Ayder Plateau & Storm Valley Day Tour from Rize, with Zilkale Castle
Overview
Ayder Plateau & Storm Valley Day Tour from Rize, with Zilkale Castle
A full-day trip to Rize and the Kackar range shows you the Black Sea region at its most typical: high mountains and powerful waterfalls.
Untamed nature and village traditions meet in this landscape of loud rivers, castles in the mist and wooden highland houses. As the road climbs through the valleys towards the high plateaus, you see how local people and this steep, dramatic country have shaped one another.
Quiet Days in Ayder
With the city noise left far behind, you can slow down and enjoy the quiet of the highlands, the slow rhythm of village life and Ayder's calm.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Storm Valley, Zilkale Castle, Waterfalls & Ayder Highland
After meeting your guide in the hotel lobby, you drive to Camlihemsin, the district of Rize where the Kackar Mountains and their striking scenery begin. The first stop is Storm Valley, counted among the loveliest valleys in the Black Sea region.
Here the Storm River races between steep, wooded slopes. The views are superb, and the valley is a favourite with rafters and anyone who loves the outdoors.
Next you reach Zilkale Castle, a medieval fortress set high on a rocky cliff over the valley. It probably goes back to the 14th or 15th century and has eight towers plus a watchtower, with wide views across the mountains. In the past it helped guard the trade routes that crossed the region.
Palovit Waterfall comes after that. Streams from the Kackar Mountains feed it, and it plunges 15 metres into a green, overgrown canyon. Its force and spray show the wild side of Rize.
The road then leads to Gelintulu Waterfall, close to Ayder Highland. Its name comes from its likeness to a bride's veil, and it pours softly down from the snow-covered Kackar peaks. The water starts in the Kavron Stream and continues on to the Ayder hot springs, where the warm, sulphur-rich water is believed to heal.
Last comes Ayder Highland, one of the best-known plateaus in the Eastern Black Sea region. It lies at 1,350 metres among spruce and beech forests and is famous for wooden chalets, hot springs and varied wildlife and plants.
Free time follows. Breathe the clean mountain air, take photos and enjoy the feel of the village, then drive back to your hotel.
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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Travel guides
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- Istanbul and Trabzon Trip: Combine the City with Sumela and Uzungöl
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- Private Driver in Trabzon for Arab Families: Day Routes and Distances
- Trabzon 7-Day Itinerary: Uzungöl, Ayder and Sumela for Gulf Families
- Black Sea Turkey Tour: Trabzon, Sumela, Uzungöl and Ayder Guide
Ayder Highland and Storm Valley from Rize: the key facts
This private full-day trip heads into the Kackar Mountains above Rize, from $85. You travel through Storm Valley, pass the medieval Zilkale Castle and two waterfalls, Gelintulu and Palovit, and climb to Ayder Highland, with its wooden houses and alpine meadows. A local guide meets you in the lobby of your hotel. The private van, museum tickets and attraction fees are included.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 8 to 9 hours |
| Cost | from $85 |
| Format | Private, your group with a local guide |
| Start and finish | Your hotel |
| Main sights | Storm Valley, Zilkale Castle, Gelintulu and Palovit waterfalls, Ayder Highland |
| What is covered | Museum tickets and attraction fees, private van, private guide |
| Not covered | Tips, meals and drinks |
What is Storm Valley?
Storm Valley, or Firtina Vadisi, follows a fast mountain river through the Camlihemsin district of Rize. Thick forest, old arched stone bridges and tea gardens line its banks. It is the entrance to the Kackar Mountains and among the greenest landscapes in Turkey.
What are the stops?
| Stop | Description |
|---|---|
| Storm Valley | Forest, river and stone bridges in the foothills of the Kackar |
| Zilkale Castle | Medieval castle perched on a rocky outcrop over the valley |
| Gelintulu Waterfall | High waterfall in the forest |
| Palovit Waterfall | Strong waterfall far inside the valley |
| Ayder Highland | Highland village of meadows and wooden houses, ringed by peaks |
Ayder or Uzungol: which highland is for you?
| Tour | Feel | From |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Waterfalls, a castle and wilder mountains | $85 |
| Private Uzungol trip from Trabzon | Well-known lake and plateaus in the highlands | $80 |
| Tour of Sumela Monastery | Monastery built into a cliff | $120 |
| City tour of Trabzon | The history of the city | $75 |
Uzungol is softer and better known. Ayder and Storm Valley feel wilder, with rushing rivers and taller mountains.
How much walking is involved?
You take short walks to the waterfalls and around Ayder, on paths that may be wet and uneven. You do not have to be a hiker, but good shoes make a difference. Your guide adjusts the walks to suit the group.
What is Ayder like?
Ayder is a highland village below the Kackar peaks, with wooden chalets, guesthouses and green meadows crossed by streams. In summer, local families move up with their animals, and visitors arrive to get away from the heat of the coast. Its setting, ringed by forest and mountains, is the payoff at the top of the drive through Storm Valley.
Which local dishes should you try?
The Kackar valleys are famous for food such as muhlama, a rich fondue of cornmeal and cheese, along with fresh trout and local honey. Tea from the Rize slopes is served at every stop on the way.
When should you visit Ayder?
From late spring to early autumn, when the highland roads are open and the meadows are green or full of flowers. Mist and rain are common in the Black Sea mountains and are part of their character, so pack rain gear. Snow in winter can close the higher roads.
What should you bring?
Warm layers for the highlands, a rain jacket, waterproof walking shoes, and cash for lunch, tea and local honey.
How do you reserve?
Pick your date on this page and fill in the form, or write to us on WhatsApp with your hotel in Rize or Trabzon. We send written confirmation, and payment is only due after that. More ideas: our Black Sea tours and Turkey tour packages.
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