Man-made engineering and Mother Nature's talents combine in this pocket of Antalya's Taurus Mountains to give us the Green Canyon. While the Manavgat River had been slowly carving the canyon for millennia, it was the Oymapınar Dam, finished in 1988, that flooded it and created the lake you'll be cruising along. Emir, a local guide, says, “the area's been given a protected status to allow animals and plants to thrive and you'll get to play your part as you plant a tree to support the forest.”
You'll start this half-day adventure with a scenic 4x4 ride that takes you through the mountains towards the canyon. On the way, you'll hear about the area from your expert guide and get ready to make your own special contribution to the environment here. As you dig into the soil and plant a tree, you'll be supporting one of many reforestation projects aimed at keeping the Green Canyon living up to its name and preserving the area's natural beauty.
Next, dust the soil from your hands and get ready to cast off for an altogether more relaxing part of your tour. You'll take a cruise along the Green Canyon and even stop for a dip. As the emerald waters give way to the shoreline, cast your eyes up to follow the towering rocks with spiky green pines, cedars and determined wildflowers clinging to them. The mix of forests and freshwater has attracted migratory birds and even endangered species like the fish owl – your guide will help keep an eye out for any interesting wildlife spots.
