Sumela Monastery, Zigana and Hamsiköy Village Tour
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Trabzon, Turkey
- 6 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Embark on a full-day small-group tour to experience the historical and natural wonders surrounding Trabzon. Navigating the Black Sea region independently can be tricky, especially without a car or knowledge of Turkish. With this immersive excursion, you can skip the stress of organizing travel logistics and enjoy comfortable transportation, English commentary, and personalized attention. Itinerary highlights include the renowned Sumela Monastery, the magnificent Zigana Pass, and the charming Hamsikoy Village.
- Get a thorough overview of Trabzon's top attractions
- Make the most of your limited vacation time in Turkey
- Take a tour in Trabzon that the whole family can enjoy
- Discover the Black Sea region through the eyes of a local
What's Included
- All trips specified in the program
- Hotel Pick-up and drop-off
- Tour guiding
- Transportation by new model air conditioned vehicle
- Food and Drinks
- Museum and Entrance fees 20 Euro per person (cash in TL or by credit card)
- National Park shuttle service feeTRY70.00 per person
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Operating hours.9:30 am
Itinerary
Altindere Vadisi National Park (Pass By)
1
Sumela Monastery
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Zigana
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
3
Hamsikoy
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Infants must sit on laps
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Near public transportation
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 74 reviews
Karen_L, Sep 2025
We had a driver and saw the sights but our tour guide only talked like she had read a script and didn’t tell us much or talk very often. At the pass she took selfies and seemed very disengaged from the group…not sure if she even wanted the job. An audio guide would have been so much better. The monastery while historic is now full of thick wooden railings that don’t fit the site done placed there by the Turkish government, half the inside of the church was curtained off for refurbishment and I was disappointed that so much of the artwork has been vandalized. A good guide with a lot of history might have made up for this.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Karen,
Thank you very much for taking the time to share your detailed feedback. It was our pleasure to host you, and we are truly sorry that our tour did not fully meet your expectations.
As you mentioned, the ongoing restoration work and area arrangements at Sumela Monastery may have limited your visiting experience. In addition, the communication gap you experienced with our tour guide seems to have affected your overall satisfaction. We greatly value your feedback on this matter.
We always strive to provide our guests with both an enjoyable and informative experience, and please be assured that we will share your comments with our team.
We would be delighted to welcome you back to our region in the future and offer you a much more fulfilling experience.
Kind regards,
Zenofon Tours Team
Brigitte_P, Aug 2025
Awesome scenery. We were lucky enough to have a clear moment to see the Monastry. Breathtakingly beautiful. Tangerine is a great engaging guide. His enthusiasm is contagious. Driver is excellent and out Intern guide is just lovely. Went to Zagana pass but was a white out, they kindly took us to Karaca Cave to make up for missed site. This is the most professional tour we have done. 100% recommend Zenofon tours.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Dear Brigitte,
Thank you sincerely for your lovely words and for sharing your experience with us. It truly means a lot to know that you felt the care and effort we put into every moment of the tour. Sometimes nature doesn’t allow us to follow the original plan, but we always do our best to offer something meaningful and memorable instead. Taking you to Karaca Cave that day was not only our pleasure — it was something your wonderful group truly deserved.
We are so happy to have been part of your journey and hope our paths cross again in the near future!
Warmest regards,
Zenofon Tours Team
Heather_K, Jul 2025
This was a fantastic tour!
Our guide Taner is an excellent communicator and very knowledgeable and passionate about the history of the region (as well as just a super kind and genuine person). He communicated with me prior to the tour to make sure I had all the information I needed. You can tell he really cares about the guest experience. Our student guide Marhamah was also really awesome - she's going to have a lot of success in her career for sure. The mini bus driver was professional and skilled. Thank you all for a great day!
The monastery was stunning and even the drive itself was breathtaking. It was foggy and rainy when we reached Zigana pass and Hamsiköy, but it was still beautiful. I think the fog added to the atmosphere. The place we stopped to eat a late lunch was delicious!
I would book another excursion with Zenofon Tours without hesitation - and you should too!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Dear Heather,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful and heartfelt feedback. We're really happy to hear that you had a memorable experience and enjoyed both the journey and the places we visited.
Your kind words mean a lot to us — they remind us why we love doing what we do. It’s a great feeling to know that the small details we care about made a difference in your day.
We’d love to welcome you again whenever your travels bring you back to this part of the world.
Warm regards,
Zenofon Tours
Fany_M, Jul 2025
Taner was a great guide and explained the history behind each site. Highly recommend booking this tour!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words, Fany! It was a real pleasure guiding you on the Sumela tour, and we're so happy to have you join us again today for the Ayder tour!"
