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

Uzungöl is the main event, but the route gives you a useful taste of Black Sea life before you reach the lake. You’ll see how Sürmene knives are made, taste tea at İkicay factory, sample Turkish delight and honey, then look down over Uzungöl from Bayraktepe before spending free time beside the water. I like the mix of scenery and local products, and I like that hotel pickup and drop-off are included. One thing to check first: Sümela Monastery is listed among the highlights, but it does not appear in the detailed route, so ask if it is actually part of your departure.

I especially like the tea stop, where tasting is paired with an explanation of the tea-making process and a traditional dance show. The main drawback is that food is not included, and the tour runs rain, snow, or shine. Also, one booking had trouble getting confirmation before departure, so be ready at your pickup point and contact the operator if you have not heard from them.

Key points to know before booking

• Sürmene knife workshop: Spend about 20 minutes learning why the town is known for sharp, high-quality knives, with time to shop.
• Black Sea tea tasting: The 35-minute İkicay visit includes tea, an explanation of production, shopping, and a traditional dance show.
• Uzungöl from above: Bayraktepe gives you the best early view of the lake before the bus continues down to the restaurant area.
• Two and a half hours at Uzungöl: You have time for food, photographs, sightseeing, and a walk, but not an entire day at the lake.
• Food costs extra: Tea and Turkish delight tasting are included, but lunch and other drinks are not.
• Weather matters: Bring rain gear, comfortable shoes, and a windbreaker because the tour operates in all conditions.

Why this route works for a first day from Trabzon

This is a practical way to reach Uzungöl if you are staying in Trabzon and do not want to arrange transport yourself. The tour lasts about eight hours and uses an air-conditioned bus, with pickup and return to a set of listed hotels and meeting points around the city.

The route is not only a photo trip. You get short stops tied to local crafts and food, then a longer break in the mountains. That balance helps you understand the area instead of simply arriving at the lake, taking a picture, and turning around.

The schedule also has a clear rhythm. The knife stop and tea factory are guided visits, the sweets shop is a tasting and shopping break, and Uzungöl is where you get your own time. If you prefer a tightly organized day with several stops, this layout makes sense. If you want hours of quiet walking, photography, or a long meal beside the lake, the two-and-a-half-hour Uzungöl stop may feel short.

The price is $47 per person. For that amount, you are paying for the vehicle, group leader, hotel transportation, tea tasting, and Turkish delight tasting. Since lunch and drinks are extra, set aside more money for the restaurant stop and any shopping. I consider the price reasonable for a full-day outing from Trabzon, especially if you would otherwise need to arrange a car and driver, but the value depends on how much you enjoy the added shopping stops.

Starting in Trabzon with a wide pickup net

Pickup is available from ten 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.

That wide net is useful, but it also means the beginning of the day may involve collecting people from several points. Your exact start time depends on availability, so check the departure time when booking and be ready early. The tour specifically asks you to arrive on time, and that matters more on a group route than on a private trip.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, which is welcome on a long day. The group size is not specified, so you should expect a shared tour rather than a private ride. The guide service is offered in English, Arabic, and Turkish. The tour information does not name the guide for each departure, but Hakan, the manager, has been singled out as responsive and helpful with questions.

One practical warning deserves attention. A booking had not received confirmation or contact from the organizer until after the scheduled start time. That does not mean every departure will have this problem, but I would not wait until the last minute. If the operator has not confirmed your pickup, contact them before the morning of the tour.

Sürmene knives and a quick look at local craft

The first stop is Akif Usta Bıçakçılık in Sürmene, a town associated with high-quality, sharp knives. You spend about 20 minutes here on a guided visit, with time to look at the products and shop.

This is a short stop, so think of it as an introduction rather than a full craft workshop. You will learn what makes Sürmene knives well known and see the commercial side of a local trade. If you like kitchen tools, handmade objects, or regional specialties, this is a more interesting shopping stop than an ordinary souvenir shop.

