The Bulgarian Black Sea coast is a winter haunt for many bird species, which winter here in their thousands. Some of them are very rare and Bulgaria is the best or even the only chance to see them, especially during the winter. Seven globally threatened species can be found here. Foremost among them is the spectacular Red-breasted Goose. In January and February almost the whole world's population - up to 50 000 specimens is concentrated here. Other “common” rare species are the Pygmy Cormorant - up to 12 000, the White-headed Duck - up to 3 000 and the Dalmatian Pelican - around 800. The rest of that group are the Ferruginous Duck, the Lesser White-fronted Goose and the Great Spotted Eagle. With a bit of luck we should see all of them. During the tour we should see more than 120 bird species.
The tour starts on 29 January.
Itinerary
Day
1
Arrival at Sofia airport where we meet you. Transfer to the town of Koprivstica
(1.45 h) - an architectural reserve, which keeps the traditional Bulgarian old
style. On the way we have one stop for Peregrine and Golden Eagle. Accommodation
in our hotel, and dinner in the nearest restaurant.
Day 2
Breakfast and walk in Koprivstica - one hour. After it we drive to the Black Sea Cost. The transfer itself is about 5 hours. We will have a lunch on the way. Before and after the lunch we have two main stops on places we expect to see Imperial eagles. We arrive in our hotel around 18.30 o'clock, and we stay here for three nights. The hotel is on the Black Sea Costs, in the small town of Sozopol. Dinner in the hotel's restaurant.
Day
3 and 4
We spend these two days visiting the Bourgas Wetlands - Ramsar sites
and IBAs. We also visit Nature conservation and information centre “Poda”.
Meanwhile we
enjoy viewing species like Pygmy Cormorant, Dalmatian Pelican, Great
Egret, and many species of wintering ducks: White-headed Duck,
Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck and other birds such as Pintail,
White-tailed Eagle, swans etc. If we are lucky we already can see Red-breasted
Geese here, as well as Great Black-headed Gull. We
have our lunch in nice restaurants on the way. Two dinners will be in restaurants
in the old town of Sozopol.
Day 5
Breakfast
in 8.00 o'clock and than we head to Atanasovsko lake nature reserve - the richest
ornithological site in Bulgaria. Here we expect pelicans, waders, Pintail
etc. After it we continue to the Durankulak Lake (4 hours), lunch on the way.
We overnight in a camping right next to the lake. Dinner in fish restaurant.
Day
6
Depending on the weather conditions, we make short transfers in the area trying to find geese flocks. Our main observation sites and Durankulak are Shabla lakes.
During the
day we will enjoy viewing the: Red-breasted Goose: 3000 - 30000
specimens, White-fronted Goose, Red-necked Grebe, Rough-legged Buzzard,
Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, White-tailed eagle, Merlin, Corn Bunting, Calandra
Lark and if lucky enough - the Lesser White-fronted Goose,
Bewick's and Whooper Swans, Red-crested Pochard, Bittern and
Spotted Eagle.
Breakfast in 8.00 o'clock, and after it we leave the area. After 1 hour driving we visit Kaliakra steppe reserve to see Shag, Calandra Lark, Corn Bunting, Long-legged Buzzard. In the afternoon we have a long transfer (4 hours) to the town of Veliko Tarnovo - the ancient capital of Bulgaria, where we overnight. Lunch in the town of Shumen.
Day 8
Breakfast - 8.00 o'clock and transfer - (3 hours) to Sofia Airport and departure.
Group size: 4 -14 persons + leaders
Price: 790 EUR per person
Individuals:
1-3 persons + leader
Price: 930 EUR per person
Single supplement:
80 EUR
Deposit: 100 EUR
Price includes: All ground transportation (a comfortable mini-bus),
all meals - full board, accommodation in hotels, guide, entrance fees for all
nature reserves.
The price does not include: airfares, travel insurance, hard
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.