Minimum group size: 4 people
Tour price:
/to be confirmed/
Ayder Valley
Gelin Tülü Waterfall
Çamlıhemşin
Panagia Sumela Monastery
Panagia Theoskepastos Monastery
We’ll meet at Trabzon Airport and head straight to the mountains. The drive will take approximately three hours, with a stop along the way at the seaside for a picnic lunch. It’s worth noting that the Black Sea isn’t commonly used for swimming by locals, so there are very few developed beaches; the coastline mostly retains its wild, untouched appearance.
Our destination is the Ayder Mountain Resort, located in the Kaçkar National Park, in the Ayder Valley at an altitude of 1,300 meters above sea level. It bears a striking resemblance to the alpine meadows of Austria, with coniferous forests, mountain rivers, and waterfalls. The air here is pristine, fresh, and filled with the fragrance of blooming plants.
After settling into our cozy hotel, we’ll explore the village. A visit to a glass-floored observation deck overlooking the Gelin Tülü Waterfall, translated as the "Bride’s Veil", is a must.
In the evening, we’ll enjoy dinner and relax.
Today, we embark on a full-day adventure to the Huser Plateau. The journey begins with an ascent of 1,300 meters directly from the village.
Huser Plateau is situated at an altitude of approximately 2,400 meters above sea level and is renowned for its breathtaking views of Ayder Plateau and the Kaçkar Mountains. On sunny days, you can admire the panoramic views of nearby valleys. However, this spot is often shrouded in clouds, creating the illusion of a sea of clouds gently moving beneath the feet of visitors.
If the weather is in our favor, we’ll experience the famous swings above the clouds. Additionally, we’ll enjoy some herbal tea, have a picnic-style lunch, explore the souvenir shops, and then descend back to our hotel.
Today’s route is exceptionally scenic and captivating. We’ll cover 6 kilometers on foot, ascending 500 meters and then descending.
We’ll begin with a hike to the beautiful Tar Waterfall along a convenient 2-kilometer pedestrian path that winds through a gorge.
Next, we’ll follow the Fırtına River toward another waterfall, Palovit. Along the way, we’ll stop at Zilkale Fortress, which translates to "Bell Castle" in Turkish. It is one of the most renowned historical landmarks in the Rize province. Perched on a cliff at an altitude of 750 meters, the fortress offers stunning views from its tower.
We’ll also pause at a high arched bridge connecting the two halves of the village of Şenyuva. Finally, surrounded by lush greenery reminiscent of jungles, we’ll arrive at Palovit Waterfall.
Palovit is the most powerful and voluminous waterfall in the region, with a thunderous flow plunging 15 meters. Adventurous visitors can descend an unusual staircase shaped like a tree crown to the base, where the water crashes onto the rocks, so you’ll get drenched even before reaching the bottom!
In the evening, we’ll return to Ayder for rest and relaxation.
Today, we will embark on the most physically challenging day of our journey, a true hiking adventure to explore five emerald lakes nestled in the mountains of Kaçkar National Park.
Kaçkar National Park is an ecologically protected area, renowned for its stunning mountain lakes, waterfalls, peaks, meadows, streams, dense forests, glaciers, and tea plantations. Established in 1994, the park covers more than 50,000 hectares.
The park boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage. Its name comes from Mount Kaçkar, the highest peak at the eastern end of the Pontic Range, which stands at 3,937 meters and remains snow-covered year-round. You can climb the mountain from its northeastern slope near the village of Yukarı Kavrun.
The name "Kaçkar" derives from the Armenian word meaning "stone cross". The mountain is located approximately 60 kilometers southeast of the city of Rize in Turkey's Black Sea region and ranks as the fourth-highest peak in the country.
The region is home to citrus orchards, alpine flowers, fir and spruce forests (up to 2,100 meters), high-altitude pastures, and glaciers further north.
We will begin our day with a transfer to the high-altitude village of Kavrun, situated at about 2,300 meters. From there, we’ll hike along the Kavrun River, gradually climbing higher while enjoying breathtaking views of untouched nature and breathing in fresh mountain air. A trekking pole is highly recommended.
Our hike will take us to snowy patches where we can play snowball fights and even take a dip in the emerald mountain lakes. However, the water is near freezing, so swimming is only for the bravest adventurers.
