Located in Çamlıhemşin district of Rize, 1350 meters above sea level, Ayder Plateau is a natural paradise surrounded by spruce and beech forests, famous for its clean air and unique views. Home to every shade of green, the plateau offers a peaceful atmosphere to its visitors at all times of the year with its waterfalls, hot springs and natural beauties. Leaning against the foothills of the Kaçkar Mountains, Ayder is especially famous for its Gelintülü Waterfall, which dazzles with its elegant flow.
The Fırtına Stream, one of the most impressive rivers of the Eastern Black Sea, crowns the natural beauty of the region. Born from the high slopes of the Kaçkar Mountains, the Fırtına Creek flows for 68 km through tea gardens and forms a fairytale route decorated with historic arch bridges. One of Turkey's most popular rafting courses, the calm areas of the stream are ideal for sport angling.
When the cool nature of Ayder Plateau and the exuberant flow of Fırtına Creek come together, the result is an unforgettable travel experience that best reflects the spirit of the Black Sea.
We depart from Trabzon at 09.00 and collect our passengers on the route. We start our pleasant journey towards Rize on the coastal road. Along the way, we have the opportunity to observe the tea plantations, coastal villages and the daily life of the local people accompanied by the Black Sea coastal landscapes.
Our first stop: Eskitoglu Waterfall, located just at the entrance of Rize, only 80 meters above sea level. This impressive waterfall, which spills from about 80 meters, is a great photo spot in summer with the green texture around it. We take a short walk here and enjoy the view in the air with plenty of oxygen.
Then we turn our route to Fırtına Creek Valley. This is one of the most special valleys of Rize, famous for its natural beauty. The geographical structure of the region, the vegetation and the Fırtına Creek. At the edge of Fırtına Creek, we will enjoy rafting, zip-line and giant swing, one of the most popular activities of the region for our guests who wish to participate. Our guests who do not want to participate can drink tea and coffee in the cafes by the stream and enjoy the nature.
After rafting, we take a lunch break at a facility where we will taste local flavors. The menu usually includes local delicacies such as trout, mihlama, cabbage rolls, black cabbage soup and rice pudding.
We reach Ayder Plateau, located at an altitude of approximately 1,350 meters. This plateau, surrounded by pine forests, is one of the most visited natural areas of the region. Here we give our guests 2-3 hours of free time. If you wish, you can visit Gelintülü Waterfall, take souvenir photos in the AYDER written fphoto area, and visit the local product stands.
Free Time Suggestions:
- You can see the thermal springs and explore the plateau center with a short walk.
- You can buy handmade honey, nuts, jams and souvenirs.
- You can watch the scenery accompanied by samovar tea in the cafes on the plateau.
After free time, we start the journey back to Trabzon. We stop at Historic Stone Bridge for a short photo break on the way. Here we also have the opportunity to shop for souvenirs by stopping by the Rize cloth sales store. We reach Trabzon around 17.00-18.00.
