THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Traverse the wet, green mountains of Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea on an 11-day private tour through waterfalls, tea orchards and high plateaus. Expect short steep walks, dramatic viewpoints, and cultural stops from Sumela Monastery to traditional tea markets.
Traverse the wet, green mountains of Turkey’s Eastern Black Sea on an 11-day private tour through waterfalls, tea orchards and high plateaus. Expect short steep walks, dramatic viewpoints, and cultural stops from Sumela Monastery to traditional tea markets.
Fog lifts off the tea terraces as the minibus threads a mountain road — a green wall of tea bushes clings to steep slopes, waterfalls carve vertical ribbons, and the air tastes faintly of peat and brewed leaves.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by KurtulusTourism · Rize, Rize Province
Fog lifts off the tea terraces as the minibus threads a mountain road — a green wall of tea bushes clings to steep slopes, waterfalls carve vertical ribbons, and the air tastes faintly of peat and brewed leaves.
This 11-day loop across Rize and neighboring provinces moves from coastal Çayeli up into the Kaçkar foothills, visiting cascade gardens like Akyamaç and Mençuna, high alpine plateaus such as Elevit (≈1,800 m) and Huser (≈2,400 m), and cultural anchors including Sumela Monastery and the Santa Monasteries near Gümüşhane. Geologically the region is young and rugged: the Kaçkar range is part of the Pontic Mountains, uplifted by tectonic folding and carved by persistent rainfall into steep valleys and sink basins that feed deep, fast rivers.
Local culture centers on tea production — Rize is Turkey’s tea heartland — and on mixed pastoral traditions once tied to seasonal highland grazing. You’ll pass hand-built stone kitchens, historic castles, and trails where Pontic Greek and Ottoman histories cross.
Practical notes: expect frequent rain and slick trails on short hikes (30–60 minutes to viewpoints and waterfalls). Elevation gains are modest but can reach 1,000+ meters on plateau drives; daytime temps vary widely with altitude. Accommodation is 3–4 star hotels with included breakfasts; most lunches/dinners are at your own expense. Transport is by air-conditioned vehicle and the tour operates as a private group.
Bring waterproof layers, sturdy footwear, a quick-dry base layer, and enough cash for remote stops. Time activities early in the day for clearer views; carry a portable charger and local SIM or offline maps for navigation.
moderate.
11 days.
Moderate fitness — suitable for travelers who can manage multiple short hikes, stairs and periods of standing; not strenuous trekking.
Breakfasts are included daily; most lunches and dinners are at your own expense except where noted.
No — admission to Sumela and some caves or protected sites is typically not included and must be paid on site.
The tour is paced for general fitness with multiple short hikes (30–60 minutes) and driving between sites; those with limited mobility should notify the operator in advance.
Yes — the tour begins with pickup at Rize–Artvin (or a designated meeting point) as described in the itinerary details.
The region bears Pontic Greek and Ottoman layers — Sumela Monastery and the Santa monasteries attest to a long Christian monastic presence alongside later Ottoman-era rural life.
Highland meadows and tea terraces are sensitive to erosion and overuse; stick to trails, avoid trampling vegetation, and support local businesses to sustain rural economies.
KurtulusTourism operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Fog lifts off the tea terraces as the minibus threads a mountain road — a green wall of tea bushes clings to steep slopes, waterfalls carve vertical ribbons, and the air tastes faintly of peat and brewed leaves.
Fog lifts off the tea terraces as the minibus threads a mountain road — a green wall of tea bushes clings to steep slopes, waterfalls carve vertical ribbons, and the air tastes faintly of peat and brewed leaves.
This 11-day loop across Rize and neighboring provinces moves from coastal Çayeli up into the Kaçkar foothills, visiting cascade gardens like Akyamaç and Mençuna, high alpine plateaus such as Elevit (≈1,800 m) and Huser (≈2,400 m), and cultural anchors including Sumela Monastery and the Santa Monasteries near Gümüşhane. Geologically the region is young and rugged: the Kaçkar range is part of the Pontic Mountains, uplifted by tectonic folding and carved by persistent rainfall into steep valleys and sink basins that feed deep, fast rivers.
Local culture centers on tea production — Rize is Turkey’s tea heartland — and on mixed pastoral traditions once tied to seasonal highland grazing. You’ll pass hand-built stone kitchens, historic castles, and trails where Pontic Greek and Ottoman histories cross.
Practical notes: expect frequent rain and slick trails on short hikes (30–60 minutes to viewpoints and waterfalls). Elevation gains are modest but can reach 1,000+ meters on plateau drives; daytime temps vary widely with altitude. Accommodation is 3–4 star hotels with included breakfasts; most lunches/dinners are at your own expense. Transport is by air-conditioned vehicle and the tour operates as a private group.
Bring waterproof layers, sturdy footwear, a quick-dry base layer, and enough cash for remote stops. Time activities early in the day for clearer views; carry a portable charger and local SIM or offline maps for navigation.