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IntroIntroduction
Discover Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea region on a four-day private journey based in Trabzon, combining mountain valleys, highland landscapes, historic sites and the region’s best-known natural destinations. Stay for three nights at DoubleTree by Hilton and travel with your own private vehicle and professional guide, without the fixed pace of a group tour.
From Ayder and the Fırtına Valley to Uzungöl and Sumela Monastery, the itinerary brings together several distinct sides of northeastern Turkey, with additional visits to the Zigana Mountains and Hamsiköy. Private touring allows more flexibility with stops, visiting times and the daily flow, while your guide provides useful local context throughout the journey. Airport transfers are also included, giving you a comfortable and well-organized way to experience the Eastern Black Sea from arrival to departure.
Day 1Arrival in Trabzon and Private City Tour
On arrival in Trabzon, meet your private guide and vehicle at the airport and transfer to DoubleTree by Hilton Trabzon. After stopping at the hotel, begin your first day by exploring some of Trabzon’s main sights.
Start at Sera Lake before continuing to Trabzon Hagia Sophia, a 13th-century landmark reflecting an important period in the city’s history. Your next stop is Atatürk Mansion, one of Trabzon’s finest examples of historic residential architecture and a residence where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk stayed during his visits to the city. Continue to Trabzon Botanical Garden, with the option to visit the Tunnel Aquarium instead.
As you head toward the historic center, pass Trabzon Castle, Gülbahar Hatun Mosque and Tomb, Zağnos Valley and the historic Zağnos Paşa Bridge. Walk through Kemeraltı and the traditional Coppersmiths’ Bazaar before visiting Trabzon Museum. Finish the day at Boztepe, overlooking Trabzon and the Black Sea, before returning to your hotel. Lunch timing and restaurant choice can be arranged during the day according to the itinerary, your preferences and your guide’s recommendations.
Accommodation
Included activities
Optional activities
Special info
Flights arriving in Trabzon between 08:30 and 11:30 are recommended. This arrival window allows enough time for the airport transfer and a comfortable first-day city tour. The tour duration and order of visits may be adjusted according to your arrival time in Trabzon; early hotel check-in is subject to availability.
Day 2Fırtına Vadisi, Zilkale ve Ayder Yaylası
After breakfast at DoubleTree by Hilton Trabzon, travel east along the Black Sea coast with your private guide and vehicle toward Firtina Valley, one of the best-known river valleys of the Eastern Black Sea. Guests who wish can join optional rafting, zipline or swing activities, while those preferring a quieter pace can enjoy a break beside the river.
Continue deeper into the valley to Senyuva Village and its historic stone arch bridge, then travel up to Zilkale, dramatically positioned above the valley. Your guide will provide context about the castle’s history and its strategic location while you take in the surrounding mountain and river scenery.
Later, continue to Ayder Plateau, set on the slopes of the Kackar Mountains. See Gelintulu Waterfall and enjoy free time to walk through the plateau or simply take in the highland atmosphere. Lunch timing and restaurant choice are arranged according to the day’s itinerary, your preferences and your guide’s recommendations. Return to Trabzon and your hotel in the evening.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
Optional activities
Special info
Activities in Firtina Valley are optional and their fees are not included in the tour price. Stop durations and the daily schedule may be adjusted according to your preferences and local conditions.
Day 3Uzungol and Haldizen Valley
After breakfast at DoubleTree by Hilton Trabzon, travel east with your private guide and vehicle toward Uzungol. Along the way, stop at a factory outlet specializing in traditional Surmene knives, one of the best-known local products of the region. Continue to a tea factory to see how Black Sea tea is processed and enjoy a tasting.
The journey then follows Solakli Valley inland, gradually leaving the Black Sea coast behind and entering the mountain landscape surrounding Uzungol. On arrival, first visit the Uzungol View Terrace for a panoramic perspective over the lake and surrounding slopes, then continue down to the lakeside.
