this is where you should be cautious. If you’re there for the off-road experience and you can roll with it, you’ll probably have a good time.
A few more Side tours and experiences worth a look
Who This ATV Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Pass)
This tour requests a moderate physical fitness level. That’s sensible. Quad riding asks you to sit steady over vibration, stay alert when the trail changes, and move your body to keep balance.
It’s a good fit if you:
- Want a high-action break from beach plans in Side
- Like outdoor activities and don’t mind dust and mud
- Enjoy tours with guiding rather than solo DIY driving
It may not be your best choice if you:
- Get uncomfortable with rough terrain
- Have trouble staying steady through bumps
- Really want a brand-new vehicle feel (given the feedback on quad condition)
Also, if you’re sensitive about face protection, plan for your own goggles/face mask since those aren’t included.
English Guiding and a Group Size That Stays Manageable
The tour includes guiding service, offered in English. For many visitors, this is where comfort turns into confidence. When you understand the instructions clearly, you’ll spend less time worrying and more time riding.
Group size is capped at 60. That’s big enough for lively energy, but small enough that the tour can still feel organized. The key is how quickly you get into the riding rhythm after the meet-and-greet.
Price and Value: Is $40 Worth It?
At $40.00 per person, this Side quad safari sits in the value category for an adventure tour, mainly because a lot of the expensive parts are handled for you:
- Hotel transfer both ways
- Safety equipment
- Guiding service
- Full insurance
- Two hours of actual ride time
The big “value driver” here is the ride duration. Many tours can advertise quad riding, then cut it short. You’re getting a meaningful chunk of time on the trails.
The not-included items are where you might spend a little extra: goggles and a face mask (and a DVD, which you probably won’t care about). If you already have the basics, your total cost stays close to the ticket price.
So the value equation is pretty clear: if you want a guided, insured off-road quad experience with transport, this price makes sense. If you’re picky about vehicle age, you’ll need to weigh whether that one drawback affects your enjoyment.
What to Bring for Dust, Mud, and Comfort
Goggles and a face mask are not included. That’s the one gear gap that matters most for this specific experience, because the trails are described as dusty and muddy.
Beyond that, the tour includes safety equipment, but you should still think about basic comfort items for your own protection and sanity:
- A face covering or mask you’re comfortable wearing while dusty
- Goggles that fit well (so they don’t become a constant annoyance)
- Closed-toe shoes you don’t mind getting dirty
Bring a practical attitude too. This isn’t a wipe-clean souvenir day. It’s a wear-the-dirt day.
Weather Rules: Plan for Real Outdoor Conditions
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll either be offered a different date or a full refund.
That matters because quad riding can’t be replicated in the same way when trails are unsafe or conditions are off. Also, the tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If the minimum isn’t met, you’ll get a different date/experience or a full refund.
In short: it’s outdoor fun, so it’s worth booking with enough flexibility in your Side itinerary.
Should You Book the Side Quad Safari?
If you want an active day outside Side’s usual rhythm, I think this is a solid booking choice. The included two hours of quad riding plus the hotel transfer makes it low-effort on your end. The rating of 4.5/5 and the consistent praise for fun and recommendability suggest most people leave happy.
Just go in with your eyes open about the quad condition. Since the quads may be old and only in acceptable shape, you should focus on riding experience and guidance rather than expecting a brand-new machine.
If you’re comfortable with dusty trails, have moderate physical fitness, and you pack (or buy) your own eye/face protection, you’ll likely get exactly what you came for: a memorable off-road adventure near the Taurus Mountains.
FAQ
How long is the Side Quad Safari experience?
The experience runs for about 4 hours total.
What time does the tour start?
Pickup and start time are listed as 10:00 am.
Do I get hotel transfer both ways?
Yes. Hotel transfer is included both ways.
How long will I ride the quad?
You get 2 hours of quad riding.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, the tour is offered in English.
What safety items are included?
Safety equipment is included.
Is full insurance part of the price?
Yes, full insurance is included.
Are goggles and a face mask included?
No. Goggles and a face mask are not included.
What happens if weather is poor?
The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

































