Birds of Bulgaria

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BIRDS OF BULGARIA

(14 -28 May 2000)

Leader: Carl Nicholson.

Price: Ł840. (Based on a group of ten or more, a smaller group will incur a supplement).

This is a new tour following a route which has proved popular in the past. You will be travelling early in the spring, so the tour will focus on the southern parts of Bulgaria. This will be your chance to see the country's unique wildlife, in addition to passage migrants, as you travel through the Rhodope and Pirin Mountains and the Struma Valley.

Birds are the focus of the tour, but the skills and knowledge of your British and Bulgarian leaders will ensure that you gain a fascinating insight into many aspects of Bulgaria’s wild life.

Bulgaria's beautiful scenery, friendly people and excellent wine and food are additional highlights. The BBFS offers you the benefits of its twenty years' experience of organising tours to Bulgaria, well-known leaders and simply unbeatable prices.

Final details, bird lists and general information will be sent to participants with their tickets. Our tour price includes a donation to the BSPB to assist their conservation programme.

Please note that this is not a luxury holiday. Hotels are comfortable, and in out of the way places, such as Kurdjali and Assenovgrad, the best available. The holiday is on a Half-Board basis. Dinners are normally at local restaurants rather than hotels, as both the food and the atmosphere are more enjoyable.

Itinery

Sunday 14 May - Travel by scheduled flight from Heathrow to Sofia. Dinner and one overnight at Bistritsa Residence (a former official residence). Dinner.

Monday 15 May - Day drive to Burgas, via Karlovo, Kazanluk and Sliven. Stops for birdwatching on the way. Dinner and first of four overnight stays at St. Iliya Hotel, Burgas, conveniently situated for birdwatching.

16, 17 and 18 May - Day trips to reserves at Atanassovo Lake, Mandra, Poda, Arkutino and Emona. Dinners.

Friday 19 May - Drive to Kurdjali, in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains, for a two night stay, with birdwatching stops on the way. Dinner.

Saturday 20 May - Day drive to Studen Kladenets and the Vulture Feeding Station. Dinner.

Sunday 21 May - Drive to Assenovgrad, south of Plovdiv, for a two night stay, again with stops for birdwatching on the way. Dinner.

Monday 22 May - Day drive to Visokata Pesht, Chudnite Mostove (Rock Bridge, a natural rock formation), Bachkovo Monastery and Laky. Possible bird sightings: Blue Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting, Alpine Swift, Golden Oriole, Long-legged Buzzard, Wagtail, Dipper, Crag Martin etc. Dinner.

Tuesday 23 May - Day drive to Cherven, Dobrostan and Martziganitza. Possible sightings of Golden Eagle, Alpine Chough, Crested Tit, Rock Thrush etc. Dinner.

Wednesday 24 May - Drive east in the Rhodope Mountains and continue into the Pirin Mountains to the picturesque mountain town of Bansko, via Plovdiv, Peshtera, Batak, Velingrad and Yakoruda. Stay for four nights at Hotel Annell. Possible sightings of Goshawk, Honey Buzzard, Peregrine. Dinner.

Thursday 25 May - Day drive to Mount Vihren, possible sightings of Alpine Chough, Alpine Accentor, Crossbill, Nutcracker. Dinner.

Friday 26 May - Day drive to Predela, Simitli and Kresna. Mediterranean birds such as Rock Nuthatch, Black-Headed Bunting, Woodchat Shrike, Subalpine Warbler etc. Dinner.

Saturday 27 May - Drive north to Blagoevgrad Fish Ponds. Visit the spectacular Rila Monastery and then continue on the return drive to Sofia. Possible sightings of Marsh Terns, Little Ringed Plover, Dipper, Woodpeckers etc. Farewell dinner and overnight at Bistritsa Residence.

Sunday 28 May - After a short time at leisure, transfer to Sofia Airport for return flight to London.

OUR PRICE INCLUDES:

Return flights from Heathrow to Sofia. Half Board. Good tourist hotels (2* and 3*) with private facilities on a twin bedded shared occupancy basis. UK and Bulgarian Airport Taxes (Ł33). Coach for transfers and excursions. Guide/Interpreter. Expert British and Bulgarian leaders. Donation to Bulgarian SPB.

NOT INCLUDED:

Lunches (about Ł3 or less). Travel Insurance (compulsory). Travel Insurance is available from Balkania Travel. Drinks and personal expenses. Single room supplement (Ł85).

Published August 1999

BBFS TOURS are arranged with BALKANIA TRAVEL (ATOL 4465)