Trabzon: Uzungöl Group Tour, Explore The Nature & Taste Tea

Uzungöl is the main event here, but the road to the lake gives you a useful taste of Black Sea culture first: Sürmene knives, local tea, Turkish delight, honey, and a short folk dance show. I like the variety, and I like that you see Uzungöl from above before having free time beside the water.

The main consideration is pace. You have about 2.5 hours at Uzungöl, while several commercial stops fill the outward journey. Also, Sümela Monastery is named among the highlights but does not appear in the scheduled stops, so confirm that point before booking if Sümela is important to you.

Key points at a glance

• Uzungöl from Bayraktepe: You first see the lake from above, a useful way to understand its setting before walking around the shore.
• Sürmene knife stop: A 20-minute visit introduces the region’s famous handmade knives and includes time to shop.
• İkicay tea factory: You taste local tea, hear about production, and may see a traditional dance show.
• Turkish sweets and honey: Ali Baba Lokumcusu offers tastings and a chance to buy edible souvenirs.
• Simple fixed price: At $47 per person, transport, pickup, a tour leader, tea tasting, and Turkish delight tasting are included, but food and drinks are extra.
• Weather matters: The tour runs in rain, snow, or sunshine, so proper shoes and rain gear are not optional.

Why this tour works for a first day from Trabzon

This is a broad introduction rather than a single-site excursion. You leave central Trabzon, head toward Uzungöl, and use the journey to see several small parts of local production. That makes the day useful if you want more than a lake photograph but do not want to arrange separate transport to each stop.

I like the way the tour connects ordinary products to the region. Sürmene knives are not just a shop stop, and tea is not just a drink. Both are tied to local work and daily life. The tasting at the tea factory gives you a better reason to pause than a standard roadside break.

The tradeoff is clear. If you want a long, quiet walk in the mountains, this may feel too busy. You spend 20 minutes at the knife workshop, 35 minutes at the tea factory, and 30 minutes at the sweets shop before reaching Uzungöl. The tour gives you variety, but it does not give you much freedom during the first half of the day.

The listed price is $47 per person. For that amount, you get an air-conditioned bus, specified hotel pickup and drop-off, a group leader, tea tasting, and Turkish delight tasting. Since food, drinks, and shopping are not included, your final cost depends on what you buy and where you eat at Uzungöl. Still, the price is reasonable if you value a full day of transport and do not want to manage the route yourself.

Starting in central Trabzon

Pickup is offered from a set of locations, including Novotel Trabzon, Mercure Trabzon Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Trabzon, WEEN OTEL, Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Trabzon, Panagia Premier Trabzon, Aksular Hotel & Restaurant, and several public meeting points such as Burger King, Shell, and Vatan Bilgisayar Trabzon.

You need to choose one of the listed points or contact the operator if your location is not included. Be ready on time. One useful warning from the booking information is that communication with the organizer may not happen until close to, or even after, the scheduled start time. That is worth keeping in mind if you prefer firm confirmation well in advance.

The transport is by air-conditioned bus, and the ride returns to the same general set of drop-off locations in Trabzon. The exact group size is not provided, so you should expect a shared group vehicle rather than a private trip.

Sürmene knives in a 20-minute workshop visit

The first stop is Akif Usta Bıçakçılık in Sürmene, an area known for quality, sharp knives. You have around 20 minutes for a guided visit and shopping.

This is a short stop, so think of it as an introduction rather than a full craft demonstration. You can learn why Sürmene knives are valued and look at the products available for purchase. If you are interested in kitchen tools or regional workmanship, it is a practical place to browse.

The shopping angle may not appeal to everyone. You do not have a long period here, and the stop is designed partly for buying. If you want to keep the day focused on scenery, this will feel like a commercial pause. If you enjoy taking home useful objects instead of generic souvenirs, it has more value.

Tea at İkicay, with a taste of Black Sea tradition

The tea factory at İkicay is the most distinctive cultural stop before Uzungöl. You spend about 35 minutes here for a guided visit, tea tasting, shopping, and a tea ceremony. A traditional dance show may also be part of the stop.

Tea has an important place in Black Sea culture, and this visit gives you context before you simply drink a cup at lunch. You learn something about the adventure of tea production and can buy tea described as local and high quality. I would treat this as a chance to find a variety you actually like, not as an obligation to purchase.

The dance show adds color to the stop, though the schedule may vary. It is a staged presentation rather than an unplanned encounter with village life. That does not make it worthless, but you should know what kind of cultural experience you are getting.

For many people, this is one of the best-value stops. You get a tasting, an explanation of a major regional product, and the option to shop without giving up a large part of the day.

Turkish delight, honey, and sweets at Ali Baba Lokumcusu

The next stop is Ali Baba Lokumcusu Trabzon, where you have about 30 minutes for food tasting and shopping. The store carries Turkish delight, honey, sweets, and other local products.

This pause works well for edible gifts. Turkish delight is easy to pack, and honey gives you another taste of the region beyond tea. You can sample before deciding what, if anything, to buy.

As with the knife workshop, this is partly a retail stop. You should not expect a market where you wander among many independent stalls. The advantage is convenience: you can compare products, taste some items, and continue without spending half a day shopping.

If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, ask what is in each sample before eating. The available information does not list ingredients or special dietary options.

