Day 1. Arrival at Sofia or Plovdiv airport. Transfer to the town of Balchik on the Northern Black Sea Coast for overnight.

Day 2. In the morning we will try to find for the first time Red-breasted Geese grazing in the coastal fields. The rest of the day we spend around the lakes by the town of Shabla, rich in waterfowl and especially famous for the wintering tens of thousands White-fronted and Red-breasted Geese (Great Egret, White- fronted and Red-breasted Geese, Rough-legged Buzzard, Black-necked Grebe, Yellow-legged and Pallas’s Gulls, Pochard, Red-crested Pochard, Red-breasted Merganser etc.). Overnight in Balchik.

Day 3. Early in the morning we will have the chance to enjoy the numerous goose flocks taking off from Dourankoulak lake – an amazing view, attracting birdwatchers form all over Europe. After that the wetlands by the town of Shabla will be visited again. The yesterday’s species list will be elongated many other interesting birds – waterfowl and waders primarily (like White-tailed Eagle, Pygmy Cormorants, Bewick’s Swans, Tufted Ducks, Smews, Goldeneyes, Bitterns, Sanderlings, Knots etc.).

Day 4. In the morning we will go to the Cape Kaliakra – a place, famous for its nesting steppe species of birds during summer. However the wintering inhabitants here are often quite interesting also (European Shag (Mediterranean race), Black-throated Diver, possibly Great and Little Bustards etc.). Around noon we head to our next major stop – the Southern Black Sea Coast and the town of Bourgas. Here we spend the next three nights. If time left a short stroll around the lakes nearby will be performed.

Day 5.
After breakfast we will have a trip around the hiperhaline shallow coastal lagoons Atanasovsko and Pomoriisko lakes. These are renowned as some of the best places for watching soaring migrants during passage, but now they provide safe place for feeding and resting to many other species of birds (Dalmatian Pelicans, Pygmy Cormorants, Bitterns, Great Egrets, Black-necked Grebe, Whooper and Bewick’s Swans, White-headed Ducks, Shelducks, White-tailed Eagles, Pallas’s Gulls and plenty of waders and waterfowl).

Day 6. In the morning we will visit Poda Lagoon, Mandra and Bourgas lakes, which are just a few minutes drive from Bourgas (Pygmy Cormorants, Great Egrets, White-headed Ducks, White-tailed Eagles, Bewick’s Swans and a great variety of other waterfowl). These protected sites are a good example of fine tolerance between mankind and wildlife, since such avian richness live so close to one of the biggest Bulgarian seaside cities.

Day 7. Today we start the return journey. The town of Plovdiv is our next stop for overnight. The biggest night roost of Pygmy Cormorant in Bulgaria (numbering between 2000 and 4000 individuals) will be visited in the evening.

Day 8. Transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for departure is planned for the morning.

Extensions: Yes, ski holiday in a mountain ski resort!
This is a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one week more! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation – from home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) in Rodopi, Rila and Pirin mountains.
- Bansko – Bansko is no ordinary resort but a beautiful unspoilt, traditional Bulgarian town situated in the south- west corner of Bulgaria. Bansko is a real discovery for skiers, its enviable snow record, great skiing and great value for money and apr?s-ski make it a perfect setting for skiing holiday without the hustle and bustle of some other resorts (highest ski point: 2560 m).
- Pamporovo – Nestling in the pne forests of the Rhodope Mountains, Pamporovo enjoys the reputation of being Europe’s sunniest ski resort (with about 120 sunny days during the skiing period). The highest ski point here is 1928 m.
- Borovets – Borovets is a long established ski resort situated in the pine forests of the Rila Mountains. The resort has become very popular with skiers, who appreciate the good value, the lively entertainment and of course the good skiing (highest ski point: 2 560m).

Accommodation: We stay overnight in small hotels on HB (breakfast and dinner included). All rooms are equipped with private facilities. Ordering lunchpacks is also possible.

Group size: Min. 2 / Max. 12

Guide: Yes, English-speaking.

Price: € 930 per person for 2-3 persons
Price: € 840 per person for 4 or more

Single room supplement: € 100
(Ask for quotation about individuals)

The price includes: transfer from/to the airport and throughout the whole journey, guiding according program, accommodation and boarding mentioned (excluding alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses), VAT and all local taxes.

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrival at Bourgas Airport. We will spend the next three nights here.

Day 2. We will devote the day to watching the delightful autumn migration of soaring birds using the “Via Pontica” migratory route from different watchpoints near the town of Bourgas (Atanasovsko Lake and Poda lagoon). Except for migrants (thousands of White Storks and Honey Buzzards, numerous Montagu’s Harriers and also Levant Sparrowhawks, Booted and Short-toed Eagles, Black Kites, Red-footed Falcons, Lesser Spotted Eagles etc.) these are stops-over for many water connected species of birds (White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Spoonbills, Pygmy Cormorants, Little Egrets, Marsh Sandpipers, Red-necked Phalaropes and even Slender-billed Curlews!).

