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 for Semi-collared Flycatcher and more 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 a 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: 899 EUR per person

Individuals: 1-4 persons + leader

Price: 1 070 EUR per person

Single supplement: 130 EUR

Deposit: 100 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.