Private Sumela Monastery Tour from Trabzon with Karaca Cave
Overview
Private Sumela Monastery Tour from Trabzon with Karaca Cave
This Trabzon tour to Sumela Monastery gives you a full day in the green landscapes of the Black Sea region of Turkey.
A Monastery on the Cliff
Set into the rock face of Altindere National Park and screened by pine forest, the monastery dates from the 4th century and reflects hundreds of years of Byzantine skill and faith. Your experienced local guide shows you the chapels and frescoes, tells you the stories connected with the Virgin Mary and lets you take in the grand Altindere Valley.
In one day you combine local culture, Black Sea highland landscapes, faith and history.
Tour Info
Itinerary
Day 1 – Sumela Monastery, Zigana Pass, Hamsikoy and Karaca Cave
After meeting your guide in the hotel lobby, you set off by road for Sumela Monastery, set on the cliff face in Altindere National Park. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it was first built in the 4th century.
You look at its striking frescoes and the rooms where the monks lived, enjoy the wide mountain views, and hear why the monastery mattered spiritually and historically in Byzantine and Ottoman times.
From the monastery you drive on through the Zigana Pass. Its road tunnel is the longest in Turkey and ranks among the longest in Europe.
On the way you see grand views of high pastures, thick forest and peaks in the mist. As the road comes down from the pass, you arrive in Hamsikoy, a pretty village known for traditional rice pudding (sutlac).
Here you can try the local speciality and get a sense of everyday life in a quiet Black Sea village.
Next you visit Karaca Cave close to Torul, in Gumushane province, where you see striking stalactites, stalagmites and colourful limestone shapes.
To end the day, the van takes you back to your Trabzon 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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Sumela Monastery tour from Trabzon: the essentials
This private full-day trip goes from Trabzon to the Sumela Monastery, which clings to the cliffs of Altindere National Park, with prices from $120. The monastery was founded in the 4th century and holds centuries of Byzantine devotion and craftsmanship, with frescoes and chapels connected to the Virgin Mary. The day also covers the Zigana Pass, Hamsikoy village and Karaca Cave. A local guide, a private van, and museum tickets and attraction fees are all included.
| Quick facts | |
|---|---|
| Length | 8 to 9 hours |
| Price | from $120 |
| Format | Private, just your group and a local guide |
| Begins and ends | At your hotel |
| Main sights | Sumela Monastery, Altindere Valley, Zigana Pass, Hamsikoy, Karaca Cave |
| What is covered | Private van, private guide, museum tickets and attraction fees |
| What is not covered | Tips, meals and drinks |
What is Sumela Monastery?
Sumela is a Greek Orthodox monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary and set into a sheer cliff high over the wooded Altindere Valley. Tradition says two monks founded it in the 4th century, bringing an icon of Mary believed to be the work of St. Luke. Frescoes cover its chapels, and the way it seems to hang from the rock makes it one of Turkey's most remarkable sights.
What stops does the tour make?
| Stop | What it is |
|---|---|
| Sumela Monastery | Frescoes, chapels and valley views |
| Altindere National Park | Thick forest and a mountain river beneath the monastery |
| Zigana Pass | Mountain pass with wide views |
| Hamsikoy | Highland village famous for rice pudding |
| Karaca Cave | Cave with striking stalagmites and stalactites |
Is it hard to walk up to Sumela?
From the access point there is a walk and a few steps up to the monastery, along a forest path that may be wet. At a steady pace most people manage fine; go slowly and wear good shoes. Let us know about any mobility concerns when booking.
How does it compare with other tours on the Black Sea?
| Black Sea tour | Style | Price from |
|---|---|---|
| This tour | Cliffside monastery, a cave and a mountain pass | $120 |
| City tour of Trabzon | Ataturk Mansion, Hagia Sophia and the bazaars | $75 |
| Day trip to Uzungol | Highland plateaus and a lake | $80 |
| Storm Valley and Ayder Highland | Waterfalls and the Kackar Mountains | $85 |
If Christian heritage interests you, combine Sumela with Trabzon's Hagia Sophia on the city tour.
What is Karaca Cave?
On the way back from the Zigana Pass you stop at Karaca Cave, a show cave where walkways lead you past colourful stalagmites, stalactites and other formations. The visit is short and easy, and it contrasts sharply with the mountain and forest scenery you see during the rest of the day.
When should you visit Sumela?
The best period is late spring to early autumn. Mist often fills the valley, which adds atmosphere but can hide the monastery from afar; it is often clearer in the morning. Winter snow and ice can make the monastery hard to reach.
What should you pack?
Walking shoes with good grip, a rain jacket, warm layers for the Zigana Pass, modest clothes for the monastery, and cash for lunch and the well-known rice pudding of Hamsikoy.
How does booking work?
Pick your date here and submit the form, or send your Trabzon hotel to us on WhatsApp. We confirm in writing, and payment comes only after confirmation. Browse more Black Sea tours and Turkey tour packages for other ideas.
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