Hotel pickup and flight to Trabzon
The private tour begins with a pick up from your hotel in Istanbul or Izmir. Transfer to airport for a domestic flight to Trabzon.

Sumela Monastery Tour
Upon arrival in Trabzon airport, we head straight to Sumela Monastery, where you will have time to explore the complex and enjoy the views over Altindere Valley.

Stop for lunch.

After lunch, we will visit Karaca Cave, with its stalactites and stalagmites, as well as the unique plant life.

We will then take a drive along the old Silk Road towards the village of Hamsikoy, where we will try their famous special rice pudding.

In the evening we head back to Trabzon where you will check into your hotel for the night.

Overnight Trabzon.

Pick up in the morning from your hotel in Trabzon. Today we will explore some of the highlights of this historically important city.

First stop is the Hagia Sofia Museum, a Byzantine church which was converted into a mosque in 1584. Now a museum, you can explore the beautiful frescoes and learn a little about the history of Trabzon. After this, we will visit Ataturk's Villa, where Kemal Ataturk stayed during his visits to Trabzon. We will then enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the Black Sea from the hillside at Boztepe.

Uzungol Lake Tour
After exploring Trabzon, we will then head towards Uzungol Lake. Along the way, we will stop for lunch, and also witness the artisans in Surmene who make ornate daggers in only half an hour. When we arrive in Uzungol, we will check in to the hotel, and then you will have free time to explore this stunning slice of the countryside, with the lake surrounded on all sides by high green mountains and hiking trails. You may wish to rent a pedal boat on the lake or explore the hiking trails for the opportunity to see some of Turkey's best wildlife, such as the Eurasian lynx, roe deer and various birds of prey.

Overnight Uzungol.

In the morning, we will leave Uzungol and head towards the Ayder Highlands.

On the way to Ayder, we will stop in Rize. We will watch the local craftsmen weaving cotton fabrics and have a tea break in the Botanical Garden.

Ayder Highlands Tour
On the way from Rize to Ayder, we will stop by the old Ottoman Stone Bridge in Storm Valley for a tea break. We will then continue to the waterfalls of the Ayder Highlands before checking in to the hotel in the village of Ayder.

After checking in, we will have lunch, and then you have free time to explore the local area with its green rolling hills, rainforests and hot springs.

Overnight Ayder.

In the morning, we will head to the Caglayan village and explore the tea and kiwifruit plantations, as well as the ornate architecture of the Lazic mountains. Following this, we will do a one-hour nature walk along the River Caglayan.

The next stop is Cayeli, which is famous for having the best beans in Turkey, where we will have lunch.

Trabzon City Tour
After lunch, we head back to Trabzon following the spectacular coastal highway which will be one of the highlights of the tour. Upon arrival in Trabzon, you will have some time to wander around the bazaar, and then will be transported to the airport for your flight back to Istanbul or Izmir.

Flight back to Istanbul & drop off at Hotel
Two domestic flights, from and to Istanbul airport, as well as transfer to accommodations, are included in the price. If you have other plans and would like to change the returning flight to another airport in Turkey, just reach out to our customer service team who will be happy to help customize your itinerary. 

This is where the private tour ends. If you have any inquiries about further tours or travels in Turkey, please ask us and we'll be happy to help.