Highlights: Samsun
At 15:10, you will meet your cultural guide at Samsun Airport. Afterward, we transfer to our hotel in Samsun. Accommodation and dinner will be at the hotel.
Meals
Samsun
Accommodation
Samsun
Total Distance and Duration for the Day
Samsun Airport – Hotel: 22 km (20 minutes)
Total: 22 km (20 minutes)
Highlights: Ordu, Kurtuluş Park, Bandırma Ferry Museum, First Step Monument, Atatürk Honor Monument, Yason Cape, Boztepe
After breakfast at our hotel, we go to Kurtuluş Park in Samsun, where a life-size replica of the Bandırma Ferry is displayed. After completing our tour with wax figures and period reflections, we visit the Tütün Pier and First Step Monument, the place where Atatürk first set foot in Samsun with his 18 comrades-in-arms. Next, we see the Atatürk Honor Monument, commissioned in 1931 by Austrian sculptor H. Kriphel, a symbol of Samsun, and take souvenir photos. After that, we move toward Ordu. On the route, we stop at Yason Cape, and then arrive at Ordu, known as the “Pearl of the Black Sea.” After seeing the city center, we reach Boztepe, 475 meters above sea level, where the view will make you feel as if you are flying by plane. After a break with amazing views, we reach our hotel in Ordu.
Meals
Ordu
Accommodation
Ordu
Total Distance and Duration for the Day
Highlights: Trabzon, Giresun Castle, Kuzalan Nature Park, Blue Lake (Kuzalan), Atatürk Mansion, Trabzon Hagia Sophia Museum
After breakfast at our hotel, we reach Giresun, known as the capital of hazelnuts and the homeland of cherries in the Black Sea. We see Giresun Castle, built during the reign of Pontus ruler Farnakes, and the grave of Topal Osman, Atatürk’s regiment guard, from our vehicle, while also viewing the Aksu River and Giresun Island, then arrive at Kuzalan Nature Park. Inside the national park, we see the Kuzalan Waterfall and take memorable photos. Afterwards, we reach the Blue Lake (Mavi Göl), a hidden paradise surrounded by forests. Following the Blue Lake tour, we visit Atatürk Mansion, used by Atatürk during his visits to Trabzon and later purchased by the locals as a gift. The mansion retains importance as the place where Mustafa Kemal wrote part of his will. Then, we visit Trabzon Hagia Sophia Museum, built as a church by the Komenos family between 1248-1263, later used as a mosque and during wartime as a hospital. Afterward, we proceed to our hotel in Trabzon.
Meals
Trabzon
Accommodation
Trabzon
Total Distance and Duration for the Day
Highlights: Uzungöl, Sümela Monastery, Maçka, Hamsiköy, Arsin, Araklı, Sürmene, Of, Dernekpazarı, Çaykara, Taşkıran, Karaster & Lustra Plateaus
After breakfast at our hotel, we see Sümela Monastery, located at the foothills of Karadağ, from the valley floor. During the free time provided, you can enjoy nature and take amazing photographs. (Note: As the Sümela Monastery has been under renovation and restoration by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism since 2015, whether a visit is possible depends on the conditions at the time. Regardless of how much is open or closed, the National Park will be visited.) After our enjoyable moments, we board our bus and return to Maçka to head toward Zigana, an ancient pass historically significant on trade routes, whose name in the local Rumca dialect means “pass.” We view Hamsiköy, originating from the Arabic word Hamse (Five) Village, panoramically, taste its famous rice pudding, and take a short break for lunch.
After a photo stop at the 1702-meter-long Zigana Tunnel, we have lunch and continue through Arsin, Araklı, Sürmene, and Of, crossing the Solaklı River to reach Uzungöl. After free time to enjoy the relaxing nature of Uzungöl, we board minibuses to reach Lustra and Karaster Plateaus. At 2000 meters, this point is also used for Uzungöl paragliding, where we receive information about the Black Sea plateau life, see traditional plateau houses during a nature walk, and drink hot milk offered by our agency. We then return by minibus to Uzungöl. Dinner and accommodation are at our hotel in Uzungöl.
Meals
Uzungöl
Accommodation
Uzungöl
Total Distance and Duration for the Day
Highlights: Ayder, Rize Tea Factory, Fırtına River, Rafting & Zipline, Çamlıhemşin, Şenyuva, Zil Castle, Palovit & Gelintülü Waterfalls
After breakfast at our hotel, we visit a tea factory to see the stages that tea goes through from being picked to reaching our table. We learn from experts how tea is brewed and how to distinguish high-quality tea. After tasting our tea, we have time to purchase the exclusive May Tea found only in the Black Sea region, as well as local products such as butter, honey, and cheese.
Next, we enter the Fırtına Valley, one of the 50 ecosystems in Pazar. Traveling along the Fırtına River, which welcomes us appropriately by its name, you will be amazed by nature once again. After lunch at a trout facility by the river, guests who wish can participate in popular activities such as Zipline or Rafting (extra). The 7 km course has more than 15 rapids. Each 6-person boat has a professional rafting guide, life jackets, helmets, knee pads, and special insurance.