Day 3. In the morning we head northwards tracing the Black Sea coast where meetings with huge flocks storks, pelicans and birds of prey are expected all the time. With short stops en-route by the Pomoriisko Lake and in Goritsa forest (Slender-billed and Mediterranean Gulls, many species of waders, Bee-eaters, Syrian, Lesser Spotted and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, Semi-collared Flycatchers, Golden Orioles) we reach Cape Kaliakra and Bolata Bay, situated among the most valuable steppe habitats in Bulgaria (European Shags (Mediterranean race), Stone-curlews, Alpine Swifts, Calandra and Short-toed Larks, Tawny Pipits, Lesser Grey Shrikes, Pied Wheatears etc.). We spend the next three nights in the town of Balchik.

Day 4. After breakfast we head to the wetlands by the town of Shabla (Pygmy Cormorant, Ferruginous Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Calandra Lark, Black-winged Stilt, Curlew Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Bee-eater, Roller, Hoopoe, Lesser Grey Shrike etc.) and further to Dourankoulak Lake (Red-necked Grebe, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Great Egret, Ferrugiunous Duck, Collared Pratincole, Stone-curlew, Whiskered Tern, Paddyfield Warbler, Calandra Lark etc.). In the afternoon we turn back to the town of Balchik with a short stop around the village of Kamen Briag and among the ancient tombs in the archeological reserve Yailite (European Shag, Little and Slender-billed Gulls, Pied Wheatear, Calandra and Short-toed Larks etc.).

Day 5. After a trip through the Dobroudzha fields we reach Srebarna Lake around noon. The wetland is the earthly paradise for birds, being also the most prominent reserve in Bulgaria. Situated along the Danube River it is of international importance due to its breeding inhabitants. Some of them are still most likely to be seen here (Red-necked Grebes, Dalmatian Pelicans, Pygmy Cormorants, Little Bittern, Squacco, Night and Purple Herons, Little and Great Egrets, Glossy Ibises, Spoonbills, Ferruginous Ducks, Pochards, Whiskered Terns and many more). Foraging White-tailed Eagles, Black Kites and Levant Sparrowhawks are the perfect addition to this community, complemented also by Ortolan Buntings, Penduline Tits, Golden Orioles and Red-backed Shrikes. Later in the afternoon we go back to the town of Balchik.

Day 6. In the morning we start the return journey to the Southern Black Sea Coast, visiting en route Cape Emine (Olive-tree Warbler, Roller, Mediterranean, Slender-billed and Little Gulls etc.). Due to its location this place is perfect for watching migration of soaring migrants like storks and birds of prey. This site is also renown for its hybrids Pied Wheatear x Black-eared Wheatear. In the afternoon we reach the town of Bourgas, where some time on watching the migration will be spent again (White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Booted, Short-toed and Lesser Spotted Eagles, Marsh and Montagu’s Harrier etc.).

Day 7. Today we continue the observations of the passage above the town of Bourgas. The migration flow depends very much on the weather conditions. Thus we have decided to separate the days, dedicated to pure migration watching, in the beginning and in the end of the trip, which should be enough for gathering remarkable sightings from the Via Pontica (White and Black Storks, Honey Buzzards, numerous Montagu’s Harriers and also Levant Sparrowhawks, Booted and Short-toed Eagles, Black Kites, Red-footed Falcons, Lesser Spotted Eagles etc.).

Day 8. Transfer to the airport for departure.

Extensions: Yes, Black Sea
This is a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation – from home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast:
- Sunny Beach – a big modern resort with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, water-sports facilities etc.
- Nessebar, Sozopol – small towns (founded by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Quarters and a specific atmosphere.
- Lozenetz – a peaceful small village with a beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go walking, biking or riding horses.

Accommodation: We stay overnight in small hotels on HB (breakfast and dinner included). All rooms are equipped with private facilities. Ordering lunchpacks is also possible.

Group size: Min. 2 / Max. 12

Guide: Yes, English-speaking.
Price: € 950 per person for 2-3 persons
Price: € 870 per person for 4 or more

Single room supplement: € 100
(Ask for quotation about individuals)

The price includes: transfer from/to the airport and throughout the whole journey, guiding according program, accommodation and boarding mentioned (excluding alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses), VAT and all local taxes.

Day 1. Arrival at Bourgas Airport. Overnight in Bourgas is arranged for the next two nights.

Day 2. We will devote the day to watching the delightful autumn migration of soaring birds using the “Via Pontica” migratory route from different watchpoints near the town of Bourgas (Atanasovsko Lake and Poda lagoon). Except for migrants (thousands of White Storks and Honey Buzzards, numerous Montagu’s Harriers and also Levant Sparrowhawks, Booted and Short-toed Eagles, Black Kites, Red-footed Falcons, Lesser Spotted Eagles etc.) these are stops-over for many water connected species of birds (White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Spoonbills, Pygmy Cormorants, Little Egrets, Marsh Sandpipers, Red-necked Phalaropes and even Slender-billed Curlews).

