July butterflies 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 10 July.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival at Sofia Airport. Transfer to Yundola pass in the Rhodope Mountain - about 2.5 hours. Overnight in the village of Yundola (about 2 000m a.s.l.)

Day 2

Breakfast at 8.00 o'clock. Half an hour transfer to Belmeken dam. Today we will explore the slopes near the dam. Picnic lunch. Late in the afternoon - transfer (2.5 hours) to the mountain resort Borovetc, in Rila Mountain where we overnight.

Possible species: Dusky Grizzled Skipper (Pyrgus cacaliae), Eastern Large Heath (Coenonympha rhodopensis), Bulgarian Ringlet (Erebia orientalis), Nicholl's Ringlet (Erebia rhodopensis), Ottoman Brassy Ringlet (Erebia ottomana), Black Ringlet (Erebia melas), Bright-eyed Ringlet (Erebia oeme), Dewy Ringlet (Erebia pandrose), Cynthia's Fritillary (Euphydryas cynthia), Balkan Fritillary (Boloria graeca).

Day 3

Breakfast at 8.00 o'clock. After it the cabin lift brings us to the high Rila mountain meadows. We will explore the surroundings during the day. Picnic lunch. Overnight in Borovetc.

Possible species: Eastern Large Heath (Coenonympha rhodopensis), Bulgarian Ringlet (Erebia orientalis), Nicholl's Ringlet (Erebia rhodopensis), Ottoman Brassy Ringlet (Erebia ottomana), Dewy Ringlet (Erebia pandrose), Cynthia's Fritillary (Euphydryas cynthia), Shepherd's Fritillary (Boloria pales).

Day 4

Breakfast at 7.30 o'clock. Transfer (2.5 hours) to the famous Rila Monastery - the most visited cultural site in Bulgaria. Today we will visit the beautiful valley of Rila River. In the evening we can visit the monastery. Overnight in the monastery or in the nearest hotel.

Possible species: Apollo (Parnassius apollo), Balkan Clouded Yellow (Colias caucasica balcanica), Arran Brown (Erebia ligea), Scotch Argus (Erebia aethiops), Poplar Admiral (Limenitis populi).

Day 5

Breakfast at 8.15 o'clock. Transfer to Kresna Gorge where we will explore the rocky area near Sheytan Dere. Around 13.00 o'clock we reach the beautiful town of Melnik. We have a lunch in one of the local restaurants. After siesta we will visit the nearest Rojen Monastery, and look for some species around it. Overnight in Melnik.

Possible species: Krueper's Small White (Pieris krueperi), Freyer's Grayling (Hipparchia fatua), False Grayling (Arethusana arethusa).

Day 6

Breakfast at 7.30 o'clock. Transfer to a high mountain meadow in the Pirin mountain. From here we take a dirty road and reach altitude about 2 000 m a.s.l. We explore the surroundings and have a picnic lunch here. Late in the afternoon we descend to the town of Gotse Delchev where we overnight.

Possible species: Apollo (Parnassius apollo), Mountain Alcon Blue (Maculinea rebeli), Higgins' Anomalous Blue (Polyommatus aroaniensis), Gavarnie Blue (Agriades dardanus), Ottoman Brassy Ringlet (Erebia ottomana), Balkan Fritillary (Boloria graeca).

Day 7

Breakfast at 8.00 o'clock. Transfer to the famous Trigrad Gorge - about 2.5 hours. It is the best place in Europe to watch the Wallcreeper. We can also visit some of the caves in the gorge, which are also famous with their beauty. After the lunch we go the calcareous area around the village. Overnight in the village of Trigrad.

Possible species: Apollo (Parnassius apollo), Turquoise Blue (Polyommatus dorylas), False Eros Blue (Polyommatus eroides), Ripart's Anomalous Blue (Polyommatus ripartii), Ottoman Brassy Ringlet (Erebia ottomana), Black Ringlet (Erebia melas), Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja).

Day 8

Breakfast at 8.30 o'clock. Transfer (1.5 h) to the Pamporovo mountain resort. We spend the day in the surroundings. Overnight in Pamporovo.

Possible species: Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius), Mountain Argus (Plebeius artaxerxes), Eastern Large Heath (Coenonympha rhodopensis) and many others.

Day 9

Breakfast at 8.00 o'clock. Transfer to the town of Asenovgrad . The transfer itself is about 1 hour. 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 11.30 and we go to the nearest dry and warm rocky slopes. Picnic lunch Overnight in the town of Asenovgrad.

Possible species: Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius), Chalk-hill Blue (Polyommatus coridon), Freyer's Grayling (Hipparchia fatua) and many others.

Day 10

Breakfast at 7.30 o'clock. Transfer (1.5h) to Beklemeto in the Central Balkan National Park. We will spend the day in the surrounding meadows. Picnic lunch. Late in the afternoon we drive to the town of Koprivstica (1.45h). The town is architectural reserve, keeping the traditional old Bulgarian style. Dinner in old bulgarian style restaurant and overnight.

Day 11

Breakfast in 8.00 o'clock and walk in the town. Transfer to Sofia Airport (2 hours) 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.