We take an autumn tour with an imaginative itinerary to two strikingly different areas in Eastern Europe: the Hortobágy in Eastern Hungary and Transylvania in Romania for an excellent variety of habitats and birds, and a chance to see some of Europe's largest mammalian predators!
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 extend a finger into Europe - the plains of Eastern Hungary.
Transylvania is a wild mountainous land, which hosts one of Europe's best populations of large mammals, the star of which must be the Brown Bear. Our tour should give us the opportunity to observe these impressive creatures in the wild from special hides, and to learn more about their lives. In addition we will look for tracks of Wolf and Lynx.
A superb range of birds is possible on this tour, and could include Great Bustard, Red-footed and Saker Falcons,and Wallcreeper, to mention just a few.
Accommodation: Good hotels with all rooms en suite. For lunches we usually visit some excellent local restaurants, or picnic in the forest.
| Outline Itinerary |
| Day 1 | We take a morning scheduled flight London - Budapest, and drive eastwards to the Hortobágy.
Overnight Hortobágy |
| Day 2 | The marshes and lakes of the puszta at this time can be alive with resident and migrant wetland birds. The vast grasslands are home to the magnificent Great Bustard which has a healthy population in the area.
Overnight Hortobágy |
| Day 3 | We continue our journey eastwards, towards Romania. Pretty soon we reach the first hills of Transylvania.
Overnight near Székelyudvarhely |
| Day 4 | We start to explore the beautiful forests and meadows of the Harghita Mountains.
After an early dinner we will have our first chance to go to one of the bear-watching hides. Depending on the success of this evening, we have a second chance the following day.
Overnight near Székelyudvarhely |
| Day 5 |
Overnight near Székelyudvarhely
|
| Day 6 | Today is Wallcreeper day, in one of the very few places where it is possible to see this star bird without a long and arduous walk.
Overnight near Székelyudvarhely |
| Day 7 | Today we leave the Harghita area and drive westwards towards the World Heritage village of Rimetea , also known by its Hungarian name Torockó, where we can enjoy the excellent local cuisine. We stay in a superb family-run hotel, with the stunning views of the nearby massive Secler Rock, towering above us up to 1,200 m.
Overnight near Torockó |
| Day 8 | We head back towards Hungary to spend our last night in the Hortobágy.
Overnight Hortobágy |
| Day 9 | After breakfast we head to Budapest to catch our return flight home, with birdwatching en route if time permits.
|
|
Price: £ 1,795
Single supp.: £ 205
Deposit: £ 300 per person
The price per person includes return flights from London - Budapest*, airport taxes, 8 nights' accommodation, all meals, incidental tips, coach transport and the services of the leaders.
The price excludes holiday insurance, optional tips for the driver and local guide, drinks, and other personal expenses.
*For an ex-flight cost of the tour (Budapest/Budapest) please deduct £125 per person from the tour cost.
Leader: Gabor Orban
Numbers: Max. 14 clients
|