Aleksandar_R, Jun 2025
It is a great small group tour. Very professional attitude from Taner the guide, well organized and punctual.
Sumela is must visit place, do not miss it!
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Dear Aleksandar,
Thank you very much for your kind review and recommendation. We're glad to hear you appreciated Taner’s professionalism and enjoyed the small group experience. Sümela truly is a must-see, and we’re happy we could share it with you!
Warm regards,
Zenofon Tours
Panikos_V, May 2025
It is an interesting tour. However due to bad weather we couldn't enjoy it as much as wanted. The guide tried her best.
Response from Host, May 2025
Dear Panayiotis,
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us. We're truly sorry that the weather didn’t cooperate — nature sometimes has its own plans. It genuinely means a lot to us that you noticed and appreciated our guide’s efforts despite the conditions. We’d love to welcome you again one day, hopefully under sunnier skies.
Warmest regards,
Alice_B, Oct 2024
I recently took a tour of Sumela Monastery with my friend Daisy, and it was truly a memorable experience! From the start, our driver Hussain made us feel welcome with his friendly personality, while our guide Şamel (I hope I have spelt this correctly) kept us entertained with fun stories and historical insights that brought the journey to life.
Not only did we learn so much about the history of the stunning Sumela Monastery, but Şamel also filled us in on the rich culture of the beautiful Hamsiköy village, making us appreciate the area even more. The scenic drive through Zigana was another highlight – the breathtaking views were unforgettable, and it was fun dancing to the Arabic music to stay warm on top of the mountain!
If you’re considering this tour, don’t hesitate – it’s a such a great experience!
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Dear Alice,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We’re delighted that your Sumela, Zigana, and Hamsiköy tour was memorable and that Hüseyin and Şamil helped make it special. It’s great to hear the scenic views and the fun moments dancing to Arabic music were highlights!
We look forward to welcoming you and Daisy back for another adventure!
Warm regards,
Zenofon Tours Team
Annayeli_M, Jul 2024
I really enjoyed both the tours. The tours were well organized and the experience was wonderful. Şamil was very informative, friendly, and made the experience collaborative. Ismail was very polite and a safe driver. I would highly recommend this experience.
Response from Host, Aug 2024
Dear Annayeli,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Sumela Monastery, Zigana, and Hamsikoy Village Tour. It’s fantastic to know that Şamil’s informative and friendly guidance, along with Ismail’s polite and safe driving, contributed to your memorable experience. Your recommendation means a lot to us.
We hope to welcome you on another tour with us soon!
Best regards,
Zenofon Tours
Julia_K, Jul 2024
The journey was an incredible tour through the Holy Agia Barbara church and Panagia Soumela Monastery. It’s a pilgrimage I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to be immersed in an authentic holy site surrounded by greenery. It was an honour to be able to stand on holy ground and admire the agiasmo drops, various chapels, priest rooms, alfrescos on the wall and history.
The tour continued to Zigana which was a beautiful location very much like the Swiss Alps followed by Hamsikoy village and the delicious Sutlac of the region.
Our tour guide Samil was excellent and explained the history in thorough detail answering all questions we had with a smile. Our driver Ismail accompanied us to every location in a swift, comfortable and prompt manner with traditional pontian music to create the perfect. atmosphere.
Thank you Samil and Ismail.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear Julia,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review of our Sumela Monastery, Zigana, and Hamsiköy Village Tour on Viator! We are thrilled to hear that you had such an incredible experience and that you found the sites to be both authentic and immersive.
We are especially glad that our tour guide Şamil and driver İsmail could enhance your journey with their knowledge and hospitality. Your kind words about the tour, the beautiful locations, and the delicious Sütlaç are greatly appreciated.
We hope to welcome you back on another adventure with Zenofon Tours soon!
Best regards,
Zenofon Tours
Laurent_G, Jul 2024
Guide was excellent with great time management skills. Amazing Karaca caves and breathtaking Sumela monastery.
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear Laurent,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review of our Sumela Monastery, Zigana, and Hamsikoy Village Tour. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the amazing Karaca Caves and the breathtaking Sumela Monastery. Our guide will be thrilled to hear your kind words about their excellent time management skills. We hope to welcome you on another adventure with us soon!
Warm regards,
Zenofon Tours
Debra_S, May 2024
Our guide, Taner, was wonderful and provided a wealth of information.
The entire trip was full of beauty and history and was time well spent.
There are many stairs and very rough ground. It is challenging to get to the monastery!
The van was in excellent condition, and our driver, Hussain, was very safe and considerate.
10 out of 10 rating.
Response from Host, May 2024
Dear Debra,
On behalf of the Zenofon Tours team, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude for joining our Sumela Monastery & Hamsikoy tour and for sharing your valuable feedback with us!
