Sumela Monastery tour from Trabzon: Zigana Pass and Hamsikoy

Sumela Monastery rises from the mountainside. You explore the cliff complex, then climb to alpine views

A full-day small-group tour from Trabzon visits Sumela Monastery built into Pontic Mountain cliffs, travels through Altindere Valley National Park, reaches Zigana Pass at 2,050 meters above sea level, and stops in Hamsikoy Village. Groups stay under 15 travelers, and a professional guide leads in English or Arabic. Hotel pickup and air-conditioned transport are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Trabzon's natural and historic sites

• Travel through Altindere Valley National Park
• Stop at St. Barbara Chapel viewpoint
• Visit Sumela Monastery complex
• Drive to Zigana Pass and enjoy views
• Visit Hamsikoy Village and free time

The experience

The monastery itself is the centerpiece: Sumela sits carved into a steep cliff face in the Pontic Mountains, and you walk through the rock church, chapels, stone stairways, student rooms, library and sacred spring while the Altindere Valley spreads below. Before you reach it, the tour passes through dense forest and mountain streams inside Altindere Valley National Park, and stops at St. Barbara Chapel viewpoint: one of the best angles to photograph the monastery as it rises from the mountainside.

From there the route climbs to Zigana Pass, a historic mountain crossing that sits at 2,050 meters above sea level and opens onto panoramic views across the Black Sea region. The final stop is Hamsikoy Village, a mountain settlement where you have free time to walk around and sample the place's famous traditional rice pudding (at your own expense). Hotel pickup and drop-off bookend the day, and the vehicle is air-conditioned throughout.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• professional tour guide in English or Arabic.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 28

Live guideEnglish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 24

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sultanahmet Old City Travel Turizm Organizasyon

Is this one for you?Eight hours is enough to reach Sumela Monastery, climb to Zigana Pass and spend time in Hamsikoy, but it leaves little room for other activities that day. Plan the tour as your main outing and book meals or other stops before or after.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 5 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is Sumela Monastery and what can I see inside it?

Sumela Monastery is a complex built directly into a steep cliff in the Pontic Mountains near Trabzon. Inside you can explore the rock church, multiple chapels, stone stairways, student rooms, a library and a sacred spring, all carved or built into the mountainside. The monastery overlooks Altindere Valley and offers views across the surrounding forest and peaks.

How high is Zigana Pass and what is there to see?

Zigana Pass sits at 2,050 meters above sea level and is one of the best-known mountain routes in the Black Sea region. The pass offers panoramic mountain scenery and was historically important as a route connecting the region. The tour includes time to take in the views and learn about its significance.

What happens in Hamsikoy Village?

Hamsikoy is a picturesque mountain village surrounded by Black Sea mountain landscapes. You have free time to explore the village and taste its famous traditional rice pudding, which you can purchase on your own. It is a chance to walk around and experience the local setting.

What is included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, and a professional tour guide in English or Arabic are included. The Sumela Monastery entrance fee, National Park shuttle service fee, and food and drinks are not included in the tour price.

How many people travel on this tour?

Groups are kept to a maximum of 15 travelers, so the experience stays small and manageable throughout the day.