Itinerary
- Day 1
Rize-Artvin to Çamlıhemşin Valley
You'll land at Rize-Artvin Airport and head through Storm Valley into the Eastern Black Sea region. The day focuses on the Hemşin area where you'll check out Zilkale, walk through Şenyuva village, and wander the boxwood forest. You'll also see historical bridges crossing mountain streams, and depending on weather conditions, explore a couple of the region's best plateaus while learning about local Hemşin culture.
- Start point
- Rize Artvin Havalimanı Şantiyesi, Pazar, Rize 53340, Türkiye (Rize Artvin Airport, 09:00 - 11:00)
Optional Activities
- Explore Zilkale
- Visit Şenyuva village
- Walk through boxwood forest
- Visit historical bridges
- Explore two plateaus in Hemşin (weather dependent)
Landmarks Zilkale Şenyuva village Boxwood Forest 
- Day 2
Şavşat
After breakfast in Çamlıhemşin, head to Kamilet Valley to see the endemic vegetation and natural features there. The coastal road takes you to Arhavi where you'll visit Çifte Kemer Köprü, an impressive historical bridge showing off stone craftsmanship. You'll walk through the valley to Menç una Waterfall for a cooling swim, then come back down for lunch and explore Şavşat. By evening, you'll reach Yavuzköy viewing terrace to take in the landscape before dark.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Çifte Kemer Köprü
- Walk through valley to Mençuna Waterfall
- Explore Şavşat city
Optional Activities
- Take a short walk before heading to hotel
Landmarks Kamilet Valley Çifte Kemer Köprü Mençuna Waterfall Yavuzköy viewing terrace - Day 3
Şavşat
Starting in Şavşat, you'll have a guided look at the historic Tibet Church, then walk through wooden houses and spend time chatting with locals over tea. Later, you'll head to Veliköy and climb toward Fish Lake near Arsiyan Mountain for a forest walk. There's an option to swim in the lake before lunch, after which you'll visit Şavşat Karagöl, a beautiful landslide dam lake sitting within Sahara National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Tibet Church
- Explore wooden houses
- Visit Fish Lake near Arsiyan Mountain
- Visit Şavşat Karagöl
Optional Activities
- Swim in Fish Lake
- Chat with locals over tea and coffee
Landmarks Tibet Church Veliköy Fish Lake Arsiyan Mountain Şavşat Karagöl Sahara National Park - Day 4
Şavşat to Macahel
After a nice morning in Şavşat, you'll travel to Macahel, Turkey's first and only Biosphere Reserve. The Green Road takes you through villages, streams, forests, and plateaus where you'll connect with locals in Meydancık village and hear their stories. You'll continue across Papart and Çurupira plateaus, have regional dishes with Caucasus Mountain views, then visit Maral Waterfall. A nature walk rounds out the day before settling in at your pension.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Travel the Green Road
- Connect with locals in Meydancık village
- Visit Maral Waterfall in Macahel Valley
- Nature walk
Landmarks Macahel Biosphere Reserve Meydancık village Papart Plateau Çurupira Plateau Maral Waterfall Caucasus Mountains - Day 5
Macahel to Gaziantep (Overnight Journey)
Your last Black Sea day starts in Macahel Valley with a visit to İremit Mosque, the region's oldest, recognized for its wooden craftsmanship and natural dyes. You'll head to Camili village on the Georgian border, then take a scenic walk around Borçka Karagöl lake. After visiting a tea factory, you'll begin an overnight journey to Gaziantep.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit İremit Mosque
- Visit Camili village
- Walk around Borçka Karagöl
- Visit tea factory
Landmarks İremit Mosque Camili village Borçka Karagöl 
- Day 6
Diyarbakır to Hasankeyf to Mardin
You'll arrive in Diyarbakır around 07:30 and have breakfast at the historic Hasanpaşa Han. From there, see the Ulu Mosque, known as the 5th Haram of Islam, and the 500-year-old Four-Legged Minaret. The longest city walls come into view for panoramic photos. After a two-hour drive to Hasankeyf, you'll have an hour free for lunch before exploring the bazaar and historic Elrızık Mosque (its minaret will soon be underwater). Coffee at a historic cave precedes your drive to Midyat for dinner and free time shopping for silver and telkari in the bazaar.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Local breakfast at Hasanpaşa Han), Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast at Hasanpaşa Han