Day 3. In the morning we head northwards tracing the Black Sea coast where meetings with huge flocks storks, pelicans and birds of prey are expected all the time. With short stops en-route by the Pomoriisko Lake and in Goritsa forest (Slender-billed and Mediterranean Gulls, many species of waders, Bee-eaters, Syrian, Lesser Spotted and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, Semi-collared Flycatchers, Golden Orioles) we reach Cape Kaliakra and Bolata Bay, situated among the most valuable steppe habitats in Bulgaria (European Shags (Mediterranean race), Stone-curlews, Alpine Swifts, Calandra and Short-toed Larks, Tawny Pipits, Lesser Grey Shrikes, Pied Wheatears etc.). We spend the night in the town of Balchik.

Day 4. After breakfast we head to the wetlands by the town of Shabla (Pygmy Cormorant, Ferruginous Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Calandra Lark, Black-winged Stilt, Curlew Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Bee-eater, Roller, Hoopoe, Lesser Grey Shrike etc.) and further to Dourankoulak Lake (Red-necked Grebe, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Great Egret, Ferrugiunous Duck, Collared Pratincole, Stone-curlew, Whiskered Tern, Paddyfield Warbler, Calandra Lark etc.). In the afternoon we turn back to the town of Bourgas with a short stop around the village of Kamen Briag and among the ancient tombs in the archeological reserve Yailite. We spend the night in Bourgas.

Day 5. The realm of birds of prey in Eastern Europe is expecting us this morning. We head to the Eastern Rodopi Mountains and the town of Madzharovo. Although the breeding season has already passed, there is still good opportunity to enjoy interesting passerines and of course many different species of raptors (Black Stork, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Scops Owl, Rock and Blue Rock Thrush, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Cirl and Rock Buntings, Red-rumped Swallows, Black-eared Wheatears, Rock Nuthatches etc.). We spend the next two nights in Madzharovo.

Day 6. It will be an active birding day. In the morning we make a trip to the spectacular area of Studen Kladenets dam and explore the vicinity of the village of Potochnitsa. There we will have short strolls to a few watchpoints and not the least to the “vultures restaurant” (Egyptian, Griffon and Black Vultures, Long-legged and Honey Buzzards, Short-toed Eagle, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Cirl and Rock Buntings, Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers, Red-rumped Swallows, Blue Rock Thrushes, Black-eared Wheatears, Rock Nuthatches etc.). In the afternoon we make a short trip along the Krumovitsa River where we will continue watching and hearing passerines advertising their appearance in the undulating countryside (Stone-curlew, Olivaceous and Olive-tree Warblers, Masked, Red-backed and Woodchat Shrikes etc.). Around evening we turn back to the hotel in Madzharovo.

Day 7. In the morning we depart from the Eastern Rhodopes for a contrariwise journey to the town of Bourgas. Our trip will pass through interesting habitats in Sakar Mountains (Lesser Spotted, Short-toed, Eastern Imperial and Booted Eagles, Olive-tree and Olivaceous Warblers, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Red-rumped Swallow, Isabelline Wheatear, Woodchat, Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrikes, Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers, Cirl and Black-headed Buntings etc.). By the town of Sliven we will see colonies of the attractive little Souslik. The fields nearby are also a regular feeding place for Montagu’s Harriers, Red-footed Falcons, Lesser Spotted and Eastern Imperial Eagles. In the afternoon we will have again some time for watching the abundant migration along the Black Sea Coast.

Day 8. Transfer to the airport for departure.

Extensions: Yes, Black Sea
This is a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation – from home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast:
- Sunny Beach – a big modern resort with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, water-sports facilities etc.
- Nessebar, Sozopol – small towns (founded by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Quarters and a specific atmosphere.
- Lozenetz – a peaceful small village with a beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go walking, biking or riding horses.

Accommodation: We stay overnight in small hotels on HB (breakfast and dinner included). All rooms are equipped with private facilities. Ordering lunchpacks is also possible.

Group size: Min. 2 / Max. 12

Guide: Yes, English-speaking.
Price: € 950 per person for 2-3 persons
Price: € 870 per person for 4 or more

Single room supplement: € 100
(Ask for quotation about individuals)
The price includes: transfer from/to the airport and throughout the whole journey, guiding according program, accommodation and boarding mentioned (excluding alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses), VAT and all local taxes.

Day 1. After arrival at Sofia Airport we have a transfer to the village of Trigrad in Rodopi Mountains. Trigrad Gorge is one of the most famous places in Europe for watching Wallcreepers. We stay overnight in Trigrad.

Day 2. In the morning we will go to the gorge trying to find the elusive Wallcreeper. The high rocks and the adjacent coniferous woods are home also for many other birds (Peregrine Falcon, Alpine Swift, Black Woodpecker, Black Redstart, Crag Martin, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Common Crossbill and Nutcracker). In the afternoon we head for the town of Plovdiv where we stay overnight. If there is enough time we will stop for a while on the hills by the town of Pazardzhik (Calandra Lark, Isabelline Wheatear, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle).

