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Peregrine Travel Centre

Turkey’s Black Sea: Istanbul to Tbilisi

Turkey’s Black Sea: Istanbul to Tbilisi

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Description

Follow Turkey’s Black Sea coast on this 12-day adventure from Istanbul to Tbilisi. This trip is a feast for both your senses and your curiosity, with visits to historic sites like the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Safranbolu, the cliffside Sumela Monastery and the medieval ruins of Ani, plus culinary experiences to tantalise your tastebuds. Learn how Safranbolu puts its own spin on Turkish delight, sip freshly brewed Turkish tea during a plantation tour in the Rize Province and join a family of cheesemakers for a homemade lunch. Learn about local life in highland villages and hike along the Elevit Plateau, then end your adventure in the cobblestone streets of Tbilisi.

Trip Name
Turkey's Black Sea: Istanbul to Tbilisi
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
12
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Explore the Black Sea region of Turkey and experience its distinct differences from Mediterranean Turkey. Learn about the unique cultural traditions and explore the landscapes of coastlines, mountains and plateaus.
  • Step inside the spectacular Sumela Monastery, built on the side of a cliff in the 4th century. See the remarkably well-preserved frescoes and explore the chapels, courtyards, library and monastic living quarters.
  • Visit a tea plantation in Rize, Turkey's largest tea region. Learn how tea is grown, harvested and processed, then taste a freshly brewed cup for yourself.
  • Stay at a mountain lodge on the Ayder Plateau. Immerse yourself in highland culture when you go on a picturesque hike on the Elevit Plateau and visit local villages along the way.
  • Taste local culinary specialties like Safranbolu's take on Turkish delight, comforting bowls of cheesy kuymak and the popular Kars gravyer cheese made by a Molokan community near the Georgian border.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Istanbul
Hos geldin! Welcome to Turkey. Your adventure begins in Istanbul – the continent-straddling metropolis that the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines and Ottomans have all once called home. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet your leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive with time to spare, you might like to visit the Blue Mosque to see its lavish interior decorated with thousands of hand-painted Iznik tiles. For a bit of ancient history, why not explore the Hippodrome or see the Million stone – a road marker built in the 4th century. After tonight’s meeting, maybe round up your group and head out for some dinner – smoky kebabs cooked over open flames, balik durum (grilled fish wraps) and gozleme are all on the cards.
Day 2 - Safranbolu
Set off into Turkey’s Black Sea region, full of charming villages brimming with history to uncover, lush mountainsides and a picturesque coast scattered with beaches and rocky coves. You’ll arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Safranbolu in the mid-afternoon – once an important post town along the East-West trade route. Join your leader for a walking tour to explore the town’s well-preserved Ottoman-era districts – Cukur (the market district), Kirankoy (where artisans and tradesmen once lived above their shops) and Baglar (full of traditional homes with large gardens). You’ll check out the Old Bazaar, Clock Tower, Cinci Hamam and pass some impressive Ottoman mansions. Maybe stop for tea or snack on a simit (circular bread covered in sesame seeds) while you wander. Your evening is free. For dinner, you might like to sample some of the town's specialties, especially dishes using the saffron that grows in this region, or bukmesi (a buttery pastry filled with meat, onions and spinach). Your hotel tonight is in a converted Ottoman mansion. Keep an eye out for traditional design features like the cumba (a bay window usually found on the upper floor).
Day 3 - Kastamonu
Try some of Safranbolu’s specialty treats during a demonstration and tasting this morning. Learn about how the local Turkish delight is made, often flavoured with saffron, rose, bergamot or pistachio, plus try some local soda. Next, stop at the Crystal Glass Terrace for an excellent view of Safranbolu and Incekaya Canyon, then say goodbye to Safranbolu and head to Horma Canyon. Embark on a short hike along a wooden platform that winds through the canyon to take in the vast scenery of the cliff faces rising around you. Continue the drive to Kastamonu, watching the landscape transform as you follow winding roads through the countryside. You’ll arrive in the afternoon, then you're free to explore the city at your own pace. Kastamonu’s Old Town is centred around the ruins of a Byzantine fortress atop a rocky hill, including a covered bazaar and centuries-old mosques. If you’re looking for a snack, Kastamonu is famous for its pastirma (a specialty cured meat coated in spices).
Day 4 - Samsun
Travel to the port city of Samsun, arriving in the mid-afternoon. Take a cable car up Amisos Hill to get your first proper view of the city and see the vast Black Sea from up above. Return to the city and go on a short orientation walk with your leader to get the lay of the land, then the rest of the day is free for you to explore. You could visit the Samsun Museum, which showcases a collection of ancient artefacts found in a burial chamber, providing a glimpse at ancient art, culture and daily life. Maybe set yourself up on one of Samsun’s beaches for the afternoon and go for a swim in the Black Sea or hire a bike and follow one of the many cycling trails.
Day 5 - Trabzon
Journey to Trabzon, making a stop along the way at Lake Sera – a local favourite holiday spot. If you feel like getting out on the water, you can rent a paddle boat and spend some time exploring the calm waters. Continue to Trabzon, arriving in the afternoon. Trabzon is one of the largest and most vibrant cities on the Black Sea coast. When you arrive, follow your leader on an orientation walk. A highlight is the Trabzon Hagia Sophia – a 13th-century late-Byzantine church with colourful frescoes. Over the centuries, this church has served different purposes, initially used as a monastic and funerary church, then as a mosque, then as a military depot, reflecting the many layers of religious and cultural history that have shaped Trabzon. During your walk, you’ll also get an insight into Trabzon’s modern-day culture, including how anchovies are integral to the local culinary tradition, the pride in the local football club and long-held folkloric traditions. The rest of the day is free for you to explore – ask your leader if you need some suggestions.
