Private Sapanca Lake & Masukiye Day Trip from Istanbul – Waterfalls & Trout is a private day tour (9-10 hours). The price is available on request. Included: Private air-conditioned vehicle with driver, licensed guide in your language and Hotel pickup and drop-off in Istanbul.
This private Sapanca and Masukiye day trip from Istanbul swaps the crowds of the city for a lake, green mountains and fresh mountain air. About two hours east of Istanbul, Lake Sapanca lies between forested hills, and on the slopes of nearby Mount Kartepe the village of Masukiye is known for its cool streams, small waterfalls and riverside trout restaurants. You travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle with your own driver and English-speaking guide, with pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Istanbul.
Sapanca is the favourite weekend escape of Istanbul residents. The freshwater lake is surrounded by orchards, hazelnut groves and forest, and its western shore has a pleasant promenade with cafes and benches facing the water. A short drive away, Masukiye sits at the foot of Kartepe in Kocaeli province, where mountain streams tumble through the village and dozens of family restaurants set their tables right beside the water. In spring the slopes are green and blooming, in autumn the beech and chestnut woods turn golden, and in winter Kartepe is often covered in snow.
It is ideal for families, couples and travellers who have already seen the main sights of Istanbul and want a calm day in nature without a long walk or an early start. Because the trip is private, children, older guests and anyone who prefers a gentle pace can enjoy it comfortably.
| Tour type | Private · day tour |
|---|---|
| Duration | 9-10 Hours |
| Price | On request |
| Departures | Every day |
| Guide | Licensed guide in your language |
| Stops | 4 |
| Entrance fees | Not included (paid on site) |
| Booking | Instant request online, confirmation within 24 hours · TÜRSAB-licensed operator (A-5751) |
| Last updated | October 2026 |
Your full day programme — click to see every stop.
Sapanca Lake & Masukiye Village
Your private driver and English-speaking guide pick you up from your hotel in Istanbul at around 08:30 and drive east along the motorway beside the Gulf of Izmit. After roughly two hours you reach Lake Sapanca, where you stroll along the lakeshore promenade, enjoy tea or coffee with a view of the water and, in season and weather permitting, can take a short boat ride on the lake. The road then climbs towards the foothills of Mount Kartepe to Masukiye, a green village crossed by cold mountain streams. Here you walk beside the small waterfalls, browse the stalls selling jams, honey and local produce, and see the gardens and flower displays the village is known for. Lunch is served at a riverside restaurant where trout is grilled fresh, accompanied by salads and village bread. In the afternoon you can continue to a viewpoint on Kartepe for a panorama over Lake Sapanca and the surrounding valleys, or ride the Kartepe cable car when it is operating. Late in the afternoon you set off back to Istanbul and are dropped at your hotel in the early evening, after a full day of about nine to ten hours.
Istanbul → Private Sapanca Lake → Masukiye → Trout
Modern, comfortable and fully-equipped vehicles — the same fleet we use on your tour.
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