Spend time walking around the lake, see the artificial waterfalls and explore the scenery of the wider Haldizen Valley. Lunch timing and restaurant choice are arranged according to the day’s itinerary, your preferences and your guide’s recommendations. After the visit, return to Trabzon and your hotel.
Accommodation
Meals
Included activities
Day 4Sumela Monastery, Zigana Pass and Hamsikoy
After breakfast, check out from the hotel and depart with your luggage for Altindere Valley National Park. On the way toward Sumela Monastery, stop at a viewpoint overlooking St. Barbara Church for photos and views across the valley. Continue by the required local shuttle and walking route to Sumela Monastery, dramatically set into the cliffs of the Pontic Mountains. During the guided visit, explore the monastery complex, rock church and chapels while learning about its history and the monastic community that once lived here.
After Sumela, continue toward Zigana Pass, one of the historic mountain routes connecting the Black Sea coast with the interior of Anatolia. Stop for views across the surrounding mountain landscape before continuing to Hamsikoy.
In Hamsikoy, take a lunch break, with the restaurant and timing arranged according to the day’s itinerary, your preferences and your guide’s recommendations. You may also try the village’s well-known rice pudding before returning to Trabzon. The four-day tour concludes with your transfer to Trabzon Airport.
Meals
Included activities
Special info
The final approach to Sumela Monastery requires a mandatory local shuttle, followed by approximately 350 metres of forest path and stairs. The tour is planned to finish at Trabzon Airport at around 19:00. Return flights departing at 21:00 or later are recommended.
Arrival and First-Day Schedule: Flights arriving in Trabzon between 08:30 and 11:30 are recommended. This arrival window provides enough time for the airport transfer and a comfortable first-day city tour. The duration and order of sightseeing may be adjusted according to your arrival time.
Airport and Bus Terminal Transfers: Arrival transfer from Trabzon Airport or Trabzon Intercity Bus Terminal to the hotel is included. On the final day, transfer to the airport or bus terminal is provided after the tour.
Hotel Accommodation: The program includes three nights at DoubleTree by Hilton Trabzon with breakfast. Early check-in and connecting-room requests are subject to hotel availability.
Sumela Monastery Entrance: The entrance fee is currently €20 per person and is not included in the tour price. The Altindere National Park shuttle service is included. Entrance fees may be updated by the relevant authoritie
Access to Sumela Monastery: The mandatory local shuttle through Altindere Valley National Park is included in the tour price. After the shuttle, reaching the monastery requires approximately 350 metres of walking along a forest path and stairs. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
Uzungol View Terrace: Admission to the view terrace is not included. Local entrance fees may change during the season.
Optional Activities: Rafting, zipline and giant swing activities in Firtina Valley are paid separately. The Tunnel Aquarium is also an optional alternative during the Trabzon city tour and its entrance fee is not included.
Pre-Tour Communication: Our operations team will contact you before the tour to confirm your flight or arrival details. Please provide the participant information requested with your booking confirmation.
Departure Flight: The tour is planned to finish at Trabzon Airport at around 19:00 on the final day. Flights departing at 21:00 or later are recommended.
What to Bring: Bring your ID or passport, comfortable walking shoes and clothing suitable for changing weather conditions. A light raincoat is useful even during the summer months in the Eastern Black Sea region.
Itinerary Changes: The order of visits may be adjusted when necessary due to traffic, weather, road conditions or operating conditions at the sites.
We thoroughly enjoyed our 4 day Trabzon tour. Taner was a thoughtful, knowledgeable guide who was able to explain all of the sites we visited and also answer our many questions. He was accommodating to any special requests and flexible with what we wanted to do. We highly recommend this tour and company.
The accommodations and itinerary were truly wonderful. The selection and order of the attractions, as well as the information provided throughout the tour, were extremely professional. The restaurant selection for our lunch breaks was also exceptionally well-rounded. We were extremely pleased with all the services provided. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Taner Bey and our driver Emrah Bey, who supported us not only as a guide but also as a friend. Thank you for providing us with an experience that exceeded all our expectations. We wish you continued success. Good luck! Şerife&Ahmet Serdaroğlu