Day 6 - Trabzon
Visit Sumela Monastery this morning – this 4th-century monastery clings to the side of a cliff. Founded by some of the earliest Christians who arrived on the Black Sea coast, this impressive structure sits 300 m above the Altindere Valley floor and includes chapels, courtyards, an aqueduct, a library, monastic living quarters, a belltower and a sacred spring. Step into the monastery and explore the vast network of rooms, scanning the walls and ceilings for the abundance of remarkably intact frescoes. Back in Trabzon, you have a free afternoon. Maybe check out Trabzon Castle, visit the mosques and churches in the city or head to the Boztepe Observation Deck for unforgettable sunset views over the Black Sea.
Day 7 - Ayder Plateau
Venture into the Rize province, the largest tea region in Turkey. Along the way, you’ll stop at a local restaurant for a kuymak cooking demonstration and tasting. This traditional breakfast dish originated in the Black Sea region and is made from cornmeal, cheese and butter. Learn how the dish is made, then sample this rich, gooey delight for yourself. Then, head to a tea plantation to learn how Turkish tea is produced and processed. After touring the plantation, sit down for a cup of the strong brew that Turkey is known for. Next, continue to the Ayder Plateau – one of the country’s greenest and most mountainous regions. Take in the distinctive peaky scenery of the Black Sea coast, characterised by deep valleys, glaciers and soaring mountains that remain snow-covered for much of the year. You might even catch a glimpse of the hazelnut farms that are abundant in this region (around 60 per cent of the world’s hazelnuts come from Turkey's Eastern Black Sea region!). Visit the Gelin Tulu Waterfall to see cascades winding down the bright green mountainside. Arrive at your mountain lodge on Ayder Plateau, surrounded by greenery and crisp mountain air, and settle in for the night.
Day 8 - Ayder Plateau
This morning, head into the Firtina Valley to visit Zil Castle. Built in the late 14th century, this castle is perched up at 750 m above sea level, overlooking the Firtina River. You’ll make a stop along the way to wander through a local village. Here in the Black Sea highlands, residents live lower down in the valley during the winter months, then move up to the highland villages (like the one you’ll visit today) for the summer and early autumn. Learn about daily life and culture in the highlands, and don’t be surprised if a local family invites you in for some tea! Then, go on a picturesque hike on the Elevit Plateau, sitting at an altitude of roughly 1800 m at the foothills of the Kackar Mountains. The hike takes you deeper into the mountainside, where you can get a sense of the peaceful rhythm of local village life. You might see cows grazing freely on the mountain pastures and meet some of the locals who spend their summers here.
Day 9 - Kars
Leave the Black Sea behind and travel into the highland region of Eastern Anatolia. Today's journey takes you through dramatic mountain landscapes before reaching the city of Kars, located on a plateau at 1750 m above sea level. When you arrive, head out on an orientation walk with your leader and visit the Merkez Kumbet Mosque, originally built as a church in the 10th century and later converted to a mosque. Kars’ harsh climate has deeply influenced its culinary traditions – the winters here can be long, extremely cold and snowy, so local dishes tend to be hearty and warming. Slow-cooked goose served with bulgur is a popular local favourite, as is piti (a stew of lamb, chickpeas and saffron or turmeric). Ask your leader for some recommendations on where to try these classic dishes.
Day 10 - Kars
Today, you’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins of Ani – a medieval city overlooking a ravine on the border with Armenia. This site is located on a secluded plateau and includes the ruins of a citadel, churches, a temple, market, Kamsaragan Palace and the Seljuk Palace. After, continue to the village of Bogatepe. This village has long been home to the Molokan people – a minority group exiled from Russia to Eastern Anatolia in the 19th century. This region’s cool climate and lush mountain pastures provide ideal conditions for dairy production, and the popular Kars gravyer has become one of Turkey’s best-known cheeses. Visit a local cheese-making family and learn about their traditions and culture while tasting their signature cheese and homemade dishes for lunch. Then, head back to Kars and visit the Kars Museum. The rest of your day is free. If you’re keen to get active, you could take a hike up to Kars Castle for a great view of the city. Enjoy one final night in Turkey before you cross the border into Georgia tomorrow. There’s the option to join a Kafkas Night this evening, where you can witness the energetic dances, traditional music and colourful costumes of the Caucasus.
Day 11 - Tbilisi
Cross the border into Georgia today, stopping at the Poka St. Nino Nunnery to break up the journey. From here, you’ll take in views of Paravani Lake – the largest lake in Georgia – giving you an impressive first look at Georgia’s natural scenery. You’ll arrive in Tbilisi in the mid-afternoon. Maybe get together with your group this evening to celebrate an incredible journey over plates of tasty Georgian dishes like khinkali (soup dumplings filled with potato and cheese or spiced pork), badrijani nigvzit (fried eggplant stuffed with walnut) and khachapuri (cheese-filled bread).
Day 12 - Tbilisi
With no further activities planned, your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay in Tbilisi, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
10-04-202721-04-2027AUD $ 4,395-
24-04-202705-05-2027AUD $ 4,395-
01-05-202712-05-2027AUD $ 4,395-
22-05-202702-06-2027AUD $ 4,395-
05-06-202716-06-2027AUD $ 4,395-
03-07-202714-07-2027AUD $ 4,395-
07-08-202718-08-2027AUD $ 4,395-
04-09-202715-09-2027AUD $ 4,395-
11-09-202722-09-2027AUD $ 4,395-
18-09-202729-09-2027AUD $ 4,395-
25-09-202706-10-2027AUD $ 4,395-
02-10-202713-10-2027AUD $ 4,395-
09-10-202720-10-2027AUD $ 4,395-

Accommodation

Hotel (11 nights)

Transport

Private Bus, Boat, Train

Map

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