Day 3. In the morning a short stroll along Maritsa River will provide us with the first specialties for the journey (Levant Sparrowhawk, Roller, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Syrian Woodpecker, Red-backed Shrikes, Woodchat Shrike, Masked Shrike, Golden Oriole, Spanish Sparrows, Black-headed Bunting etc.). Around noon we head to the realm of the birds of prey in Eastern Europe – the Eastern Rodopi Mountains and the town of Madzharovo. Later in the afternoon we will have some time to enjoy the terrific view of the valley of Arda River from the above (Black Stork, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Scops Owl, Rock and Blue Rock Thrush, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Cirl and Rock Buntings, Red-rumped Swallows, Black-eared Wheatears, Rock Nuthatches etc.). We spend the next two nights in Madzharovo.

Day 4. It will be an active birding day. In the morning we make a trip to the spectacular area of Studen Kladenets dam and explore the vicinity of the village of Potochnitsa. There we will have short strolls to a few watchpoints and to the “vultures restaurant” (Egyptian, Griffon and Black Vultures, Long-legged and Honey Buzzards, Short-toed Eagle, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Cirl and Rock Buntings, Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers, Red-rumped Swallows, Blue Rock Thrushes, Black-eared Wheatears, Rock Nuthatches etc.). In the afternoon we make a short trip along the Krumovitsa River where we will continue watching and hearing passerines advertising their appearance in the undulating countryside (Stone-curlew, Olivaceous and Olive-tree Warblers, Masked, Red-backed and Woodchat Shrikes etc.). Around evening we turn back to the hotel in Madzharovo.

Day 5. In the morning we depart from the Eastern Rhodopes for a diverting journey to the town of Bourgas on the Black Sea Coast. Our trip will pass through interesting habitats in Sakar Mountains (Lesser Spotted, Short-toed, Eastern Imperial and Booted Eagles, Olive-tree and Olivaceous Warblers, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Red-rumped Swallow, Isabelline Wheatear, Woodchat, Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrikes, Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers, Cirl and Black-headed Buntings etc.). By the town of Sliven we will see colonies of the attractive little Souslik. The fields nearby are also a regular feeding place for Montagu’s Harriers, Red-footed Falcons, Lesser Spotted and Eastern Imperial Eagles. We spend two nights in the town of Bourgas.

Day 6. The tangible contrast from the mountain habitats in the previous days, compared to visiting the wetlands by the town of Bourgas (Atanasovsko, Mandra and Poda lakes) offers a delight of a whole new complex of species. In these important nesting places typical breeders are Great Cormorants, Night, Squacco and Purple Herons, Little Egrets, Spoonbills, Glossy Ibises, White-tailed Eagle, Yellow-legged Gulls, Little Terns, Collared Pratincoles and many wader species. Migrating or resting Pygmy Cormorants, White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Whiskered Terns, Slender-billed and Mediterranean Gulls are very likely to be registered. It is possible to enjoy also rarities like Slender-billed Curlews, Citrine Wagtails etc.

Day 7. In the morning we start the journey back to Sofia. In the evening we will have farewell party in Sofia, celebrating the long species list observed during the last days!

Day 8. Transfer to the airport for departure.

Extensions: Yes, Black Sea
This is a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation – from home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast:
- Sunny Beach – a big modern resort with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, water-sports facilities etc.
- Nessebar, Sozopol – small towns (founded by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Quarters and a specific atmosphere.
- Lozenetz – a peaceful small village with a beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go walking, biking or riding horses.

Accommodation: We stay overnight in small hotels on HB (breakfast and dinner included). All rooms are equipped with private facilities. Ordering lunchpacks is also possible.

Group size: Min. 2 / Max. 12

Guide: Yes, English-speaking.
Price: € 950 per person for 2-3 persons
Price: € 870 per person for 4 or more

Single room supplement: € 100
(Ask for quotation about individuals)

The price includes: transfer from/to the airport and throughout the whole journey, guiding according program, accommodation and boarding mentioned (excluding alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses), VAT and all local taxes.

Day 1. After arrival at Sofia Airport we have a transfer to Plovdiv, where we stay overnight.

Day 2. In the morning a short stroll along Maritsa River will provide us with the first specialties for the journey (Levant Sparrowhawk, Roller, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Syrian Woodpecker, Red-backed Shrikes, Woodchat Shrike, Masked Shrike, Golden Oriole, Spanish Sparrows, Black-headed Bunting etc.). Around noon we head to the realm of the birds of prey in Eastern Europe – the Eastern Rodopi Mountains and the town of Madzharovo. Later in the afternoon we will have some time to enjoy the terrific view of the valley of Arda River from the above (Black Stork, Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Scops Owl, Rock and Blue Rock Thrush, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Cirl and Rock Buntings, Red-rumped Swallows, Black-eared Wheatears, Rock Nuthatches etc.). We spend the next two nights in Madzharovo.

