Spring botany tour in Eastern Bulgaria - the Black Sea coast, Eastern Balkan and Strandja Mountain.
The tour starts on 7 May.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrival
at Varna Airport and transfer to our hotel in the town of Kavarna. Accommodation
for two nights.
Day 2
Today we will visit Kaliakra Steppe reserve - steppe vegetation, with impressive
cliffs and archeological remains.
Some species: Paeonia tenuifolia, Paeonia peregrina, Stipa lessingiana, Artemisia
pedemontana, Agropyrum brandzae, Asphodeline lutea, Iris pumila, Silene caliacrae,
Scutellaria orientalis, Salvia nutans, Salvia argentea, Salvia aethiops, Bellevalia
sarmatica, Onosma taurica, Onosma arenaria, Onosma echioides, Potentilla mollicrins,
Potentilla bornmueleri, Nonnea atra, Ruta glaveolens, Euphorbia myrsinites.
Many species from the families Vicia, Lathyrus, Pisum, Artemisia ssp. etc.
Day
3
In the morning we will visit the chalk hills north of the Balchik town, with
specific vegetation and presence of steppe floristic elements.
Some species: Matthiola odoratissima, Tanacetum millefolium, Tanacetum achilleifolium,
Achillea clypeolata, Inula ensifolia, Aster oleifolius, Ajuga laxmanii, Jurinea
stoechadifolia, Cephalaria uralensis, Gypsophylla glomerata, Astragalus sprunerii,
Astragalus vesicarius, Stachys angustifolia, Veronica barelierii, etc.
In the afternoon transfer to Durankulak Lake, and trip around it. Psamophitic
vegetation and many birds.
Some species: Alyssum borsaeanum, Carex ligerica, Silene thymifolia, Glaucium
flavum.
Day
4
Transfer to the town of Sliven. On the way we first stop at “Pobiti kamani”
protected area with astonishing standing stone columns in Eocene sandy disclosures.
Some species: Arenaria rigida, Dianthus nardiformis, Lepidotrichum uechtritzianum,
Anchusa velenovskyi, Silene frivaldskyana, Anthemis regis-borisii, Syrenia cana,
Sempervivum zeleborii, Ephedra dystachya, etc.
Our second stop is near the town of Aithos, “Trite bratja” protected area, declared
for protection of relict Astracantha aithosensis. Overnight is the town of Sliven
for two nights.
Day
5
Visit to “Sinite kamani” Natural Park - impressive relief with metamorphic and
dolomite rocks and flora, rich in wild flowers.
Some species: Iris reichenbachii, Syringa vulgaris, Tulipa australis, Orchis
pinetorum,, Fritillaria pontica, Alyssum saxatile, Iberis saxatilis, Anthylis
montana, Globularia aphyllanthes, Doronicum hungaricum, Doronicum columnae,
Viola siechiana, Dactylorhiza sambucina, Cephalanthera damassonium, Potentila
rupestris, etc.
Depending on the year, it is possible to see Tulipa urumofii in flowers. For
that we need to walk about 30 min.
Day
6
Transfer to the Black Sea coast. Stopping on the way at Ropotamo River area
with sand dune vegetation, alluvial forest - “longoz” vegetation and Arkutino
Lake with Nimphaea alba. Overnight in the small town of Primorsko for the next
two nights.
Some species: Tulipa thracica Dav., Fritillaria pontica, Scilla bythinica, Leucojum
aestivum, Heptaptera triquetra, Symphytum tauricum, Ruscus aculeatus, Smilax
exelsa, Periploca graeca, Iris pseudoacorus, Ammophylla arenaria, Leymus racemosus
ssp. sabulosus, Silene euxina, Linum tauricum ssp. bulgaricum, Hypecoum pionticum,
Pancratium maritimum, Jurinea albicaulis ssp. kilaea, Stachys maritima, Medicago
marina, Eryngium maritimum, Euphorbia paralias, Iris suaveolens, Anacamptis
pyramidalis, Orchis purpurea, etc.
Day
7
Visit to Veleka River mouth and Silistar locality in Strandja Mountain. Oak
forests and coastal vegetation.
Some species: Verbascum bugilifolium, Verbascum phoeniceum, Salvia forskaolei,
Trachystemon orientale, Oenanthe millefolia, Cistus salvifolius, Cistis incanus,
Asparagus acutifolius, Serapias vomeracea, Orchis morio, Orchis papilionaceae,
Scorpiurus subvillosus, Hymenocarpus circinalis, Iris sintenisii, Geranium asphodeloides,
Geranium sanguineum, Silene compacta, Jurinea mollis, Calystegia soldanella,
Otanthus maritimus, Crambe maritima, etc.
Day
8
A day trip to Strandja Mountain - Silkosia Nature Reserve and Kachu locality.
Oriental beach forest with ever-green scrubs. Overnight in Brachljan village.
Some species: Fagus orientalis, Quercus polycarpa, Quercus hartwissiana, Daphne
pontica, Rhododendron ponticum, Epimedium pubigerum, Laurocerrasus oficinalis,
Ilex colchica, Mespilus germanica, Pyracantha coccinea, Teucrium lamifolium,
Stachys thracica, Orchis laxiflora, Cicer montbretii, etc.
Day
9
Visit to Veleka River springs near Mladezhko village. Riverside vegetation,
oak and oriental hornbeam forests and open vegetation on limestone rocks. Overnight
in the town of Nesebar.
Some species: Veronica turrilliana, Hesperis theophrastii, Paeonia peregrina,
Knautia orientalis, Knautia degenii, Vicia incissa, etc.
Day
10
Transfer to Varna Airport and departure. Depending of your departure time we
can visit some of the Burgas Wetlands for some more species.
Group
size: 4 -16 tourists + 2 leaders
Price: 960 EUR per person
Individuals:
1-3 tourists + leader
Price: 1180 EUR per person
Single supplement: 90 EUR
Price includes: All ground transportation (a comfortable 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. German speaking guide
is 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