This summer birdwatching tour is exploring the diverse landscapes of Bulgaria's mountains and promises an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts. Bulgaria is known for its diverse landscapes, rich biodiversity, and numerous bird species, making it an ideal destination for birdwatching enthusiasts. On this exploring adventure you will visit Vitosha mountain, The Balkan, Sakar Mountain, The Rodophes and Pirin mountain, all homes of different and notable bird species, unique flora and fauna. Throughout your tour, our experienced ornithologists will provide expert guidance, sharing their knowledge of the local birdlife and ecosystems, ensuring an enriching and educational experience for all participants. Get ready to immerse yourself in the kingdom of birds amidst the unique beauty of Bulgarian nature!
Highlights:
- Vitosha mountain - a mid-altitude mountain in very close vicinity to the capital Sofia, part of Via Aristotelis where the following bird species could be discovered: Corncrake, Tengmalm's and Scops Owl, Ring Ouzel, Pygmy Owl, Nightjar, Black, White-backed and Three-toed Woodpecker, Yellowhammer, Ortolan Bunting, Nutcracker
- The Balkan Mountain – a habitat of Golden Eagle, Scops Owl, Isabelline Wheatear, Black-headed & Ortolan Bunting, Woodlark, Barred Warbler, Sombre tit, Bullfinch, Kinglets, Black, Middle-spotted & White-back Woodpecker, Nutcracker, Dipper, Ring Ouzel
- Sakar Mountain - part of Via Aristotelis a project for conservation of the Lesser Kestrel (Imperial, Lesser Spotted, Booted Eagle, Spotted Eagle Long-legged Buzzard, Pallid and Montagu`s Harrier, Saker Falcon, Levant Sparrowhawk, Tawny Pipit, Calandra and Short-toed Lark, Masked Shrike, Stone Curlew, Olive-tree Warbler, Grey-headed, Middle Spotted and White-backed Woodpecker, Red-Backed Shrike, Corncrake, Pygmy Cormorant, Dalmatian Pelican, Ferroginous Duck, Great Snipe
- Eastern and Central Rhodopes - Eastern Rhodopes are a desolated ornithologically important place including low-altitude mountain area with the cliffs over the meanders of Arda River near Madjarovo, a habitat of Black Stork, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Short-toed, White-tailed, Golden, Booted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, Scops Owl, Nightjar, Rufus-tailed and Blue Rock Thrush, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Cirl and Rock Buntings, Red-rumped Swallows, Black-eared Wheatears, Rock Nuthatch, Grey-headed, Green and Black Woodpecker. The Central Rhodopes is home of the Wallcreeper.
- Pirin Mountain – a habitat of Honey Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Greater Short-toed & Calandra Lark, Barred Warbler, Olive-tree Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Woodlark, Black-headed Bunting, Black-eared Wheatear, Subalpine and Sardinian Warbler, Sombre Tit
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Sofia (Bulgaria)
Arrival at Sofia Airport and overnight at the foot of Vitosha Mountain. If the time allows, we will do birding at the mountain of Vitosha - a mid-altitude mountain in very close vicinity to the capital Sofia, part of Via Aristotelis where the following bird species could be seen: Corncrake, Tengmalm's and Scops Owl, Ring Ouzel, Pygmy Owl, Nightjar, Black, White-backed and Three-toed Woodpecker, Yellowhammer, Ortolan Bunting, Nutcracker. -/-/-
Arrival at Sofia Airport and overnight at the foot of Vitosha Mountain. If the time allows, we will do birding at the mountain of Vitosha - a mid-altitude mountain in very close vicinity to the capital Sofia, part of Via Aristotelis where the following bird species could be seen: Corncrake, Tengmalm's and Scops Owl, Ring Ouzel, Pygmy Owl, Nightjar, Black, White-backed and Three-toed Woodpecker, Yellowhammer, Ortolan Bunting, Nutcracker. -/-/-
Day 2: Journey to the Balkan Mountain village of Apriltzi
Today we are heading to the central part of Balkan Mountain with some en-route stops to discover the Golden Eagle, Scops Owl, Isabelline Wheatear, Black-headed & Ortolan Bunting, Woodlark, Barred Warbler, Sombre tit, Bullfinch, Kinglets, Black, Middle-spotted & White-back Woodpecker, Nutcracker, Dipper, Ring Ouzel. Overnight stay at Pleven Chalet (2 h of uphill walking from Apriltzi). B/-/-
Today we are heading to the central part of Balkan Mountain with some en-route stops to discover the Golden Eagle, Scops Owl, Isabelline Wheatear, Black-headed & Ortolan Bunting, Woodlark, Barred Warbler, Sombre tit, Bullfinch, Kinglets, Black, Middle-spotted & White-back Woodpecker, Nutcracker, Dipper, Ring Ouzel. Overnight stay at Pleven Chalet (2 h of uphill walking from Apriltzi). B/-/-
Day 3: Mountain hiking and birding in Balkan Mountain
Today we will do hiking and birding in the Balkan Mountain. Overnight stay at Pleven Chalet. B/-/-
Today we will do hiking and birding in the Balkan Mountain. Overnight stay at Pleven Chalet. B/-/-
