Tucked into the far north-east corner of Turkey in the province of Artvin, the Macahel valley was declared the country's first biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2005, and it remains one of the most unspoilt corners of the Black Sea mountains. This two-day trip sets out from Trabzon, either from the airport or from a meeting point of your choice, in a modern air-conditioned vehicle with a professional local guide. It combines a forest-ringed mountain lake, a night in a traditional mountain house with home-made organic food, a remote border village and one of the region's most impressive waterfalls.
The first afternoon follows the coast road towards Hopa before turning inland on the Artvin and Borcka road and passing through the tunnel under the Cankurtaran Pass. After a short stop at Muratli Dam you reach Borcka Karagol, a lake surrounded by emerald woodland at about 1,500 metres, where there is time to walk along the shore, take photographs or go out in a boat. From there the road climbs into Macahel, where you check in to your mountain house, have dinner and listen to your guide's stories about the valley over coffee.
Next morning you drive down to the centre of Camili village, from where you can see the Georgian border very close by, without crossing it. A short drive to Maral village and a walk of about 20 minutes bring you to Maral Waterfall, which drops more than 60 metres in a single plunge; a steep path of 20 to 30 metres leads down to a pavilion where, when possible, you can sip tea or coffee facing the falls. Back in Maral you see a historic wooden mosque painted with colourful traditional patterns, then stop for home cooking at a village house overlooking the Iremit area before the return via Hopa and a break at the Rize botanical tea garden. The package covers one night in a mountain house, dinner and breakfast, guiding in English and Turkish, all transport in the programme, Trabzon Airport or bus terminal pick-up and national park entrance fees.
| Tour type | Shared small group · multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Days 1 Night |
| Price | From €600 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | English-speaking licensed guide |
| Stops | 12 |
| Entrance fees | Included |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours · TÜRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
Your full program, day by day — click a day to see every stop.
In the afternoon the tour begins at Trabzon Airport or at your preferred location in Trabzon. Travel east along the coast towards Hopa with your guide, then leave the shore for the road to Artvin and Borcka, crossing beneath the Cankurtaran Pass through its tunnel. After a short break at Muratli Dam continue to Borcka Karagol, a lake at around 1,500 metres framed by deep green forest. Here you are free to stroll around the water, photograph the scenery or take a boat trip. Lunch is at your own expense. Afterwards drive on to Macahel, the UNESCO biosphere reserve, and settle into your mountain house. After dinner, relax with a coffee while your guide shares the history and traditions of the valley, followed by free time. Overnight in a mountain house in Macahel.
After breakfast load the luggage and descend to the centre of Camili village, where the border with Georgia lies just a short distance away. Continue by vehicle to Maral village and walk for about 20 minutes to Maral Waterfall, falling more than 60 metres in one drop. A steep but manageable path of 20 to 30 metres leads to a viewing pavilion where, if conditions allow, you can enjoy tea or coffee opposite the cascade. Back in Maral, visit a historic wooden mosque decorated with colourful patterns, then enjoy home-style cooking in a village house with views over Iremit, at your own expense. In the afternoon leave Macahel over the Cankurtaran Pass to Hopa, pause at the Rize botanical tea garden and return to Trabzon, where you are dropped off according to your onward travel plans.
Trabzon, Borcka, Muratli Dam, Karagol, Macahel → Camili, Maral Waterfall, Iremit, Rize, Trabzon
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
👥 54 Seats
👥 37 Seats (2+1 VIP)
👥 55 Seats
👥 54 Seats
👥 50 Seats
👥 50 Seats
👥 50 Seats
👥 46 Seats
👥 37+2 Seats
👥 37 Seats
👥 35 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 16+1 Seats
👥 12+1 Seats
👥 6+1 Seats
Extra day tours you can add along your route — Trabzon, Borcka, Muratli Dam, Karagol, Macahel, Camili, Maral Waterfall, Iremit, Rize, Trabzon.
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Daily
Fill in your details and we confirm your private departure within 24 hours.
Real, verified reviews from travellers who explored Turkey with us.
My husband and I chose Inca Tour for our honeymoon and we are so glad we did. The boutique hotel selection was beautiful and the Bosphorus dinner cruise was so romantic. Thank you for making our trip special!
It was important for us to have a guide who spoke Russian, and Ender was wonderful. He explained every detail at Dolmabahce Palace. The Princes Islands day trip was a beautiful break from the busy city.
Our guide Ender was incredibly knowledgeable about Turkish history. The hot-air balloon ride at sunrise in Cappadocia was the highlight of our trip. Everything was perfectly organized — from airport pick-up to the last d...
Ender was our Italian-speaking guide and we felt like family. He took us to local spots tourists never see. The hotel choice in Sultanahmet was perfect for walking everywhere.
10+ years later we still talk about our Cappadocia balloon ride and the Bosphorus sunset cruise. Some memories are timeless. Thank you Inca Tour!