Tea, knives, and Uzungöl in one day. This tour strings together Black Sea food culture with big nature views, plus a look at two very local crafts. You’ll be moving the whole time, but it never feels chaotic if you like a packed day.

I especially like the way the day is organized around taste: tea at the Ikicay factory and sweet sampling at Ali Baba Lokumcusu. Second, the Uzungöl portion gives you a proper rhythm—a viewpoint from Bayraktepe, then real free time to wander, eat, and take photos at your own pace.

The main drawback to watch for is that shopping stops are short (about 20–35 minutes each). If you’re hoping for a slower, more museum-style pace—or if you want meals included—this may feel a bit “on the clock,” especially since food and drinks aren’t listed as included.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Sürmene knife workshops (Akif Usta Bıçakçılık): quick guided look into a craft the region is known for
• Ikicay tea factory visit: tea tasting plus a tea ceremony and a traditional dance show
• Ali Baba Lokumcusu: Turkish delight and sweets with tasting time
• Bayraktepe viewpoint over Uzungöl: a high angle moment that sets up the whole lake experience
• Time in Uzungöl: a mix of sightseeing, a nature walk, and downtime for dinner
• Company and guide touchpoint: the tour manager Hakan is reported to be responsive when questions come up

Why this Trabzon-to-Uzungöl tour feels like more than a lake trip

This is one of those day tours where the route matters. You start in Trabzon city center, then you gradually shift from workshops (knives, tea) to the Black Sea’s easier pleasures (sweets, scenery, and downtime). That mix is the real value: you’re not just looking at Uzungöl, you’re learning how people in the region eat, drink, and make things.

The timing also works for most visitors. The total duration is 8 hours, and the day is built around named stops you can remember later: Akif Usta Bıçakçılık, Ikicay tea factory, Ali Baba Lokumcusu, and then Uzungöl itself. Add in the named landmark Sümela Monastery from the tour description, and you get a long-day sampler platter of what people travel to this part of Turkey for.

One practical note: the tour runs rain or shine or snow. Bring what you need to stay comfortable outdoors—especially for the viewpoint and any walking time.

From Trabzon pickup to Akif Usta Bıçakçılık: knives, but with context

You’ll get picked up from one of 10 listed locations in Trabzon. You can choose common central hotels like Novotel Trabzon, Mercure Trabzon Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Trabzon, and Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Trabzon, plus a few other city-center points like Shell and Vatan Bilgisayar Trabzon. It’s a helpful setup if you don’t want to figure out local transport first thing in the morning.

Your first real stop is Akif Usta Bıçakçılık for about 20 minutes. This is where the tour’s “culture” side starts to make sense. Sürmene knives are known internationally for their sharpness and quality, but you don’t have to take that on faith—you get a guided visit and a chance to shop if you want. Even if you skip purchases, it’s a quick way to see how a craft shapes local identity.

The only downside is the stop length. Twenty minutes is enough for a guided overview and a quick look around, but it’s not time for serious browsing. If you love tools, you’ll probably want to keep your questions short and focused so you don’t feel rushed.

Ikicay tea factory: tasting, tea ceremony, and a dance intermission

Next comes Ikicay tea factory, scheduled for about 35 minutes. This part is one of the most hands-on experiences on the tour, and it’s built around something you can actually take home: what tea tastes like when it’s meant for locals first.

What you can expect here:

• A guided visit
• Tea ceremony
• Tea tasting
• A traditional dance show

That dance show may sound like a quick add-on, but it helps break up the workshop-feel of the day. It turns the stop into an experience, not just a sales pitch. And the tasting is where you’ll get the best payoff: you’ll understand the flavor profile the tour is highlighting—then you can decide if you want to buy tea.

Like the knife stop, this one is short. So if you’re very specific about what tea you want (or you want to talk at length), be prepared to move fast. It’s more “sampling and explanation” than “slow education.”

Ali Baba Lokumcusu: sweet shopping with a practical payoff

After tea, you’re headed to Ali Baba Lokumcusu Trabzon for about 30 minutes. This is the stop for Turkish delight and other sweets, plus a bit of food market energy.

It’s a good mid-day mood shift. The tour includes both sightseeing and shop time, but this is the part that most people enjoy because you get to taste. You’ll have:

• Shopping time
• Food tasting
• A quick look at the food market

Why I like this stop for value: it’s one of the easiest souvenirs you can bring home without special packaging or complicated planning. If you don’t want to haul heavy items, sweets and tea fit neatly into a normal suitcase.

If you’re watching your budget, keep your expectations realistic. You’ll probably be tempted here—so set a limit before you go in. Thirty minutes passes quickly once you start comparing flavors.

Uzungöl and Bayraktepe: the viewpoint sets the tone

Now for the big scenery moment: Uzungöl. The tour gives you about 2.5 hours in the area, but it’s structured in a way that keeps you from feeling stuck.

Before you park for the Uzungöl portion, you first head to Uzungöl Bayraktepe for a viewpoint from above. This is exactly the right move on a day tour. The view gives you context fast, so when you’re down near the lake later, it all makes sense.

