Black Sea Plateaus and Batumi Tour with Flight from Ankara - 3 Nights

UZUNGÖL - RİZE FABRIC - SUMELA MONASTERY - HAMSİKÖY RICE PUDDING

Our tour begins with meeting at the airport at 05.30 for the Ajet Airlines flight from Ankara Esenboğa Airport to Rize departing at 08.05. We complete our check-in procedures at the airport using our identity cards or driving licenses. We fly to Rize with the Ajet Airlines flight departing at 08.15. After meeting our vehicle and guide waiting for us in Rize, we head to the Rize Fabric Workshop to discover the world-renowned fabrics of Rize. Here, we receive information about the production of Rize Fabric and take photos with the ladies weaving Rize Fabric. Afterwards, we pass through Of, a famous district of Trabzon, and enter the Solakli Valley. The valley will lead us to Uzungöl, one of the regions of the Black Sea that often graces postcards. We take a short walk in Uzungöl, the symbol of the Black Sea formed by the blocking of the Haldizen Stream with alluvial deposits, take beautiful photos, and chat warmly with the locals. Then, we depart for Altındere National Park. You will not be able to hide your astonishment when you see the architectural marvel of Sumela Monastery, carved into the rocks on the slopes of Karadağ. You will be enchanted once again after our guide's explanations while observing the Sumela Monastery at an altitude of 1250 meters. After tasting the Hamsiköy Rice Pudding, we depart for our hotel. 

Breakfast: Will be taken as an extra.

Lunch: Will be taken as an extra.

Dinner: Will be taken at the hotel and is included in the tour price.

Hotel: Trabzon Hotels or similar.

Route: Rize - Uzungöl (105 km) Uzungöl - Maçka (115 km)

Total Distance to be Covered: 220 Km

Hotel Check-in Time: 18.00 (Estimated)

TRABZON - HAGIA SOPHIA CHURCH - ATATÜRK MANSION - FILIGREE ART - KARACA CAVE - TEA FACTORY - CAZILAR VALLEY

Our tour starts after breakfast at our hotel, heading to our first stop, Karaca Cave. Opened to tourism in 1996, the cave has formed and continues to form stalactites, stalagmites, columns, dripstone pools, curtain dripstones, cave needles, cave pearls, cave flowers, organ-patterned walls, flag shapes, ear-like formations, travertine steps, and travertine pools. In addition to its visual beauty, another feature of the cave is that the trip here serves as a cure for asthma patients. After our cave tour, we depart for Trabzon. In the center of Trabzon, we visit the Hagia Sophia Museum, one of the important works of the Pontus State built in the 13th century during the reign of Manuel I Komnenos and converted into a museum in 1964. Afterwards, we set off towards the Soğuksu district. Here, we are greeted by the Atatürk Mansion, a 20th-century masterpiece. The Great Leader visited this mansion twice in 1924 and 1930, stayed here in 1937, and wrote a part of his will in this mansion. After our visit to the Atatürk Mansion, we visit the Filigree Workshop and Store, where we can see and buy examples of Trabzon's unique Filigree Art. Then we head to the Sürmene Knife Store, one of the first things that comes to mind when Sürmene is mentioned. After getting information about the Sürmene Knife and doing our shopping, we visit the facility established on Cazılar Valley. We take a coffee break at the facility, which offers a visual feast with various witch figures and different decorations. After enjoying the authentic atmosphere amidst the lush green nature, we head to our tea factory, also used in the TV series "Taşaçak Bu Deniz", to learn on-site the process tea undergoes from being plucked from the branch to arriving in our glasses. After the information we receive here, those who wish can buy souvenir tea from this point. Following our tea factory visit, we head to the local product store where we can also buy products such as chestnut honey, flower honey, cheese for kuymak, butter, corn flour, and hazelnuts produced in the Black Sea forests. After our shopping break, we depart for our hotel. 

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel and is included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be taken as an extra at the point to be determined by our guide.

Dinner: Will be taken at the hotel and is included in the tour price.

Accommodation: Rize Hotels.

Route: Maçka - Karaca Cave (60 km) Karaca Cave – Trabzon (90 km) Trabzon City Tours (30 km) Trabzon - Rize (80 km)

Total Distance to be Covered: 260 Km

Hotel Check-in Time: 18.30  

ÇEÇEVA TEA GARDENS - AĞARAN WATERFALL - FIRTINA VALLEY – MİKRON BRIDGE –  ZİLKALE – AYDER PLATEAU - HUSER PLATEAU 

Our tour starts after breakfast at our hotel, heading to Çeçeva Village in Rize, famous for its lush green tea plantations, just as Isparta's Kuyucak Village is famous for its purple lavenders. We travel to the village by minibuses with our willing guests (EXTRA). Çeçeva's natural backdrop of tea gardens, woven with well-maintained tea sets and stretching as if they will last forever, is uniquely orderly only in Çeçeva Village. After the photo break we will give here, we head to Ağaran Waterfall (Extra), which has a magnificent appearance with its water filtered from the rocks and its magnificent nature. After our photo break here, we head to Fırtına Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys of the Black Sea. First, it is activity time at our facilities by Fırtına Stream in Fırtına Valley;

We evaluate our different tour alternatives for our guests who wish.

