Trabzon

Overview

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Itinerary

• Welcome to Trabzon. Upon arrival at Trabzon Airport, you are greeted by our team and transferred to your hotel in the city center. Hotel check-in is available from 14:00. After settling in, the remainder of the day is free to relax or explore at your own pace. You may take a walk around Trabzonu2019s lively city center (Meydan), where cafu00e9s, restaurants, and shops reflect the local atmosphere. This free time allows you to recover from your journey and enjoy your first impressions of the Black Sea region.

• Visit Trabzon Botanical Park, the first and only botanical garden in the Black Sea region, known for its diverse plant life, walking paths, and panoramic views. After spending time in the parku2019s peaceful setting, continue to Trabzon Aquarium to explore its marine life displays and themed tunnels.

• Discover one of the worldu2019s first tunnel aquariums, designed to connect Zau011fnos and Tabakhane Valleys. As you walk through the tunnel, enjoy views of Trabzon Castle, Gu00fclbahar Hatun Mosque and Tomb, the historic Zau011fnos Pasha Bridge, and the Ortahisar (Kaleiu00e7i) district.

• Visit the Trabzon City Museum, where the cityu2019s history, folklore, and commercial life are presented in chronological order from ancient times to the present. Through its exhibits, gain a clearer understanding of Trabzonu2019s cultural identity. The tour then continues to the Hagia Sophia Mosque, a remarkable example of Byzantine architecture and one of the cityu2019s most significant historical landmarks.

• Originally built as a Byzantine church in the 13th century, Hagia Sophia now serves as a mosque and is distinguished by its early Renaissance frescoes. After exploring the interior, historic frescoes, and the surrounding garden with its archaeological remains, continue to Sera Lake Nature Park, where lunch is enjoyed in a peaceful lakeside setting.

• After lunch at a local restaurant by Sera Lake, continue to Boztepe Observation Terrace to enjoy panoramic, birdu2019s-eye views over Trabzon and the Black Sea coastline.

• At Boztepe Observation Terrace, enjoy time along the 1,200-meter walking path and visit its glass viewing platforms, offering impressive panoramic views and a beautiful sunset over the city.

• After breakfast, depart from the hotel for the Uzungu00f6l tour. Along the way, stop at a traditional Su00fcrmene knife workshop, where you can learn about local craftsmanship and browse handmade knives and regional products.

• Continue with a visit to a local tea factory along the route, where you learn about the tea production process and the art of brewing quality Black Sea tea. Free time is provided for shopping at the factory outlet.

• Continue through the scenic Solaklu0131 Valley toward Uzungu00f6l, passing traditional village houses, tea plantations, and hazelnut groves before arriving at the lakeside town.

• Begin the visit in Uzungu00f6l at the observation terrace for panoramic views, followed by a stop at the artificial waterfalls built to protect the lake from flooding. Enjoy free time to explore the area, join optional activities, or relax at lakeside cafu00e9s and restaurants. Depart Uzungu00f6l in the afternoon and return to the hotel, with free time for the evening.

• After breakfast at the hotel, depart toward Ayder Plateau via the scenic coastal route. Arrive in Fu0131rtu0131na Valley, where free time is given to enjoy the natural surroundings or take part in optional activities such as rafting, ziplining, or swinging. The journey then continues uphill to Ayder Plateau.

• Follow the course of the Fu0131rtu0131na Stream through Fu0131rtu0131na Valley, one of the worldu2019s protected ecological regions, and continue along the u00c7amlu0131hemu015fin road to reach Ayder Plateau. At 1,400 meters above sea level, visit the natural Gelintu00fclu00fc Waterfall, set against the slopes of the Kau00e7kar Mountains. Free time is provided to walk around the plateau and enjoy tea or coffee with views of the waterfall and surrounding nature.nnIn the afternoon, meet at the vehicle and depart Ayder Plateau. After a short break along the way, return to Trabzon and the hotel, with free time for the evening.

• After breakfast at the hotel, depart for the Su00fcmela Monastery tour. Following a scenic drive of approximately one hour, arrive at Altu0131ndere National Park.

• Continue within the national park by minibus, followed by a short walk through the forest to reach Su00fcmela Monastery. Along the way, pass historic aqueducts and stone stairways before arriving at the visitor area, where a brief break is given to enjoy the surrounding nature and views.nnExplore Su00fcmela Monastery, including its main rock church, chapels, student rooms, library, guesthouse, and sacred spring, all dramatically set into the cliff face.

• After the visit to Su00fcmela Monastery, return to the vehicle and continue toward Zigana Pass. A lunch break is taken at a local restaurant along the route.nnZigana Pass, one of the most important passages of the Silk Road, has been the gateway of Eastern Anatolia and Iran to the West throughout history. The New Zigana Tunnel, which was put into service in April 2023 on the Zigana Pass, which still maintains its importance today, is the longest road tunnel in Europe.

• Pass through the 14.5 km-long New Zigana Tunnel to reach Karaca Cave. Visit this impressive cave, often described as a natural gallery with its stalactites, stalagmites, and travertine formations. After the visit, continue the journey toward the next destination.

• Travel along the scenic Hamsiku00f6y Road, also known as the historic Old Zigana Road, offering impressive mountain views. Arrive in Hamsiku00f6y, where there is time to taste the villageu2019s famous rice pudding.nnAt the end of the day, our Sumela Monastery, Hamsiku00f6y and Karaca Cave Tour ends in Trabzon. We arrive at your hotel at the end of a happy day and give free time until tomorrow's departure.

• After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, begin the final day of the tour with a drive to u00c7al Cave, often regarded as one of the longest caves in the world. Located at an altitude of 1,050 meters in u00c7al Village, the cave is reached after an approximately one-hour journey. After exploring the cave, enjoy a short break at the nearby cafu00e9s before continuing toward Hu0131du0131rnebi Plateau.

• After an approximately one-hour drive, arrive at Hu0131du0131rnebi Plateau, located at 1,600 meters above sea level and known for its fresh air and wide mountain views. This highland area offers a glimpse into traditional plateau life, with walking paths, local restaurants, small shops, and open spaces ideal for relaxing and photography. Free time is provided to explore the plateau and enjoy its natural surroundings.nnIn the afternoon, meet at the vehicle and depart from Hu0131du0131rnebi Plateau. The tour concludes with a transfer to the airport or your hotel, marking the end of the journey.

Good to know

• Public transportation options are available nearby

• Infants are required to sit on an adultu2019s lap

• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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