Day 3. It will be an active birding day. In the morning we make a trip to the spectacular Studen Kladenets Dam and explore its vicinity. A visit to the “vultures’ restaurant” is arranged, combined by the delight of watching feeding vultures (Egyptian, Griffon and Black Vultures, Long-legged and Honey Buzzards, Short-toed and Imperial Eagles, Roller, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Eastern Bonelli’s Warbler, Sombre Tit, Cirl and Rock Buntings etc.). In the afternoon we continue further to Krumovitsa River where we will continue watching and hearing passerines advertising their appearance in the undulating countryside (Stone Curlew, Olive-tree and Olivaceous Warblers, Red-backed, Woodchat and Masked Shrikes etc.).

Day 4. After breakfast we go for a turn at the foothills of the rocky cliffs by Madzharovo, observing again nesting vultures and huge variety of passerines (including also Middle Spotted Woodpeckers and Short-toed Treecreepers). After that we set off through Sakar Mountains (Lesser Spotted, Booted and Imperial Eagles, Isabelline Wheatear, Woodchat Shrike, Olivaceous and Orphean Warblers, Black-headed Bunting etc.) to the town of Sliven, where a feeding place of Red-footed Falcons, Lesser Spotted and Imperial Eagles will be visited. Here are also some of the largest colonies in Bulgaria of the European Souslik. Later in the afternoon we reach the Black Sea Coast and the town of Bourgas, where we stay overnight.

Day 5. The most interesting among the wetlands by Bourgas will be visited in the morning – the hyperhaline Atanasovsko Lake. The area is well known for its regular sightings of Slender-billed Curlew (White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Pygmy Cormorant, Night, Squacco and Purple Herons, Little Egret, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Yellow-legged Gull, Mediterranean Gulls, Little Terns, Whiskered Terns, Slender-billed and Collared Pratincoles, Avocet, Black-winged Stilts, Great Snipe, Curlew Sandpipers, Penduline Tit, Savi’s and Cetti’s Warblers, Black-headed Bunting etc.). Around noon we continue northwards to Cape Kaliakra where the biggest and most valuable steppe habitats are still presented in Bulgaria (European Shag (Mediterranean race), Stone Curlew, Alpine Swift, Calandra and Short-toed Larks, Olive-tree Warbler, Pied Wheatear, Tawny Pipit, Rose-coloured Starling, Black-headed Bunting etc.). We overnight in the town of Kavarna.

Day 6. After breakfast we head to the easternmost part of Bulgaria – the area of Shabla (Levant Sparrowhawk, Ruddy Shelduck, Little Tern, Black-winged Stilt, Marsh Sandpiper, Bee-eater, Golden Oriole, Lesser Grey Shrike, Black-headed Bunting, Rose-coloured Starlings etc.). Then we continue to Dourankoulak Lake – wetland of international importance for the wintering population of the Red-breasted Goose (Red-necked Grebe, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Whiskered and White-winged Terns, Red-footed Falcon, Ferruginous Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Kentish Plover, Lesser Grey Shrike, Calandra Lark, Tawny Pipit, Paddyfield Warbler etc.). In the afternoon we pass through the region of Ludogorie, reaching the town of Silistra, where we stay overnight.

Day 7. Srebarna Lake is probably the most famous wetland in Bulgaria. We spend few hours there in order to enjoy its inhabitants (Red-necked Grebe, Dalmatian Pelican, Pygmy Cormorant, Little Bittern, Squacco, Night and Purple Herons, Little and Great Egret, Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, White-tailed Eagle, Black Kite, Levant Sparrowhawk, Ferruginous Duck, Pochard, Whiskered Tern, Ortolan Bunting, Penduline Tit, Golden Oriole, Red-backed Shrike etc.). Quite long transfer is expecting us to the city of Sofia. On the way back we make few more short stops on some hot spots for birding. We overnight in Sofia.

Day 8. According to the time of your flight we could go sightseeing Sofia. After that you will be transferred to the airport for departure.

Extensions: Yes, Black Sea
This is a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation – from home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast:
- Sunny Beach – a big modern resort with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, water-sports facilities etc.
- Nessebar, Sozopol – small towns (founded by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Quarters and a specific atmosphere.
- Lozenetz – a peaceful small village with a beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go walking, biking or riding horses.

Accommodation: We stay overnight in small hotels on HB (breakfast and dinner included). All rooms are equipped with private facilities. Ordering lunchpacks is also possible.

Group size: Min. 2 / Max. 12

Guide: Yes, English-speaking.

Price: € 950 per person for 2-3 persons
Price: € 870 per person for 4 or more

Single room supplement: € 100
(Ask for quotation about individuals)

The price includes: transfer from/to the airport and throughout the whole journey, guiding according program, accommodation and boarding mentioned (excluding alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses), VAT and all local taxes.

