Ormana Village & Altınbeşik Cave Tour from Side

The drive up through the Taurus Mountains

Leaving the coast behind, the road climbs from palms and citrus groves into pine forest, limestone cliffs and deep river gorges. The Taurus Mountains run like a spine along Turkey's southern coast, and the scenery changes completely within an hour or two of Side. The route is part of the experience, with photo opportunities from the coach.

Pickup comes first at several hotels in Side, then the long mountain drive begins, so please be ready on time. Bring a light jacket, as mountain air is cooler than the coast, and travel pills if you are prone to motion sickness on winding roads. Our guide shares background on the region during the drive.

Altinbesik Cave National Park and the underground lake

Altinbesik Cave National Park protects one of the longest known cave systems in Turkey, shaped over thousands of years by water moving through limestone, together with the forested valley around it. If you are searching for an Altinbesik Cave tour from Side, the underground lake is the reason: it lies in near darkness beneath the mountain.

Guests board an inflatable boat and glide slowly across the still, dark water while lights reveal walls shaped by dripping mineral water. The silence is striking. The cave is cool and damp, so bring a light layer, and keep your phone secure, as splashes are possible. Opening arrangements can change with water levels and season, and your guide confirms them on the day.

Ormana Village and its button houses

Ormana is a mountain village largely untouched by mass tourism, where farmers still tend terraced orchards and wood smoke rises from chimneys. Its famous button houses are built with wooden pegs and interlocking joints instead of nails, a technique that lets the timber frame flex slightly in earthquakes and has allowed some houses to stand for well over a century.

Walking the lanes with the group, you see the craftsmanship up close and learn how the villagers built with local timber and hand tools. Many travellers ask whether an Ormana village day trip is worth it, and the answer is yes if you prefer authentic village life to souvenir stalls. Wear comfortable shoes for the uneven stone lanes.

The village mosque

At the heart of Ormana stands the historic village mosque, a modest building made of local stone and timber that reflects the same building traditions as the houses around it. It has served the community for generations and is kept with great care.

The group visits respectfully as observers, and the guide explains the mosque's role in daily village life. It is not a grand monument, which is exactly why it is memorable. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, and remove your shoes where requested. Visiting times can vary with prayer times, so the guide will confirm the plan on the day.

Village lunch and the old settlement of Sarihacilar

Lunch is shared in a village house, with dishes cooked from local ingredients, often grown in the gardens around the houses, and served at a communal table. It is one of the most human moments of the day. Tell our team about any dietary needs when you book, as the menu follows what the village kitchen prepares.

After lunch the group wanders through Sarihacilar, an old settlement of narrow lanes and stone houses that have been lived in for decades or longer. There are no crowds or souvenir stalls, only the quiet rhythm of mountain life, which is the heart of this tour.

The Green Canyon panoramic stop

The final stop is a viewpoint over the Green Canyon, where the green water sits between steep limestone cliffs and dense forest. The colours change with the light, a bright contrast to the dark cave and quiet villages seen earlier in the day.

It is a good moment for photographs and reflection before the long drive back to Side. This stop is a viewpoint rather than a boat trip, so you do not sail on the canyon on this tour. Keep your camera ready and expect a late afternoon return to your hotel.