Reaching Uzungöl by way of Bayraktepe

The tour first goes to Uzungöl Bayraktepe for a view from above. This is a smart order. You see the lake’s shape and surrounding slopes before descending to the main area, which helps you understand the place rather than arriving at the shore with only a close-up view.

Bring your phone or camera here, but do not rush the stop. Weather can change quickly in this region, and clouds or rain may alter the view. The tour runs in all weather, including snow, so the view may be dramatic but not always clear.

After Bayraktepe, the bus parks near a restaurant. You then have roughly 2.5 hours for lunch, walking, sightseeing, and free time. This is the part of the day where you set your own pace. You can eat, take photographs, stroll around the lake area, or simply enjoy the mountain air.

Food is not included in the $47 price. The description refers to lunch in an idyllic setting and also mentions free time for dinner, but the practical point is the same: plan to pay for your own meal and drinks. Ask your guide about timing so you return to the meeting point promptly.

Two and a half hours is enough for a meal and a walk, but it is not a full day at Uzungöl. If you want a long nature hike, check the route carefully before booking. The scheduled activity is a short nature walk and sightseeing period, not a demanding mountain trek.

The tiled bridge on the return journey

On the way back to Trabzon, the bus pauses at the Historical Tiled Bridge for photographs. It is a brief final stop that breaks up the return ride and gives you one more regional sight.

The bridge is not presented as a long guided visit. Think of it as a photo stop. You will want comfortable shoes because the day includes several walks and stops, and surfaces may be wet in bad weather.

The return is part of the value of a shared tour. You do not need to navigate unfamiliar roads after a full day, and the bus brings you back to one of the stated drop-off points in Trabzon.

What the guide service is like

Live guiding is available in English, Arabic, and Turkish. The group leader handles the route and timing, while each stop provides a short explanation and time to shop or taste local products.

The available information does not provide the name of the guide assigned to every departure. Hakan is identified as the manager and is noted as responsive when questions needed answering. That is useful if you need help before the day, but you should not assume Hakan will personally lead your bus.

One practical issue is communication before pickup. A booking can be confirmed only close to the start time, so keep your phone available and double-check the selected pickup point. This matters most if you are staying somewhere outside the listed hotels.

Rain, snow, and what to pack

The tour operates rain or shine or snow. That gives you flexibility, but it also means you must dress for the forecast instead of hoping the weather improves.

Pack:

• Comfortable shoes with good grip
• Rain gear
• A windbreaker
• A small bag for tea, sweets, or other purchases

The lake and viewpoint may feel very different in clear weather compared with fog or snow. Bad weather does not cancel the day, but it can limit views and make walking less comfortable. You should be happy with a cultural and scenic outing even if Bayraktepe is cloudy.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The tour is suitable for people who can manage several stops, short walks, boarding the bus on time, and changing weather conditions.

Is Sümela Monastery included?

Sümela Monastery is listed among the tour highlights, but the detailed route provided for this experience names Sürmene, İkicay tea factory, Ali Baba Lokumcusu, Uzungöl, and the Historical Tiled Bridge. Sümela does not appear in those scheduled stops.

That difference matters because Sümela is a major sight in the wider Trabzon area. If visiting the monastery is one of your main reasons for booking, contact ZAĞNOS TOURS INTERNATIONAL before paying and ask for written confirmation that it is included on your departure. Otherwise, plan on this being an Uzungöl and local-products tour.

Who should book the $47 day trip?

I would choose this tour if you are based in Trabzon and want a simple full-day route to Uzungöl with transport arranged. It suits you especially well if you enjoy local food products, tea, light cultural demonstrations, shopping, and scenic stops in one outing.

It also works for a first visit when you want an overview before deciding which part of the Black Sea region deserves more time. The combination of a viewpoint, lake visit, tea factory, sweets shop, and bridge gives you a broad sample.

I would look elsewhere if you want a private guide, a long hike, a quiet schedule, or guaranteed time at Sümela Monastery. You may also find the shopping stops unnecessary if your only goal is to photograph Uzungöl.

Overall, the high rating is understandable because the transport is convenient, the route is varied, and the main lake stop is attractive in any season. Book it for an efficient introduction to Uzungöl and Black Sea products. Confirm the pickup details and Sümela question first, and bring weatherproof clothing.

FAQ

How long does the Uzungöl tour last?

The tour lasts 8 hours, including pickup from Trabzon, the stops on the way to Uzungöl, free time at the lake, and the return journey.

Where can I be picked up in Trabzon?

Pickup is available from listed locations including Novotel Trabzon, Mercure Trabzon Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Trabzon, WEEN OTEL, Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Trabzon, Panagia Premier Trabzon, Aksular Hotel & Restaurant, Burger King, Shell, and Vatan Bilgisayar Trabzon.

Is food included in the tour price?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You have free time for lunch and sightseeing at Uzungöl, but you pay for your own meal and drinks.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide service is available in English, Arabic, and Turkish.

Is tea tasting included?

Yes. Tea tasting at the İkicay tea factory is included, along with a tea ceremony and information about tea production.

Does the tour visit Sümela Monastery?

Sümela Monastery is named as a highlight, but it is not included in the detailed list of scheduled stops. Contact the operator to confirm whether it is included on your departure.

What happens if it rains or snows?

The tour operates in rain, snow, and sunshine. Bring rain gear, comfortable shoes, and a windbreaker.