We continue our tour to Çamlıhemşin, where the natural sets of the film “BAL”, which won the “Golden Bear” at the International Film Festival, are located. We enter the Çat Valley, one of the most important branches of the historical Silk Road, passing through Şenyuva (formerly Çinçiva) village, home to the oldest stone bridge with the widest arch, and see the oldest mansions in the country. Our last stop is Zil Castle, built at one of the most commanding points of the valley to protect the historical trade route. From the castle, we overlook Çat Valley, Tatar Mountain, and Sico Hill from a 100m cliff. After a photo break in the hidden garden of the Kaçkar Mountains, we move deeper into Çat Valley, passing through dense forests with the country’s oldest yew trees and along the gushing streams, eventually reaching Palovit Waterfall, the region’s widest waterfall. We take amazing photos of the deep pool formed by the waterfall and return to Çamlıhemşin.
Afterwards, we depart for Ayder Plateau, at 1350 m, covered with pine forests. We pass by Aşağı and Yukarı Ambarlığı, Şenlik Düzü, and stop at Kalegon Düzü to photograph Gelin Tülü Waterfall and enjoy the fresh mountain air. During our free time at Ayder Plateau, you can take a pleasant walk and experience the unique atmosphere of the plateau. After the excursions, we settle in our hotel.
Meals
Ayder
Accommodation
Ayder
Total Distance and Duration for the Day
Highlights: Arhavi, Pokut & Sal Plateaus, Ardeşen, Fındıklı, Çağlayan, Çifte Köprü, Arılı Village, Mençuna Waterfall
After breakfast at our hotel, depending on weather conditions, we set out for Pokut Plateau. At the plateau, located at 2000–2050 m altitude, we give you free time. During this free time, guests can enjoy sucuk sandwiches, drink tea, photograph the beauty of nature, and capture these moments.
Next, we visit the nearby Sal Plateau, where we take photos and enjoy the plateau before boarding our vehicles and departing for Arhavi. Upon arrival in Arhavi, during our journey through the Kamilet Valley, we stop at the Çifte Bridges in the Düzköy area. After taking photos here, our unique valley journey ends, and we continue on foot along a trail that penetrates the dense Black Sea forest, observing Komar flowers, leading us to Mençuna Waterfall. At the waterfall, the tallest single-drop waterfall in the country, we have free time to enjoy the spectacular view and relax with thyme tea.
Afterwards, we return and drive to Arılı Village, where we enter a local house and serve traditional dishes to our valued guests before heading back to Arhavi.
Meals
Arhavi
Accommodation
Fındıklı
Total Distance and Duration for the Day
Highlights: Arhavi, Borçka, Karagöl, Gonio (Apsaros) Village and Fortress, Çoruh River and Bridge, Batumi, Orta Mosque, Europe Square, Medea (Golden Fleece) Monument, Poseidon Square, Turkish Consulate Building
After breakfast at the hotel, we offer an optional tour: traveling via Cankurtaran, one of Turkey’s longest tunnels connecting the Black Sea to Eastern Anatolia, we reach Borçka. Boarding our waiting minibuses, we continue to Karagöl, a landslide lake hidden among the mountains and famed for its untouched natural beauty. Along the way, we pass Georgian-origin villages and organic tea plantations in the Klaskur Valley Biosphere Reserve. We catch a distant view of Maisur Waterfall, pass Bardnala Waterfall, and arrive at Karagöl, where scenes from the Turkish TV series “Don’t Worry for Me” were filmed. Here, guests have free time to enjoy a stroll, take photographs, or ride the small boats along the lake before returning to the hotel.
For guests opting for the Batumi Tour, after breakfast we complete border procedures at Sarp Border Gate and cross into the Adjara region of Georgia. From the bus, we view Gonio-Apsaros Fortress, a Roman-era structure later used during the Ottoman period, where the tomb of St. Matthias, one of Jesus Christ’s twelve apostles, is also located. Continuing toward Batumi city center, we see former Soviet military training grounds. Crossing the Çoruh River and its historic Gonio Bridge, we arrive in Batumi, the administrative center of Georgia’s Adjara Autonomous Region. Highlights include the Historic Orta Mosque, Piazza Square and Clock Tower, exterior views of the Georgian Orthodox and Armenian Churches, Europe Square, Medea Statue, Poseidon Monument, the Theater Building, and Batumi Port. Guests enjoy a walk along Batumi Boulevard and a short free time before viewing the Turkish Consulate building. Afterwards, we return to Sarp to complete border formalities.
Important Notes:
Meals
Arhavi
Accommodation
Fındıklı
Total Distance and Duration for the Day
Arhavi – Borçka: 36 km (36 minutes)
Borçka – Borçka Karagöl: 27 km (56 minutes)
Borçka Karagöl – Arhavi: 61 km (1 hour 41 minutes)
Total: 124 km (3 hours 13 minutes)
Highlights: Transfer · Airport
After breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to the Airport, bidding farewell to you with the hope of seeing you on another tour.
Total Distance and Duration for the Day
Total Distance and Duration for the Entire Tour
1,163 km
20 hours 53 minutes
Day 1 — Samsun
Anemon Hotel, Sheraton Grand, or similar
Day 2 — Ordu
Hilton Hotel or similar
Day 3 — Trabzon
Hilton Hotel or similar
Day 4 — Uzungöl
İnan Kardeşler Hotel, Golden Hotel, or similar
Day 5 — Ayder
Haşimoğlu Hotel, Kaçkar Hotel, or similar
Day 6 — Arhavi
Arhavi Resort Hotel, Fındıklı Ramada Hotel, or similar
Day 7 — Arhavi
Arhavi Resort Hotel, Fındıklı Ramada Hotel, or similar
This tour starts in Samsun Airport and ends in Rize Airport.
Meeting time and the other welcoming details will be sent later...
Important Notes:
This tour has an optional part to visit Georgia daily.
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