If you have come to Turkey not just to lazily lounge on the beach under the blazing sun, but also to actively enjoy your vacation (and “actively” is the key word), we recommend you check out rafting in Kemer (Antalya). This is an excellent option for those who enjoy a moderate dose of adrenaline—or simply want to experience what it’s like to raft down a mountain river in Turkey.
What is Rafting?
Rafting in Turkey (Kemer) is essentially a trip down the mountain river Kepryuchay (located in the Köprülü Canyon), about 100 km from Antalya. Tourists can choose between two types of boats:
- Multi-person rafts (the number of riders is not strictly determined by available seats but by the total weight – slight imbalances can sometimes occur).
- Two-person rafts (typically chosen by more experienced adventurers; note that these do not come with a personal guide, unlike the multi-person rafts).
In addition to the rafting on the cold river, tourists will be taken to a few not-so-affordable cafes for meals, given a brief safety briefing, and throughout the excursion, vendors will continuously try to sell you various items (food, wetsuits, photos, videos) – but more on that later.
Despite a few minor inconveniences, the trip will overall leave you with pleasant memories. So, shall we hit the water?
Preparation
In the surroundings of Kemer—and even in Antalya—there are no rivers ideal for rafting or even its distant equivalent. As a result, the rafting excursion takes place quite far away. On average, with all the stops included, the journey to the rafting site takes about 2 hours, a duration that you hardly notice in a comfortable minibus.
What should you know before purchasing tickets? The most important factor is the pricing policy of tour agencies – and it can be astonishingly bold! Consider this: the cost of the excursion at a local tour bureau is approximately 20–25 dollars per adult (if you negotiate), while a child will cost between 10 and 15 dollars. And if you completely reject street guides and prefer hotel-organized tours, be prepared to shell out around 40–50 dollars (depending on the guide’s audacity).
The optimal option – the “golden mean” – is to book a tour through an online operator. They keep prices fair and offer guides available in multiple European languages. Moreover, if any issues arise, you’ll know exactly where and whom to look for, as most online agencies fully disclose their business information because they operate legally. Just make sure not to purchase an excursion if you’re not confident in the agency.
So, once your ticket is booked, what’s next? Prepare your clothing and bring water if you don’t want to pay exorbitant prices. We recommend taking an extra change of clothes that you won’t mind getting soaked, as you will get very wet during the trip!
What else? Sunscreen! Yes, you read that correctly—sunscreen. Keep in mind that even in the shade (which along the route will practically be non-existent) the air temperature hovers around 33°C, not to mention the relentless sun.
If you have just started your vacation, rafting in Kemer—or in Turkey for that matter—is not exactly the ideal activity to kick things off. Let your skin acclimate, get some sun, and then plan your rafting trip in about 4–5 days.
Regarding photos and videos during the rafting, if you don’t have equipment designed to protect your devices from moisture, don’t risk it. We estimate there’s a 90% chance that water will get onto your phone or camera—you can take a few shots just before the trip, then leave your devices in the bus. If you can find a secure spot in the raft, you might even bring a small water bottle.
The Journey
As mentioned earlier, the journey is not particularly tiring—the bus picks up tourists from hotels along the way, which takes up most of the travel time. Overall, the trip from Kemer to the Kepryuchay River takes about 1.5–2 hours.
Along the way, there is usually one stop for a meal, followed by a briefing, a change of clothes, and then the ride to the starting point of the rafting.
Regarding the briefing, it isn’t very long, and during it you will be offered the option to rent a wetsuit – but that’s entirely up to your personal preference, as it’s quite hot outside yet the water remains chilly.
After a final round of personal photos (if you aren’t bringing your own devices), it’s time to load into the rafts (or kayaks) and off you go.
The Rafting
If you don’t want to end up in freezing water, choose a raft that includes many children. In kayaks filled only with adults, the guide’s main task isn’t so much preventing a capsize as it is commanding the raft to pass just a millimeter away from tipping over. It is not uncommon for guides to literally toss tourists into the water using their hands. Naturally, all of this is done not out of malice but for fun and to capture some dramatic photos.
By the way, regarding photographs, don’t worry if you planned to capture the rafting moment but couldn’t bring your equipment—the trip employs a professional photographer who has honed his skills so well that the photos turn out absolutely stunning!
Yes, the price for these services isn’t exactly budget-friendly, but it’s a business and you must be prepared for that.
During the rafting, there will be two stops for paid meals (even if you’re a bit short on cash—the guides are used to noting down who bought what on paper for settling accounts near the bus) as well as one complimentary meal (its cost is included in the excursion price).
The total duration of the rafting is approximately 2 hours. The first stop comes after one hour (necessary because many start feeling cold), the second stop follows about 40 minutes later, and the trip concludes after an additional 20–25 minutes.
Do not worry about the guides’ wild antics; they have their limits, and every stunt involving throwing people into the water is meticulously planned to occur only in exceptionally safe and shallow spots. Besides, you can always tell your guide to go easy on the jokes!
The End
At the very end, a presentation of the photos taken by the local photographer is held, followed by a screening of a short video.
Cost of the Photographs:
- 1 – 4–6 dollars;
- 2 – 10–13 dollars;
- 3 – 13–16 dollars.
Cost of the 40-minute video – 30 dollars.
Useful Tips and Tricks
The main tip is to purchase the video collectively. After all, what’s the point of buying it just for yourself when you can team up with several other tourists, buy it together, and then share it with everyone?
Furthermore, keep in mind that the guide’s role is to make a dramatic entrance rather than to calmly and quietly navigate the rapids – after all, he is responsible for your entertainment.
Pack lightly – bring only the minimum amount of clothing needed to change before or after the trip. If you’re trying to save money, take a snack with you, as food along the route will be noticeably more expensive. As for the paid stop during the rafting, there’s nothing you can do: you can’t bring your own food onto the raft, so you’ll either have to pay on shore or simply endure it.
In conclusion, we can add that experiencing rafting in Kemer or Antalya is definitely worthwhile – it’s exciting, adventurous, and quite safe; even children enjoy it immensely (of course, when accompanied by adults). Enjoy your vacation wisely!
