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Black Sea & Highland Tours 2026: Ayder, Uzungöl and Sümela Monastery Guide
Black Sea & Highland Tours 2026: Ayder, Uzungöl and Sümela Monastery Guide
If you think the Black Sea is just anchovies and rain, you're missing something extraordinary. This region of Turkey offers Europe's most verdant landscapes, a monastery carved into cliffs over a thousand years ago, mist-wrapped highland plateaus and Turkey's most powerful waterfalls — all in one 8-day journey.
AlaTourqo's Black Sea Highlands Tour starts in Samsun and ends in Rize, covering the very essence of this region.
Tour Route Overview
Start: Samsun Airport
End: Rize Airport
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Price: From €1,199 per person
Accommodation: Sheraton/Anemon in Samsun, Hilton in Ordu and Trabzon, boutique highland hotels
2026–2027 Departure Dates:
- 29 August 2026
- 29 May 2027
- 11 September 2027
Day-by-Day Highlights
Day 1 — Samsun: Where the War of Independence Began
Our guide meets you at Samsun Airport. Evening accommodation.
Day 2 — Ordu and Boztepe
Bandırma Steamship Museum, Boztepe viewpoint at 475m — panoramic Black Sea views, Ordu city centre.
Day 3 — Trabzon: History's Black Sea Outpost
- 🏛️ Trabzon Hagia Sophia (built 1248–1263)
- 🏠 Atatürk's Mansion — where he wrote part of his will
- 🌲 Kuzalan Nature Park and Blue Lake
Day 4 — Sümela and Uzungöl
Two stars of the entire tour:
🏛️ Sümela Monastery:
A Greek Orthodox monastery carved into cliffs in 386 AD. 46 km from Trabzon, deep in Altındere Valley. Seen from the valley floor, it appears fused to the rock — a sight that stops you in your tracks.
🌿 Uzungöl:
The iconic lake of the Eastern Black Sea. Morning mist, mountains, paragliding launch point. Our tour includes a minibus ride up to Karaster and Lustra Plateaux — highland life at 2,000m, warm milk served fresh.
Day 5 — Ayder: The Heart of the Highlands
- 🍵 Rize Tea Factory: From field to glass, with tasting
- 🌊 Fırtına River: Journey along the Black Sea's most dramatic river
- 🤸 Optional: Rafting or Zipline
- 🏔️ Palovit Waterfall: Turkey's widest single-drop waterfall
- 🏰 Zil Castle: Panoramic views from the valley's highest vantage point
- 🌿 Ayder Plateau: Pine forests, waterfalls, clean mountain air at 1,350m
Day 6 — Pokut, Sal Plateaux and Mençuna Waterfall
- 🏔️ Pokut Plateau (2,000–2,050m) — free time
- 💧 Mençuna Waterfall: Turkey's tallest single-drop waterfall
- 🏠 Arılı Village: Traditional Black Sea meal in a local home
Day 7 — Optional Georgia (Batumi) or Karagöl
Batumi option: Cross into Georgia, historic Gonio Castle, Europe Square, Medea Statue.
Karagöl option: Hidden landslide lake hidden among mountains.
Day 8 — Farewell at Rize Airport
Who Is This Tour For?
- ✅ Nature and green landscape lovers
- ✅ Photography enthusiasts — a new masterpiece every day
- ✅ Those curious about Turkey's lesser-known face
- ✅ Travellers seeking peace away from crowds
- ✅ Travellers from Germany wanting cool summer temperatures
Best Time to Visit
| Period | Conditions | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| April–May | Green, cool, uncrowded | ⭐ Excellent |
| June | Ideal weather, moderate crowds | Very good |
| July–August | Crowded, higher prices | Acceptable |
| September | Cool, colourful autumn, few crowds | ⭐ Excellent |
| October | Getting cold, some roads may close | Be careful |
Questions about the Black Sea tour? Click the WhatsApp button in the bottom right corner of our website — we reply within 24 hours.
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