Trabzon, Rize & the Highland Escape
A compact private itinerary combining the historic character of Trabzon with the lakes, valleys, tea plantations and highland scenery of the eastern Black Sea.
Journey Overview
- Duration
- 6 Days / 5 nights
- Route
- Trabzon – Sümela – Uzungöl – Rize – Ayder
- Suggested airports
- TZX
- Travel style
- Black Sea Journeys
Destinations on This Journey
Trabzon – Sümela – Uzungöl – Rize – Ayder
Journey Highlights
- Trabzon Heritage — A historic Black Sea city of trade, faith and regional character.
- Sümela Monastery — The dramatic cliff-face monastery above the Altındere valley.
- Uzungöl — An alpine lake ringed by forested slopes and mountain air.
- Rize Tea Plantations — Terraced green valleys at the heart of Türkiye’s tea culture.
- Ayder Highlands — Cool highland pastures with a distinct mountain identity.
- Compact by Design — The eastern Black Sea’s essentials in a shorter private route.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival in Trabzon
Trabzon
Private welcome at Trabzon Airport and transfer to your hotel. The evening is free — the harbour front and the old quarter are within easy reach for a first walk.
Day 2 — Trabzon & Sümela Monastery
Trabzon – Sümela
The city’s Byzantine heritage in the morning, then the drive up the Altındere valley to Sümela Monastery on its cliff face. Access depends on current restoration works and weather.
Day 3 — Uzungöl
Uzungöl
Head inland to the alpine lake at Uzungöl, surrounded by steep forested slopes. The afternoon is free for the lake shore, the village or a short walk into the hills above it.
Day 4 — Rize & Tea Country
Rize
Travel east to Rize, where terraced tea gardens cover the valleys in every direction. A plantation visit and the local tea culture fill the afternoon at an easy pace.
Day 5 — Ayder Highlands
Ayder
Climb to the highland pastures at Ayder, cooler and often wrapped in mist. Highland roads are seasonal and the day is shaped around conditions, with time to simply take in the landscape.
Day 6 — Departure from Trabzon
Trabzon
Descend to the coast and transfer to Trabzon Airport for your onward journey.
What This Journey Includes
- Private airport transfers
- Selected accommodation
- Licensed private guides
- Private sightseeing transportation
- 24/7 local assistance
Final inclusions depend on the selected programme and confirmed proposal.
Optional Experiences
- Tea Plantation Visit — Walk the terraced gardens of Rize and see how the region’s tea is grown.
- Highland Day Excursion — A guided day deeper into the plateaus, shaped by season and weather.
- Local Cuisine Experience — Taste the Black Sea table, from mıhlama to fresh anchovies.
- Hotel Upgrades & Extra Nights — Boutique highland properties or additional nights in the mountains.
Journey Gallery
Plan This Journey
Tell us your preferred dates, hotel style and interests and our local team will tailor this itinerary around your travel plans.
Plan your trip · info@allwaytour.com · +90 534 397 1515