Itinerary

Day 1. After arrival at Sofia Airport we have a transfer to a hotel in Vitosha Mountains, where we will stay overnight. Short time for accommodation and rest before walking around the hotel area, which will ensure a pleasant meeting with many mountains specialties (Pallid Swift, Black Woodpecker, Black Redstart, Crag Martin, Alpine Accentor, Water Pipit, Common Crossbill and Nutcracker).

Day 2. The first half of the day is dedicated to exploring the mountain and its inhabitants. Additional interesting species are expected to appear when trekking through the alpine zone (Ring Ouzel, Horned Lark, Rock Thrush, Goldcrest and Firecrest etc.). In the afternoon we head for the village of Trigrad in the Western Rodopi Mountains, where we stay overnight. Trigrad Gorge is one of the most popular European sites for watching Wallcreepers.

Day 3. In the morning we will go to the gorge, trying to find the elusive Wallcreeper. Other rock-dwelling species are also numerous (Alpine Swift, Crag Martin, Black Redstart, Rock Bunting etc.). Foraging Peregrine Falcons or Hobbies disturb the tranquillity in the area with their energetic flight. In the afternoon we head for the town of Plovdiv where we stay overnight. If there is enough time we will stop for a while on the hills by the town of Pazardzhik (Calandra Lark, Isabelline Wheatear, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle).

Day 4. After having breakfast, we start our journey to the Bulgarian realm of birds of prey – the Eastern Rhodopes. Exciting observations of the broken ground around the town of Madzharovo and above the valley of Arda River will add to our species list many birds of prey and passerines (Black Storks, Egyptian, Griffon and Black Vultures, Long-legged and Honey Buzzards, Lesser Spotted, Booted, Eastern Imperial and Short-toed Eagles, Peregrine Falcon, Lanner Falcon, Lesser Kestrel, Blue Rock and Rock Thrushes, Black-eared Wheatear, Rock Nuthatch, Rock Bunting, Orphean and Subalpine Warblers etc.). We spend two nights in Madzharovo, accompanied by the songs of Scops Owls.

Day 5. It will be an active birding day. In the morning we make a trip to the spectacular area of Studen Kladenets dam and explore the vicinity of the village of Potochnitsa. There we will have short strolls to a few watchpoints and to the “vultures restaurant” (Egyptian, Griffon and Black Vultures, Long-legged and Honey Buzzards, Short-toed Eagle, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Cirl and Rock Buntings, Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers, Red-rumped Swallows, Blue Rock Thrushes, Black-eared Wheatears, Rock Nuthatches etc.). In the afternoon we make a short trip along the Krumovitsa River where we will continue watching and hearing passerines advertising their appearance in the undulating countryside (Stone-curlew, Olivaceous and Olive-tree Warblers, Masked, Red-backed and Woodchat Shrikes etc.). Around evening we turn back to the hotel in Madzharovo.

Day 6. In the morning we depart from the Eastern Rodopi Mountains for a diverting journey to the town of Bourgas on the Black Sea Coast. Our trip will pass through interesting habitats in Sakar Mountains (Lesser Spotted, Short-toed, Eastern Imperial and Booted Eagles, Olive-tree and Olivaceous Warblers, Barred, Orphean, Sardinian and Subalpine Warblers, Red-rumped Swallow, Isabelline Wheatear, Woodchat, Red-backed and Lesser Grey Shrikes, Eastern Bonelli’s Warblers, Cirl and Black-headed Buntings etc.). By the town of Sliven we will see colonies of the attractive little Suslik. The fields nearby are also a regular feeding place for Montagu’s Harriers, Red-footed Falcons, Lesser Spotted and Eastern Imperial Eagles. We spend two nights in the town of Bourgas.

Day 7. The tangible contrast from the mountain habitats in the previous days, compared to visiting the wetlands by the town of Bourgas (Atanasovsko, Mandra and Poda lakes) offers a delight of a whole new complex of species. In these important nesting places typical breeders are Great Cormorants, Night, Squacco and Purple Herons, Little Egrets, Spoonbills, Glossy Ibises, White-tailed Eagles, Yellow-legged Gulls, Little Terns, Collared Pratincoles and many wader species. Migrating or resting Pygmy Cormorants, White and Dalmatian Pelicans, Whiskered Terns, Slender-billed and Mediterranean Gulls are very likely to be registered. It is possible to enjoy also rarities like Slender-billed Curlews, Citrine Wagtails etc.

Day 8. After breakfast we set off northwards to the Northern Black Sea Coast with a few stops of great interest. The first will be the hyperhaline Pomoriisko Lake (Shelducks, Avocets, Sandwich and Little Terns, Yellow-legged Gulls, Kentish Plovers, Slender-billed Gulls, Whiskered and White-winged Terns etc.). Further on we will stop at Goritsa forest. The biggest attraction of the site is the Semi-collared Flycatcher. The species list there will include also Syrian, Lesser Spotted and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, Golden Orioles, Spotted Flycatchers etc. Visits to Cape Kaliakra and Bolata Bay are planned for the afternoon (Mediterranean race of European Shag, Mediterranean Shearwater, Stone-curlew, Alpine Swift, Rose-coloured Starling, Calandra and Short-toed Larks, Tawny Pipit, Lesser Grey Shrike, Pied Wheatear, Barred and Olive-tree Warblers, Black-headed Bunting etc.). These species are all present there both by the rocky cliffs and in the unique steppe habitats on the plateau area. We spend the next two nights in the town of Kavarna.

