Iconic Black Sea Highlands and Batumi Tour | 3 Nights, Departing from Istanbul
Tour Detail
From the Black Sea’s lush green valleys to its misty highlands, from the traces of the National Struggle to a cross-border night in Batumi, an action-packed journey of discovery… In this program, where nature, history, and culture intertwine, you will experience the Black Sea in all its colors, from Sümela’s steep cliffs to Ayder’s cool highlands, from Uzungöl’s postcard-perfect views to the serenity of Karagöl.
Samsun – Ordu – Trabzon – Rize – Batumi – Uzungöl – Ayder Plateau 3 Nights with Accommodation Round Trip | BusTour Program
Istanbul – Izmit – Sakarya – Night Journey
FROM THE CITY LIGHTS TO THE GREENERY OF THE BLACK SEA
We begin our journey toward the misty mountains and rugged shores of the Black Sea by picking up our guests from the designated departure points. As the crowds and city lights of Istanbul fade behind us, we enjoy a pleasant journey along our northbound route, with breaks throughout the night.
We continue our overnight journey to welcome the first light of morning along the Black Sea coast.
Departure Points:
19:00 In front of Doğtaş Furniture, opposite İncirli Ömür Plaza
19:30 In front of Mado, Mecidiyeköy
20:15 In front of Kadıköy Marriage Office
20:25 In front of Hilton Hotel, Kozyatağı
20:45 Kartal Bridge (direction of Ankara)
21:15 In front of Gebze Center
22:00 Bus Stops at the Entrance of İzmit Intercity Bus Terminal
22:30 Sapanca Berceste Facilities
23:59 Bolu Terminal Entrance
Samsun / Honor Monument / Bandırma Ferry / Giresun / Trabzon / Hagia Sophia / Atatürk Mansion / Silver Workshop
FROM THE CITY WHERE THE NATIONAL STRUGGLE BEGAN TO THE PEARL OF THE BLACK SEA
In the morning, we arrive in Samsun, one of the symbolic cities of our National Struggle. Following a free breakfast break here (optional, to be paid for by our guests), we begin our tour. Our first stops in Samsun are the Bandırma Ferry (it will be visited if the museum is open), which brought Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and his 18 comrades-in-arms to Samsun on May 19, 1919, and the İlkadım Monument. We then take souvenir photos at the Monument of Honor, located in central Samsun and built while Atatürk was still alive.
Following our visit here, we continue toward Trabzon via Ordu and Giresun. As we pass through Giresun, we see Giresun Island, the only island in the Black Sea, and Giresun Castle panoramically, while our guide provides brief information about the region. After a lunch break at a restaurant suitable for our program, we see Trabzon Castle panoramically and visit Atatürk Mansion on Soğuksu Hill, built in the Art Neuve (New Art) style and presented as a gift to Atatürk by the people of Trabzon. After our visit to Atatürk Mansion, we depart for Trabzon Hagia Sophia. After seeing this architectural structure, built during the Kommenos Kingdom period in dedication to Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, we visit the region’s largest silver workshop.
Here, we learn about the intricacies of silverwork, filigree, Trabzon braided bracelets, and the art of Kazaziye, regarded as one of the most valuable branches of art, preserved in our country by only three families in Trabzon and introduced to the region by the Kazaz Turks. After our shopping break, we depart for our hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at our hotel.
Food and Beverage Information:
Breakfast: Will be taken optionally at a facility suitable for the tour route. (Optional/Extra)
Lunch: Will be taken optionally at a restaurant suitable for our program. (Optional/Extra)
Dinner: Will be served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu (Included in the Tour Price)
Accommodation: Sümela Holiday Resort – Bayrak Grand Hotel – Büyük Sümela Hotel - Marap Hotel, etc.
Maçka – Altındere National Park – Sumela Monastery – Sürmene Knife Workshop – Çeçeva Tea Gardens (Optional) – Batumi Night Tour (Optional) – Sarp Border Gate
FROM THE DEPTHS OF THE VALLEYS BEYOND BORDERS
After breakfast at our hotel, we enter the Değirmendere Valley from the Maçka junction in order to travel to Altındere National Park, and proceed along the valley to reach Maçka. In Maçka, our route divides in two, and while observing the Altındere Valley, we visit the Sumela Monastery, built on steep cliffs on the slopes of Mount Karadağ. Following our tour accompanied by our guide’s explanations, you can take plenty of photographs during the free time provided and enjoy the unique harmony of nature and history.
