Brown Bear Viewing Tour (Bulgaria)
The Brown Bear viewing is not just a touch to real nature but a lifetime experience! We offer you an exciting tour dedicated to observing wild Brown Bears in their hunting territories, without fences, without human interference and what is most important - in the heart of the most virgin area of the Rodopi Mountains…
Viewing Brown Bears is rather thrilling experience as there is no guarantee in nature what will happen and if being on the Bears track would be successful. However for this tour we use local rangers that are fully aware of the behaviour of the Brown Bears and the wildlife in their territory in general. We give 90% guarantee of observing wild Brown Bear if you come during the best period for that: April-May (after the winter hibernation) and September-November (before the winter hibernation).
During summer the chance is smaller as food sources are abundant and bears are difficult to be attracted to certain areas appropriate for viewing from a short distance. And last but not least this tour gives 100% guarantee of watching the Balkans subspecies of the Chamois - the Balkan Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) as well as another hidden animal - the Capercaillie. Tracking displaying males of Capercaillie in April requires very early morning walks in the snow and keeping absolute silence by their displaying grounds. En-route we may see also Hazel Grouse, Wild Boar etc. Although we have encountered packs of wolves with our previous groups they still remain a matter of great luck.
Itinerary:
Day 1. Sofia / Plovdiv - Rhodopi Mountains
Arrival at Sofia Airport and transfer to the lodge in Rhodopi Mountains (about 2,5 hrs drive). For transfers from other airports please ask for separate quotation.
Days 2-4. Attempts for wildlife observation
The program includes morning hikes (attempts for watching Chamois and Deers) and attempts for watching Brown Bear. We use hides that are specially arranged for watching Brown Bears, which can accommodate up to 3 people (normally 2). This is where we spend few hours after sunset and before sunrise or a whole night waiting for the bear to appear, keeping silence all the time. If lucky we may enjoy a mother with cubs or solitary males and other nocturnal wildlife too. The bears are usually seen from 30-50 meters. However a close-up view is not excluded and this is really something that remains for life. Attempts for watching Balkan Chamois are also made until we see them. As the search of Brown Bear is done best at dusk or at dawn, daytime could be spent on many other activities depending on your wish (some of them subject to extra payment): - birdwatching (target species in the area are Black, White-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers, Nutcracker, Hazel Grouse or we can make sessions for listening Tengmalm's Owl or if lucky even Pygmy Owl; one-day trips along Maritsa River for Long-legged Buzzard, Levant Sparrowhawk, Roler, Masked Shrike, Black-headed Bunting, Woodchat Shrike, Calandra Lark, Isabelline Wheatear, Golden Oriole etc.) (to be purchased and paid at least 2 weeks in advance; appr. 150 Euro/car); - hiking (Rodopi Mountains with their rounded hills and loads of trails are perfect for walking excursions) – no additional payment outside the fuel costs and entrance fees; - sightseeing (there are numerous cultural and historical sites in the area of the Rodopi Mountains that could be visited as daily trips – Plovdiv, Bachkovo Monastery, Shiroka Luka, Trigrad Gorge etc.) – no additional payment outside the fuel costs and entrance fees; - horseriding with local breed horses (to be paid additionally on the spot according to the standard pricelist of the lodge).
Day 5. Rhodopi mountains - Sofia / Plovdiv
Transfer to the airport for departure.
Included in the price: ►accommodation in cozy mountain lodge in double rooms with en-suite facilities ►full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner included; lunches can be made as picnics when outside in the woods ►use of all available hides ►all transfers within the area (by 4x4 vehicle) and outside incl. pick up and drop off at Sofia or Plovdiv airport ►English-speaking guide and local ranger ►VAT and local taxes
Not included: ►additional excursions during the days ►entrance fees ►tips ►alcohol drinks ►cigarettes and other personal expenses.
Other expences: single room supplement: 70 EURO
Good to know: BEST ARRIVAL TIME: The best time for booking the tour is around full Moon (+/- 3 days). Following this rule in 2011 the best periods would be as follows: 16-20/04; 15-19/05; 13-17/06; 13-17/07; 11-15/08; 10-14/09; 10-14/10 EXTENSION AT THE BLACK SEA COAST: we have a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay on a sea holiday for extra week after your active tour at an incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation - from home stays to 4-star hotels in Sozopol, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Lozenets, St. Vlas, Golden Sands etc. and all this with arranged transportation right after your tour and before your departure flight (prices vary between 100 and 400 Euro per person per week depending on the hotel category and the meal plan; transportation is included). For more information please check "Vacation extensions" below.
CONNECTING THE TOUR: in summer time there are loads of opportunities to book a cheap flight to Bourgas or Varna Airport instead of landing at Sofia Airport. We can arrange for you a bus or train ticket to the starting point of the active tour with transfer to the central bus/railway station in these towns, picking you up at the airport upon arrival or vice versa at the end of your tour (this would only cost you appr. 20-30 Euro per car + the bus/train ticket price itself). For longer private transfers or rent a car services please check our offers from the menu “Rent-a-car and Transportation”
How to get there: For low-cost flights to Bulgaria please check: Wizz Air - http://wizzair.com/; Easy Jet - http://www.easyjet.com/; Germanwings - http://www.germanwings.com/; Penguin Travel -http://www.flybulgarien.dk/; Norwegian Air Shuttle - http://www.norwegian.no/
Necessary equipment: Although night vision optics is available in the lodge it will be best if you manage to spot the animals using just the natural light (even through normal bins). Bringing binoculars is also recommended as some of the animals (e.g. Balkan Chamois, some birds) are seen from a long distance. Noiseless clothing is essential (no plastic jackets or pants). Please do consider the low temperatures at night while standing at one place in the hides for a long time and be prepared with warm clothes. For a full list of reccommended items see the detailed trip dossier.
Links to additional information:
http://birdwatchingbulgaria.com/ Birdwatching and birding holidays in Bulgaria
Vacation Extensions:
Sozopol (Bulgaria)
Sunny Beach (Bulgaria)
Lozenets (Bulgaria)
Nessebar (Bulgaria)
Varna / Golden Sands (Bulgaria)
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