At the lakes, we will have a picnic lunch, rest, and then head back to the village for our transfer to the hotel.
We will cover 17 kilometers on foot today. Those who prefer not to climb the mountains can stay in the village of Yukarı Kavrun. The elevation gain (and subsequent descent) for the hike will be 1,400 meters. At any point during the trek, we can choose to turn back. The guide will adjust the plan based on the weather conditions and the group's overall condition.
The Avusor Plateau, nestled in the Pontic Mountains, is home to about 50 stone houses that we’ll pass during our hike. This plateau is known as one of the first highland settlements and is located near the stunningly beautiful Avusor Lake, situated at an altitude of 2,600 meters above sea level. Visiting this breathtaking lake will be the highlight of our morning.
After the trek, we will have lunch at a local café before participating in one of the region's most popular activities, rafting on the mountain river Fırtına. We’ll navigate the rapids along a route that passes under ancient arched bridges, which have connected the valley’s opposite sides for centuries. This rafting experience is designed for beginners, with instructors providing clear guidance and assistance. The adventure promises vivid memories and beautiful photos from the journey.
After rafting, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through the town of Çamlıhemşin, known for its charming shops offering unique and unusual souvenirs, distinct from those found in Ayder.
This day includes a 2-kilometer hike with an elevation gain (and descent) of 300 meters.
We’ll start the day with a delicious breakfast overlooking the mountains, pack our belongings, bid farewell to our cozy hotel, and head down to the coast, arriving in the city of Rize, famous far beyond Turkey’s borders. Surrounded by tea plantations on the mountain slopes and kiwi orchards, Rize is a hub of activity during the tea harvest. Workers pack the tea into large burlap sacks and send them down cables stretched along the slopes. The region produces 3–4 tea harvests annually, as all Turkish tea is grown exclusively here.
Rize is rightly called the capital of Turkish tea, and its presence is felt everywhere. We’ll explore the lush green tea plantations, taking stunning photos of the verdant hillsides. Afterward, we’ll wander the typical Turkish streets to catch a glimpse of daily life in this unique region.
For dinner, we’ll indulge in a true fish feast, as Rize is also renowned for its fresh seafood. At a local restaurant, we’ll try a variety of fish dishes and find our personal favorites.
This day involves a 10-kilometer hike, with a 500-meter ascent followed by a descent.
After breakfast, we’ll head to Altındere National Park to visit the Panagia Sumela Monastery, perched on a limestone cliff at an altitude of about 1,300 meters above sea level. This monastery is considered not only one of the oldest Orthodox temples in the world but also one of the most inaccessible.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims visit this monastery, as it once housed one of the most significant and valuable relics, the icon of the Virgin Mary, Panagia Sumela until 1923. Our guide will share the fascinating history of this place and explain why the icon, believed to have been painted by Saint Luke, left the monastery's walls. We’ll immerse ourselves in the awe-inspiring atmosphere of this site and enjoy breathtaking views from the sheer cliffs.
The day includes a light trek through the dense forest, followed by a picnic lunch. Our next stop is Ayder Plateau, renowned for its healing waters since the Ottoman era. Ayder's thermal springs, with water temperatures of 53°C, are believed to alleviate pain and aid in conditions such as rheumatism, joint and soft tissue diseases, neurological movement disorders, sports injuries, and stress. These therapeutic waters are available year-round for healing and relaxation.
In the evening, we’ll arrive in Trabzon and check into our hotel.
The day’s journey includes 10 kilometers of walking, with an elevation gain of 500 meters and a descent.
After breakfast, we’ll go for a walking tour of Trabzon. We’ll visit Boztepe Hill (also known as the Sunken Hill), which features a lovely viewpoint offering panoramic views of the surrounding area. We'll also explore the ruins of two Orthodox religious sites, including the Kaymaklı Monastery (Creamy Monastery) and the Panagia Theoskepastos Monastery (Virgin Mary’s Female Monastery). Among these ancient remains, we can admire unique Christian frescoes.
Today’s walk will cover 2 kilometers. In the evening, travelers will return home, though those wishing to stay an additional night in Trabzon’s hotel can do so for an extra fee.
