June butterfly tour
Bulgaria
boasts one of the richest Lepidoptera fauna in Europe - more than 3000 species
of butterflies and moths can be found here. Additionally the well preserved
and Bulgarian nature, the traditional extensive agriculture practices and the
lack of pesticides and herbicides support stable numbers of the most of the
butterflies and moths species.
Within the tour we can see more than 100 species of butterflies, including some
species which can be found only here or hardly anywhere else.
Good number of bird species - more than 100, as well as numerous wild flowers
and plants will be also recorded.
Additionally we will visit several cultural sites, we will try the original
Bulgarian cuisine and wines.
The tour starts on 11 June
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival at Sofia Airport. Transfer to the town of Kyustendil (2 hours). Dinner and overnight.
Day 2
Breakfast in 8.00 o'clock. Short transfer to Osogovska Mounatain. Here we will explore the meadows near Iglika Chalet, surrounded by old beech forest, ca. 1300 m. Picnic lunch. Overnight at Kyustendil.
Possible species: Balkan Copper (Lycaena candens), Mazarine Blue (Polyommatus semiargus), Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae), Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne), Glanville Fritillary (Melitaea cinxia), Woodland Ringlet (Erebia medusa), Bright-eyed Ringlet (Erebia oeme).
Day 3
Breakfast in 8.00 o'clock. Short transfer to small gorge, where we will spend 1,5 h looking for butterflies. Then we continue to Kresna Gorge, where after the lunch we will visit the rocky area near Sheytan Dere. In the late afternoon we drive about one hour to the beautiful town of Melnik where we overnight.
Possible species: Eastern Festoon (Zerynthia cerisy ferdinandi ferdinandi), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Krueper's Small White (Pieris krueperi), Southern Small White (Pieris mannii), Little Tiger Blue (Tarucus balkanica), Iolas Blue (Iolana iolas), Nettle-tree Butterfly (Libythea celtis), Lattice Brown (Kirinia roxelana), Balkan Marbled White (Melanargia larissa), Southern Grayling (Hipparchia senthes), Great Banded Grayling (Brintesia circe), White-banded Grayling (Pseudochazara anthelea amalthea), Cardinal (Argynnis pandora).
Day 4
Breakfast at 8.30 o'clock. Short transfer to nearest volcanic hill. Next 2 hours we will explore the slopes of hill. Then we continue to the town of Gotse Delchev - a bout 3 hours. In the middle of our route we stop at high mountain meadow where we have a picnic followed by walks in the surroundings. Overnight at Gotse Delchev for the next two nights.
Possible species: Eastern Festoon (Zerynthia cerisy ferdinandi), Swallowtail (Papilio machaon), Powdered Brimstone (Gonepteryx farinosa), Little Tiger Blue (Tarucus balkanica), Lattice Brown (Kirinia roxelana), Balkan Marbled White (Melanargia larissa), Great Banded Grayling (Brinthesia circe), Cardinal (Argynnis pandora).
Day 5
Breakfast at 8.00 o'clock, followed by 1,5 hours transfer to stony terrain near the Greek border. Here we will spend the day looking for species you can hardly find somewhere else. Picnic lunch.
Possible species: Eastern Wood White (Leptidea duponcheli), Eastern Greenish Black-tip (Euchloe penia), Dils' Grayling (Pseudochazara orestes), Mountain Small White (Pieris ergane), Balkan Marbled White (Melanargia larissa), Great Sooty Satyr (Satyrus ferula).
Day 6
Breakfast at 8.15 o'clock. Transfer to the famous Trigrad Gorge. On the way we stop for 1.5 hours. We reach the gorge around 13.00 and we have a lunch in the nearest village. After it we go to the surrounding calcareous area. The gorge is the best place in Europe to watch the Wallcreeper, and we can come back here in the evening to watch this magnificent bird. Overnight in village of Trigrad.
Possible species: Zephyr Blue (Plebeius pylaon sephirus), Geranium Argus (Plebeius eumedon), Pearly Heath (Coenonympha arcania), Woodland Ringlet (Erebia medusa).
Day 7
Breakfast at 7.30 o'clock. Transfer to the town of Asenovgrad. The transfer itself is about 2.5 hours. We stop on the way for 1.5 hours to visit one of the famous Bulgarian monasteries and to look for some species in its surroundings. We will reach our main observation site around 13.00 and after a picnic lunch we go to the nearest dry and warm rocky slopes. Overnight in the town of Asenovgrad.
Possible species: Blue Argus (Plebeius anteros), Lattice Brown (Kirinia roxelana), Eastern Rock Grayling (Hipparchia syriaca) and many others.
Day 8
Breakfast at 7.30 o'clock. Long transfer (3.5h) to the village of Studen Kladenets (Cold spring), with several stops on the way. After a picnic lunch we are going to explore the surrounding dry rocky slopes. In the evening we have 1 hour transfer to the town of Madjarovo where we will overnight.
Possible species: Krueper's Small White (Pieris krueperi), Small Bath White (Pontia chloridice), Southern Small White (Pieris mannii), Little Tiger Blue (Tarucus balkanica), Balkan Marbled White (Melanargia larissa), Eastern Rock Grayling (Hipparchia syriaca), Great Banded Grayling (Brintesia circe).
Day 9
Breakfast at 8.00 o'clock. Transfer to the town of Sliven (3.5 hours). After lunch in a restaurant we move to the nearest surroundings - Sinite Kamani (the Blue stones) Nature Park. Overnight in Sliven.
Possible species: Eastern Festoon (Zerynthia cerisy ferdinandi), Small Bath White (Pontia chloridice), Lesser Lattice Brown (Esperarge climene), Lesser Marbled Fritillary (Brenthis ino).
Day 10
Breakfast at 8.30 o'clock. We spend the day on a beautiful mountain area called Karandilla. Picnic lunch. In the late afternoon we make transfer to the town of Kalofer - less than two hours, where we will overnight.
Day 11
Breakfast at 8.00 o'clock, followed by walk in the surroundings. Transfer to Sofia Airport - 2.5 hours. Time to say good bye, and departure.
Group size: 4 -14 tourists + 2 leaders
Price: 990 EUR per person
Individuals:
1-3 tourists + leader
Price: 1280 EUR per person
Single supplement: 100 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, guides, 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.
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.