Emerald Highlands
Five days on the emerald coast of the Black Sea — the cliff-hanging Sumela Monastery, the lakeside village of Uzungöl, the tea terraces of Rize and the Fırtına Valley up to the highland plateau of Ayder.
Faith, history and Anatolian hospitality in one seamless journey
Five days on the emerald coast of the Black Sea — a world of mist-wrapped mountains, cliff-hanging monasteries and endless tea gardens. Stand beneath Sumela Monastery, carved into a sheer rock face a thousand feet above the valley floor, watch the morning fog roll over the lakeside village of Uzungol, walk the tea terraces of Rize with the pickers, and follow the rushing Firtina River past Ottoman stone bridges to the medieval fortress of Zilkale and the highland plateau of Ayder.
Designed for partner agencies whose clients want Türkiye beyond the classics — a green, cool-climate counterpoint to the Aegean and Cappadocia, ideal for summer departures when the rest of the country is hot. Round-trip from Trabzon Airport with private guiding throughout.
“Thalatta! Thalatta! — The Sea! The Sea! — the cry of Xenophon's Ten Thousand as they first sighted the Black Sea from the mountains above Trabzon, after their long march across Anatolia.”
A grand circle of Türkiye
What your clients will remember
The full itinerary
Hotels & board
All stays on Half Board — daily breakfast and dinner at the hotels, plus lunches at local restaurants en route. Hotels listed or similar in category.
Included services
- ✓4 nights' stay at the mentioned hotels or similar (4–5 star)
- ✓Daily breakfast at the hotels, except on the arrival day
- ✓4 dinners at the hotels
- ✓4 lunches at local restaurants
- ✓Tea plantation visit and tasting in Rize
- ✓Entrance fees to all listed museums and sites
- ✓Professional licensed tour guide
- ✓Private transportation throughout the tour
Not included
- ✕Any international or domestic flights
- ✕Personal expenses
- ✕Any services not mentioned in the inclusions list
- ✕Tips to driver & guide
Hagia Sophia of Trabzon · Sumela Monastery & Altindere National Park · Uzungol · Rize Tea Plantation Visit & Tasting · Firtina Valley Stone Bridges · Zilkale Fortress · Ayder Plateau
A destination partner your agency can trust
Request this tour for your clients
Send us your group details and we'll reply within one business day with net B2B rates, availability and a tailored proposal. Not a partner yet? Apply below — registration is free.
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Apply as a Partner AgencyTURSAB Licence No. 10028 · Istanbul, Türkiye
Questions from partner agencies
When is the best season to run the Emerald Highlands tour?
Late spring to early autumn (May to September) is the sweet spot — the highlands are green, the tea terraces are in full harvest and the plateau roads to Ayder are open. This is a cool, misty region even in summer, which makes it a popular escape while the Aegean and southeast are hot. Winter access to Ayder can be limited by snow, so we adjust the plateau leg accordingly.
Is this a good tour for clients who have already seen classic Türkiye?
Yes — it is built precisely as a second- or third-trip program for travellers who have done Istanbul, Cappadocia and the Aegean and want something greener and quieter. The Black Sea's monasteries, tea gardens and Kaçkar plateaus feel like a different country, so it pairs well as an add-on or as a standalone regional escape.
What group size does this program suit, and is there a minimum?
It is operated as a private tour, so it scales from couples and small families to full coaches. We typically confirm from around 2 pax upward; for larger groups we assign additional guides and vehicles as needed. Some plateau roads suit smaller vehicles, so tell us your expected pax and we will size the transport accordingly.
How much does the tour cost, and what does your net rate cover?
We quote net agency rates on application — there are no public prices, so you set your own retail margin. The rate covers 4 nights in 4–5★ hotels on half board, 4 lunches, the Rize tea plantation visit and tasting, all listed entrance fees, a private licensed guide and private transport throughout. International and domestic flights, personal expenses, optional excursions and tips are not included.
Are the optional excursions like rafting and the hot springs included?
No — the Fırtına River white-water rafting and the Ayder hot springs are optional and charged separately, because availability and pricing move with the season and water levels. We arrange them for your clients on request and confirm any supplement with your quote.
Do travellers need a visa for Türkiye?
Visa requirements depend on your clients' nationality; many travellers are visa-exempt or use the online e-Visa, while others apply in advance. We are a licensed DMC, not a visa authority, so please have your clients confirm the current rules for their passports before travel — we are happy to provide an invitation or confirmation letter for the booking.
Is there a single supplement for solo travellers?
Yes — hotel rates are based on double or twin occupancy, so a single supplement applies for guests requiring their own room. The supplement is set out in the net rate breakdown we send with your quote.
Founder & CEO, Safaryar Holidays
Alper Tekin founded Safaryar Holidays in 2018 and leads its B2B hotel wholesale and DMC operations across Turkey.
Program details last reviewed: July 2026