After our visit to Sumela, we head towards Sürmene. We visit the Sürmene Knife Workshop, where the world-famous handmade Sürmene knives, which hold an important place in the local culture, are introduced, and our guests who wish may have the opportunity to shop. We then take a lunch break at a restaurant suitable for our program. (Extra)
After lunch, together with our guests who wish, we board our minibuses to take the Çeçeva Tea Gardens Tour in order to see Turkey’s most famous tea gardens, located in Haremtepe (Çeçeva) Village, in Rize’s Çayeli district. (Extra)
After taking photographs among the lush green tea plantations and enjoying this unique view, we return to our vehicle.
As our tour continues, we depart for our hotel in the Hopa–Arhavi area. After settling into our hotel and taking a short rest, we depart with our guests who wish to join the Batumi Night Tour for the Sarp Border Gate. (Extra)
After completing our entry procedures at the border gate, we cross into the Georgia / Adjara Region. First, we view the Gonio (Apsaros) Fortress, dating back to the Roman period, panoramically, and proceed towards Batumi city center while viewing the Çoruh River and Gonio Bridge from our vehicle.
In Batumi city center, we take a panoramic and walking tour, seeing the Central Mosque, Europe Square, the Medea (Golden Fleece) Statue, Poseidon Square, the Theatre Building, Batumi Boulevard and the Turkish Consulate Building. During the free time we will have along Batumi Boulevard, you can see and photograph the Ali & Nino Statue, which has become one of the city’s symbols and represents a tragic love story.
After the free time, we return to the Sarp Border Gate, complete our entry procedures into Turkey and return to our hotel.
Note: The round-trip transfers for the Batumi tour, overseas departure fee and travel health insurance are the responsibility of our guests and are not included in the tour fee.
Food and Beverage Information:
Breakfast: Open buffet or set-menu breakfast at the hotel (Included in the Tour Fee)
Lunch: Will be served at a restaurant suitable for our program. (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Will be taken freely during the Batumi tour. (Extra/Optional)
Accommodation: Arhavi Resort Hotel – Paluri Hotel – Peronti Hotel etc.
Borçka Karagöl (Extra) – Fırtına Valley – Çamlıhemşin – Çinçiva (Şenyuva) Village – Zilkale – Palovit Waterfall – Ayder Plateau – Gelin Tülü Waterfall
DEEPEST SHADES OF GREEN
After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we offer an extra tour option for our guests who wish to participate. We proceed in the direction of Borçka via the Cankurtaran Tunnel, which connects the Black Sea to Eastern Anatolia and is one of the longest tunnels in our country. In Borçka, we board the minibuses waiting for us and set off towards (Extra) Borçka Karagöl, one of the untouched natural wonders of the Black Sea.
During our journey, we travel along the Klaskur Valley, one of our country’s biosphere reserve areas, see Georgian villages and organic tea gardens, pass by the Maisur Waterfall from a distance and the Bardnala Waterfall, and arrive at Karagöl. During our free time at this unique natural wonder of a lake, which hosted the promotional filming of the “Benim İçin Üzülme” TV series, you can walk around the lake, take a boat ride, and take plenty of photographs. After our visit to Karagöl, we return to our main vehicle and continue our program.
Afterwards, we follow the Fındıklı – Ardeşen route and enter the Fırtına Valley. In the valley, which welcomes us with its rushing stream and lush green nature, we take a lunch break at a suitable facility according to our program. (Extra)
Then, together with our guests who wish to participate, we board the minibuses waiting for us in Çamlıhemşin and enter the (Extra) Çat Valley at the foothills of the Kaçkar Mountains. We take a photography break at the historic stone bridge in the village known for the “Sevdaluk” TV series, formerly called Çinçiva and now called Şenyuva. Afterwards, we visit Zilkale, built at a commanding point overlooking the valley to protect the trade routes of its period, with its grandeur resembling an eagle’s nest. Following our visit to Zilkale, we proceed to Palovit Waterfall, with its roaring waters and lush green nature, and photograph this unique view from the observation terrace. After our visit, we return to our main vehicle by minibuses.
