Macahel Taş Ev (Stone House) is a traditional accommodation property in Camili, the central settlement of the Macahel valley in Borçka district. Macahel — also known as Camili — is one of Turkey's most isolated and ecologically significant regions, sitting at altitude in the Çoruh watershed close to the Georgian border. In 2005 the area was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve under the Man and Biosphere programme, recognised for its intact Colchic forest ecosystem, extraordinary biodiversity, and the largely self-sufficient traditional lifestyle of its small population of Laz and Georgian-descended communities.
The stone house accommodation type is characteristic of this valley: thick-walled traditional construction using local schist and granite keeps interiors cool in summer and retainable in the sharp autumn evenings. Macahel Taş Ev preserves this vernacular architecture while adapting the interiors for guest comfort, with double and family rooms set within a genuine historic building rather than a new-build imitation. The garden provides a calm outdoor space overlooking the forested valley sides.
Meals are the property's most celebrated feature: home-cooked organic food using ingredients from the garden, surrounding forest, and local farming families. The Macahel valley is known for its artisanal honey — considered among the best in Turkey — as well as wild mushrooms, fresh trout, and mountain herbs. Both breakfast and dinner reflect this larder directly.
The valley's attractions include the Camili waterfall, dense old-growth beech and chestnut forest with rare orchid species, wildlife corridors supporting brown bear, lynx, and wolf, and the cultural heritage of the Macahel community's distinct dialect, music, and architecture. Access requires a dedicated excursion from Artvin city or Borçka — the isolation is part of the appeal.
Room types
- Double
- Family room
Amenities
- Traditional stone architecture
- Garden
- Home-cooked organic meals
- Forest setting
Location
Camili Beldesi, 08400 Borçka, Artvin
41.4023, 42.0987 View on map
Highlights
- Traditional stone architecture in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve valley
- Meals feature locally renowned Macahel honey, wild mushrooms, and organic garden produce
- One of the most biodiverse accessible valleys in northeastern Turkey
- Close to the Georgian border with a distinct Laz and Georgian-influenced local culture
- Highest guest rating (4.4) among Artvin province's non-urban accommodations in this list
Tips for visiting
- The road from Borçka to Camili is scenic but narrow with a significant elevation gain; the drive takes 1–1.5 hours from Borçka and is not suitable for large vehicles.
- Visit in late May or early June for the wild flower peak and before summer humidity; late September offers mushroom season and golden forest colour.
- Purchase the local honey directly from the guesthouse or village producers — Macahel honey is rarely found in city markets outside northeastern Turkey.
- Mobile phone coverage in the valley is limited; inform people of your plans before entering and carry a physical map or downloaded offline map for any forest walks.