Hungary
Steppes and Forests in Autumn

Sunday 16 - Sunday 23 October 2011 (8 days)
Sunday 14 - Sunday 21 October 2012 (8 days)

We visit the fabulous steppes, lakes, and marshes of the Hortobágy and the Hungarian forests at the very best time for the spectacular migration of cranes and geese. Join us for some of the best autumn birdwatching in Europe!

The sweeping landscapes of the steppe country extend across a huge swathe of temperate Eurasia, eastwards to Mongolia and beyond. In only one place does a part of this vast steppe wilderness just stretch into Europe - the plains of Eastern Hungary. This is the Hortobágy, an ancient flood-plain that contains not only steppe grasslands, but also a chain of wetlands of international importance. One of Europe's largest national parks, the Hortobágy offers some of Europe's most exciting birdwatching, particularly in the autumn. This is the main eastern flyway for Cranes in Europe. At their peak, there may be no less than 60,000 of these magnificent birds in the area. The sight of squadron upon squadron of them filling the sky with their wings, and the air with their calls as they go to roost, must surely be one of Europe's great wildlife spectacles. During our stay we shall also go up into the forests of the Zemplen Hills, for a range of raptors and other forest specialities including owls and woodpeckers, which can be relatively easy to see at this time of year.

Accommodation: Good hotels with all rooms en suite. For lunches we usually visit some excellent local restaurants, or picnic in the forest.

Leaders: Ray Nowicki and local guides

Numbers: Max. 14 clients

Outline Itinerary
Days 1-4We take a morning scheduled flight London - Budapest, and drive eastwards to the Hortobágy. Four nights Hortobágy
Days 5-7Leaving the Hortobágy we drive to Debrecen Woods, some of the oldest oak woodland in the area. In the afternoon we arrive at the attractive village of Tokaj, famous for its wines and its fine landscapes, close to the Slovakian border, where we stay for three nights. Three nights Tokaj
Day 8We drive back to Budapest before catching our return flight to London.

Please note that we can arrange optional extensions to the trip in Budapest, for a chance to spend a bit of time in this delightful city. Please let us know at time of booking.

Click here for a full, printable itinerary

Price: £ 1,495
Single supp.: £ 145
Deposit: £ 300 per person

The price per person includes return flights from London - Budapest, airport taxes, 7 nights' accommodation, all meals, transport, incidental tips, and the services of the leaders.

The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips for the driver and local leader, drinks, and other personal expenses.

For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Budapest/Budapest) please deduct £ 105 per person from the tour cost.

Hungary map


What you say:

'The memory of thousands of cranes approaching, flying right over our heads, then silhouetted against the setting sun before they landed will remain with me for years. There were other highlights too, such as the Red-breasted Geese, a really close Saker falcon, a Long-eared Owl roost in a residential street...' B.L, London