After our tour, we leave Çamlıhemşin and set off towards Ayder Plateau, located at an altitude of 1,350 metres and surrounded by pine forests. Along the way, we enjoy panoramic views of Aşağı and Yukarı Ambarlık and Şenlik Düzü, and take a photography break at Gelin Tülü Waterfall, which has become the symbol of Ayder. During our free time at Ayder Plateau, you can take short walks and enjoy the fresh plateau air.
After our excursions, we proceed to our hotel.
Meals and Beverages Information:
Breakfast: Open buffet or set-menu breakfast at the hotel (Included in the Tour Price)
Lunch: Will be served at a suitable facility in Fırtına Valley according to our program. (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Will be served at the hotel as an open buffet or set menu (Included in the Tour Price)
Accommodation: Ars Hotel – Minerva Hotel – Green Suada Hotel etc.
Rize Cloth Workshop – Uzungöl – Karaster (Garaster) – Memişağa Mansion – Tea Factory – Ordu (Boztepe) – Istanbul
FAREWELL TO THE BLACK SEA
After having breakfast at the hotel in the morning, we check out of our rooms and set off for the Rize Cloth Workshop, where we can get to know the local handicrafts of the Black Sea region up close. Here, we receive information about the production process of handwoven Rize cloth, unique to Rize, and guests who wish may go shopping.
We then arrive at Uzungöl, one of the most popular natural beauties of the Black Sea region. We have free time accompanied by the lake view and the opportunity to take plenty of photos.
After our visit to Uzungöl, we take an optional extra tour of the Karaster (Garaster) Plateau with our guests who wish to join. (It is conducted with local vehicles depending on weather and road conditions.) We take photo breaks accompanied by the plateau’s unique views. (Extra tour)
As we continue our program, we stop at Memişağa Mansion to shop for local products. We receive information about products unique to the Black Sea region, such as tea, honey, hazelnuts and butter, and have the opportunity to shop.
We then proceed to the Tea Factory, one of the symbols of the Black Sea region. Here, we receive information about the stages of tea production, and guests who wish may shop for tea.
As we begin our return journey, we take a break in the province of Ordu. Guests who wish may take the cable car to Boztepe as an optional extra. (The cable car fee is the guests’ responsibility.) Guests who do not wish to use the cable car may spend their free time in central Ordu.
After the break, we continue our return journey and complete our tour with our arrival in Istanbul in the morning.
Dining Information:
Breakfast: Open buffet or set-menu breakfast at the hotel (Included in the Tour Fee)
Lunch: Will be taken at leisure around Uzungöl. (Extra/Optional)
Dinner: Will be taken at rest facilities along the route. (Extra)
General Information
Child Discount and Circular Rules
The child discount applies to the 7–12 age range.
The tour circular is valid as of the date it was published, 19.01.2026. Circulars published at later dates for the same tour invalidate the previous circular.
Mandatory additional services are included in the tour price.
Important Information About Tours with Flights
- For tours with flights, all procedures related to flights are subject to the provisions of the airline agreement.
- Cancellation insurance does not cover air transportation.
- A tiered pricing system is applied; the advertised prices start from the lowest fare class.
- Economy class flights are used in tour programs with flights.
- Airline tickets are issued as a round trip together. If the outbound flight is not used, the return flight also becomes invalid in accordance with the airlines’ “sequence of use” rule. Therefore, participation in only the return flight is not possible.
Museum – Archaeological Site – National Park Entrance Fees
All museum, archaeological site and national park entrance fees are the responsibility of our guests. To benefit from advantages at museums and archaeological sites where the Müzekart is valid, our guests may obtain a card from Müzekart sales points before or during the tour.
Package Price Coverage
Our package tour prices include hotel accommodation, transportation and the excursions specified in the program.
Rest Stops
Breaks are taken at rest facilities along the route. Due to occupancy, renovations or similar force majeure reasons, rest stops may be changed provided that they are equivalent in terms of service quality and location.
Extra Tours and Program Flow
The night tours and extra excursions included in the tour program are organized depending on the number of participants and the availability of the staff in charge. Extra tours carried out along the route may take place even if not all guests participate. Guests who do not wish to join the extra tour will be directed by our guide to rest areas before the city entrances or to the city centers. In this case, guests who agree to wait at the rest area will be considered to have participated in the tour.
Due to weather conditions, road conditions or similar reasons, the guide may make changes to the program sequence (daily visiting points or between days) if deemed necessary.
