Day 1 – Trabzon – Zorlu Hotel (Mon)
Arrival in Trabzon, a city founded in the 7th century B.C., centuries before Istanbul. Walk through its narrow streets and lively vegetable markets while visiting medieval monuments including the Fatih Mosque, formerly the Church of Christos Chrysokephalos (Golden-Headed Virgin), and the 13th-century Hagia Sophia of Trabzon.
Day 2 – Trabzon – Zorlu Hotel (Tue)
Drive to the magnificent Sumela Monastery, dramatically perched on the cliffs of Mt. Karadağ like an eagle’s nest. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the monastery is reached by a steep trail with several switchbacks through forested slopes.
Day 3 – Şalpazarı (Wed)
Enjoy a scenic morning drive along the Black Sea coast to Beşikdüzü before continuing inland to Şalpazarı. The colorful Wednesday market offers an excellent opportunity to meet Çepni tribespeople from the surrounding villages as they prepare for the seasonal migration into the mountains for the summer months.
Our host families will meet us here and accompany us to Sayvançatak.
Day 4–5 – Sayvançatak – 800 m (Thu–Fri)
Spend two days sharing village life with local families. Join villagers in their daily activities including weaving, harvesting, cooking, grinding corn at the water mill, and visiting neighbors in the afternoons.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Çepni culture is the traditional dress of the women long, colorful garments often in vibrant shades of red and adorned with coins and ornaments, proudly worn during festivals, weddings, and even daily work in the home, barn, or fields.
Day 6 – Hike to Fol (Sat)
Bid farewell to our friends in the village and begin hiking through rolling hills and forested trails toward Fol, a small brookside settlement known for its traditional architecture and fragrant pine honey.
Day 7 – Hike to Akkese – 1,800 m (Sun)
After tasting the region’s famous honey, continue hiking through dense oriental pine forests and rhododendron-covered hillsides to Akkese, located near the timberline.
Day 8 – Hike to Eskala – 2,300 m (Mon)
Early in the morning, leave the emerald forests behind and begin a steep ascent into the high pastures. Trees gradually give way to alpine grasses and low shrubs as the air becomes cooler and thinner.
Eskala takes its name from an ancient castle that once stood nearby. The area is prized for its vast meadows and abundant springs. From the mountain pass, enjoy sweeping bird’s-eye views over the yayla landscape.
Day 9–11 – Eskala (Tue–Thu)
A rare and personal opportunity to experience traditional Çepni culture. Join villagers in daily activities such as shearing sheep, shepherding flocks across the hills, fetching water from mountain springs, and preparing traditional dishes made from kale, corn, and fresh beans.
This ancient culture traces its roots back nearly 2,000 years to the Turkic migrations from Central Asia.
Day 12 – Kadırga – Zigana Pass – Trabzon (Fri)
Joined by our friends from Eskala, walk and drive to the nearby mountain market of Kadırga where communities from surrounding highlands gather to trade weekly provisions.
Fresh butter, cheese, mountain herbs, wildflowers, freshly butchered meat, fruits brought from the coast, and handcrafted brass and tin cowbells all contribute to the lively atmosphere of the market.
For centuries, communities living above the timberline were granted special privileges in exchange for protecting the mountain passes vital to travel and trade. Kadırga also served as a traditional gathering place where border disputes and communal matters were settled.
In the afternoon, say goodbye to the Çepni families as they begin walking back to their yayla homes while we continue by road to Trabzon. Cross the historic Zigana Pass, once an important branch of the Silk Road leading toward the Black Sea. This was also the route followed by Xenophon during the famous retreat of the Ten Thousand in 401 B.C.
Day 13 – Departure (Sat)
Transfer to the airport for your outbound flight.