Day 9. A short trip in the morning around the village of Kamen Briag and among the ancient tombs in the archeological reserve Yailite will be enough to enjoy once again the same birds, but in quite different habitats. Then we head to the wetlands by the town of Shabla (Pygmy Cormorant, Ferruginous Duck, Ruddy Shelduck, Calandra Lark, Black-winged Stilt, Curlew Sandpiper, Marsh Sandpiper, Bee-eater, Roller, Hoopoe, Lesser Grey Shrike etc.) and further to Dourankoulak Lake (Red-necked Grebe, Little Bittern, Purple Heron, Glossy Ibis, Great Egret, Ferruginous Duck, Collared Pratincole, Stone-curlew, Whiskered Tern, Paddyfield Warbler, Calandra Lark etc.). In the evening we go back to the hotel in Kavarna.

Day 10. After a trip through the Dobroudzha fields we reach Srebarna Lake around noon. The wetland is the earthly paradise for birds, being also the most prominent reserve in Bulgaria. Situated along the Danube River it is of international importance due to its breeding inhabitants (Red-necked Grebes, Dalmatian Pelicans, Pygmy Cormorants, Little Bittern, Squacco, Night and Purple Herons, Little and Great Egrets, Glossy Ibises, Spoonbills, Ferruginous Ducks, Pochards, Whiskered Terns and many more). Foraging White-tailed Eagles, Black Kites and Levant Sparrowhawks are the perfect addition to this community, complemented also by Ortolan Buntings, Penduline Tits, Golden Orioles and Red-backed Shrikes. We spend the night by the town of Rouse.

Day 11. Early in the morning we will undertake a few hours walk along the canyons of Rousenski Lom (Black Stork, Long-legged Buzzard, Egyptian Vulture, Roller, Hoopoe, Alpine Swift, Middle Spotted, Syrian and Grey-headed Woodpeckers, Lesser Grey Shrike, Red-rumped Swallow, Sombre Tit, Black-headed Buntings etc.). On the way to Sofia we will visit a heronry with Grey, Night and Squacco Herons breeding along with Little Egrets. In the evening we will have farewell party in Sofia, celebrating the long species list observed during the last days!

Day 12. Transfer to the airport for departure.

Extensions: Yes, Black Sea
This is a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation – from home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast:
- Sunny Beach – a big modern resort with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, water-sports facilities etc.
- Nessebar, Sozopol – small towns (founded by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Quarters and a specific atmosphere.
- Lozenetz – a peaceful small village with a beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go walking, biking or riding horses.

Accommodation: We stay overnight in small hotels on HB (breakfast and dinner included). All rooms are equipped with private facilities. Ordering lunchpacks is also possible.

Group size: Min. 2 / Max. 12

Guide: Yes, English-speaking.
Price: € 1390 per person for 2-3 persons
Price: € 1150 per person for 4 or more

Single room supplement: € 120
(Ask for quotation about individuals)

The price includes: transfer from/to the airport and throughout the whole journey, guiding according program, accommodation and boarding mentioned (excluding alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses), VAT and all local taxes.

Itinerary

Day 1. Transfer from Sofia or Plovdiv to the village Trigrad (2,30 h drive from Plovdiv and 3,30-4,00 h drive from Sofia). If we start in the morning we will have plenty of time in the area to see also some other interesting birds like Peregrine Falcon, Alpine Swift, Black Woodpecker, Black Redstart, Crag Martin, Goldcrest, Firecrest, Rock Bunting, Common Crossbill and Nutcracker. Short stroll in the Devil’s Throat Cave is also a possible. It has its name from the fact that if you let something flow in the cave river it never comes out again. There is a cave waterfall – one of the highest underground waterfalls in Europe, 42 m high. We stay overnight in Trigrad.

Day 2. In the morning we will go to the gorge trying to find the Wallcreeper. One should have strong neck muscles because we may spend few hours in attempts to spot the hidden bird on the cliffs. In the afternoon we head for the town of Plovdiv where we stay overnight. If there is enough time we will stop for a while on the hills by the town of Pazardzhik (Calandra Lark, Isabelline Wheatear, Long-legged Buzzard, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle).

Day 3. Depending on your schedule (flight or business) we either head to Sofia or if you do not have to get back early (or you have to remain in Plovdiv with no other plans for this day) we continue to Maritsa River. This part of the trip will enlarge your checklist for sure. Target species (especially during May-July) are: Levant Sparrowhawk, Roller, Bee-eater, Hoopoe, Syrian Woodpecker, Red-backed Shrikes, Woodchat Shrike, Masked Shrike, Golden Oriole, Spanish Sparrows, Black-headed Bunting etc. In the afternoon you have a transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv.