After the viewpoint, the plan is to park at the restaurant area and then give you free time for dinner and sightseeing. That free time is a big deal because it lets you do what you came for in your own way—whether that’s walking, photos, or finding a comfortable spot to eat.

You’ll also have time that includes:

• Sightseeing and a walk
• Photo stops
• A nature-focused portion (the tour description calls it a nature walk)

If you’re traveling in cooler months (and yes, this tour runs in winter conditions too), dress for wind and damp air. The tour specifically asks you to bring a windbreaker and rain gear, and that advice is spot-on for a viewpoint and any lakeside walking.

One more named item worth flagging: Sümela Monastery is listed among the highlights. The itinerary you’ll follow on your day may include it as part of the broader route, so keep an eye on what the group leader schedules when you’re on the bus.

Return with the Historical Tiled Bridge: good photo timing

On the way back to Trabzon, you’ll meet up after your Uzungöl downtime and start the return journey. The tour includes a photo break at the Historical Tiled Bridge, which is a smart stop late in the day because it’s usually less demanding than climbing yet still gives you something visually distinctive.

Then it’s straight back to Trabzon and your selected drop-off location (10 options again). Common drop-offs include the same hotel area you picked up from, like Mercure Trabzon Hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Trabzon, Novotel Trabzon, and Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Trabzon.

Pace check: it’s an 8-hour loop with several quick “hit” stops. If you prefer long lingering times, you might wish the Uzungöl window were longer. But if you like a full sampler day, the structure is exactly the point.

Price and value: $47 works if you want a taste-and-see day

At $47 per person, this tour is priced for convenience and variety rather than luxury. The included pieces make the math work:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Air-conditioned bus transport
• Group leader
• Tea tasting
• Turkish delight tasting

Not included:

• Food and drinks

So here’s the honest way to judge value: if you’re happy to pay for your own meals during the Uzungöl free time, the included tastings and transport do a lot of heavy lifting. If you expected lunch to be fully included, you’ll need to plan for extra spending.

Also consider what you’re getting for your time. You’re not just seeing one place—you’re visiting multiple named stops that connect culture (tea, knives, sweets) to scenery (Bayraktepe and Uzungöl). For many visitors, that combination is what makes the price feel fair.

Best for whom, and who should adjust expectations

This tour is a great match if you:

• Like day trips that mix food and nature instead of only one theme
• Want an easy way to reach Uzungöl without arranging separate transport
• Enjoy short guided stops where you learn basics and then taste
• Appreciate scenery plus free time, not a fully scripted schedule

You may want to rethink or at least set expectations if you:

• Prefer longer time at a single site over quick “stop-and-go” visits
• Don’t enjoy shopping stops, even if they’re optional
• Are traveling with very strict dietary needs, since food and drinks aren’t included and the tour is tasting-focused

Quick travel tips that will actually help

Bring:

• Rain gear
• Comfortable shoes (there’s a walk in Uzungöl)
• A windbreaker (views and lake air can be brisk)

Plan around:

• Weather: rain or shine or snow
• Timing: arrive on time for pickup so you don’t lose the whole flow
• No alcohol and drugs: keep it straightforward and follow the rules

And one small “trust but verify” tip. Communication can vary, so confirm your pickup details before the start time instead of waiting for last-minute messages. It’ll keep your day stress-free.

Should you book this Trabzon: Uzungöl Group Tour?

Yes, I think you should book it if you want a structured day that links Black Sea culture (tea, knives, sweets) to the big scenery payoff at Uzungöl. It’s the kind of tour that works well for first-timers: you get multiple experiences without needing extra planning.

Skip it or choose another option if you’re hoping for a slow, deep, one-place itinerary. This is about movement, tastings, and viewpoints within an 8-hour window—and that style isn’t everyone’s favorite.

If you decide to go, go with a simple plan: keep your walking shoes ready, bring wind-and-rain gear, and budget a little extra for meals during the free time.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is 8 hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts from Trabzon city center with hotel pickup options, and it returns to Trabzon with drop-off at the listed locations.

What’s included in the price?

Included are specified hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation by air-conditioned bus, a group leader, tea tasting, and Turkish delight tasting.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You’ll have free time in Uzungöl for dinner and sightseeing.

What are the main stops on the way to Uzungöl?

Key stops include Akif Usta Bıçakçılık (knife shop), Ikicay tea factory, Ali Baba Lokumcusu (sweets tasting and shopping), and then Uzungöl with a viewpoint at Bayraktepe.

Do I get free time in Uzungöl?

Yes. The schedule includes free time for dinner and sightseeing, plus a walk and photo opportunities.

Is the tour available in different languages?

The live tour guide is available in English, Arabic, and Turkish.

Will the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine or snow.

Is alcohol allowed on the tour?

No. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed.

What should I bring for comfort?

Bring rain gear, comfortable shoes, and a windbreaker.

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