Uzungol Private Day Trip from Trabzon: Lake, Karester and Lustra
Overview
Uzungol Private Day Trip from Trabzon: Lake, Karester and Lustra
Uzungol lies in the heart of the Eastern Black Sea region, a place where it is easy to slow down and take in the quiet of nature.
The lake and the misty pine forests are only part of the picture. The trip also shows you the real character of the region: wooden chalets, mountain tea gardens and calm villages that move to the unhurried pace of the highlands.
Lake Views and Highland Plateaus
Whether you stand on the shore of the lake, where the sky is reflected in the water, or at the viewpoints of the Karester and Lustra highlands, each stop brings a feeling of peace and simplicity.
With local guides beside you, you get to know the culture, the light of the mountains and the stillness of a getaway counted among Turkey's most poetic.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Uzungol Lake, Karester and Lustra Highlands
Your guide meets you in the lobby of your hotel for the drive to Uzungol, among the best-known places in the Eastern Black Sea.
Green mountains and quiet scenery surround the lake, giving it a calm feel and wide views. There is time to stroll around the water, admire the wooden houses and enjoy the peace of this natural setting.
From the lake you go on to Karester (Garester) Highland, which sits above Uzungol on its southern slopes. Up here you see traditional highland life and look down over the lake, a good spot for a glass of tea and some photos.
Next comes Lustra Highland, within Uzungol Nature Park. Wooden houses and clean mountain air make it a quiet retreat for nature lovers, well suited to short walks, photography and the slow pace of life in the highlands.
After free time for the views and for photographing Uzungol from the terraces, you head back down to the lake for some leisure time. Look around the local shops, taste regional specialities or just relax beside the water.
When the tour ends, the van takes you back to your hotel at the close of a day spent in nature.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- ✓Private Tour
- ✓Local Tour Guides
- ✓Transportation by Private Van
- ✓Museum Tickets & Attraction Fees
- ✕Meals & Drinks
- ✕Gratuity (Suggested)
- ✕Personal Expenses
Cancellation Policy
Cancel at no charge until 7 days before your tour and you receive a full refund. If you cancel within the final 7 days before the tour, no refund is given. All times shown are local.
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Private Uzungol day trip from Trabzon: the key facts
This private day runs from your hotel in Trabzon to Uzungol, the best-known lake in the Eastern Black Sea, and on up to the Lustra and Karester highland plateaus, priced from $80. A local guide and a private van take the effort out of the mountain roads, and museum tickets and attraction fees are part of the price. You can look forward to a lake ringed by wooden chalets and pine forest, tea gardens in the mountains, and quiet villages that live by the pace of the highlands.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 7 to 8 hours |
| Cost | $80 and up |
| Format | Private, just your group and a local guide |
| Starts and ends | At your hotel |
| Main sights | Uzungol lake, Lustra Highland, Karester Highland |
| What you get | Private van, private guide, attraction fees and museum tickets |
| What you pay extra | Food and drinks, tips |
Is Uzungol worth the trip?
Yes. It ranks among the most famous spots in the Black Sea region. The lake lies in a green valley hemmed in by steep, wooded mountains, with wooden houses and a mosque on the shore, and when the mist rolls in the scene looks almost Alpine. Higher up, the plateaus offer wide views and a look at traditional life in the mountains.
Where does the tour stop?
| Stop | Description |
|---|---|
| Uzungol | The lake, the walk along its shore and the surrounding village |
| Karester Highland | A plateau high up, with viewpoints across the valleys |
| Lustra Highland | Meadows and wooden houses in a highland settlement |
How far from Trabzon is Uzungol?
Uzungol lies inland in the mountains, about a couple of hours' drive each way from Trabzon, first along the coast and then up a river valley. With a private van you can pause for photos or tea on the way.
Which Black Sea tour is right for you?
| Black Sea tour | What it offers | From |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Highland plateaus and the lake | $80 |
| Sumela Monastery tour | Karaca Cave, Zigana Pass and the monastery on the cliff | $120 |
| Storm Valley and Ayder Highland | Zilkale Castle, waterfalls and the Kackar Mountains | $85 |
| City tour of Trabzon | The old bazaars, Ataturk Mansion and Hagia Sophia | $75 |
Three or four days in Trabzon are enough to join all four for a full Black Sea holiday.
What is there to eat and buy near Uzungol?
The region is famous for tea, grown on the steep coastal slopes, as well as for honey, hazelnuts and fresh trout from the mountain streams. By the lake there are small shops with local products and tea gardens, and your guide can recommend a lunch spot that fits your schedule.
When should you visit Uzungol?
The main season runs from late spring to early autumn, when the highland roads are open and the valleys are green. As one of the wettest parts of Turkey, the Black Sea region has mist and rain as part of its character all year; the autumn colours are lovely. In winter there may be snow at the lake, and some highland roads can close.
What should you pack?
Warm layers for the highlands, a rain jacket, comfortable walking shoes, and cash for snacks, tea and local products like honey.
Is it a good trip for families?
Yes. The walk by the lake is easy, and with a private van the pace can be set to suit children or older travellers.
How does booking work?
Pick your date on this page and submit the form, or send us your Trabzon hotel on WhatsApp. We confirm in writing, and payment is due only after confirmation. More ideas are in our Black Sea tours and Turkey tour packages.
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