Rize · Ayder · Kaçkar Mountains
Plan Your Family Trip to Rize & Ayder Plateau
Green plateaus, wooden cabins in the mist and rivers that never stop. We plan the whole trip for Gulf families — stays, private drivers and days out in Ayder.
- 18–24°C in summer
- About 1 h 45 from Rize–Artvin Airport
- Hosts speak Turkish, English & Arabic
Ayder
Why every traveller ends up in Ayder
Ayder Plateau sits at 1,350 m in the Kaçkar Mountains: hot springs, waterfalls and highland air that stays cool all summer. It is the base for Pokut, Sal, Zilkale and the Fırtına Valley.
- Cool mountain summersWhile the Gulf hits 45°C, Ayder mornings stay under 20°C.
- Waterfalls & hot springsGelintülü and Horma falls, plus the historic thermal baths in the village.
- A base, not a day tripSleep in a cabin and reach Pokut, Sal and Zilkale in under 90 minutes.
Popular Places in Rize
Türkiye's most famous highland resort: mist, waterfalls, hot springs and wooden chalets at 1,350 m.
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
Ayder Plateau
Türkiye's most famous highland resort: mist, waterfalls, hot springs and wooden chalets at 1,350 m.
Rize
Çamlıhemşin
The riverside town at the gateway to Ayder, Fırtına Valley and the Kaçkar highlands.
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
Fırtına Valley
A deep green canyon of turquoise water, stone bridges and rainforest — the most photogenic drive in Rize.
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
Zilkale
A medieval stone castle standing alone on a forested ridge above the Fırtına Valley.
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
Pokut Plateau
Wooden highland houses on a ridge above a sea of clouds, facing the Kaçkar peaks.
Çamlıhemşin, Rize
Sal Plateau
Wide open meadows and wooden houses, usually visited on the same tour as Pokut.
Rize & Artvin
Kaçkar Mountains
Türkiye's greenest mountain range, rising to 3,937 m above the Black Sea rainforest.
Rize
Ardeşen
The coastal town where the Ayder road leaves the sea — rafting base and tea country.
Stay
Wake up inside the mountains
Wooden bungalows with valley views, family villas and hotels close to the village centre — all family-friendly and checked by our team.
View all
From $120Ayder Plateau
Ayder Mist Bungalows
Timber bungalows on the slope above Ayder village, each with a private terrace facing the valley. Breakfast is served in the main house and the waterfall walk starts a few minutes away.
- 4 Guests
- 2 Bedrooms
From $165Ayder Plateau
Kaçkar Valley Cabins
Larger three-bedroom cabins suited to families travelling together, with a full kitchen, enclosed garden and heated indoor pool in the main cabin.
- 6 Guests
- 3 Bedrooms
From $95Ayder Plateau
Ayder Grand Highland Hotel
A full-service hotel in the centre of Ayder with family rooms, an open buffet breakfast and staff used to hosting guests from the Gulf.
- 3 Guests
- 1 Bedrooms
Transport
How you get here
Fly into Rize–Artvin (closest) or Trabzon, meet your driver at arrivals and reach Ayder the same day.
- 1Land at the airportTrabzon (TZX) or Rize–Artvin (RZV).
- 2Private transferFamily vans with child seats, 2–3 hours along the coast.
- 3Check in to AyderCabin, hot tea, and the sound of the river.
Trabzon Airport (TZX) → Ayder Plateau
Trabzon Airport to Ayder Transfer
The most requested route. A private vehicle meets your flight at Trabzon Airport and drives along the Black Sea coast to Ardeşen, then up through Çamlıhemşin to Ayder. Child seats and larger vans for families are available on request.
- About 3 hours
Rize–Artvin Airport (RZV) → Ayder Plateau
Rize–Artvin Airport to Ayder Transfer
The shortest airport route to Ayder. The road runs east along the coast to Ardeşen before turning inland through the Fırtına Valley.
- About 1 hour 45 minutes
Rize City → Ayder Plateau
Rize City to Ayder Transfer
A short hop from Rize city centre up to the highlands, often combined with a tea garden stop on the way.
- About 1 hour 30 minutes
Experiences
Tours
From $150Ayder Plateau
Pokut & Sal Plateau 4x4 Tour
The classic highland tour: a 4x4 climb from Ayder to the ridge plateaus of Pokut and Sal, with photo stops above the cloud line and tea in a wooden highland house.
- 6h
- Private
From $110Fırtına Valley
Fırtına Valley & Zilkale Half-Day Tour
Follow the Fırtına River through the canyon, stop at the Ottoman stone bridges and climb to the medieval castle of Zilkale.
- 5h
- Private
From $45Fırtına Valley
Fırtına River Rafting
A guided rafting run on the Fırtına between Çamlıhemşin and Ardeşen, with equipment and safety briefing included.
- 3h
- Shared
Hello Rize
Built for Gulf families
We travel the way you travel: privacy, halal food, prayer time and a pace that works with children and grandparents.
- Halal dining
- Private villas & cabins
- Arabic-speaking drivers
- Kid-friendly routes
- Prayer-friendly planning
- 24/7 WhatsApp support
Eat
Taste the Black Sea
Muhlama in a copper pan, river trout, corn bread and Rize tea poured all day long.
RestaurantsRestaurants
Ayder Plateau
Ayder Highland Kitchen
Muhlama, corn bread, mountain honey and grilled trout served on a terrace facing the waterfall.
Çamlıhemşin
Fırtına Trout House
Trout ponds beside the river, tables over the water and a simple grill menu.
Ayder Plateau
Green Valley Family Restaurant
Large family dining hall with a kids' area, grills and Turkish home cooking.
Rize City
Rize Tea Terrace Café
Tea, Black Sea pastries and views over the city and the sea from the plantation hills.
Trip Inspiration
3 Days in Ayder: A Complete Itinerary
How to see the waterfalls, plateaus and Fırtına Valley without rushing.
How to Get to Ayder from Trabzon and Rize Airports
Distances, driving times and the easiest options for families.
Best Time to Visit Rize and Ayder
Month-by-month weather, crowds and what is open.
When to come
May – June
Greenest valleys, full waterfalls, fewer crowds.
July – August
Peak season for Gulf families. Book stays early.
September – October
Golden forests, clear plateau mornings.
Plan Rize with Local Knowledge
Tell us your dates — we'll do the rest
Send one message on WhatsApp and receive a full plan: stay, driver, day trips and restaurants.
- Your guide to Rize, Ayder & the Kaçkar Mountains
- This is a request, not a confirmed booking. We reply with availability and pricing.