Hidden gems of the Eastern Black Sea Region

Arrival in Trabzon.
Flight to Trabzon and transfer to the hotel in the center of Trabzon.
After arrival in Trabzon, city tour in Trabzon including a visit to Atatürk’s pavilion and Haghia Sophia church, one of the most beautiful examples of Byzanthine architecture and time to explore the lively port city.
Overnight stay in Trabzon
Horon hotel *** (BB)

Trabzon –  Gümuşhane  (160 km – 4 hours)
Over the mountains we travel towards Gümüşhane, which was once the center of the Hittite silver mines and an important trading point on the silver route to China. During the ride we visit the spectacularly situated Sumela Monastery. After lunch continue to the impressive Karaca cave which has different types of rock and minerals and Krom Valley, an Ancient city with remians of 15 churches and monastries. Nearby Imera monastery  dates from the 14 th century. The Greek population of  the villages had to leave in the 20 th century, the monasteries and churches remind us of their presence and culture. We end the day in Gmüşhane.

Night: Gümüşhane,
Aytaç Konağı boutique hotel.(BB)

 Gümüşhane – Santa ( 87 km  – 2 hours)

Following a morning walk in Süleymaniye, the old neighbourhood of Gümüşhane with remains of old mansions, churches and mosques we continue to Santa. With its derelecit stone buidings, ruined churches and ever -misty silhouette, Santa has an enchanting atmosphere. Located at the end of Yanbolu valley, at the most inaccesible point of the Black Sea Mountains, the settlement was once the commercial, cultural and religious centre of the region. Santa ruins consist of 7 neighbourhoods, which were built on the height were the forest ends. In each neighbourhood stone churches rise and you can come across a fountain at the entrance of every street. We conclude the day at a small hotel in ‘ Dumanlu village’, an amazing place in the fog for most of the year. The guesthouse has everything what is needed. Location and food are unforgettable

Night: Dumanlı.
Santa Vadi hotel- guesthouse (HB)

Santa – Sarıçicek köyü  –  Erzurum – ( 221 km / 4,5 hrs)

From the accommodation we drive towards Erzurum. Our first stop is at Sarıçiçek village. The fields around the village are covered with yellow flowers, even de poppies are yellow !
We take the time to visit the two guestrooms handcrafted out of wood  by a master and his apprentice. Embroidered with kündekari, the art in which small pieces of wood are cut in geometric shapes, they are displayed examples of Turkish Ottoman architecture.We then continue to Erzurum and visit Ulu Cami ( Grand mosque Üç Kümbetler ( three royal mausolea and Çifte minareli Medresse before we check in for the night at our hotel in Erzurum.

Night: Erzurum
Zade hotel *** (BB)

Erzurum- Aydınköy ( 255 km/ 4,5 hrs)

Following breakfast continue towards Artvin.The first stop is at Bağbaşı village, where the excellent remains of the Georgian ‘ Hahuli ‘ Haho church stands in a pear garden .After lunch in Artvin we drive to Cehennem Deresi canyon.
( literally: Hell’s Creek Canyon ) İt is among the countries longest and deepest canyons: the walls are quite steep, but there is a path to the top.

We end the day at Danzot holiday village in Aydınköy, formerly Tanzot. Tanzot sits in an isolated bowl on the western flank of the Yalnızçam mountains. A medieval fortress protects the entrance of the basin. An abandoned Armenian church and a delightful mosque with an inscription ( most unusally ) in Georgian complete the village scenery.

Night: Aydınköy:
Danzot tatil köyü (BB)

Ardanuç-Borcka (158  km-4 hrs)
Todays route takes you first to the remains of Yeni Rabat – and Dolişhane,  both Georgian churches. The climb to the ‘ Dolişhane church in Hamamlı village is rewarded with a nice view across the lake below. We then continue to Karagöl and end the day with a nice short walk around the ‘black ‘ Lake.
The overnight stay is in Borçka, in a beautiful spot in the middle of nature.
The local dishes are particularly tasty and the honey pure.

Night: Borçka,
Lapera butik hotel (BB)

Borcka- Macahel- Borcka (100 km- 3 hrs)
Even more natural wonders await you on today’s tour when you visit the Macahel
This region is so pure that it was declared a World Biosphere Reserve area by UNESCO in 2006.
You can cool off in the Maral waterfall, where the water falls from a height of 63 m, creating a small lake, visit the colurful mosque at İremit  and beautiful wooden mosque of Camili, which is located in an original Georgian village
The overnight stay is again in Borcka

Night: Borçka:
La Pera pansiyıon (HB)

Borçka- Trabzon airport.

Before our evening flight  from Trabzon airport  w’ll spend some time in Çamlıhemşin a pretty village on the Fırtına river. W’ll visit Zil Kale castle and the historical bridges.

Borçka – Çamlıhemşin – Trabzon airport (282 km/ 5 hrs)

7 nights included breakfast
1 night dinner in Santa is included.

Transport
English speaking guide .

flights
lunches
Dinners (except one)
Personal expenses
entrance fees

Minimum 8 – 12  persons Maximum

Sunexpress flight: (Rize-Antalya)
(Mondays dept: 8.55 hrs)
Fridays dept 10.55 hrs )

Pegasus flight: Rize – Istanbul