Go-Turkey cannot be held responsible for points that cannot be visited despite being included in the program due to force majeure (weather conditions, road conditions, crowds at visiting points, etc.) or because guests fail to comply with the timings given by the guide.
Health Notification
Our guests are required to carry with them reports and information regarding any health problems they may experience during the tour, pregnancy status or medications they regularly use.
Accommodation Information
The hotel names specified in the program are the priority accommodation facilities. Hotels may be changed depending on availability. Upon request, information about the hotel where guests will stay will be shared with them no later than 48 hours before the tour departure. If the hotel is changed due to occupancy or force majeure reasons, provided that the standards remain the same, our guests will be informed by Go-Turkey representatives.
Important Notes
- On tours with flights, flight delays may occur due to congestion.
- Night tours are extra and are organized according to participation.
Vehicles Used
Tour vehicles are planned as follows according to the number of participants:
Bus (28–46 people):
Mercedes Travego / Tourismo, Neoplan Cityliner / Tourliner, Mitsubishi Safir
(ABS, ASR, air conditioning, monitor, refrigerator, kitchen unit, reading lamps, announcement system, CD/DVD)
Midibus (17–27 people):
Isuzu Turkuaz
(ABS, ASR, air conditioning, monitor, refrigerator, announcement system)
Minibus (up to 16 people):
VW Volt, VW Volt EL, Mercedes Sprinter, Mercedes Sprinter EL
(Specially designed reclining seats, ABS, ASR, air conditioning, refrigerator, announcement system)
Recommendations
- Clothing and footwear suitable for the geographical structure and weather conditions of the tour region should be preferred.
- It is recommended that you bring the necessary charging equipment for taking photographs and videos.
- Regularly used medications should not be forgotten; allergic, chronic or hereditary conditions should be reported to the guide.
- Personal care products, a backpack and personal belongings that will make the journey enjoyable should be kept with you.
- For programs including boat tours and swimming breaks, it is recommended that swimwear, towels, sunscreen and similar sea equipment be brought.
The tour program and explanations above have been originally prepared by Go-Turkey. They may not be copied, reproduced or published without permission. The program has been arranged in accordance with the Consumer Protection Law No. 6502 and must be evaluated as a whole.
GEORGIA (BATUMI – TBILISI) BORDER CROSSING INFORMATION
- Entry into Georgia is possible only with a new-type chip-enabled Republic of Türkiye Identity Card or passport. Old-type identity cards are not valid.
- The chip on identity cards must be intact and must not be broken, cracked or excessively worn. The chip on the back of the identity cards must be checked.
- All guests, including babies and children, are required to have new-type identity cards with photographs. The Georgian authorities do not accept identity cards without photographs.
- The tour company is not responsible for border crossing problems that may arise due to deformation, damage or the absence of a photograph on identity cards.
- Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by both their mother and father in order to enter Georgia.
- If one of the parents is absent, a notarized consent form must be obtained from the absent parent.
- If both parents are absent, notarized consent forms from both parents are mandatory.
- A border fee stamp is mandatory for crossings into Georgia. The border fee stamp can be obtained at the Sarp Border Gate, and its cost is paid by the guests.
- According to Georgian laws, no medication is permitted to be brought into the country. Legal proceedings may be initiated against persons carrying medication.
- For same-day entries, only one medication needed to be used during the day may be carried without its box and wrapped in paper.
- To bring alcohol, cigarettes and similar products when returning from Georgia to Türkiye, guests must have stayed in Georgia for at least three days. Bringing these products is not permitted for same-day entries.
- Seasonal congestion may occur at the Sarp Border Gate. Therefore, guests may leave the hotel early in the morning or arrive at the hotel late in the evening.
- Foreign nationals who entered Türkiye with a passport must have a multiple-entry Türkiye visa in order to travel to Georgia and return to Türkiye.
- Entry requirements for Georgia may vary according to the visa agreements between Georgia and the country that issued the passport or identity card.
- Citizens of the TRNC may enter Georgia with a Republic of Türkiye identity card if they entered Türkiye with a Republic of Türkiye identity card.
- TRNC citizens who entered Türkiye with a European Union passport must obtain a multiple-entry visa in order to return to Türkiye.
- All guests are required to follow the guide’s instructions during border crossings.
- Border crossing procedures are entirely under the control of the official authorities of Georgia and Türkiye, and the tour company cannot be held responsible for any delays that may occur.