Sacred Churches of Pontus 3 Days
Price
€990
Overview
Journey through the spiritual heart of the Black Sea region, where rugged mountains meet centuries of faith. This tour explores the Christian heritage of Trabzon and Rize—ancient lands once part of the Pontic Kingdom and early centers of Byzantine devotion. Visit awe-inspiring monasteries carved into cliffs, serene churches overlooking the sea, and timeless mountain villages that still echo with the prayers of past centuries.
Highlights:
- Explore this 4th-century Sumela Monastery, one of the most iconic Christian sites in Anatolia.
- Visit the 13th-century Hagia Sophia of Trabzon adorned with intricate frescoes, reflecting the city’s spiritual and artistic legacy.
- Experience the serene mountain landscapes where ancient faith meets the pristine beauty of nature.
Included/Excluded
- 2 Nights' Accommodation
- 2 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches
- Professional licensed tour guide throughout the tour
- Non-smoking, air-conditioned vehicle
- 2 Domestic Flights
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Entrance fees as per itinerary
- V.A.T
- Drinks with meals
- Tips for the guide and driver
- Travel insurance
- Any activity mentioned as optional
Tour Plan
Day 1- Flight to Trabzon
Upon arrival at Trabzon Airport, begin your journey with a visit to the magnificent Hagia Sophia of Trabzon, a 13th-century Byzantine church famed for its striking frescoes that bring early Christian stories to life. Continue to the Trabzon City Museum, where artefacts and exhibits trace the region’s deep Christian and Byzantine roots.
After lunch, continue the spiritual journey at St. Anne Church (Küçük Ayvasıl Kilisesi) - one of Trabzon’s oldest surviving monuments, dating back to the early Byzantine period and offering a quiet yet powerful insight into the city’s deep Christian heritage. Tucked away from the bustling streets, this modest stone church is admired for its harmonious proportions and remnants of original frescoes that reflect the artistic traditions of its time. In the evening, enjoy a peaceful stroll along the Black Sea promenade, before heading to the hotel for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Trabzon
Meals Included: Lunch
Day 2 - Sumela Monastery & the Sacred Valleys
Today’s journey leads to the awe-inspiring Sumela Monastery, dramatically set on a cliff in the lush Altindere Valley National Park. Clinging dramatically to a sheer cliff face 1,200 meters above the Altındere Valley, Sumela Monastery is one of the most extraordinary examples of Byzantine monastic architecture in the world. For over 1,600 years, Sumela has been a center of Christian devotion, drawing monks and pilgrims from across the Byzantine and later Ottoman Empires.
You may opt to hike at Altindere Valley National Park in the afternoon, including magnificent valleys, waterfalls and Vazelon Monastery, one of the oldest monastic sites in the region, predating Sumela and rich in legend. In the afternoon, drive to Rize for an overnight stay.
Today's total driving distance is 150 km (approx. 2.5 hours).
Overnight: Rize
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3 - The Green Highlands of Rize
Drive towards the misty mountains of Rize in the morning. Discover the lush tea plantations that blanket the hills of Rize, Türkiye’s tea capital. Wander through emerald-green terraces where the region’s famous tea is cultivated and learn about the centuries-old traditions of tea harvesting and brewing. Enjoy a fresh cup overlooking the misty valleys and the Black Sea coast—an authentic taste of local life in one of Türkiye’s most picturesque landscapes.
The next stop of the journey is Ayder Plateau, where natural beauty and spiritual stillness converge. Here, among the rolling green hills and mountain streams, learn about isolated Christian settlements that once thrived in the highlands.
Today's total driving distance is 120 km (approx. 2.5 hours).
Overnight: None
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