Day 4: Balkan Mountain - Kotel - Topolovgrad (Sakar Mountain)
Today is a journey along the spine of the Balkan Mountain to the town of Kotel which is on a moderate altitude Balkan Mountain pass (Cinereous, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures,Imperial Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Saker Falcon, Golden Eagle, Chukar, Rufus-tailed Rock Thrush) then to the town of Topolovgrad in the Sakar Mountain part of Via Aristotelis a project for conservation of the Lesser Kestrel (Imperial, Lesser Spotted, Booted Eagle, Spotted Eagle Long-legged Buzzard, Pallid and Montagu`s Harrier, Saker Falcon, Levant Sparrowhawk, Tawny Pipit, Calandra and Short-toed Lark, Masked Shrike, Stone Curlew, Olive-tree Warbler, Grey-headed, Middle Spotted and White-backed Woodpecker, Red-Backed Shrike, Corncrake, Pygmy Cormorant, Dalmatian Pelican, Ferroginous Duck, Great Snipe. Overnight stay in Topolovgrad. B/-/-
Today is a journey along the spine of the Balkan Mountain to the town of Kotel which is on a moderate altitude Balkan Mountain pass (Cinereous, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures,Imperial Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Saker Falcon, Golden Eagle, Chukar, Rufus-tailed Rock Thrush) then to the town of Topolovgrad in the Sakar Mountain part of Via Aristotelis a project for conservation of the Lesser Kestrel (Imperial, Lesser Spotted, Booted Eagle, Spotted Eagle Long-legged Buzzard, Pallid and Montagu`s Harrier, Saker Falcon, Levant Sparrowhawk, Tawny Pipit, Calandra and Short-toed Lark, Masked Shrike, Stone Curlew, Olive-tree Warbler, Grey-headed, Middle Spotted and White-backed Woodpecker, Red-Backed Shrike, Corncrake, Pygmy Cormorant, Dalmatian Pelican, Ferroginous Duck, Great Snipe. Overnight stay in Topolovgrad. B/-/-
Day 5: Topolovgrad (Sakar Mountain)- Madjarovo (Eastern Rhodopes)
We will continue our tour from the Sakar Mountain to the Eastern Rhodopes and stay at the town of Madjarovo. The Eastern Rhodopes are a desolated ornithologically important place including low-altitude mountain area with the cliffs over the meanders of Arda River near Madjarovo (copper and zinc mining centre in the past), Krumovitza River near Krumovgrad and the Studen Kladenetz and Ivaylovgrad reservoirs. (Black Stork, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Short-toed, White-tailed, Golden, Booted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, Scops Owl, Nightjar, Rufus-tailed and Blue Rock Thrush, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Cirl and Rock Buntings, Red-rumped Swallows, Black-eared Wheatears, Rock Nuthatch, Grey-headed, Green and Black Woodpecker. Overnight stay in Madjarovo. B/-/-
We will continue our tour from the Sakar Mountain to the Eastern Rhodopes and stay at the town of Madjarovo. The Eastern Rhodopes are a desolated ornithologically important place including low-altitude mountain area with the cliffs over the meanders of Arda River near Madjarovo (copper and zinc mining centre in the past), Krumovitza River near Krumovgrad and the Studen Kladenetz and Ivaylovgrad reservoirs. (Black Stork, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Short-toed, White-tailed, Golden, Booted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, Scops Owl, Nightjar, Rufus-tailed and Blue Rock Thrush, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Cirl and Rock Buntings, Red-rumped Swallows, Black-eared Wheatears, Rock Nuthatch, Grey-headed, Green and Black Woodpecker. Overnight stay in Madjarovo. B/-/-
Day 6: The cliffs around Madzharovo, the meanders of Arda River and the lakes of the Eastern Rhodopes
It will be an active birding day. Birding will be along Arda River and the adjacent cliffs around Madjarovo – a desolated ornithologically important place (OIP) including low-altitude mountain area with the cliffs over the meanders of Arda River near Madjarovo (copper and zinc mining center in the past), Krumovitza River and the Studen Kladenetz and Ivaylovgrad reservoirs. The following bird species could be seen - Black Stork, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Short-toed, White-tailed, Golden, Booted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, Scops Owl, Nightjar, Rufus-tailed and Blue Rock Thrush, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Cirl and Rock Buntings, Red-rumped Swallows, Black-eared Wheatears, Rock Nuthatch, Grey-headed, Green and Black Woodpecker. Overnight stay in Madjarovo B/-/-
Day 7: Krumovgrad (Eastern Rhodopes)
Today we will start our day with birding along Krumovitza River and the adjacent cliffs where we can discover Black Stork, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Short-toed, White-tailed, Golden, Booted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Lanner Falcon, Scops Owl, Nightjar, Rufus-tailed and Blue Rock Thrush, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Cirl and Rock Buntings, Red-rumped Swallows, Black-eared Wheatears, Rock Nuthatch, Grey-headed, Green and Black Woodpecker. Overnight stay in Krumovgrad. B/-/-
