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

Trabzon’s road to Uzungöl is more than a mountain-view transfer. It links three everyday Black Sea traditions, Sürmene knives, tea production, and Turkish sweets, before giving you time beside one of the region’s best-known lakes. I especially like the mix of workshop visits and open scenery. You are not spending eight hours at one viewpoint.

I also like the practical pickup and drop-off service at selected Trabzon hotels and meeting points. The main caution is the schedule: the day includes several commercial stops, and food at Uzungöl is not included. Also check the final route carefully, since Sümela Monastery appears among the advertised highlights but is not included in the detailed stop-by-stop schedule.

Key points

• Sürmene knife workshop: Spend about 20 minutes learning why local knives are known for sharpness and quality.
• İkicay tea factory: Taste Black Sea tea and learn about its production, with a traditional dance show listed during the visit.
• Turkish sweets and honey: Stop at Ali Baba Lokumcusu for Turkish delight, honey, and other local products.
• Uzungöl from above: Reach Bayraktepe for a high view before heading down for free time by the lake.
• Two and a half hours at Uzungöl: Use the time for lunch, walking, photographs, and independent sightseeing.
• Weather-ready outing: The tour runs in rain, snow, or sunshine, so bring proper clothing and comfortable shoes.

From Trabzon to the Black Sea highlands

The day begins in central Trabzon, with pickup from selected hotels and meeting points including Novotel Trabzon, Mercure Trabzon Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Trabzon, Ramada Plaza, Panagia Premier, Aksular Hotel, and several other listed locations.

You travel in an air-conditioned bus with a group leader. The tour lasts about eight hours, so an early start matters. Be ready at the stated pickup point rather than expecting the vehicle to wait while you finish breakfast.

This is a good route for you if you want to see more than Uzungöl itself. A direct visit would give you the lake, but this outing adds local production, tasting, and shopping stops along the way. The trade-off is that some of your day is spent inside shops and factories rather than outdoors.

The experience is offered in English, Arabic, and Turkish. The organizer does not publish one fixed guide name, but Hakan, the manager, has been particularly responsive when questions needed answering. One practical warning: communication about pickup confirmation can be slow. Make contact before the departure time and double-check where you should wait.

Sürmene knives and a short workshop visit

The first stop is Akif Usta Bıçakçılık in Sürmene, a town known for its knife making. You have about 20 minutes here for a guided visit and shopping.

The value of this stop is cultural rather than purely practical. Sürmene knives are presented as a point of local pride, with attention to sharpness and quality. A short explanation helps you understand why handmade or locally produced tools matter in this part of Turkey.

Twenty minutes is enough to look around and decide if you want to buy something. It is not enough for a long technical demonstration or a full lesson in knife making, so keep your expectations modest.

If you are interested in regional crafts, this is one of the more distinctive stops. If shopping does not interest you, you may find the visit brief but still useful as an introduction to a trade associated with the area.

Tea at İkicay, with a taste of Black Sea culture

The next stop is İkicay tea factory, where you spend roughly 35 minutes. This is the cultural center of the morning, with a guided visit, tea tasting, shopping, and a tea ceremony listed as part of the stop.

Tea is not just a drink here. It is closely tied to daily life around the Black Sea, and the factory visit gives you a direct look at how that tradition is presented to visitors. You can taste the tea, learn about its production, and buy tea to take home.

A traditional dance show may also be included. That adds a welcome local touch, although the exact performance can depend on the day’s arrangements. This is one of the stops that gives the tour more character than a simple scenic bus ride.

The tea tasting is included in the price. Tea purchases are optional, so you can sample first and decide later. If you prefer a quiet, slow factory visit, remember that this is a group tour with a fixed schedule.

Turkish delight, honey, and a useful shopping pause

At Ali Baba Lokumcusu Trabzon, you get about 30 minutes for food tasting and shopping. The stop focuses on Turkish delight, honey, sweets, and other local products.

This is a pleasant bridge between the indoor cultural visits and the main outdoor section. You can try several products before deciding what, if anything, to buy. Turkish delight travels fairly well, making it a practical souvenir, though you should still pack sweets carefully.

The stop also gives you a chance to pick up something for the road. Food and drinks are not included in the tour, apart from the listed tea and Turkish delight tastings, so this is one place where you can choose snacks if needed.

As with the knife shop and tea factory, this is partly a retail visit. I would book this outing because I enjoy seeing how local products are presented, but I would not choose it if you want a full day with no shopping stops.

Bayraktepe gives you the best first look at Uzungöl

Before reaching the lake, the bus climbs to Uzungöl Bayraktepe. From here, you get a view of Uzungöl from above, which is often more revealing than seeing the water only from the roadside.

The high viewpoint helps you understand the setting. The lake sits among steep wooded slopes, with buildings and roads gathered around the water. This is the place to take your broadest photographs before you descend.

Weather can change quickly in the mountains. Bring a windbreaker and rain gear, even if Trabzon is dry when you leave. The tour operates in rain, snow, and sunshine, so the viewpoint may look very different from one day to the next.