The main consideration is time. Twenty minutes gives you a taste of the craft, but not a long demonstration or a detailed lesson in knife-making. If you are not interested in buying anything, the stop may feel brief and sales-focused. Still, it gives the journey a local connection before the scenery takes over.

If you plan to buy a knife, ask the guide about carrying it safely and any rules that apply to your onward travel. The tour information confirms shopping is available, but it does not specify packaging or shipping services.

Tea at İkicay, with tasting and traditional dance

Tea is central to daily life in the Black Sea region, and İkicay tea factory gives the tour its clearest cultural stop. The visit lasts about 35 minutes and includes a guided explanation, tea tasting, shopping, and a traditional dance show.

I like this part because it turns a familiar drink into a regional story. You get to taste the tea and hear about its production rather than simply being offered a cup at a café. The stop also gives you a chance to buy tea described as high quality and local to the area.

The dance show adds a performance element. Some people will enjoy the quick introduction to Black Sea traditions, while others may prefer more time outdoors. Either way, the factory visit breaks up the drive and helps explain why tea is such an important part of local culture.

Allow enough room in your bag if you want to buy tea. The tour includes tasting, but purchased products are your responsibility. The factory is also a commercial stop, so you should feel free to browse without treating shopping as an obligation.

Turkish delight, honey, and a sweet pause

Before Uzungöl, the bus stops at Ali Baba Lokumcusu Trabzon for about 30 minutes. This is a local food shop and market-style stop with Turkish delight, honey, sweets, tasting, and time to shop.

For many people, this will be an easy highlight. You can try regional products before deciding what, if anything, you want to take home. Turkish delight travels well, and honey gives you another taste of local food traditions.

The shop visit also has a practical role. You may want a snack for the road or something small to bring back as a gift. Since food is not included in the tour price, tasting helps you decide what is worth paying for later.

Keep your expectations in check. This is a 30-minute retail stop, not a cooking class or a farm visit. If your priority is getting to Uzungöl quickly, you may see it as extra time. If you enjoy food shopping and small regional tastes, it makes the drive more varied.

Bayraktepe gives you the big Uzungöl view

The first Uzungöl stop is Bayraktepe, where you look down toward the lake from above. This is the place for the broad scenic photograph, with the lake and surrounding mountain setting spread out below you.

The elevated viewpoint is valuable because the lake looks different from above than it does at water level. You get your bearings before the bus parks near the restaurant area, and you can decide which views you want to seek out during free time.

Bring a windbreaker. The tour specifically recommends one, and exposed viewpoints can feel cooler than the town below. Comfortable shoes also matter because the day includes walking, and rain gear is sensible in this part of Turkey.

The supplied route does not state how long the Bayraktepe photo stop lasts. Treat it as a short viewpoint visit rather than a long hike. The tour promises a view from above, not a mountain trek.

Two and a half hours around Uzungöl

At Uzungöl, the bus parks at the restaurant area and gives you about 2.5 hours for lunch, sightseeing, photographs, and a walk. This is the longest stop of the day, so you finally have time to slow down after the shorter craft and food visits.

You can choose how to use it. Have lunch, walk around, take photographs, or combine all three. The setting is described as idyllic, but remember that lunch and drinks are not included. Check prices before ordering if you are watching your budget.

The timing is generous enough for a basic visit, but it is not unlimited. A long meal can use much of your free time, leaving less for walking and photographs. I would first get a sense of the area, then choose your meal, and leave time to meet the group at the agreed point.

The bus meets everyone after the free period. Since this is a shared tour, do not wander too far without confirming the meeting place and time. The schedule gives you independence, but you still need to return promptly.

Uzungöl can be attractive in changing weather, and the tour operates in rain, snow, or sunshine. That is good news for flexible plans, but it means you should dress for conditions rather than assume a warm, dry afternoon. A waterproof layer and shoes with a good grip will make the walk easier.

