8-Day Black Sea Turkey Tour: Istanbul, Trabzon & Rize Highlands
Trip overview
Pair Istanbul’s historic landmarks with the forests, tea-growing hills and mountain scenery of Turkey’s Black Sea region on this 8-day tour. After exploring Istanbul, fly to Trabzon to visit Sümela Monastery, Altındere National Park and Karaca Cave. Continue through Uzungöl, Rize and the Fırtına Valley to Ayder Plateau, then return to Istanbul for a Bosphorus cruise. The itinerary includes seven hotel nights, two domestic flights, guided sightseeing and the meals specified in the program. The planned overnight stays are four nights in Istanbul, one in Trabzon, one in Uzungöl and one in Ayder.
Trip at a glance
- Duration07 Nights / 08 Days
- RouteIstanbul · Trabzon · Rize
- Travel stylePrivate or small group
- Guide languagesEnglish
- SeasonThis tour operates daily throughout the year.
Highlights and route
- 07 Nights / 08 Days
- Istanbul • Trabzon • Rize • Ayder • Uzungol
- Two Domestic Flights Included
- Join a scheduled small-group departure or request a private version of this itinerary. Private tour pricing and availability are confirmed upon request.
- Carefully Selected Hotels
- Flexible Travel Dates
- Fully Customizable Itinerary
Gallery
Day-by-day itinerary
Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST or SAW), meet your representative and transfer to your hotel. Check-in is available after 14:00. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
After breakfast at 08:30, enjoy a guided tour of Istanbul. Visit the historic Hippodrome of Constantinople, including the Egyptian Obelisk, Serpentine Column, and Fountain of Wilhelm II. Continue to the iconic Blue Mosque and the magnificent Hagia Sophia. After lunch, explore the atmospheric Basilica Cistern, famous for its ancient columns and underground beauty. Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast
Transfer to the airport for your domestic flight from Istanbul to Trabzon. Visit Sümela Monastery and Altındere National Park, then drive through Zigana Pass to Karaca Cave. Return to Trabzon and check in to your hotel. Overnight in Trabzon.
Explore Trabzon, including Trabzon Hagia Sophia, Atatürk Mansion, Trabzon Castle and Sera Lake. Enjoy lunch in Akçaabat, then travel to Uzungöl. Walk beside the lake and take in the mountain scenery. Overnight in Uzungöl.
Meals: Breakfast
Depart from Uzungöl and travel to Rize. Visit the Botanical Garden and local tea-growing areas, then continue through the Fırtına Valley and Çamlıhemşin. Stop at Göksu Waterfall before arriving at Ayder Plateau. Check in to your mountain hotel. Dinner and overnight in Ayder.
Meals: Breakfast
Explore Ayder Plateau and its waterfalls, thermal springs and mountain scenery. Continue to Ortan Village and Çağlayan Valley in Fındıklı to see local tea gardens and traditional houses. Transfer to Trabzon Airport for your domestic flight to Istanbul. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast
Visit Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar, then enjoy a Bosphorus cruise between Europe and Asia. Return to your hotel after the tour. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Istanbul.
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast, check out by 12:00 and transfer to Istanbul Airport according to your departure time.
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
What is included
- Seven nights’ accommodation in selected hotels with breakfast
- Domestic flight from Istanbul to Trabzon
- Domestic flight from Trabzon to Istanbul
- Six days of scheduled small-group sightseeing with an English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees and transportation specified for the included tours
- Meals specifically listed in the itinerary
- - Airport and hotel transfers required for the itinerary
What is not included
- International flights
- Meals and drinks not listed in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
- Drinks and beverages
- Travel insurance
- Tips for drivers and guides
- Any service not specifically listed under “Included”
Trip requirements and practical information
Domestic flights
Yes, domestic flights are included.
Walking level
Moderate
Passport and visas
Each traveler must hold a valid passport with at least six (6) months' validity beyond the intended date of return, unless otherwise required by the destination country. Travelers are solely responsible for obtaining all required visas, travel authorizations, vaccinations and other entry documentation.
Travel insurance
Magnificent Travel strongly recommends that all travelers purchase comprehensive travel insurance before departure. Magnificent Travel does not provide travel insurance.
Good to know
- This tour operates daily throughout the year
- Prices are per person, based on a minimum of 2 adults
- Tour itinerary can be customized upon request
- Transfers include 1 luggage allowance per person
- Once domestic flight tickets are issued, they cannot be changed or refunded
- A 100% cancellation fee applies for issued domestic flight tickets
- Domestic flight schedules are subject to change by the airline
Frequently asked questions
The itinerary includes Istanbul, Trabzon, Uzungöl, Rize, Fırtına Valley, Çamlıhemşin, Fındıklı and Ayder Plateau. Visits also include Sümela Monastery, Altındere National Park and Karaca Cave. FAQ’da itinerary’de olmayan
Yes. The package includes two domestic flights: Istanbul to Trabzon and Trabzon to Istanbul.
Highlights include Istanbul's historic landmarks, the Sumela Monastery and Karaca Cave near Trabzon, the alpine lake of Uzungol, the tea-covered hills of Rize, and the natural beauty and hot springs of the Ayder Plateau. It is a tour built around dramatic green landscapes and mountain culture.
The itinerary includes seven hotel nights: four in Istanbul, one in Trabzon, one in Uzungöl and one in Ayder. This distribution assumes Day 4 ends with an overnight stay in Uzungöl.
The physical difficulty is moderate. There is walking on hilly terrain and some uneven paths at sites like the Sumela Monastery and the highland plateaus. Travelers in reasonable health should manage well, and the scenic drives provide plenty of rest between activities.
The package includes hotel accommodation across the 7 nights with breakfast, along with guided tours and all transfers. Hotels are chosen for comfort and good access to the region's main attractions.
The tour runs all year round, but late spring through early autumn is especially beautiful when the plateaus are green and the weather is mild. The Ayder and Uzungol highlands are at their most scenic in the warmer months, while each season offers its own atmosphere.
Free cancellation is offered up to 30 days before the tour date. Cancellations within that window follow the trip cancellation policy and may incur charges, so we recommend confirming your travel dates early.
Yes, the tour can be customized to your interests. You can add extra nights, combine it with other regions of Turkey, or adjust hotel categories. Contact Magnificent Travel with your dates and group size for a tailored quote.
Yes. This tour is available throughout the year. Departure dates and flight availability should be confirmed when booking.
Route map
Price and availability
From€1,645 per person
Starting price per person. The final price depends on dates, hotels and group size.
The tour price is quoted per person and is based on a minimum of two adults. It does not apply to solo travelers. Prices may vary depending on the travel date.
Request a personalized quoteSeason
This tour operates daily throughout the year.
Payment summary
Deposit
50%
Required at the time of confirmation to secure all travel arrangements.
Balance
50%
Due no later than fifteen (15) days before the arrival date, regardless of the booking date.
We accept
Visa, Mastercard, Bank transfer
Card payments may be subject to applicable bank processing fees.
Trip cancellation terms
Free cancellation up to 30 days before the tour date.
- Domestic flights tickets are non-refundable once issued.
- More than 30 days before arrival: no cancellation fee
- 30–21 days before arrival: 25% cancellation fee.
- 20–14 days before arrival: 50% cancellation fee.
- 13 days or less before arrival, or no-show: 100% cancellation fee.