Spring birdwatching tour.
This tour is especially prepared in order to show you the best of Bulgarian birdlife under an optimal time schedule. We expect to see roughly 200 species, including some of the rarest Bulgarian specialties - Olive-tree and Paddyfield warblers, Masked Shrike, Semi-collared Flycatcher, Isabelline and Pied wheatears, Black-headed Bunting, Long-legged Buzzard and the Levant Sparrowhawk. There will also be plenty of options for butterflies, plants and magnificent scenery.
It is a bit an extensive tour, but with enough stops for relaxing birding, as well as picnic lunches in beautiful nature. There will be moderate walking, with some exceptions - up to 3 km., but again easy walks.
The tour starts on 8 May
Itinerary
Day
1
We meet you at Sofia Airport. Transfer (1.45 h) to the town of Koprivstica which
is a famous Bulgarian architectural reserve. Accommodation, followed by walk
and birding around. Welcoming dinner in a typical Bulgarian restaurant.
Day
2
Early in
the morning (06.00) we go to the Central Balkan National Park to
observe the Rock Partridge, Rock Bunting, woodpeckers,
Long-legged Buzzard and if we are lucky - the Saker Falcon.
After that we go back
to
our hotel for breakfast. We leave the hotel and stop at several km after the
town to look for the Imperial Eagle, Isabelline Wheatear and
Sousliks. After that we make a long transfer (3 h), to the
famous Trigrad Gorge (Rhodope Mountain) - the best place in Europe to watch
the Wallcreeper. We spend the night in the village of Trigrad.
Day
3
Day 4
We make a short transfer (1.5h) to the Byala Reka River valley. Here we can expect Olive-tree, Sardinian and Subalpine warblers, Masked Shrike, Booted Eagle, Short-toed Eagle and many others. With some luck - Black Vulture. Picnic lunch. In the evening we come back to Krumovgrad for a second overnight.
Day 5
In the morning
we visit the vulture feeding site at Studen Kladenets to observe the Griffon
and Egyptian vultures, Honey Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard,
Cirl Bunting, etc.
After two hours there we head to the Black Sea Coast. Picnic lunch on the way.
When we reach the cost we visit Mandra-Poda Lake. Here we can observe Spoonbill,
Purple Heron, White Pelican and many others. We spend the night in
the town of Sozopol.
Day 6
This day we drive south to the Stranga Mountain looking for
woodpeckers - White-backed, Grey-headed and Middle
Spotted and other woodland birds. Picnic lunch. In the evening on the
way back to our hotel we stop for birding at a coastal marsh.
Day 7
After the breakfast, we drive north. First we stop on Atanasovsko Lake
for waders, terns and other water birds. We stop for a lunch in a restaurant
in a forest, which can bring several species of woodpeckers
as well as Semi-collared Flycatcher. Late in the afternoon
we reach cape Kaliakra which is a place for Pied Wheatear, Roller, Calandra
Lark, Eagle Owl, Hobby etc. We overnight in the town of Kavarna.
Day 8
In the morning we drive to Durankulak Lake (1 hour). Here we can see Paddyfield
Warbler, Pygmy Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Ferruginous Duck, Squacco Heron, waders
and many more.
After lunch we head to Sreburba Lake - a Unesco World Heritage List object.
On the way Ð several stops for birding - Lesser Spotted Eagle, Bee-eater,
Roller etc. We overnight in a small village near the lake.
Day 9
In the morning we go birding around the lake - Dalmatian
pelican's breeding colony, Pygmy Cormorant, Ferruginous Duck, herons.
After that we make a long transfer (4.5 hours) to Sofia with several birding
stops. Overnight in hotel in Vitosha Mountain, right next to the city.
Day 10
In the morning we go for several hours in the surroundings where we observe Nutcracker, Alpine Accentor, Water Pipit and other birds of high mountain habitats. We have a lunch there and then final transfer to Sofia Airport and time to say good bye.
Group
size: 4-14 persons + leaders
Price: 870 EUR per person
Individuals:
1-3 persons
Price: 1050 EUR per person
Single supplement: 90 EUR
Price includes: All ground transportation (a comfortable mini-bus),
all meals - full board (with packed lunches when necessary), accommodation in
hotels, guide, entrance fees for all nature reserves.
The price does not include: airfares, travel insurance, alcohol
drinks and all items for personal use.
Official language for the tour: English. German and French speaking guides are
also available.
We can also offer you a great variety of customized tours according to your
preferences.
Should you have any questions or special requirements, please do not hesitate
to contact us