Emerald Black Sea Tour - 8 Days/7 Nights

Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and you’ll be transferred to your hotel. According to the availability of your arrival time in Ankara, we will make a half-day Ankara city tour. You will visit Anıtkabir also known as the Mausoleum of Atatürk, the final resting place of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the leader of the Turkish War of Independence and the founder of the Republic of Turkey. Visit Hamönü, Ankara Castel. Then we’ll have a sightseeing tour in Çankaya and Kızılay districts where foreign embassies, consulates, Prime Ministry, and parliament buildings are located.  Dinner and accommodation in Ankara ( Dinner )

After an early breakfast, we will depart at 07:00 for Amasya, the city where the princes resided during the Ottoman period (345 km). Upon arrival, we will see the water channel created by carving rocks to meet the water need of the city in the Roman period. These channels are also known for the famous love story of Ferhat and Şirin. Afterward, we will visit the Amasya Museum, where more than 20 thousand artifacts are exhibited. Then, we’ll see the Şehzadeler Park, Sultan Bayezid II Complex, historical mansions with bay windows, Amasya Clock Tower, and Hazeranlar Mansion. We will also enjoy the views of the Tombs of the Kings of Pontus dating back to 336 BC and have lunch at a local restaurant to try the local dishes.
Then, we will continue on our way to Fatsa. On the way, we will drive up to Perşembe Plateau which has the widest plains of the Black Sea region to enjoy its water channels, grazing animals, and picturesque lake, and to take beautiful pictures. Afterward, we’ll continue on our way passing through green plains. Dinner and accommodation in Fatsa or Ordu. ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After breakfast, we will take the cable car to Boztepe in Ordu, at an altitude of 485 meters. At the top, we will enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the wonderful views of the city. Afterward, we will drive to Giresun, to see the Giresun Island and Giresun Castle built during the reign of Pontus Ruler Farnakes. From here, we will go to Mavigöl Kuzalan Falls a nature park with a beautiful turquoise-colored lake and waterfall. Then we will go to the Kümbet Plateau, one of the most beautiful plateaus of the Black Sea region. Here, you can try the famous rice pudding of the region and shop for local products. Next, we’ll see the Koçkaya Plateau and pass through the Eğribel Pass which connects the Black Sea region with central Anatolia at an altitude of 2200 meters, to reach the historical Tamzara neighborhood, a village where Armenians, Greeks, and Turks once lived together in peace during the Ottoman reign. We will have lunch here and learn about the Akıl Suyu (Water of Wisdom) believed to boost cognitive skills, and visit local shops. Afterward, we’ll visit the Tomara Waterfall and Nature Park to enjoy the beauty of refreshing waters pouring from a height of 15 meters, a wonder of nature fed by 40 different water sources. Finally, we will arrive in the town of Şiran, which is famous for its specially prepared pestil ( dried fruit pulp ). Dinner and accommodation at Grand Yeniçeri Hotel or İvme Hotel in Şiran.   ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After having breakfast at our hotel, we will visit Karaca Cave, one of the greatest caves in the world-famous for its stalactites and stalagmites formed by dripping waters. Afterward, we will pass the Zigana tunnel at an altitude of 1795 meters and arrive in Hamsiköy, the most visited village of the Black Sea region, famous for its delicious rice pudding. After enjoying some free time here, we will head to Maçka and Coşandere and have a lunch break by the river. Afterward, we will visit the Sumela Monastery (Panagia Soumela Monastery), a Greek Orthodox monastery and church complex built on the side of a mountain slope at 1150 m above sea level by carving inside the rocks in Altındere Valley in 360-395 AD. The complex consists of priest chambers, kitchen, chapels and aqueducts, adorned with frescoes. The monastery was closed since 2015 due to restoration work but was reopened to visitors recently. 
Our next and final stop today will be Uzungöl, located in a valley between mountains. After check-in, you’ll have free time to take a walk on the banks of Uzungöl, walk over its suspension bridges, enjoy the calmness of the lake, and take beautiful pictures at the glass terrace. Dinner and accommodation in Uzungöl.   ( Breakfast – Dinner )

*** Optional: We will climb to a height of 2400 meters with the Lustra or Karester Highland Tour Minibuses. We will stop at the observation terraces along the way and have a picture break. We will visit one of the Highland Houses and have their tea. After walking among the colorful highland flowers, we will return to Uzungöl.