Your positive remarks in your review truly warmed our hearts. Hearing that you thoroughly enjoyed the tour and found the experience meaningful is a tremendous source of motivation for us.
We greatly appreciate your compliments towards Taner and Hussain, which underscore the value of their professionalism and hospitality. Customer satisfaction is always our top priority, and the satisfaction of esteemed guests like yourself propels us forward.
Thank you once again, and we look forward to welcoming you back on another adventure in the future!
Warm regards,
The Zenofon Tours Team
jasmine_o, Oct 2023
Wonderful tour! Was a smooth ride with great sites. We were surprised how many amazing sites we were able to see on the tour. Our tour guide Samil was very knowledgeable, spoke English very well, fun, and chose great stops and restaurants for us. Such a great tour and experience, highly recommend going on this tour. 10 out of 10.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Dear Jasmine,
First and foremost, we would like to express our gratitude for choosing to join the Sumela Monastery, Zigana, and Hamsiköy Village Tour! It was truly a pleasure to share this amazing experience with you.
Your review has deeply delighted us. We are thrilled to know that we could make your tour enjoyable and informative. Knowing that Samil, our guide, contributed to making your tour unforgettable is incredibly rewarding for us.
Your satisfaction with the places and stops we selected during the tour means a lot to us. Thank you for taking the time to share this wonderful feedback.
It was an honor to host you and create such lasting memories. We would be delighted to welcome you again on another journey!
Best wishes,
Zenofon Tours Team
Mohamed_H, Oct 2023
Me and my girlfriend enjoyed the trip so much! Bus was very clean. Driver was chilled and calm. Tour guide Iram was very friendly, spoke very good english, showed us many hidden locations and told us the story behind each one. The weather was not on pur side, a bit unlucky sumela was not crowded., but overall It was a nice experience for us ✌️
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Dear Mohamed,
Thank you so much for sharing such a detailed and positive review on Viator! We're delighted to hear that you and your girlfriend enjoyed the Sumela Monastery, Zigana, and Hamsikoy Village Tour.
We are thrilled that you found the historical locations, beautiful viewpoints, and the cleanliness of the bus enjoyable. Having a calm and relaxed driver added to the overall experience. Additionally, we appreciate your kind words about our guide İrem—her friendliness, excellent English, and the way she shared hidden gems and their stories with you.
Despite the weather not being entirely on our side, the silver lining of Sumela not being crowded worked in our favor. We're genuinely pleased that you had a nice overall experience with us.
We look forward to welcoming you back soon! If you have any other suggestions or requests, please feel free to let us know.
Best regards,
Zenofon Tours Team
Matthias_B, Sep 2023
Guide was amazing you could tell he lived for his job. That is already half the experience. But the monastery was gorgeous still can’t comprehend how they build it without modern technology
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Dear Matthias,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your positive experience with us. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Sumela Monastery, Zigana, and Hamsikoy Village Tour.
Our team takes great pride in providing exceptional service, and it's wonderful to hear that your guide made a memorable impact on your tour. We are fortunate to have passionate individuals who genuinely love what they do.
The Sumela Monastery truly is a marvel, and its construction without modern technology is a testament to the remarkable skills of the craftsmen of that era.
We are grateful for your kind words and look forward to the opportunity to welcome you back for another incredible adventure in the future. If you have any more feedback or if there's anything else we can assist you with, please don't hesitate to reach out.
Best regards,
Zenofon Tours
Earl_H, Aug 2023
Shamil our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Sumela Monastery is amazing, we learned about the tunnels and its connection to the Silk Road. Lunch was fine, I would have preferred a bit better but still is was fine.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us regarding our Sumela Monastery, Zigana, and Hamsikoy Village Tour. Your feedback is highly valued and greatly appreciated.
We're delighted to learn that Shamil, our guide, played a significant role in making your tour enjoyable through his friendly demeanor and insightful commentary. Exploring the history and significance of Sumela Monastery, along with its connection to the Silk Road, indeed adds a layer of fascination to the journey.
We also appreciate your candid feedback regarding lunch. Your honesty enables us to refine our offerings and ensure that we're continuously enhancing the overall experience for our esteemed guests. Your input is a valuable tool in our ongoing efforts to provide top-notch service.
We're truly glad that you chose us for your tour, and we look forward to the possibility of welcoming you back for more captivating adventures in the future. If you have any further thoughts, questions, or suggestions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Best regards,
Zenofon Tours
gjsproule, Aug 2023
I would like thank Samil and Hussain for providing a memorable and enjoyable tour.
