“A Turkish Odyssey” Black Sea

Description

This is a draft program can be easily tailored based on your preferences and your fitness level. For a tailored version please share your proposed number of days, proposed dates, number of participants, fitness level.

**Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul**

Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport, our team will greet you and transfer you to your hotel in the heart of the city. After check-in, you will have some free time to rest. Depending on your arrival time, we may organise a short city walk. In the evening, enjoy an introductory dinner featuring delicious Turkish cuisine. Vegan and vegetarian options are available.

**Day 2: Istanbul Tour**

Today, we will explore Istanbul’s Historic Peninsula, starting with iconic landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque. Afterward, we’ll enjoy Turkish delicacies during a lunch break. In the afternoon, we will visit the Grand Bazaar and end our day in the vibrant Pera district. 

**Day 3: Flight to Trabzon, visit to Sumela Monastery and Transfer to Saritas Plateau **

Early in the morning, we’ll be transferred to the Istanbul Airport for the flight to Trabzon. We’ll be picked up from Trabzon Airport to Sarıtaş Plateau which is 1700 m above sea level.

On our way, we will visit Sumela Monastery, an awe-inspiring structure perched on a steep cliff. We should not miss the opportunity to explore this historical gem.

After we check in and before dinner, we may take a short hike to Karakaban Hill (2,780 m) before dinner. Those who prefer can rest at the guesthouse.

**Day 4: Hike in Santa Valley & Ruins**

After a 30-minute transfer, we’ll begin our hike through the Santa Valley, exploring the fascinating Santa Ruins, remnants of an ancient settlement nestled in the mountains. Santa consists of seven former Greek villages before the 1923 exchange between Turks & Greeks. The trail is rich in history, offering stunning views along the way. We will stop for lunch as well. After the hike, we will return to our guesthouse in Sarıtaş for dinner and an overnight stay.

**Day 5: Ancient Site of Krom & Imera Monastery**

After a short transfer, we begin our hike through the Krom Valley, exploring its ancient settlements and historical ruins before reaching the Imera Monastery. Located near the border of Gümüşhane and Trabzon provinces, Krom Valley is known for its rich history and cultural heritage.

During the Ottoman period, the valley was a major center for mining activities, named after its chromium deposits. The area is also famous for its stone architecture, historic Greek villages, churches, and monasteries. Notable landmarks include the Hagios Georgios Church, known for its distinctive architectural design. Visitors will experience a blend of nature and history, walking through well-preserved stone houses and fresco-adorned churches that reflect the region’s past.

**Day 6: The “Xenophon’s Anabasis” Route**

Our hike begins at Kovlagoz Plateau, following a trail through Acısu and Iskobel Hills accordingly, leading us to the legendary spot where Xenophon’s 10.000 Greek soldiers are believed to have first seen the sea during their return to home, shouting “Thalatta! Thalatta!” (The Sea! The Sea!).

This route, known as the Anabasis Trail, is inspired by Xenophon’s famous historical “Anabasis”, written around 400 BCE. His journey is still being studied and referenced in numerous historical texts. Our local guides are historians and a local expert who has been trying to trace the route of Anabasis in this region for many years.

If weather conditions permit, we will also enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Sumela Monastery from a spectacular vantage point before descending to our final stop.

**Day 7-8-9-10-11: Journey to Kackar and Kaçkar Adventure**

After a 4-hour transfer from Trabzon to the Kaçkar region, we’ll arrive at our guesthouse nestled at the foothills of this majestic range. Upon arrival, we settle in and prepare for the four-day trekking adventure ahead.

Participants should pack their backpacks with essential gear for the trek, as main luggages will be left at the guesthouse. A four day Trans-Kaçkar expedition, main luggages will be transferred to Yusufeli, to our final destination.

For this unique experience, participants will require essential camping gear, including a tent, sleeping mat, and sleeping bag. Detailed information and guidelines will be provided by our team to ensure a well-prepared and comfortable journey through the Kaçkar Mountains.

The day finish our walk we’ll be transferred to Efeler village located on the border of Georgia.

**Day 12-13: Macahel: A Unique Biosphere Reserve in Turkey**

Macahel is a remote region in Borçka, Artvin, consisting of six villages with a rich biodiversity and unique ecosystem. After the borders between Turkey and Soviet Russia were drawn in 1921 and finalised in 1926, the Macahel region was divided, leaving 10 villages in the Soviet Union and 6 villages in Turkey.

Until the early 2000s, entry and exit to Macahel were restricted due to its border settlement status. However, after UNESCO declared it Turkey’s first and only Biosphere Reserve, efforts in sustainable tourism and conservation began. As of 2019, the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves includes 686 reserves across 122 countries, with Macahel being a part of this global initiative.

Machael will be our last stop in Black-Sea region, where our local hosts will join us for the hike. This is an opportunity to learn, share experiences, and engage in meaningful conversations with the people who call this region home.

Hiking through forest roads, waterfalls, passing old mills and remote villages, enjoying lunch in an unforgettable setting—a place so peaceful you won’t want to leave. If it rains, the warm fireplace inside and the sound of raindrops outside will create an unforgettable atmosphere.

**Day 14: Departure: Rize-Artvin & Istanbul Airport Transfer**

Transfer to Rize-Artvin Airport, where you will catch your flight to Istanbul. On our way to airport we’ll stop in Hopa at a Çaykur tea factory, where you can buy black and green tea as a gift to your friends.

We’re going to arrange this transfer depending on you flight times to your home or we can offer you an extra day stay in Istanbul.

This program can be extended to Eastern region of Turkey, Kars and Van. For extention of this adventure you may get in touch for details.

The number of days and contents can be adjusted, and this program can be combined with Cappadocia or Eastern Anatolia. Additional routes can be added, such as Eastern Anatolia.

Participation Limitations: To ensure a comfortable and efficient experience, the number of participants is limited. Please consider this when planning your trip.

Pre-Booking Options: Pre-booking is available for participants arriving before or after the program dates to help with accommodation and logistics.

Arrival and Departure Information: We recommend sharing your arrival and departure details (dates and times) with our team in advance. This information is necessary to arrange transfers to the city center or airport.

Optional Transfers: For participants who wish to stop the program at a certain point during the day, optional transfers can be arranged at a suitable location. Please note that this incurs an additional cost to be covered by the participant.

Clothing and Equipment: A detailed list of mandatory and optional clothing and equipment will be provided separately before the program.

Health Conditions: Participants with allergies or chronic conditions are required to inform our team during registration to ensure proper precautions are taken. This activity is not recommended for individuals with conditions such as high blood pressure, asthma, rheumatism, or epilepsy, as it may be difficult to manage emergencies in nature. Please consult with our team in advance if you have concerns.

Route and Weather Conditions: Mandatory route changes may occur due to weather conditions, such as heavy rain, strong winds, or storms. Final decisions will be made by the guide, and participants are expected to comply with these changes, including modifications to boat tours.

Cancellation and Refund Policy: Due to the limited availability of accommodations in local and remote areas. Many of the lodgings we work with are small, family-run businesses with only a few rooms, making it difficult to cancel or rebook. To secure your spot, a deposit is required at the time of booking. This deposit is non-refundable, except in cases of force majeure. However, if the program is cancelled by us, the full pre-payment will be refunded.

All programs are conducted by TUREB-licensed guides and arranged by TÜRSAB-certified agency Globe Outdoors Travel (TÜRSAB Document No. A-17542)