 
1. Option Zilkale, Çat Valley and Palovit Waterfall Tour (Extra): We start a magnificent tour with minibuses we will board from Çamlıhemşin. We enter Çat Valley, one of the important valleys forming Fırtına Valley. First, passing through Ortan Village, we see Şenyuva Village, formerly known as Çinçiva, where the TV series SEVDALUK and many other productions were filmed. Here, we take a photo break at one of the wide and long Stone Bridges, of which there are dozens in the valley. We set off towards Zilkale, rising in the wild nature of Çat Valley, amidst the Fırtına Mansions, which are the oldest mansions in our country located in this region. You will admire the image of Zilkale resembling an Eagle's Nest. At Zilkale, located 750 meters above sea level and 100 meters above Çat Stream, you can capture some of the most beautiful photo frames of your life. After wonderful moments, we climb even higher and reach Palovit Waterfall, famous for its magnificent view and coolness that turns summer into winter. After the pleasant moments we will experience, we board our minibuses and return to Çamlıhemşin. 

2. Option: Rafting in Fırtına Stream (Extra)

Following our optional tours, we follow Fırtına Stream to reach first Çamlıhemşin, where the movie "Bal" (Honey) which won our country the Golden Bear Award was filmed, and then Ayder Plateau, the queen of plateaus. During this journey, seeing the richest examples of Eastern Black Sea vegetation such as chestnut, alder, and oriental spruce, we take a photo break at Mikron or Kale Bridge, the historical Ottoman stone bridges next to Hala Stream. After the photo break, we head to Ayder Plateau. We take a pleasant walk in Ayder Plateau, one of the most beautiful spots of the Kaçkar Mountains. We see Gelin Düveni Waterfall and other waterfalls. After the Kalegon tour, we give you free time in this exquisite plateau. We go to Huser Plateau with our guests who wish (EXTRA). We dance on the clouds at Huser Plateau, which we will reach with a journey of about 1 hour by boarding our minibuses from Ayder. (To be done according to weather and road conditions.) While we are located at about 2400 m., many plateaus will be greeting you around. We see the sea in a corner. While taking magnificent photos, you can swing on the swing on the plateau or ride a boat at 2400 m. We leave this unforgettable plateau with sadness. We meet at our vehicle at the time specified by our guide and depart for our hotel. 

Breakfast: Will be taken at the hotel and is included in the tour price.

Lunch: Will be taken as an extra.

Dinner: Will be taken as an extra.

Hotel: Hopa Hotels or similar.

Route: Ardeşen - Ayder Plateau (30 km) Ayder Plateau - Çağlayan Valley (45 km) Çağlayan Valley - Hopa (35 km)

Total Distance to be Covered: 105 Km

Hotel Check-in Time: 17.30 (Estimated)

