Black Sea Uncut

Itinerary

Day 1: TRABZON

Stop At: Sumela Monastery, Trabzon Turkey
Your tour starts with a warm welcome from your experienced local guide at Trabzon, a delightful port city influenced by Greeks, Medes, Hellenes, Byzantines and more. These civilisations and empires created a fascinating blend of culture, history and architectural beauties to be explored. First stop is Sumela, a dramatically situated monastery, perched high on the cliff-side with its breath-taking views. A local favourite, Akcaabat meatball, will satisfy your taste buds after the picturesque hike up and down the monastery.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Ataturk Kosku, Soguksu Cad., Trabzon Turkey
Before you go back to exploring Byzantium history, you will follow in the footsteps of Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, at his 20th-century home.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Trabzon Hagia Sophia Museum, Fatih Mah.Ayasofya Sok. Merkez Karadeniz manzarali, sahil karşisi., Trabzon Turkey
If you have seen Istanbul before, older parts of the city might feel like a miniature version of it without the head spinning crowds. As part of the old town, you will get to learn Aya Sofya, rare surviving examples of 13th century Byzantine architecture with extraordinary New Testament frescoes and a striking Ottoman-era monument, Ortahisar Mosque, before enjoying a delicious local dinner and retiring to your hotel in the city
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 1 night in 4 star Hotel in Trabzon

Day 2: ARTVIN

Stop At: Kamilet Vadisi, 08290 Arılı/Arhavi/Artvin, Turkey
Today you start your journey to Kamilet Valley with its very rich flora. Go over the 18th century twin bridges with their high arches and be intrigued by their architectural wonder
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Mencuna Waterfalls, Arhavi Kamilet Vadisi 4.km, Artvin Turkey
A short trek will take you to one of the highest waterfalls of the country, Mencuna. During spring months, it is more powerful and colder with the freshly melted glacier that feeds it
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Borcka Karagol Tabiat Parki, Artvin Turkey
After a chance to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, get ready to meet Karagol and be mesmerised by the beauty that surrounds it. You can take a walk around the lake, hire a rowing boat or sit and enjoy its serenity.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Macahel, Camili Bucağı, 08490 Borçka/Artvin, Turkey
Next stop will be your hotel up in the mountains surrounded by heavenly nature in the village of Macahel, a biosphere protected by UNESCO. The local family at your hotel will serve you your delicious dinner
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 1 night stay at a boutique hotel, Macahel

Day 3: MACAHEL

Stop At: Maral Selalesi, Macahel Vadisi, Artvin Turkey
Today will focus on Macahel with its unspoilt views and nature that leaves a deep memory in people’s minds. Fuel up with locally sourced breakfast and put your trekking shoes on as the waterfalls and highlands of this region are not accessible by a vehicle after a certain point- which helps keep the area so raw. Don't forget to bring your swimwear because we think you might be tempted to take a refreshing dip. If not, Maral waterfall will give you a thrill by merely being near it as it is falling down from 64 meters high.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: İremit Camii, Unnamed Road, Maralköy/, 08490 Maralköy/Borçka/Artvin, Turkey
Visit local mosques with their colourful wooden detailing. First one before lunch: Iremit and next one after lunch: Camili. You will want to have your camera ready for these stops.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Sarp Sınır Kapısı, Unnamed Road 08690, 08690 Sarp/Hopa/Artvin, Turkey
Before you begin your journey to cross the border to explore a completely new country: Georgia, you will get to learn about the history of the relationship of two neighbouring countries.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Monument Ali and Nino, Batumi Georgia
Another night of fun, local dance and music awaits you in Batumi to accompany your authentic dinner. To finish off the night, you can join your group and take a gentle stroll in the town to watch the famous ‘Batumi by night’ light and water show in the city centre and learn about the touching story behind Ali and Nino Monument.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 1 night at a 5 Star hotel in Batumi

Day 4: BATUMI

Stop At: Piazza Square, 25, Parnavaz Mepe ST, Batumi 6010 Georgia
Discover the cultural and historical sites of Batumi including the Medea Monument. Feel surprised by the variety of buildings and structures that will move you from one century to another as you walk through the streets of this Georgian city
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Batumi Central Mosque, Kutaisi St, Batumi, Georgia
Otherwise known as 'the mosque in the middle' as it used to be in the middle of two other mosques that did not survive the years will surprise you with its wonderful examples of woodcarving
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Church of St. Nicholas, Parnavaz Mepe St., 20, Batumi Georgia
The St Nicholas Church is located in the very center of Batumi. This Church is more than 150 years old and it is one of the oldest churches in the city. It is not only a cultic monument but also one of the city’s most beautiful architectural and historical monuments.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Batumi Botanical Gardens, Mtsvane Kontskhi (Green Cape), Batumi Georgia
​Before your cross the border back into Turkey enjoy the botanical gardens that will take you to a different world with its views and ancient trees.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Ayder Yaylasi, Camlihemsin 53890 Turkey
Begin your journey across the border to start discovering the Firtina Valley, with its lush green Swiss-Alps like Kackar mountains and traditionally dressed village women and local entertainment at your own pace before capping off the day with a local meal and settling into your hotel for the night.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 1 night boutique hotel, Ayder, Rize.

Day 5: CAMLIHEMSIN

Stop At: Firtina Deresi, Ardesen 2 km batisinda, Rize Turkey
For those of you who would like to get their heart pumping a little faster, you will have a chance to do rafting or zip-line over Firtina River. Or you could take a walk around the valley and discover some hidden spots at your own pace.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Zilkale, Firtina Valley, Camlihemsin 53780 Turkey
A little drive will take you to a medieval castle, Zilkale, that once guarded the passage of Silk Road. It stands strong as a stark contrast to the backdrop of the deep green forest that surrounds it. Get ready to feel the tingle in your spine when you look down at the valley below.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Palovit Selalesi, Kackar Daglari Milli Parki, Camlihemsin Turkey
Next stop is Palovit, the waterfall with the highest flow in the city. You can either enjoy the scenery from the top or take the steps down to the base of it to get up close with it and feel the mist on your face.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Huser YaylasI, Camlihemsin Turkey
Enjoy the ride up to Huser, a captivating table top with views of rugged mountains and deep valleys. Most days, the fog rolls in and gives you the magical experience of being over a sea of clouds. On your hike down to your hotel, keep enjoying the fresh mountain air and atmosphere that wash away your worries.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: 1 night at a boutique hotel in Ayder, Rize

Day 6: CAMLIHEMSIN

Stop At: Şenyuva Bridge, 53790 Şenyuva/Çamlıhemşin/Rize, Turkey
Start your day in a charming little town, Cin civa, where your love affair with high-arched stone bridges of Ottoman era will begin. Before you go up the mountains, walk through the historical houses of Konaklar town and learn about their history and admire their beauty. Your lunch will be served in a traditional house with great atmosphere. Another hidden away waterfall and a watermill awaits for your exploration.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Çat Vadisi Doğa Köyü, Çatköy Köyü Yolu, 53780 Çatköy/Çamlıhemşin/Rize, Turkey
To finish your tour on a high note, you will visit the village that has inspired this tour, Cat Village. In front of you, the frost tipped mountains, around you, local stone and wood houses sitting on green fields and at the bottom Firtina river turning and bending, making its mark in the valley as it is rushing to get to the Black Sea.
Duration: 3 hours

Pass By: Ayder Yaylasi, Camlihemsin 53890 Turkey
Your belly full with delicious food and mind with the memories of a lifetime, your tour will come to an end. From here the choice is yours! Head back to Trabzon Airport with your tour guide or stay and explore the region a bit longer


Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.