This short escape from Istanbul flies you to Trabzon for two full days in the green Black Sea mountains. It combines the famous Sumela Monastery with village life, tea and the alpine lake of Uzungöl, and includes one night in Trabzon with breakfast and dinner. Touring is private, with your own English-speaking guide, and transfers between your Istanbul hotel and the airports are arranged for you.
On the first day you are picked up very early for the morning flight, then meet your guide in Trabzon for the drive to Sumela, the cliff-hung monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary, built into a rock face in the Pontic Mountains above Maçka. After lunch near Zigana the route continues towards Karaca Cave near Torul in Gümüşhane province, known for its colourful formations, and ends in Hamsiköy, a village famous for its regional food and rice pudding.
Day two heads east along the coast to Sürmene, where knife makers continue a craft dating back to Byzantine times, and to a tea factory in Of to see how Turkey's favourite drink is processed. After a stop at a horse farm in Çaykara you reach Uzungöl, the 'long lake', framed by forested slopes and wooden houses, with time for photos, lunch and a walk around the shore before the evening flight back to Istanbul.
Flights are not included in the price. It is an ideal add-on for travellers based in Istanbul who want to see a completely different, green and mountainous side of Turkey in a weekend.
| Tour type | Private · multi-day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Days 1 Night |
| Price | From €455 per person |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | Licensed guide in your language |
| Stops | 3 |
| 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.
Pick-up from your Istanbul hotel at 04:30 for the 06:00 flight to Trabzon. On arrival at around 07:40 you are met and taken to the meeting point to meet your guide. Drive to Sumela Monastery, the cliffside monastery of the Virgin Mary on Mount Karadağ in the Maçka district. Lunch break at a restaurant in Zigana, then continue to Karaca Cave near Torul (currently closed for maintenance; while it remains closed, more time is spent in Zigana instead) and on to Hamsiköy, a village known for its local dishes. Transfer to your hotel around 17:30. Dinner and overnight in Trabzon.
After breakfast, pick-up at 10:00. Visit the knife makers of Sürmene, known for blades with carved bolsters, then a tea factory in Of to see how tea is produced. Continue via a horse farm in Çaykara to Uzungöl for sightseeing around the lake and waterfalls and photos from the hill. Lunch break (own expense), then free time to stroll around the lake before returning to Trabzon around 17:00–18:30. Collect your luggage at the hotel and transfer to Trabzon Airport for the 21:30 flight to Istanbul; on arrival at about 22:50 you are transferred to your hotel.
Trabzon & Sumela Monastery → Uzungöl & Black Sea Highlands
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
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Extra day tours you can add along your route — Trabzon & Sumela Monastery, Uzungöl & Black Sea Highlands.
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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!