Day 8: Trigrad (Central Rhodopes)
Today we transfer to the central Rhodopes to the village of Trigrad – the home of the Wallcreeper. Overnight stay in Trigrad. B/-/-
Day 9: Pirin Mountain and Melnik
Our journey continues to the Pirin Mountain and stay at the town of Melnik (or village of Rozhen). We will be birding for Honey Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Greater Short-toed & Calandra Lark, Barred Warbler, Olive-tree Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Woodlark, Black-headed Bunting, Black-eared Wheatear, Subalpine and Sardinian Warbler, Sombre Tit. Overnight stay in Melnik or Rozhen. B/-/-
Our journey continues to the Pirin Mountain and stay at the town of Melnik (or village of Rozhen). We will be birding for Honey Buzzard, Long-legged Buzzard, Greater Short-toed & Calandra Lark, Barred Warbler, Olive-tree Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Woodlark, Black-headed Bunting, Black-eared Wheatear, Subalpine and Sardinian Warbler, Sombre Tit. Overnight stay in Melnik or Rozhen. B/-/-
Day 10: The Pirin Mountain slopes around Melnik and the hills at Rupite
Today we will have additional day in the Pirin Mountain for birding of Short-toed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Peregrine & Eleonora’s Falcon, Blue & Rufus-tailed Rock Thrush, Rock Partridge, Olive-tree Warbler, Masked & Lesser Grey Shrike. Overnight stay in Melnik or Rozhen. B/-/-
Today we will have additional day in the Pirin Mountain for birding of Short-toed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Peregrine & Eleonora’s Falcon, Blue & Rufus-tailed Rock Thrush, Rock Partridge, Olive-tree Warbler, Masked & Lesser Grey Shrike. Overnight stay in Melnik or Rozhen. B/-/-
Day 11: Struma River - Rila Mountain - Sofia
Back to Sofia for last overnight before departure, with en route stops along Struma River and the adjacent western slopes of Pirin Mountain, as well as at the foot of Rila Mountain. Today we may observe Rock Partridge, Olive-tree Warbler, Masked & Woodchat Shrike Black-headed & Ortolan Bunting, Black-eared Wheatear, Subalpine Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Rock Nuthatch, Rock Partridge, Olive-tree Warbler, Woodlark, Blue Rock Thrush, Sombre Tit, Turtle Dove, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Scops Owl. Overnight stay in Sofia, Vitosha mountain. B/-/-
Back to Sofia for last overnight before departure, with en route stops along Struma River and the adjacent western slopes of Pirin Mountain, as well as at the foot of Rila Mountain. Today we may observe Rock Partridge, Olive-tree Warbler, Masked & Woodchat Shrike Black-headed & Ortolan Bunting, Black-eared Wheatear, Subalpine Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Rock Nuthatch, Rock Partridge, Olive-tree Warbler, Woodlark, Blue Rock Thrush, Sombre Tit, Turtle Dove, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush, Scops Owl. Overnight stay in Sofia, Vitosha mountain. B/-/-
Day 12: Departure from Sofia
Early-morning birdwatching in the mountain of Vitosha- a mid-altitude mountain in very close vicinity to the capital Sofia, part of Via Aristotelis where the following bird species could be seen: Corncrake, Tengmalm`s and Scops Owl, Ring Ouzel, Pygmy Owl, Nightjar, Black, White-backed and Three-toed Woodpecker, Yellowhammer, Ortolan Bunting, Nutcracker. Transfer to the airport for departure.
The tour is not extreme but includes mountain hiking up to 2000 m altitude within one day, requiring trekking boots and equipment. It can be extended with respect to the customers’ schedule and flight dates, including Pirin Mountain. With the same respect, it can be also nicely combined with seaside birding (shore birds) – by
extension or substitution of mountain spots.
extension or substitution of mountain spots.
Expected species: Alpine Accentor, Shore Lark, Alpine Chough, Rufus-tailed Rock Thrush, Blue Rock Thrush, Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Short-toed Eagle, Honey Buzzard, White-backed Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Rock Bunting
Price Includes:
9 overnights in standard hotels and guesthouses with en-suite facilities incl. breakfast and 2 nights in a hut with shared facilities
Pick up/drop off at Sofia airport
English-speaking guide/ornithologist
Luggage and private transfers throughout the tour
VAT and all local taxes.
Not Included:
International and domestic flights
Meals not mentioned in the program
Insurance
Tips and personal expenses
Drinks
Entrance fees
Additional Services:
Small Group Supplement:
Supplement per pers at 2 p. - 180 EUR
Supplement per pers at 3 p. - 150 EUR
Group Size
4-12
Reservation System Code
BGBIRDSTAND
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