Trans Plateau Tour

After breakfast, we begin our tour. First, we will arrive at Amanesket Plateau after about a one-hour drive.

After a short walk on a dirt road, we enter the trail that ascends towards the lake. Following a walk of about 1.5–2 hours, we reach Karagöl at an altitude of 2,700 meters. The hike up to this point is a steady, moderate ascent. Depending on the weather, we will take a swimming break at the lake before heading toward Satibe Ridge. The trail flattens out after descending a little from the lake toward the ridge. We will reach the ridge after a one-hour walk. This spot is a ridge atop a hill surrounded by forests, with views of Altıparmak Mountain. The lack of trees on the ridge adds a distinct beauty.

After a pleasant and flat walk, we will head left into the forest. Walking along the forest trail is especially enjoyable. After a half-hour descent through the forest, we will once again see Amanesket Plateau. We will take a mostly flat walk toward the plateau. After a short photo break in the plateau, we will meet our vehicle again and return to our hotel.

After breakfast, we leave our hotel and head to Olgunlar Plateau. Then, we begin our hike. From the very start, we walk uphill toward Naletleme Pass. Our first break will be at Dibe Plateau, at an altitude of 2400 meters. Later, we'll have another short break at Dibe Düzü. After that, we continue hiking along the trail toward Naletleme Pass. The pass sits at 3400 meters and marks the border separating Rize from Artvin.

After having our packed lunch here, we start descending toward the Black Sea Lake. Before reaching the lake, we'll pass along the edge of Acı Lake and then ascend to Kavrun Pass. After this 15-minute climb, we'll take a break by the Small Lake at 2800 meters, enjoying views of Mezovit Peak and Kemerli Kaçkar Mountain. This place is also known as the Çegnovit Lakes. Afterwards, we descend along the path and arrive at Kavrun Plateau at 2200 meters, where we check into our hotel.

After breakfast, we will leave our hotel and head towards the region’s oldest and most tranquil plateaus.

After about a 45-minute drive, we arrive at Samistal Plateau, known as one of the oldest plateaus in the area, where every house is built of stone and sits at 2,500 meters altitude. On this plateau, the only sounds you will hear are the stream and the grazing herds of cattle and sheep. After a short photo break, we'll walk along a historic path to Hazindak Plateau.

This part of the hike is easy and flat. Massive stone steps placed on the trail by human hands and icy springs will accompany us along the way. At the end of our walk, we'll be greeted by Hazindak Plateau, famous for its wooden architecture. Hazindak is a small, charming, and well-preserved plateau set atop a hill where four plateau paths meet. After a lunch break here, we will continue our walk toward Pokut Plateau. Following about a two-hour walk, we arrive at Pokut and enjoy its breathtaking scenery. On one side you see the sea, on the other Kaçkar; if luck is on our side, a sea of clouds and mountaintop islets rising above the clouds. Surrounded by a pristine, ancient forest, Pokut is a place you will never tire of. During a break with a view in Pokut, we’ll surprise you with special treats. After exploring and enjoying the plateau, we enter the forest between the plateau houses and, with a short walk, reach Sal Plateau. A half-hour, flat walk through the woods between these two plateaus adds a unique beauty to your day. The wide grassy area at the front and the row of plateaus houses at the back present a distinct charm. And especially, sitting on the bench on top of Sal, taking in the scenery and breathing the fresh air—is a truly unforgettable experience that’s hard to describe. After our time in Sal Plateau comes to an end, we meet up with our vehicle and settle into our hotel in Mollaveyis Village.

After two challenging hikes, today we’re taking a break. Following breakfast, we spend some time relaxing at the hotel before heading to lunch. After the meal, we go to Ortan Village to begin our hike from Ortan Village to Makrevis Village.

We leave the hotel and, after crossing the Çinçiva Bridge, soon take the road to Ortan Village, which is about a 10-minute drive. As soon as we enter Ortan Village, we are greeted by magnificent mansions. We walk through the entire village accompanied by gardens and mansions. After leaving Ortan, we make a short climb through the forest and enter the Makravis trail. Passing by the Hacaloğlu Mansion, we complete about an hour-long walk, reach the end of the trail, and return to our hotel.

After a short rest, we will hike from Mollaveyis Village, where our hotel is located, to Çinçiva Village (Şenyuva). The entire route is inside a forest, surrounded by chestnut, linden, and spruce trees. After a 45-minute walk, we arrive at the Zizna region and visit the historic mansions.

Then we leave Zizna and continue our hike. Trekking along forest paths to Çinçiva Bridge takes about another 1 hour and 15 minutes, completing the first stage of the day. After taking a group photo on the historic Çinçiva Bridge, we return once again to our hotel.

After breakfast, we set out towards the foothills of Mount Verçenik, which at 3,711 meters is the second highest peak in the region. 

Verçenik Plateau & Kapılı Lakes

We follow the rivers and streams that make up the Fırtına Valley all the way to their sources. The road comes to an end at the Verçenik Plateau. From there, we continue on foot along a trail. Most of the route is gently sloped; only as we approach the lakes does the path become steeper, winding in S-shaped curves. Walking sometimes over grassy patches and sometimes along rocky trails, crossing small streams, we reach the Kapılı Lakes scattered beneath Mount Verçenik at an altitude of 3,000 meters, distinguished by their deep blue color. The tiered lakes stacked one above the other and the mountain’s reflection on the water provide spectacular photographic opportunities. And of course, when talking about lakes, swimming in one is only natural. To avoid any regrets, be sure to bring your swimsuit and towel. After a long lunch break by the lake, we return the same way, meet up with our vehicle, and head back to our hotel.

After breakfast, the final day of our tour begins.

Tar Valley & Bulut Waterfall 

After some free time at the hotel  we set out towards Tar Valley, the highest-flowing valley in Turkey, located on the route from Kaçkar National Parks to Ayder. We walk along the stream inside the valley, hiking 2 km up and 2 km down. After an easy walk of about 45 minutes, we reach Bulut Waterfall. After a break here, we return along the same path, with the return being a little shorter. Once we arrive back in Çamlıhemşin, we depart for Rize Airport. Around 18:00, we arrive at Rize Airport and bid you farewell until we meet again on another Bukla Tour.