Ayder Plateau & Fırtına Valley Day Tour

Ayder Plateau, Fırtına Valley & Rize Waterfalls Day Tour — Eastern Black Sea Highlands

Escape into the misty green mountains of the eastern Black Sea on this Ayder Plateau and Fırtına Valley day tour from Trabzon, a full-day journey through Rize province to one of Türkiye's most beautiful highland regions. Winding past tumbling waterfalls, terraced tea gardens and rushing rivers, the tour reaches the alpine meadows of the Ayder Plateau deep in the Kaçkar Mountains, with time for adventure activities, photography and a taste of Black Sea highland culture.

Highlights of the Ayder & Fırtına Valley Day Tour

• Ayder Plateau (Ayder Yaylası) — famous alpine meadows, wooden highland houses and thermal springs in the Çamlıhemşin district
• Fırtına Valley & Fırtına Stream — a dramatic river gorge with optional rafting, zip-lining and a giant swing
• Eskitoğlu Waterfall — an 80-metre two-stage cascade on the road toward Rize
• Kaçkar Mountains National Park — the forested, glacier-carved heart of the eastern Black Sea range
• Rize tea country — the lush green hillsides that produce Türkiye's famous tea
• Kale-i Hala (historic stone bridge) — an elegant 18th-century Ottoman arched bridge, a classic photo stop

What to Expect on the Day

After pick-up in Trabzon you travel east along the Black Sea coast into Rize province, pausing at the impressive Eskitoğlu Waterfall and passing through Rize city, the capital of Türkiye's tea country. The route then turns inland and climbs into the spectacular Fırtına Valley, following the Fırtına Stream through the foothills of the Kaçkar Mountains National Park. Here the adventurous can add optional rafting, a zip-line ride or the famous highland swing over the river. Climbing higher, you reach the Ayder Plateau at around 1,350 metres, with free time to wander the alpine meadows, breathe the cool mountain air, sample local specialities and relax in the natural thermal setting. On the way back there is a photo stop at the historic Kale-i Hala stone bridge before the scenic return to Trabzon. Meals and optional activities are at own expense.