The Black Sea's Hidden Corners: Mountains, Tea Gardens & Wooden Villages

Day by day

Your itinerary

1. Day1

   Arrival in Trabzon

   Your driver meets you in Trabzon, the historic port of the Black Sea. Depending on your arrival time, explore the old town or drive up to Sümela Monastery, built into a sheer cliff face high above a forested valley, subject to access and opening conditions.

   Overnight in Trabzon

2. Day2

   The coast and tea country

   Follow the coast east towards Rize, where emerald tea gardens roll down the hills almost to the sea. Visit a tea garden or local producer when you can and taste the region's famous dark, strong tea where it is grown.

   Overnight in Rize

3. Day3

   Fırtına Valley and traditional villages

   Turn inland into the Fırtına Valley, the Valley of Storms, where a white-water river runs under old stone bridges between steep, forested slopes. Explore traditional villages of wooden houses and stone mills, a rural way of life little changed in generations.

   Overnight in Çamlıhemşin

4. Day4

   Highland scenery

   Climb to the mountain meadows around Ayder and, where the road and weather allow, on to remote highland villages such as Pokut and Sal, where wooden houses sit on ridges above a sea of clouds. Spend the night in a mountain guesthouse or boutique lodge.

   Overnight in Mountain guesthouse

5. Day5

   Nature and local culture

   A free day at your own pace: a scenic walk through the forests and meadows, more villages, or a local food experience with cornbread, river trout and mountain cheese. Activities are adapted to the weather, the roads and how far you like to walk.

   Overnight in Çamlıhemşin

6. Day6

   Return to Trabzon

   Drive back along the coast to Trabzon for your onward flight, or continue your journey further.