Are you ready for a fairy tale above the clouds? Our photography tour will begin by hiking one of the most beautiful valleys of the Eastern Black Sea region “Firtina Deresi” and progress with fascinating highlands under magnificent mountains. This tour is about getting away from touristic places as much as possible and be in the most amazing places to photograph. You will see vibrant green covered mountains, winding rivers, amazing waterfalls, stunning landscapes and even rare full cloud inversion over the plateau if you are lucky.
During this tour, we will explore and experience local culture, witness natural beauties, listening to horon folk music and singing birds simultaneously. 7 days away from hectic city life, noise and stress promising an unforgettable experience. This trip begins and ends at Trabzon airport.
Note that this is not just a photography workshop. Even if you are not a seasoned photographer, you can join to enjoy the breath-taking beauties of highlands. Photographers from entry-level up to professional can attend this workshop.
Day 1: Trabzon - Pokut Highland
Gathering in Trabzon airport latest 10:00 am and then heading to Rize Camlihemsin with our private vehicle. We will have a lunch break on our way in one of the beautiful restaurants where you can sample local cuisine. Towards the evening we will be arriving at Pokut highlands, 2000m above mean sea level. If weather permits, the plan is to photograph sunset and full cloud inversion layers.
Our hotel for the night will be one of the traditional wooden cottages. A rich and pleasing dinner, prepared by local mothers will be followed by folk music listening performed by local artists. Should weather permits, we may head out for night star photography, otherwise, our private rooms promise a good night sleep.
Note: Amenities such as hot water shower exists in these cottages.
Day 2: Pokut, Sal and Hazindag Highlands
As the sun rises, we will be taking photos of Sal Highlands from a high vantage point. Afterwards, we take a stroll to see beautiful little houses and feel heavenly nature of this region holds. 30 min hike from one highland to another through the forest offers an unforgettable experience. Our day will continue in our cottage by truly organic breakfast accompanied by cloud inversion layer and picturesque mountain view. We will be heading to Hazindag after breakfast, a town famous for stone houses. We will have plenty of time to walk around and take photos. Lunch will be served in one of the local cottages and then we return to Pokut for dinner and the rest of the evening.
Day 3: Zilkale, Palovit waterfall and Gito highlands
Early morning, we will check out from our cottage in Pokut, have breakfast and head out to photograph Firtina steam and historic Cinciva bridge. Our day will continue by visiting Zil castle, built-in 14th century. Our guide will give us all the details about this historic place while we are climbing the walls of the castle to enjoy a magnificent view.
We will be sipping our morning tea/coffee next to the castle in a small coffee shop and then head towards Palovit waterfall, fastest flowing waterfall in this region, a great scenery to photograph. After the photo workshop we intent to walk under the waterfall to relax a bit and cool down. Next destination is Gito highland for sunset photography and chasing cloud inversion layers. Gito is one of the best spots to photograph cloud inversion layers. We will have dinner in Gito and spend the night here in a wooden cottage. A rich and pleasing dinner, prepared by local mothers will be followed by folk music listening performed by local artists. Should weather permits, we may head out again for night star photography, otherwise, our rooms promise a good night sleep.
Day 4: Gito, Ambarlı Highlands and Seven lakes
After having breakfast while enjoying the spectacular mountain view of our residence, our first destination will be Ambarli highlands. Our hike towards 7 lakes will commence here. After walking around for a little bit, we will head towards the lakes, 3500m above sea level beneath the Kackar mountains. This hike takes approximately 2hours, moderate difficulty, offering fantastic and breath-taking scenery for photographers. We will end the day back in our cottage in Gito.
Day 5: Badara Highlands and Yavuzkoy
After having our breakfast in Gito we will head towards Badara highlands. On our way, there will be heavenly and vivid landscapes for photography. We will also have a short muhlama (a local dish) – tea break. Next destination is, without doubt, the most beautiful and picturesque lake of the Black Sea region, Borcka Karagol. On our way, we will also stop by a hidden waterfall, not discovered by tourists yet. Spending the rest of the day in Karagol and taking photos of this idyllic lake, we will be heading to Yavuzkoy to spend the night. Dinner and accommodation will be in a charming wooden bungalow hotel.
Day 6: Balıklıgol and Savsat Karagol
Leaving our cottage early in the morning to catch the sunrise and take beautiful photos. We will be watching the sun rising over the panoramic view of Yavuzkoy, on par with Italian Dolomites. Smoking foggy valleys, misty hills promise majestic view for our photos. Afterwards, we will be having breakfast in our hotel and head towards Savsat Karagol to see all shades of green. This will take the 1-hour ride. Karagol is a fantastic place with breath-taking nature. After lunch in Yavuzkoy, we will be heading towards Balikligol, our sunset destination for strolling and taking photos. Dinner and accommodation will be in our wooden charming bungalow hotel.
Day 7: Yavuzkoy, Borcka Karagol and Heba Highlands
Early morning, we will be visiting an “announced” secret yet gorgeous location for sunrise photography. After that, we will return to our hotel for breakfast and head towards Borcka Karagol. We take a brisk walk in the forest and photography workshop. Rich and pleasing dinner will be waiting for us in our hotel, then we take a well-deserved rest in our rooms.
Day 8: Karagol, Tea Gardens and Trabzon
After having breakfast, we check out from our hotel and take a leisurely walk in Heba highlands for a photography workshop. You will observe such a gorgeous landscape that you will not want to leave. After or workshop here, a 5-hour car ride will take us back to Trabzon airport. On our way, we will take a lunch break in one of the most famous restaurants in the region. Then there will be one more “unannounced” secret yet stunning location for photography. For departure out of Trabzon airport, participants are expected to book flights after 8 pm.
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
7 nights accommodation in mountain huts
Breakfasts and Dinners
Pick-up and drop-off from Trabzon airport
All transfers
Live tutorial and dialogue with Cuma Cevik
Professional local guides
National park entrance fees
Local travel insurance
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Airfare to and from Trabzon airport
Visas (if applicable)
Lunch, Personal expenses and drinks
Single supplement £ 75
WHAT TO BRING:
Camera body, wide angle lens, zoom lens (telephoto)
Tripod, remote control and filters
Memory card (at least 64 gb)
Portable hard drive or USB flash disk for taking tutorial video by Cuma Cevik
Laptop for editing sessions (optional)
Waterproof jacket, pants and hiking boots. Plenty of t-shirts
Raincoat or gore-tex jackets
A sweatshirt, gloves, sweater or fleece jacket to protect from the cold mountain weather
