Last reviewed: · Prices in Turkish Lira (₺ TRY) and Euros (€ EUR) are approximate and for orientation only.
Route at a glance
Combine the emerald tea terraces and cliffside monasteries of the Black Sea coast in Trabzon and Rize with the high Anatolian plateau of Erzurum and medieval Armenian/Seljuk ruins at Ani in Kars.
Estimated Trip Budget: ₺22,000–₺46,000 (€590–€1,240) per person · Primary Transport: Highland Minibus/4x4 + Erzurum–Kars Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi)
Day-by-day plan
Trabzon — Hagia Sophia & Boztepe Sunset Tea (Trabzon)
Arrive at Trabzon (TZX), visit 13th-century Hagia Sophia of Trabzon and Atatürk Pavilion.
Sümela Monastery Cliff Frescoes & Uzungöl Lake (Trabzon → Uzungöl)
Morning visit to Sümela Monastery in Altındere Valley, afternoon around alpine Uzungöl.
Rize Tea Gardens, Fırtına Valley & Zilkale Castle (Rize & Çamlıhemşin)
Sip fresh tea at Rize Ziraat Garden, cross Ottoman stone bridges over the Fırtına River, and climb Zilkale.
Ayder Yaylası & Pokut Cloud Plateau (Ayder (Kaçkar Mountains))
Ascend above the sea of clouds into the Kaçkar highland pastures for Kuymak fondue.
Scenic Mountain Drive via Artvin & Tortum Waterfall to Erzurum (Ayder → Erzurum)
Drive through spectacular Çoruh River gorges past Tortum Waterfall to Erzurum (1,900 m elevation).
Erzurum Twin Minaret Madrasa, Cağ Kebabı & Train to Kars (Erzurum → Kars)
Tour Çifte Minareli Medrese and Yakutiye Medrese, savor authentic Cağ Kebabı, and ride the scenic Doğu Ekspresi rail leg to Kars.
UNESCO Archaeological Site of Ani & Kars Castle (Kars)
Walk the medieval 'City of 1,001 Churches' above the Arpaçay Gorge at Ani and taste aged Kars Gravyer cheese.
Lake Çıldır & Fly Home from Kars Harakani Airport (KSY) (Kars)
Morning visit to high-altitude Lake Çıldır before flying back to Istanbul or Ankara from KSY.
Transport & rail/flight notes
Highland Minibus/4x4 + Erzurum–Kars Eastern Express (Doğu Ekspresi). Book TCDD YHT high-speed trains 15–30 days ahead on e-Bilet and domestic flights on Turkish Airlines, Pegasus, AJet, or SunExpress.
What to book ahead
- Cappadocia sunrise hot air balloon flight for your first morning in Göreme (€180–€280).
- TCDD YHT high-speed rail seats and domestic flights with 15–20 kg checked baggage included.
- Museum Pass Türkiye (€165) or Museum Pass Istanbul (€105) to skip ticket booth queues at Topkapı Palace and Ephesus.
Ways to adapt this route
- Add 2 extra days on the Turquoise Coast in Kaş or Bodrum for a wooden gulet boat excursion.
- Swap a domestic flight for the 250 km/h TCDD YHT high-speed train between Istanbul, Eskişehir, Ankara, and Konya.