More Tours

Eastern Europe – June 2009

European Green Woodpecker Bluethroat Ural Owl

Day 1:  We start this trip by enjoying the incredible city of Prague in the Czech Republic. We will be staying in a small hotel in the centre of things which was once part of a monastery – but is now a small beautiful hotel. The first evening we will wander down to the square in the centre of Old Town to enjoy a lively meal and, if we are lucky, see Lesser Kestrel. Day 2: A full day for sightseeing in Prague – the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, River Vltava and much more – not a great deal of birds but an amazing city – there are several opportunities to enjoy classical concerts throughout the city – for those that are interested. Day 3: This could be an optional birding or sightseeing day. For birding we will stay in the Greater Prague area – hawfinch, bullfinch and woodpeckers will be on the list

Day 4: After a slightly slower start this morning, we leave Prague and drive onto Hungary, passing through a corner of Austria that may provide good views of Imperial Eagle. Birding will be enroute, taking advantage of all opportunities. We will stay this night in a gorgeous hotel in the town of Sopron. Day 5: Today we will visit an amazing wetland area that straddles the Austria/Hungary border and provides access to an enormous number of birds.  With a picnic breakfast and lunch we will maximize our viewing time and see at least 120 species. Enroute we will experience our first sights of white stork nesting in the Hungarian villages.

Day 6: Birding will be enroute to Heviz for our next stay down at Lake Balaton. Our delightful hotel is right near a beautiful thermal spa ( for which Hungary is famous) and for those wanting a relaxing afternoon we recommend a trip to this natural spa. Those that wish to bird, can join us at Lake Balaton. Dinner tonight, for those that wish to join us is at one of the best locations we have ever been! Overlooking the lake at a truly fantastic restaurant, Kisfaludy House, this is a truly memorable place.   Day 7: Today is another full day of birding at Kis-Balaton, a massive reed bed at the south west corner of Balaton Lake. Large numbers of ducks, waders, terns and gulls along with raptors and many species of reed warbler. Nice Hungarian meal in the small village of Heviz.

Serin

Day 8: In the morning we will continue birding the Kis-Balaton area – departing at lunch time for Budapest. Day 9,10 & 11; While staying in Budapest, we will explore 3 different birding areas outside of the city – this is our chance for Pratincole, Red footed falcon and many, many more. For those who want to take a break from birding on any of these days, we can provide great day itineraries for exploring Budapest and the great Danube River. Day12: Leaving Budapest we head up to the town of Eger. Here we will enjoy this beautiful little town, do some wine tasting in a very interesting setting ( you have to see this to believe it!!) and bird the base of  the fabulous Bukk Hills – rock bunting, wood warbler, collared flycatcher to name but a few.

Collared Pratincole

Day 13: Today we move slightly north towards the Slovak border for better access to the Bukk Hills and  the Aggtelek Hills. Today we will concentrate on the Bukk Hills for more fabulous woodland birds. Day 14; The morning will take us to the Aggtelek Hills for more woodland birding and one of the best locations for Hazelhen. In the afternoon we will visit the Baradla-Domica caves. This area can also offer an alternate activity as hiking is extremely popular here.

Rock Bunting

	Day 15: We will determine where to spend our last day of woodland birding based on which species we have yet to see. Day 16: On to the Hortobagy plains – the grasslands of Hungary. After birdng enroute, we meet a park ranger who will take us into parts of the grasslands that are off limits to the public where we will find Aquatic Warbler. Day 17: Another day’s birding on the plains looking for Grasshopper warbler, garden warbler, Great Bustard, Common Crane and many more, The Hortobagy plains must be seen to be believed.
Looking for Aquatic Warbler		Great Bustard

	Day 18 & 19: These last 2 days will be planned while we are in Hungary. This will allow us focus on whichever birds we have been unable to see at previous stops. Sometimes a second chance is a good thing and we want to make sure we can either re-visit areas or choose additional locations that can provide the best viewing of specific species not already viewed on the trip. Day 20: Where ever the last 2 days take us, we will leave in time to depart from Budapest directly home. NOTES: Price: $3250 per person, based on double occupancy. (Excludes, travel costs, meals and alcohol ) We would rate this trip easy in terms of physical exertion.
Common Crane		European Bee-eater

Hawfinch	Hooded Crow	Aquatic Warbler

[ TOP ]