Istanbul & Black Sea Tour
Duration: 08 Days / 07 Nights
Highlights: Istanbul, Bosphorus, Trabzon, Sumela Monastery,
Rize, Camlihemsin, Ayder, Uzungol
Day 01 Arrival in Istanbul
Upon clearing customs and immigration, you will be greeted
by our company representative who will arrange for you
to be driven to your hotel. Overnight in Istanbul.
Day 02 Istanbul Sightseeing Tour (Meals: Breakfast, Lunch)
Full day tour with licensed tour guide visiting the world
famous landmarks and heritage of Istanbul. Sights include
the Blue Mosque, St Sophia, Topkapi Palace Museum (Harem
section excluded), Ancient Hippodrome lunch at local restaurant,
Grand Bazaar (Kapalicarsi) and Suleymaniye Mosque. Return
to hotel and evening at leisure.
Day 03 Bosphorus Cruise Tour / Flight to Trabzon (Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner)
In the morning join on a half day cruise on the Bosphorus
which separates the Asia and Europe. During the cruise visit
the Spice (Egyptian) Bazaar and Rum Eli Fortress. The afternoon
is then at leisure until transfer to the Istanbul Ataturk
Airport for the flight to Trabzon where you will spend the
night.
Day 04 Sumela Monastery & Karaca Cave (Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner)
In the morning you will be met by your tour guide to begin
the Eastern Black Sea Guided Tour by visiting the 4th century
Sumela Monastery and Altindere National Park. Later on drive
up to Zigana Mountain, crossing the mountain with spectacular
views of mountain villages. We arrive at Gumushanehane City
Province to visit Karaca Cave, considered the most beautiful
in Turkey for its colours and formations. After the tour,
drive back to our hotel located at the centre of the city.
Day 05 Trabzon City & Uzungol Tour (Meals: Breakfast,
Dinner)
After breakfast at hotel, today we explore the highlights
of Trabzon City, the most attractive points being: 13th century
Byzantine church St. Sophia Museum, Ataturk's Mansion, Boztebe
Hill, Ladies Bazaar, Sera Lake. Lunch at a seaside restaurant
serving famous Akcaabat meatball. In the afternoon drive
to Uzungol (literally translated meaning "long lake").
It's a hidden paradise in the Pontic Alps. We hike around
the lake and village before check-in to wooden hotel. Overnight
in Uzungol.
Day 06 Rize, Camlihemsin, Zilkale and Ayder Tour (Meals:
Breakfast, Dinner)
Early in the morning we leave from Uzungol and make a short
stop in Rize for panoramic views of the city from the Botanic
Garden. Then we arrive to Firtina (Storm) Valley which takes
us to Ayder Plateau. Before arriving in Ayder we will see
Camlihemsin, Konaklar, Senyuva Bridge, Zil Kale. Gentle trekking
to Goksu Fall which is the highest and most beautiful in
the region. Arrival in Ayder before sundown, check in to
wooden hotel. Overnight in Ayder.
Day 07 Flight to Istanbul / Free Day in Istanbul (Meal:
Breakfast)
After check-out, you will be transferred to Trabzon Airport
for the flight to Istanbul. On your arrival to istanbul,
you will be met and transferred to your hotel with the remainder
of day at your leisure to take advantage of last minute shopping
or relax with a Hamam ‘’Turkish Bath’’.
Day 08 Departure transfer (Meal: Breakfast)
Option to extend package with additional night(s) in Istanbul
or we will arrange for the transfer to Istanbul International
Airport for your return or onward flight.