The stop is mainly for photographs rather than a long walk. You will want comfortable shoes for the rest of the day, but there is no promise of a demanding hike or extended mountain trek.

Two and a half hours beside Uzungöl

After the viewpoint, the bus parks near a restaurant at Uzungöl. You then have about 2.5 hours of free time for lunch, walking, photographs, and sightseeing.

This is the main payoff of the day. You can eat in an idyllic setting, stroll near the lake, and enjoy the mountain views without being hurried from one photo stop to the next. The free time is long enough to make your own choices, which is important on a group outing.

Lunch is not included. That keeps the tour price down, but it means you should budget separately for your meal and drinks. The restaurant location is convenient, yet you may prefer to compare options during your free time if several are available.

Do not expect a quiet wilderness visit. Uzungöl is a popular landmark, and the tour’s appeal comes from combining scenic time with easy access. You get a structured visit rather than a remote nature walk.

The description also promises a nature walk, but the detailed schedule simply lists free time, sightseeing, and a walk. Think of this as independent walking around the lake rather than a guided trek with a naturalist.

The Historical Tiled Bridge on the return

Once free time ends, the bus begins the return journey to Trabzon. A stop is made at the Historical Tiled Bridge for photographs.

This is a short final pause, not a major sightseeing visit. It breaks up the drive and gives you another piece of local architecture to photograph. Keep your camera ready and listen for the group leader’s return time, since the stop is part of a fixed route.

The return drop-off is available at the listed hotels and meeting points, including Mercure, DoubleTree, Novotel, Ramada Plaza, Panagia Premier, Aksular Hotel, Burger King, Shell, and Vatan Bilgisayar Trabzon.

What the $47 price really gives you

At $47 per person, this is good value if you need transport from Trabzon and want several stops built into one day. The price covers hotel pickup and drop-off at specified locations, air-conditioned transportation, a group leader, tea tasting, and Turkish delight tasting.

You are also paying for the convenience of reaching Uzungöl without arranging separate transport. That matters because the day covers several destinations, and a private vehicle would usually cost more than a shared group outing.

The value is weaker if you only want to sit beside the lake. A direct transfer or self-planned visit could give you more control over timing, especially if you want to linger at Uzungöl or skip shopping stops.

Plan extra money for lunch, drinks, and purchases at the knife workshop, tea factory, and sweets shop. The tour gives you samples, but it does not cover your main meal.

The published score is 4.6 from 51 ratings, which fits the shape of the experience: strong appeal for convenient transport, scenery, and cultural stops, with some room for improvement in communication before pickup.

Who should book this Uzungöl day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you are staying in Trabzon and want a simple full-day introduction to the Black Sea area. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families, and anyone who prefers a planned route rather than arranging transport and stops alone.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy tasting local products and buying edible souvenirs. The tea factory and sweets shop are not filler for everyone. They offer a quick look at how local goods are made and sold.

You may want another option if you dislike shopping stops, need a private schedule, or want a longer walk in nature. The route is busy, and Uzungöl receives only a set block of free time.

One final point deserves attention. Sümela Monastery is named among the experience highlights, but the detailed route includes Sürmene, İkicay, Ali Baba Lokumcusu, Uzungöl, and the Historical Tiled Bridge instead. If Sümela is essential to your plans, confirm the exact route with Zağnos Tours International before paying.

Book at least a day ahead if possible, then confirm your pickup details. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. That flexibility helps when mountain weather is uncertain.

Final call: a practical route with real local flavor

This is a well-priced way to connect Trabzon with Uzungöl while adding tea, knives, sweets, and a few scenic pauses. I like that the day does not treat Uzungöl as an isolated photo stop. You get a little context about local work and food before reaching the lake.

The main compromises are the commercial visits, the extra cost of lunch, and the need to verify the route because of the Sümela reference. If those points suit you, book it. You will get a full, varied day with convenient transport and a good amount of time at Uzungöl. If you want complete freedom or a serious mountain walk, choose a more focused private excursion instead.

FAQ

How long does the Uzungöl tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including pickup from Trabzon, the stops along the route, time at Uzungöl, and the return journey.

Where does pickup take place?

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

Is hotel drop-off included?

Yes. Drop-off is included at the listed Trabzon hotels and meeting points, including Mercure, DoubleTree, Aksular, Novotel, WEEN OTEL, Ramada Plaza, Burger King, Panagia Premier, Shell, and Vatan Bilgisayar.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English, Arabic, and Turkish.

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. You have free time at Uzungöl to choose and pay for your meal.

Is tea tasting included?

Yes. Tea tasting is included during the visit to İkicay tea factory.

Is Turkish delight tasting included?

Yes. Turkish delight tasting is included at Ali Baba Lokumcusu Trabzon.

How much free time do I get at Uzungöl?

The scheduled stop at Uzungöl lasts about 2.5 hours. You can use that time for lunch, walking, photography, and sightseeing.

What should I bring?

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

Is Sümela Monastery included?

Sümela Monastery appears among the stated highlights, but it is not included in the detailed route of stops. Confirm this point with the tour provider before booking if the monastery is important to you.