THE BLACK SEA TOUR

Duration: 08 Days / 07 Nights
Highlights: Istanbul, Bosphorus, Trabzon, Sumela Monastery, Rize, Camlihemsin, Ayder, Uzungol

The Black Sea Tour covers the most important sites of Istanbul and the Black Sea Region, It is also possible to add leisure days or excursions at the beginning or the end of this tour. 

Day 1 Arrival in Istanbul
After your arrival at İstanbul Ataturk Airport, we will transfer you to your hotel in the historical part of İstanbul (Sultanahmet).
Free afternoon and overnight in İstanbul.

Day 2 Highlights of Istanbul
We will pick you up at about 08:30 in the morning for a full day İstanbul tour. The tour will start with a visit to Saint Sophia (Aya Sofya, Church of Divine Wisdom) which was built by the Emperor Justinian in the 6th century A.D and stands over much older remains of a church. See beautiful mosaics of biblical scenes and the Byzantine emperors and empresses. We continue to the Blue Mosque, which was built in the 17th century and is the only imperial mosque with 6 minarets, then we see the Hippodrome, a stadium and meeting place in Byzantine times, the Serpent Pillar from Delphi and the Egyptian Obelisk with the fountain of Wilhelm. The last stop before lunch is The Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world with more than 58 streets, over 1,200 shops. After lunch we will explore the Topkapi Palace, the home of the Ottoman sultans from the 15th-19th century A.D. We will also see the Imperial Treasury where the masterpieces of the Turkish art of jewelry from different centuries are displayed. We will finish the tour with a visit to Rustem Pahsa Mosque, one of the most exquisite Ottoman mosques in Istanbul.
Overnight in İstanbul

Day 3 Bosphorus Cruise & Trabzon
We will pick you up in the morning at about 08:45 for a  marvellous half-day Bosphorus cruise which will allow  you to see the Maiden’s Tower (Kiz Kulesi), Dolmabahce Palace, Ciragan Palace, Ortakoy, Fethi Ahmet Pasa Mansion, Ortakoy Mosque, Beylerbeyi Palace, Kuleli Military School, Arnavutkoy, Bebek and many other beautiful buildings on both sides of the Bosphorus. We will also see the Rumeli Fortress (Rumeli Hisari), which was built by Mehmet the Conquerer in 1452 during the preparations for his planned siege of Byzantine Constantinople.. The afternoon is then at leisure until transfer to the Istanbul Ataturk Airport for the flight to Trabzon where you will spend the night.
Overnight in Trabzon

Day 4 Sumela Monastery & Karaca Cave
In the morning you will be met by your tour guide to begin the Eastern Black Sea Guided Tour by visiting the 4th century Sumela Monastery and Altindere National Park. Later on drive up to Zigana Mountain, crossing the mountain with spectacular views of mountain villages. We arrive at Gumushanehane City Province to visit Karaca Cave, considered the most beautiful in Turkey for its colours and formations. After the tour you will be driven back to the hotel.
Overnight in Trabzon

Day 5 Trabzon City & Uzungol
After breakfast at hotel, today we will explore the highlights of Trabzon City, the most attractive points being: 13th century Byzantine church St. Sophia Museum, Ataturk's Mansion, Boztebe Hill, Ladies Bazaar, Sera Lake. Lunch at a seaside restaurant serving famous Akcaabat meatballs. In the afternoon we will drive to Uzungol (literally translated meaning "long lake"). It's a hidden paradise in the Pontic Alps. We hike around the lake and village before check-in to our wooden hotel.
Overnight in Uzungol.

Day 6 Rize, Camlihemsin, Zilkale and Ayder
Early in the morning we will leave from Uzungol and make a short stop in Rize for panoramic views of the city from the Botanic Garden. Then we arrive to Firtina (Storm) Valley which takes us to Ayder Plateau. Before arriving in Ayder we will see Camlihemsin, Konaklar, Senyuva Bridge, Zil Kale. Gentle trekking to Goksu Fall which is the highest and most beautiful in the region. We will arrive in Ayder before sundown and check in to our wooden hotel.
Overnight in Ayder.

Day 7 Flight to Istanbul / Free Day in Istanbul
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to Trabzon Airport for the flight to Istanbul. Upon your arrival to ıstanbul, you will be met and transferred to your hotel with the remainder of day at your leisure to take advantage of last minute shopping or relax with a Hamam ‘’Turkish Bath’’.

Day 8 Departure transfer
Option to extend package with additional night(s) in Istanbul or we will arrange for the transfer to Istanbul International Airport for your return or onward flight.
The rate of the Black Sea Tour is 900 Euro per person. Single supplement is an additional 300 Euro.

The rate includes

The rate excludes