overview

Our signature tour, Black Sea Uncut has a lot to offer. One day you will be hiking through picturesque mountains, plateaus and valleys, powerful waterfalls and rivers while tasting amazing local flavours. Another day you will be walking through the awe-inspiring Roman and Soviet history with their crumbling monasteries, unique architecture and colourful buildings. You will get to discover the raw UNESCO protected biosphere of Macahel and experience the magical feeling of being over a sea of clouds. All with the quality and safety of our guided exclusive tour of the Eastern Black Sea of Turkey.

Start : Trabzon, Turkey 10 am Duration: 5 nights 6 days

Finish: Trabzon, Turkey 6pm Group size: Min 4, Max 10

gallery

18th Century Twin Bridges
Karagol Lake
Europe Square in Batumi
Balut waterfall
Balut Waterfall
family photo sea of clouds
IMG_7981
Previous image
Next image

itinerary

day 1. trabzon

Your tour stars with a warm welcome from your experienced local guide at Trabzon, a delightful port city influenced by Greeks, Medes, Hellenes, Byzantines and more.

First stop is Sumela, a dramatically situated monastery, perched on a steep rock cliff overlooking Altindere Valley. Built back in 386AD in honour of Virgin Mary, it must be seen to be believed. 

Especially in autumn, the colours around the lake is just stunning. You can take a walk, hire a rowing boat or sit and enjoy its serenity. If the weather is right, you will have lots of opportunities to capture this stunning lake from different points on the walkway around it. Head towards Trabzon to check out a tea processing centre and learn all about Turkish tea and its journey before being poured into your cup. Usually by autumn the harvest season ends but if you are lucky, you might get to try using the special shears to cut tea leaves. Your belly full with delicious food and mind with the memories of a lifetime, your tour will come to an end. From here the choice is yours! Head back to Trabzon Airport with your tour guide or stay and explore the region further by adding on another tour, let us know what you desire in advance and we can make it happen for you.

The monastery is undergoing renovations so you can only see a part of it but views are still worth the drive and the hike. Before you go back to exploring Byzantium history, you will follow in the footsteps of Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic, at his 20th-century home. The house is fully furnished with all its original contents and is surrounded by beautiful gardens. If restorations have been completed you will get to discover Aya Sofya, rare surviving example of 13th century Byzantine architecture and a striking Ottoman-era monument, Ortahisar Mosque. Before you go east and up to Firtina Valley for your boutique hotel, a short drive will take you to a local secret spot for a great sunset to finish off your first day.

Accommodation: Boutique hotel in Firtina Valley, 1 night

Meals included: None

day 2. camlihemsin

Wake up to mountain views from your hotel room to kick start your day. Today you will meet with the high-arched stone bridges of Ottoman era as well as one of the many beautiful waterfalls of the region, Bulut waterfall. Depending on the weather, you might want to have a little swim here. 

A little drive will take you to a medieval castle, Zilkale, that once guarded the passage of Silk Road.

zilkale castle

It stands strong as a stark contrast to the backdrop of the deep green forest that surrounds it. The castle is built on the edge of a cliff overlooking a creek. Get ready to feel the tingle in your spine when you look down at the valley below.

The adventure will continue with your thrilling ride up to Huser or Cicekli, a captivating highland plateu with views of rugged mountains and deep valleys. Most days, the fog rolls in and gives you the magical experience of being over a sea of clouds and you might have a chance to jump on the swing to add your adrenalin rush.

Satisfy your tastebuds with a regional dish and maybe you will have a chance to join the circle of horon- a local dance paired up with the traditional bagpipe (Tulum) and free-style songs sang by locals.

Accommodation: Boutique hotel in Firtina Valley, 1 night

Meals included: Breakfast

day 3. camlihemsin and artvin

Before you leave Firtina Valley, you will have two options. You can choose to have a go at rafting the rapids of Firtina River or ziplining across it.

Or you can drive up to check out another captivating high plateau. Then, you will head towards Artvin, stopping to admire the twin bridges before you begin your hike up to see Mencuna waterfall, one of the highest ones in Turkey. 

Suspension bridge mecuna

For the brave ones, the cold waters of this powerful waterfall create a lake deep enough to swim and refresh.