Samil, our tour guide, was the perfect combination of helpful and friendly with providing local history and tips on what we would enjoy doing within the itinerary.
Hussain, our driver, was similarly friendly and helpful, always having the vehicle ready when we were finished a part of the tour, and being flexible if we wanted to stop to see a beautiful view.
The tour was the perfect amount of time, not too long but not too short. Would highly recommend this tour with these two extremely generous and hospitable hosts!
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Dear Graham,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience on our Sumela Monastery, Zigana, and Hamsikoy Village Tour! We're delighted to hear that you had a memorable and enjoyable time.
We greatly appreciate your kind words about Samil and Hussain. It warms our hearts to know that they contributed to making your tour special with their friendly guidance and excellent service. They truly are valuable members of our team.
Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we're thrilled that the tour's duration and the flexibility of stops met your expectations. It was a pleasure having you on board, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for more adventures in the future.
Once again, thank you for choosing Zenofon Tours and for sharing your positive feedback. We're here whenever you're ready to explore more of the wonders our destinations have to offer.
Best regards,
Alexandre_N, Jul 2023
Did both Uzungol and Sumela tours with Shamal( sorry if I mispelled the name) and Hussein. Shamal was a very enthusiastic and knowledgeabke guide and Hussein was a fantastic driver. 10/10
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Dear Alexandre,
Thank you for joining our tour! We're glad you enjoyed the Sumela, Zigana, and Hamsiköy Village Tour, as well as the Uzungöl Tour with Şamil and Hüseyin. Your kind words about Şamil being an energetic and knowledgeable guide, and Hüseyin being a fantastic driver, are much appreciated. We value your feedback and strive to provide excellent service to ensure our guests' satisfaction. Looking forward to welcoming you back!
ria_c, Jul 2023
The way to the monastery was long but worth it when you arrived at the top, the tour guide Samil was great and very nice. very nice views and it was refreshing to see the mountains.
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Dear Ria,
Thank you for sharing your positive feedback on your tour experience with Zenofon Tours. We're thrilled to hear that you found the journey to the Sumela Monastery, Zigana, and Hamsiköy Village to be worthwhile. Your review is greatly appreciated, and we hope to continue providing you with exceptional travel experiences in the future. Best wishes with your future travels and adventures!
Katja_N, Jun 2023
This was a wonderful trip. We got to see nature up close, wandered around the ancient monastery, ate amazing rice pudding and had enough time to buy cute silver jewelry that the region is famous for (we found the shop on our own during free time, it wasn't organized by the operator). The guide Samil was fantastic: very patient and flexible and gave us good background info on the sites (plus I loved his movie-themed T-shirts!). Definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Dear Katja,
Thank you for your fantastic review! Ensuring customer satisfaction is our top priority at Zenofon Tours, and we are thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful trip.
We would like to inform you that unfortunately, the souvenir silver shops in Altıdere Valley have closed before the pandemic, so we are no longer able to include shopping breaks during the tour. However, there are still plenty of other attractions and experiences in the region for you to enjoy.
Thank you again for your feedback, and we eagerly await the opportunity to welcome you on another journey in the future!
Sylvia_K, Jun 2023
The Sumela monastery is indeed unique, breathtaking!
I had a luxury tour with Zenofon agency: they didn't cancel the trip, although I was the only guest!
My guide was excellent, we talked all the time and I Iearned a lot.
The driver was perfect, thank you!
Response from Host, Jun 2023
Dear Sylvia,
Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We sincerely appreciate your kind words regarding the awe-inspiring Sumela Monastery and the exceptional experience you had during your tour with Zenofon Tours. We are thrilled that we could offer you a memorable and personalized experience, even though you were the only guest. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome you back for more thrilling adventures in the future!
Jinjutha_L, May 2023
The trip was amazing. Although there was only one passenger in the trip, the tour wasn't cancelled. And the guide was so willing to tell the stories and history of the place as well as other interesting stories of the city.
Response from Host, May 2023
Dear Jinjutha, Thank you for joining our tour and we are also grateful for your wonderful feedback. We are glad to hear that you are pleased with the fact that the tour was not canceled despite having only one passenger. Each of our customers is important to us, and we were happy to have the opportunity to tour with you.
Ayse_P, Apr 2023
We had an amazing adventure with Şamil. The walk up to the monastery is breathtaking! We stopped at a little village for lunch and free time. Definitely made us feel like we were in Turkey. Must try the Kuymak and manti. was delicious. I’ve found my tour agency in Trabzon for sure!
Response from Host, Apr 2023
Dear Ayse, Thank you for choosing our tour and leaving a review. We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing adventure with breathtaking views and enjoyed the local cuisine in Hamsiköy. We appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again soon in Trabzon!
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