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Historical
Sümela Monastery Tour
Trabzon·6 hours
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Meeting point
- Hotel pickup in Trabzon or at Trabzon Airport (TZX), around 09:00.
- Languages
- English, Turkish, Other languages on request
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
Price on request
Highlights
- Sümela Monastery
- Altındere Valley
- Rock Church Frescoes
- Hamsiköy
About this tour
Sümela Monastery clings to a sheer cliff about 1,200 metres up in the Altındere Valley, an hour inland from Trabzon. Tradition dates its founding to the fourth century; what you see today are the chapels, cells and frescoed rock church rebuilt over later centuries and restored in recent years. A forest path climbs from the valley floor to the entrance, with the monastery appearing and disappearing between the trees. On the way back the route passes Hamsiköy, a highland village known across Türkiye for its rice pudding. A licensed guide tells the monastery's story and a private vehicle collects you from your hotel or the airport.
Itinerary
- 09:00Pickup in Trabzon
From your hotel or Trabzon Airport.
- 10:00Altındere Valley
Arrive at the national park at the foot of the cliff.
- 10:15Forest path
Climb to the monastery entrance through the trees.
- 10:45Sümela Monastery
Chapels, cells and the frescoed rock church with your guide.
- 12:30Hamsiköy
Lunch stop in the village famous for its rice pudding.
- 14:30Drop-off
Back at your Trabzon hotel or the airport.
What's included
- Licensed Guide
- Private Vehicle
- Hotel or Airport Pickup
What to bring
- Walking shoes — the path to the monastery climbs
- Water
- A light jacket
Frequently asked
How much walking is involved?
The path from the valley to the entrance is a steady uphill walk of around 20–30 minutes; inside, there are stairs. Comfortable shoes are enough.
Is the entrance ticket included?
Your quote states whether the site ticket is included. We can include it so there is nothing to pay on the day.
Can I combine Sümela with Uzungöl?
Yes, as one long day of about 11 hours. Ask for both in a single quote.
Getting there
Arriving in Trabzon?
Book the airport ride with us as well — a fixed fare, a chauffeur waiting at the meeting point and your flight tracked.
