This tour
is focused on birds, but the most exciting part of it will be night observations
of Brown Bear, Red Deer and Wild Boar. We
are going to visit two state game reserves and will have the rare chance to
observe bears from special wooden hides, placed 5-8 meters above the ground
and absolutely safe. During this period we will visit typical habitats of brown
bears, wolves, chamois, red deer and other large mammals. We try to find footprints,
dens, marked trees and other signs of animal behavior. Our route passes through
different wildlife habitats and provides opportunities to observe more than
170 bird species.
The tour starts on 2 May
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival at Sofia Airport and transfer to the town of Koprivshtica - an architectural
reserve about 120 km away from Sofia. Walk in the town and birding around followed
by dinner in a restaurant in a typical Bulgarian style.
Day 2
After
early breakfast we move to the territory of a pair of Imperial eagles.
We enjoy these beautiful birds, together with Isabelline Wheatear, shrikes,
Souslicks etc. Our second main observation stop is inside a hunting
area of the Saker Falcon. If we are lucky enough, we will enjoy
the view of this rare bird. In this site we can also see Long-legged
Buzzard, Rock Thrush, Sombre Tit, Rock Bunting, Red-rumped Swallow and
other species.
In the afternoon - a transfer to the Mazalat State Game Reserve. Here we visit
typical Brown Bear and Wolf habitats, and
try to find footprints, dens, marked trees and other animal signs. Late in the
afternoon we go to the hides for our first night observation.
Day 3
We will spend a day in the area to walk in this real kingdom of wilderness.
We continue to “read” the footprints and other tracks, and to enjoy birds like
Golden Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, White-backed Woodpecker and
many other woodland species. Late in the afternoon we go to the hides again
for our second night observation.
Day
4
After early breakfast we continue to the town of Kazanlak to visit the world-famous
Thracian tomb in the town and then continue to the Black Sea coast. After lunch
we make a trip round the Mandra-Poda Lake - semi-saline coastal lagoon surrounded
by wet meadows, marshes and hills. Here we watch White and
Dalmatian pelicans, Pygmy Cormorant, Ferruginous Duck, Bittern and Little Bittern,
Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, White-tailed Eagle, Marsh Harrier and many
others. Overnight in the town of Sozopol.
Day 5
A trip round the Atanasovsko Lake. Most of the area is a complex of saltpans
with smaller settling pools for salt extraction. Smaller freshwater marshes,
as well as a system of canals overgrown with marsh vegetation, surround the
lake. The lake is a very important migration spot for storks, raptors,
and waterfowl. Here we watch a great number of migrating waders,
pelicans, some birds of prey and passerines.
Overnight in the town of Sozopol.
Day 6
In the morning we will visit Ropotamo River and Strandja mountain for Semi-collared
Flycatcher and woodpeckers. Picnic lunch. On the way back we stop at
coastal marsh. Overnight in the town of Sozopol.
Day
7
In the morning - transfer to the town of Madjarovo (about 180 km).
We will stop at several places for birdwatching in agriculture fields and woodlands
to see shrikes, warblers, woodpeckers, larks, buntings and
others. The last 30 km of the trip the road goes through the Eastern Rhodope
- a low mountain with a presence of large number of mediterranean plants and
animals. 24 species of birds of prey can be found in this region - Lesser
Spotted, Booted and Short-toed eagles, Long-legged Buzzard,
Egyptian Vulture and others. Late in the afternoon we arrive at the
Nature Conservation and Information Center of Madjarovo.
Day
8
In the morning
after short transfer we shall enjoy viewing the Griffon Vulture breeding
colony, Black and Egyptian vultures at the feeding
place; Golden and Imperial eagles, Black Stork, Blue
Rock Thrush, Sardinian, Sub-alpine and Orphean warblers.
In the afternoon we continue to the valley of the Krumovitca river (about 30
km away). The site is of global importance for the Mediterranean biome. The
scenery is very impressive: low mountain slopes, open valleys, small canyons,
dry grassland, scrub and small broad-leaved forests scattered around. Here we
observe: Masked Shrike, Sardinian, Sub-alpine, Orphean and
Bared warblers; Roller, Rock Nuthatch, Stone Curlew, Black-headed Bunting, Cirl
Bunting, Green Woodpecker, Bee-eater, Golden Oriole and many other
species. Overnight in the town of Krumovgrad.
Day 9
We continue to the famous Trigrad gorge (4.5 hours transfer) - the best place
in Europe for observation of the Wallcreeper. Here we can also
see Alpine Swift, Dipper, Golden Eagle, Rock Partridge, Peregrine Falcon
(mediterranean sub-species), Rock Bunting and other
mountain and woodland birds. We spend the night in a small family hotel designed
and arranged in typical rhodopean style.
Day
10
Our tour
continues to the magnificent small town of Melnik. We arrive at about lunchtime
and, after accommodation and some rest, we can spend the afternoon birding in
the town surroundings.
Here we can find Levant Sparrowhawk, Calandra Lark, Black-eared Wheatear,
woodpeckers, shrikes, Bee-eater, Scops and Little owls, Red-rumped
Swallow, mediterranean warblers.
Day 11
Transfer from Melnik to the town of Bansko, with several birding stops along
the road for Rock and Blue Rock thrushes, Rock Sparrow,
mediterranean warblers, Rock Nuthatch, Golden Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Booted
Eagle, Peregrine Falcon. We arrive in Bansko late in the afternoon.
After accommodation we make a walk in the town. Dinner in a typical bulgarian
restaurant.
Day
12
Today we will
visit Pirin National Park looking for the rare Three-toed Woodpecker.
Other interesting birds will be the Nutcracker and the Alpine
Accentor. Overnight in Bansko.
Day 13
Transfer to Sofia Airport and departure.
Group size: 4 -14 persons + leaders
Price: 1150 EUR per person
Individuals:
1-3 persons + leader
Price: 1350 EUR per person
Single supplement:
130 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, 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.