* It is possible to extend the program to 4-5 days if you wish to visit the Eastern part of the Rodopi Mountains, providing the exclusive opportunity to enjoy Griffon, Black and Egyptian Vultures at one place, Black Stork, Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Nuthatch, Short-toed Eagle, Woodchat Shrike, many other birds of prey and great variety of warblers. Please contact us for itinerary ideas and special quotation.

Extensions: Yes, Black Sea

This is a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation – from home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast:
- Sunny Beach – a big modern resort with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, water-sports facilities etc.
- Nessebar, Sozopol – small towns (founded by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Quarters and a specific atmosphere.
- Lozenetz – a peaceful small village with a beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go walking, biking or riding horses.

Accommodation: We stay overnight in small hotels on HB (breakfast and dinner included). All rooms are equipped with private facilities. Ordering lunchpacks is also possible.

Guide: Yes, English-speaking.

Price: € 360 per person for 1 person

Price: € 280 per person for 2 or more

Ask for customized tour with special discount for your group here !

The price includes: transfers from/to Sofia or Plovdiv and throughout the whole journey, guiding according program, accommodation in family-run hotels with private facilities; boarding on HB with breakfast & dinner included.
The price includes: alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses, entrance fee for caves, VAT and all local taxes.

Day 1. Arrival at Sofia Airport and transfer to the lodge in Rodopi Mountains (about 2,5 hrs drive).

Brown BearDays 2-4 The program includes attempts for watching Brown Bear until the first successful one but at least 2 tries for the short and 3 tries for the longer program. We use hides that are specially arranged for watching Brown Bears, which can accommodate up to 3 people. This is where we spend few hours after sunset or a whole night waiting for the bear to appear, keeping silence all the time. If lucky enough we may enjoy a mother with cubs or solitary males and other nocturnal wildlife too. The bears are usually seen from 15 to 30 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: 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.); hiking (Rodopi Mountains with their rounded hills and loads of trails are perfect for walking excursions); sightseeing (there are numerous cultural and historical sites in the area of the Rodopi Mountains that could be visited as daily trips); horseriding with local breed horses etc. But as the original package is only concentrated on viewing of Brown Bear and Balkan Chamois, birdwatching, horseriding, sightseeing or Caperacillie daily tours are to be paid on the spot in accordance with a standard pricelist. However if you wish to explore the area by yourself on foot the English-speaking guide will be at your disposal at no additional charge.

Day 5 Transfer to Sofia Airport for departure.

Accommodation: We stay in a lodge in double rooms. WC/shower is available on the floor. Fullboard is included (three meals per day; lunches can be made as picnics when outside in the woods). The food will be prepared by the local cook and will include tasty local delicacies.

Group size: Min. 1, Max. 6

Guide: Yes, English-speaking throughout the tour + local ranger.

Extensions: Yes, Black Sea
This is a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation – from home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast:
- Sunny Beach – a big modern resort with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, water-sports facilities etc.
- Nessebar, Sozopol – small towns (founded by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Quarters and a specific atmosphere.
- Lozenetz – a peaceful small village with a beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go walking, biking or riding horses.

Price: 590 Euro
Single supplement: 50 Euro

The price is per person and includes: use of all available hides; all transfers within the area and outside incl. pick up and drop off at Sofia or Plovdiv airport; English-speaking guide and local ranger;  accommodation and boarding mentioned (excluding alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses); VAT and all local taxes

Itineraries

1. Vitosha Nature Park (whole day trekking & birding)
Transfer from the town of Sofia to Vitosha Nature Park, where a stroll in the spruce forest and the alpine zone will ensure observations of the Black Woodpecker, Rock Thrush, Pallid Swift, Black Redstart, Crag Martin, Ring Ouzel, Water Pipit, Common Crossbill, Nutcracker, Goldcrest and Firecrest and other mountain specialties.

2. Dragoman Marsh (whole day birding & leisure walking)
Transfer from the town of Sofia to Dragoman Marsh (only 35 km west of the Bulgarian capital). Here the species list comprises not only water-connected birds as Bittern, Little Bittern, White and Black Storks, Garganey, Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Great Reed, Reed, Marsh, Savi’s and Sedge Warblers and many others, but also birds breeding in the adjacent Karst terrains, namely – Short-toed Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Ortolan and Black-headed Buntings, Isabelline Wheatear, Lesser Grey Shrike, Short-toed Lark etc.

3. Combined tour (half day – Vitosha Mountains, half day – Dragoman Marsh)
This trip combines the advantages of the other two trips, although not providing a detailed overview as they do separately! However the trekking part will be shortened but still the highlights remain almost the same!

Group size required for each of the trips: 1-6 pax

Price: 80 euro

The price is per person and includes:
private transport, fuel as per itinerary, local guide (English-speaking).