After breakfast in Uzungöl, we will visit the green tea gardens of Çayeli and Çeçeva villages. Next, we will arrive at Fırtına (Storm) Valley, where adrenaline enthusiasts can join Zipline activity on 350-meter-long steel ropes 10 meters above the Fırtına Deresi (Storm River), or join a rafting safari. 
We will have lunch consisting of delicious trout dishes, and continue our tour with Çinçiva Village, Zilkale, and Çat Valley respectively. 
Then, we will visit Gelintülü Waterfall and Horon Düzlüğü, located in Ayder Yaylası (Ayder Plateau), which is famous for its rich vegetation and hot spring waters at an altitude of 1350 meters, and have free time here. You can have a relaxing walk to enjoy this lovely plateau and have a cup of Turkish tea cooked on embers while chatting with the local people in the open air over the magnificent views of Ayder. Dinner and accommodation in Ayder Yaylası.   ( Breakfast – Dinner )

** You can join a special entertainment program with regional Black Sea dances and music in the evening.

After having a delicious breakfast at Ayder Yaylası, we will go to Badara and Gito plateaus. Here, you can enjoy the swings and the views in the most beautiful plateaus of the Black Sea. Next, we will visit a Rize fabric (Feretiko) workshop, which is one of the most important traditional handicrafts of Rize. This special fabric is known for absorbing the sweat from the body and keeping the skin cool and dry. Afterwards, we will enjoy the panoramic views of the Rize Castle. We will then go to a tea production factory and learn about the picking and packaging process of tea. Next, we will visit a knife workshop in Sürmene which is known for its custom made knives from Sürmene steel. 
We’ll continue our Trabzon tour with a visit to Atatürk Pavilion, which was built by a Greek businessman in 1890 and gifted to Atatürk. Afterwards, we will visit Hagia Sophia Church, which was built between 1238 and 1265 during the Komnenos Kingdom and is known for its frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible and Torah. Afterwards, we will give a short break at the Silver Workshop to learn about the Kazaziye and Silver Filigree artworks, which are unique to Trabzon. 
Then we will take a lunch break in Akçabat, which is famous for its meatballs and continue towards Ordu. On the way, we will give a short break to buy the delicious hazelnuts of Giresun.
Dinner and accommodation in Ordu or Fatsa  ( Breakfast – Dinner )

After an early breakfast, we will set off to Ankara (approx. 350 km - 5 hrs). After about 1.5 hours, we’ll arrive in the city of Çorum, which is famous for its roasted chickpeas, and visit the ancient city of Alacahöyük, one of the most important settlements of the Hittite Kingdom. We’ll also visit the Alacahöyük Museum, which provides information about Hittite architecture and art. 
After the museum, we’ll visit the capital of the Hittite civilization, Hattuşa (Boğazköy) built 3700 years ago. We have the best information about Hattusa, which was the capital of the Hittite Civilization for 400 years after the Hattians, from the Hittite cuneiform archive, exhibited at the Boğazkale Museum today. Boğazkale district has countless ruins from the Hattian, Assyrian, Hittite, Phrygian, Galatian, Roman, and Byzantine periods. We’ll also visit Yazılıkaya, built by the Hittites among high rocks as a sacred place of worship, an open-air temple to hold celebrations and rituals. Here, we’ll see fascinating depictions of gods and goddesses carved on rocks, the Great Temple, Lion's Gate, King's Gate, Tunnel, Summer Palace, and the Hattusa City Walls which once surrounded the whole city. 
After our visit, we’ll have lunch at the local restaurant with traditional Hittite dishes and continue on our way to Ankara.
Dinner and accommodation in Ankara.   (Breakfast –  Dinner )

After breakfast, you’ll have free time in Ankara’s biggest shopping malls until our airport transfer time.  ( Breakfast )
Our tour will end with your transfer to Ankara Airport. Hope to see you on another Turkey Tour.
Your Ankara Esenboğa Airport transfer will be private for you.