BATUMI TOUR - BORÇKA – KARAGÖL

Our Tour, following breakfast at our hotel, we depart for Batumi with our guests who wish to join (Extra) (Requires a minimum participation of 10 people). After completing our entry procedures at the Sarp Border Gate, we cross into the Georgia / Adjara region. We begin our tour by viewing the magnificent walls remaining from Gonio - Apsaros Fortress, dating back to the Roman period—where the tomb of St. Matthias, one of Jesus' Twelve Apostles, is also located—which was last used during the Ottoman period. As we continue towards Batumi city center, on the way we see the Çoruh River, which originates in Bayburt and draws sharp lines up to the borders of Batumi, and the old Corokhi Bridge over it. While heading towards Batumi Old Town, where we can find traces of Baltic architecture, we see the Ardagani pond on the way, where illuminated water shows take place, and Juli Shartava Boulevard, which lives up to the phrase "Las Vegas of the East" used for Batumi. Also at this point, after seeing the Justice House, designed in the shape of an inverted bottle and being one of the different and striking structures, we reach the Old Town and begin our Batumi city tour. During this pleasant walk with our guide, our first visit point will be Orta Mosque, the only mosque in Batumi. After listening to our guide's explanations here, we will see Piazza Square, designed inspired by Piazza San Marco in the Venetian Republic, Italy. After seeing St. Nicholas, a Georgian Orthodox church, and the Armenian Orthodox churches, Europe Square will welcome us with its newly created face. After listening to the magnificent Medea Statue and its story from our guide, we go to Poseidon Square and photograph the Theatre Building. After taking our group photo, we move on to the Small Botanical Garden next to the old boulevard. After seeing numerous tree and plant species specific to the Black Sea, we give you free time on Batumi Boulevard to stroll and shop. After the free time, we continue the Batumi city tour. During the city tour, we head to Miracle Park to see the statue of Ali and Nino. The places we will see inside Miracle Park will be; Ali and Nino Statue, Panoramic Ferris Wheel, Batumi Port, and Alphabet Tower. During all our walks, you can taste the street delicacies of Batumi (Kvas, Pear Juice, Luca Polare Italian-style ice cream). After completing all our tours, we depart for Turkey. While entering Turkey, you will have the opportunity to shop at the DutyFree. After entering Turkey, we proceed towards the provincial borders of Artvin, which possesses the most magnificent nature of the Black Sea. From here, we reach Borçka on the Georgian border, which houses different living spaces within itself and has an untouched ecosystem that has preserved its natural beauty. When we arrive in Borçka, a district of Artvin, we transfer to our minibuses and reach Karagöl (Extra), which has a magnificent ecosystem. You will not get enough of the beautiful scenery while sipping your tea by the lake at Karagöl, a natural wonder located at an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level and formed as a result of a landslide in the 19th century blocking the front of the Klaskur Stream. After touring the region, we return to our bus and depart for Rize Airport. We arrive in Ankara by having our check-in procedures done for the Rize - Ankara flight belonging to Ajet Airlines, which will depart at 21.00. We say goodbye with sadness to meet again on the next Prontotour trip. Goodbye...

NOTE: According to the agreement made between the States of Turkey and Georgia, TR citizens can cross into Batumi with their identity card containing their TR identity number. Crossing with other identity cards (driver's license, institutional IDs, etc.) is not possible. Guests under the age of 18 who will not travel with their family (Mother and Father Simultaneously) are required to obtain a NOTARY-approved LETTER OF CONSENT to cross into BATUMI. It is mandatory for IDs, including babies and children, to have a photograph.

ATTENTION: DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE YOUR TR ID CARD WITH YOU WHEN GOING ON THE TRIP. THE INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE FEE IS PAID BY THE GUEST. OFFICIALLY AS OF 01.09.2019, TRANSIT TO GEORGIA CANNOT BE PROVIDED WITH OLD ID CARDS.

Morning Breakfast: It Will Be Taken at the Hotel and Is Included in the Tour Price.

Lunch: It Will Be Taken Extraly in Hopa.

Dinner: It Will Be Taken Extraly.

Accommodation: It Will Be Taken Extraly.

Route: Hopa – Borçka (45 km) Borçka - Rize Airport (85 km)

Total Distance to Be Covered: 130 Km

Amasya Lalehan Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 13663

Gümü&sc5;hane Zigana Gümü&sc5;kayak Facilities: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 13663

Gümü&sc5;hane Ramada Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 14864

Ordu Anemon Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 12871

Giresun Hüseyin Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 18329

Trabzon Büyük Sümela Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 7149

Trabzon Bayrak Grand Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 19695

Rize Newarise Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 20896

Rize Green Suada Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 13418

Hopa Terzioğlu Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 14013

Hopa Heyamo Hotel: Ministry of Culture and Tourism - Tourism Operation Certificate: 2022-8-0063

*** The list of our contracted hotels according to the regions is stated above. During busy periods, accommodation can also be made in hotels outside the list.

NOTE: All extra activities such as ATV safari, boat tour, diving, jeep safari, parachute, hot air balloon, and similar activities not included in the package tour program are outside the scope of the Package Tour Contract and constitute a separate service. These services are not organized by our agency, but are provided by independent third-party service providers. Guests purchase these activities at their own request and initiative, and accept that they establish a direct contractual relationship with the relevant service provider. Our agency is not responsible for any accidents, injuries, and damages that may occur during extra tours; the responsibility belongs to the company providing the service. The guest accepts that they know such activities involve risks, their health condition is suitable for participation, and all responsibility belongs to them. In addition, these activities are out of insurance coverage.

INFORMATION
* Delays may occur in border crossing procedures due to periodic densities at the Batumi border crossing. Your guide will make the necessary warnings on this matter.

* There is a mandatory stay of at least 3 days to bring goods (alcohol - cigarettes, etc.) when entering Turkey from abroad.