- Visit Ulu Mosque in Diyarbakır
- Visit Four-Legged Minaret
- View city walls of Diyarbakır
- Explore Hasankeyf bazaar
- Visit Elrızık Mosque
- Have coffee in historic Hasankeyf Cave
Optional Activities
- Explore Midyat bazaar and purchase silver and telkari
- Visit Midyat Guesthouse
Landmarks Hasanpaşa Han Ulu Mosque (Diyarbakır) Four-Legged Minaret Diyarbakır city walls Hasankeyf Hasankeyf bazaar Elrızık Mosque Hasankeyf Cave Midyat bazaar Midyat Guesthouse 
- Day 7
Mardin to Urfa
Following an open buffet breakfast at the hotel, you'll drive to Mardin to explore historic sites and architecture. You'll see Silanin Konagi and the Martyrs' Mosque, wander ancient bazaars and alleys, and check out the 11th-century minaret at the famous Ulu Mosque. Depending on availability, Sheikh Çabuk Mosque and the significant Deyrulzafaran Monastery are on the agenda. Walking through stone houses and narrow streets, you'll shop for local items, visit Kasımiye Medrese built by Sultan Kasım in the 15th century, and catch views of the Mesopotamian Plain. By evening you'll drive to Urfa for dinner at El Ruha Hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Open buffet breakfast at the hotel), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Silanin Konagi
- Visit Martyrs' Mosque
- Explore ancient bazaars and alleys of Mardin
- View Ulu Mosque minaret
- Visit Kasımiye Medrese
Optional Activities
- Visit Sheikh Çabuk Mosque (depending on availability)
- Visit Deyrulzafaran Monastery (depending on availability)
Landmarks Silanin Konagi Martyrs' Mosque Ulu Mosque (Mardin) Sheikh Çabuk Mosque Deyrulzafaran Monastery Kasımiye Medrese Mesopotamian Plain 
- Day 8
Harran
After an open buffet breakfast, you'll travel to Harran to see the Harran Mound, Cennet Mosque with its wooden dome built by Umayyad caliph II Marwan, Harran University, Inner Castle, and the region's distinctive cone-domed houses. Your guide will explain the significance of Eyüp Prophet, then you'll explore the Balıklıgöl area including Halil-ür Rahman and Rızvaniye Mosques, Balıklı Lake, Ayn-el Zeliha Lake, and Prophet Ibrahim's birthplace. Free time at the Customs Inn lets you shop for regional goods before experiencing the Extra Sıra Night local entertainment.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Open buffet breakfast at the hotel), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Harran Mound
- Visit Cennet Mosque
- Visit Harran University
- Visit Inner Castle
- View historic walls and cone-domed houses
- Visit Eyüp Prophet sacred site
- Explore Halil-ür Rahman Mosque
- Explore Rızvaniye Mosque
- Visit Balıklı Lake
- Visit Ayn-el Zeliha Lake
- Visit birthplace of Prophet Ibrahim
Optional Activities
- Regional shopping at Customs Inn
- Attend Extra Sıra Night local entertainment
Landmarks Harran Mound Cennet Mosque Harran University Harran Inner Castle Eyüp Prophet sacred site Halil-ür Rahman Mosque Rızvaniye Mosque Balıklı Lake Ayn-el Zeliha Lake Birthplace of Prophet Ibrahim Customs Inn 
- Day 9
Urfa to Halfeti to Gaziantep
After breakfast at your hotel in Şanlıurfa, you'll drive to Halfeti, a city partially submerged under Birecik Dam Lake. A one-hour boat tour on the Euphrates River shows Rum Castle, historic cave houses, and the sunken village of Savasan. Back in Halfeti for lunch, you'll then visit Gaziantep Castle and have time at Bakırcılar Bazaar before heading to the airport for departure.
- End point
- Diyarbakır Havalimanı (DIY), Kamışlı Blv., Baglar, Diyarbakır 21050, Türkiye (Diyarbakır Airport, 19:00 - 20:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- One-hour boat tour on Euphrates River
- Visit Rum Castle
- Visit historic cave houses
- Visit sunken village of Savasan
- Explore Gaziantep Castle
Optional Activities
- Free time at Bakırcılar Bazaar
Landmarks Halfeti Birecik Dam Lake Euphrates River Rum Castle Savasan village Gaziantep Castle Bakırcılar Bazaar