The historic tiled bridge on the return

On the way back to Trabzon, the group pauses so you can photograph the Historical Tiled Bridge. This is a short photo break rather than another long visit, but it adds an architectural detail to a day otherwise focused on mountains, tea, food, and the lake.

The bridge stop is useful for photographers who want something different from another Uzungöl viewpoint. It also gives you a final chance to stretch during the return drive before arriving back in Trabzon.

The exact length of this break is not provided, so keep it simple. Take your photographs, listen for the guide’s instructions, and return to the bus on time.

The Sümela Monastery question

Sümela Monastery is named among the tour highlights, but the detailed stop-by-stop route goes from Trabzon to Sürmene, the tea factory, the sweets shop, Uzungöl, and the tiled bridge. It does not list a visit to Sümela Monastery.

That is a significant difference because Sümela is not near the same route as Uzungöl. I would contact ZAĞNOS TOURS INTERNATIONAL before booking and ask directly if the monastery is included on your specific departure. Do not assume you will see it simply because it appears in the general highlights.

If Sümela is essential to your Trabzon plans, choose a tour that clearly gives it its own stop or arrange a separate visit. If your main goal is Uzungöl, the missing monastery stop may not affect your decision.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a simple, organized day from Trabzon and enjoy variety. The route combines scenery, tea, regional food, shopping, and a little local craft without asking you to plan several separate bookings.

It suits first-time visitors who want to see Uzungöl but also want context about Black Sea products and customs. It is also a good fit if you value pickup and drop-off, since the listed meeting points cover many common hotels and city locations.

You may want another option if you dislike shopping stops, need a private schedule, or want a long hike. The itinerary includes three commercial or tasting visits before the lake, and the group structure limits how long you can linger.

Families and mixed-interest groups may find the design useful because different people can enjoy different parts. One person can shop for tea, another can photograph the scenery, and everyone gets free time at Uzungöl. Just plan for weather and remember that the tour is not built around a long guided walk.

Practical details that affect your day

The tour runs for eight hours and offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Trabzon schedule may change.

Pickup is included from the specified locations. If your hotel or accommodation is not on the list, contact the operator rather than assuming pickup will be available. The activity is offered in English, Arabic, and Turkish.

Bring:

• Rain gear
• Comfortable shoes
• A windbreaker

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The tour runs in rain, snow, and sunshine, so a clear forecast is not a safe reason to leave rain gear behind.

Should you book this Uzungöl day trip?

Book it if you want an efficient, reasonably priced day from Trabzon with Uzungöl as the main destination and several short cultural stops along the way. The strongest parts are the tea tasting, the Bayraktepe view, the free time beside the lake, and the convenience of shared transportation.

Think twice if you want a private experience, a serious nature walk, or a tour built around Sümela Monastery. Confirm the monastery question before paying, and contact the operator early if your pickup has not been confirmed.

At $47, the tour offers solid value when you use the included transport and tastings. Add money for lunch, drinks, and shopping, dress for rough weather, and keep an eye on the meeting time. With those details handled, this is a sensible way to sample the Black Sea region in one full day.

FAQ

How long does the Uzungöl tour from Trabzon last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including transportation, the stops along the route, time at Uzungöl, and the return to Trabzon.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes pickup and drop-off at specified locations, air-conditioned bus transportation, a group leader, tea tasting, and Turkish delight tasting.

Is lunch included at Uzungöl?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you should budget separately for lunch and any beverages at the restaurant.

Which languages are available?

The tour is offered with live guidance in English, Arabic, and Turkish.

Where can I be picked up?

Pickup is available from listed locations including several Trabzon hotels, Burger King, Shell, and Vatan Bilgisayar Trabzon. If your location is not listed, contact the operator.

Is Sümela Monastery included?

Sümela Monastery appears among the tour highlights, but it is not included in the detailed route of stops provided. Contact the operator to confirm whether it is part of your specific departure.

What should I bring?

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