* With the law introduced by Georgia; Georgian Police do not accept any medication at country entrances. They immediately start legal proceedings against the person possessing medication. You can take a single piece of medication that you will use during the day on daily entrances by wrapping it in paper.
* PRONTOTOUR is not responsible for problems that will occur depending on deformation in identity cards at the Georgian border crossing. Georgia requests a Photograph in IDs, including babies and children. (Photograph is mandatory)
* Foreign guests who have entered Turkey with a passport from abroad must have obtained a multiple visa entry to Turkey in order to go to Georgia and return to Turkey. In addition, transit with/without a visa will be provided according to the visa protocol of the Georgian Government with the countries to which the passports or identity cards belong. TRNC citizens will also be able to enter Georgia with their TR ID cards if they use their TR ID cards when entering Turkey. TRNC citizens who enter Turkey with a European Union passport must also have obtained a Multiple visa in order to return to Turkey.

* Due to the density to be experienced at the border gate on the day of crossing to Batumi, early departure from the hotel in the morning can be made. Or similarly, very late entry to the hotel in the evening can be made. In this case, morning breakfast or dinner may not be taken at the hotel. In this case, Prontotour has no responsibility, Guests do not have the right to compensation. Breakfast time at the hotels is between 07.00 – 10.00.
* The plateau hotels to be stayed have Bungalow and standard plateau hotel structure, and all accommodations are determined by the hotel. There is no obligation to have local food in hotels.
* Since it is not always possible to find ATMs, currency exchange offices, etc. during the tour due to program intensity, it is useful for our guests to be prepared for this situation.
* Long roads can be covered during the day within the programs to be carried out. Information regarding the subject will be made to you by your guide.
* Economic menus specific to the region have been created for lunches.
* Tables divided into groups depending on regional density are used for lunch and dinner.

CLIMATE

It is generally a temperate climate type with precipitation every season. Frontal and orographic precipitation is dominant. The presence of high mountains parallel to the coast in the region has created an environment for the increase of precipitation. Although not among the precipitation amounts in the region, the highest precipitation is seen in autumn and the least precipitation is seen in spring. The region is also the most humid region of our country in terms of humidity. For this reason, the annual and daily temperature difference in the region is not much. At the same time, winters in the region are not very cold, but rainy. Precipitation is mostly in the form of rain, and snowfall, frost events can be seen as well as fog frequently. Summer months in the region also pass moderately. The average of the hottest month does not exceed 22°C-24°C. The average temperature of the coldest month is always above 0°C. Although cold air masses coming from the northwest occasionally affect the region, this effect disappears as one goes east of the region. The region shows variations in terms of temperature and precipitation according to its geographical features. Precipitation occurs with the rise of cool and humid air coming over the Black Sea along the North Anatolian Mountains. Due to the high altitude in the Eastern Black Sea Section, the highest precipitation is seen in this section. The annual precipitation amount is 2000 mm on average (Rize 2300 mm). On the southern part of the North Anatolian Mountains, this value drops to 300 mm. The Central Black Sea Section is the section that receives the least precipitation in the region due to the decrease in altitude. Here, the annual precipitation amount is around 700 mm on average. In the Western Black Sea Section, parallel to the fact that the altitude is less than the Eastern Black Sea Section, precipitation in this section is less than the Eastern Black Sea Section. The annual precipitation amount is around 1200 mm on average. The annual precipitation amount throughout the region, especially in the Eastern Black Sea Section, can exceed 2000 mm, while it can drop to 600 mm in the Central Black Sea Section.

MIDIBUSES

ISUZU TURKUAZ: 31+1 Or 27 + 1 Seating, With Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Monitor, 1 Refrigerator, Kitchen Unit With Water Heater, Reading Lamps, Sound System For Guide Announcement, Cd And Dvd Player.

NOVO LUX: 31+1 Or 27 + 1 Seating, With Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Monitor, 1 Refrigerator, Kitchen Unit With Water Heater, Reading Lamps, Sound System For Guide Announcement, Cd And Dvd Player.

TEMSA PRESTIGE: 31+1 Or 27 + 1 Seating, With Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Monitor, 1 Refrigerator, Kitchen Unit With Water Heater, Reading Lamps, Sound System For Guide Announcement, Cd And Dvd Player.

MINIBUSES

MERCEDES SPRINTER: 12+1 or 16 + 1 Seating, Specially Designed Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Refrigerator, Reading Lamps, Sound System For Guide Announcement, Cd And Dvd Player.

VOLKSWAGEN CRAFTER: 12+1 or 16 + 1 Seating, Specially Designed Reclining Bus Seats, Abs, Asr, Air Conditioning, 1 Refrigerator, Reading Lamps, Sound System For Guide Announcement, Cd And Dvd Player.

NOTE: Depending on the number of people in our tours, any of the vehicle types mentioned above is used.

OUR TOUR PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONSUMER LAW NO. 6502.