It is time to start your journey to your hotel up in the mountains surrounded by the heavenly nature in the village of Macahel, a biosphere protected by UNESCO. If the timing is right, you might see the clouds rolling in, swallowing the mountain roads. The local family at your hotel will serve you your home cooked dinner that you will remember for a long time.

Accommodation: Mountain hotel in Macahel, 1 night

Included meals: Breakfast and Dinner

day 4. macahel and artvin

Today is all about taking in the wonders of Macahel and Artvin. Get ready to be blown away by its unspoilt views.

One of the main reasons this region is so untouched is due to most of the sights being inaccessible by vehicle, so pack your hiking shoes and your adventurous spirit. 

First up is Maral. Let the sound of the water excite you as you hike down to the base of this captivating waterfall. 

Macahel Homestay

When you arrive at the midway point you have two choices. You can sit and admire the fall while sipping tea or coffee with some locals or you can continue on and hike down to the bottom, where you can feel the force of the water as it falls 64 meters from above.

Today’s other surprising moment will be when you walk into Iremit Camii as the outside of it is nothing like what you will find inside. This small, ordinary looking mosque has a very colourful all wood interior.

Head back to your hotel in Macahel to learn about local beekeeping or making the local bread or just relax with a nice warm drink at your balcony admiring the view.

Accommodation: Mountain hotel in Macahel, 1 night

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

day 5. borcka and batumi

Wake up to the raw nature that surrounds you and fuel up with buffet breakfast before beginning the last day of the tour. Then it is time to head towards Karagol and be mesmerised by the beauty that surrounds it. You can take a walk around the lake, hire a rowing boat or sit and enjoy its serenity. 

After a little stop in Hopa for a local secret lunch spot, you will drive to Sarpi border to enter a new country, Georgia!

Batumi Ali and Nino

You will have a tough decision to make at this point: to do wine tasting and learn about the traditional Georgian wine making while tasting their delicious wine or to explore one of the largest botanical gardens of the former Soviet Union.

Check into your luxurious hotel to rest and refresh before you head out for a delicious dinner accompanied by local entertainment. Head to the seaside to watch Ali and Nino sculptures come together very slowly only to fall apart again and learn about their touching story. Enjoy Alphabetic tower, Ferris wheel and the other unique buildings Batumi has to offer before returning to your hotel to rest.

Accommodation: Batumi, 5 star hotel, 1 night

Meals included: Breakfast

day 6. batumi

Last day of your tour will be all about Batumi. Continue to discover the cultural and historical sites of Batumi, starting in European Square, learn about the Medea Monument, visit Batumi Central Mosque and Church of St Nicholas.

Feel surprised by the variety of architecture this city has to offer. As you walk through the streets of this former Soviet city, you will be moved from one century to another.

Batumi Botanical Garden

You have a couple of hours to enjoy either by swimming in the city beach, walking amongst the colourful streets, enjoying the calming music of the square with a few drinks or staying with your guide to head to a local café/restaurant for lunch.

In the afternoon, your belly full with delicious food and mind with memories of a life time, your tour will come to an end.  You can cross the border and get back to Trabzon or stay here and enjoy the rest of Georgia or Batumi.

Accommodation: None

Meals included: Breakfast

inclusions

Included Activities and Services
  • 5 nights accommodation in 5 star and boutique mountain hotels
  • 5 delicious breakfasts and 2 dinners
  • Professional local tour guide for 6 days
  • Private transport
  • Trabzon airport pick up and drop off
  • Entrance fees for national parks and museums
  • Great experiences to be remembered for a life-time
  • Compulsory insurance by the tour operator
Exclusions
  • International flights
  • Visas
  • Lunch
  • Fees for optional activities such as rowing, rafting or wine tasting
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Other personal expenses

important info

Click through to read all of the important finer details relating to Hidden Wonders Tours.

Dates And Booking

As a boutique private tour company our key point of difference is that we can curate a tour to your preferences. Please get in touch to let us know when you would like to take your adventure and we will work with you to make that happen. We can provide you with a quote and can consider a variety of currencies, so don’t hesitate to let us know your preference (e.g. AUD, US, TL).  Send us a message here with all of your preferences and we will be in touch as soon as possible. Alternatively, use our Chat below and someone will be in touch.