Hello a Bulgarian friend has sent me this info, to go on wildlife tours
http://www.flowersofcrete.info/index.htmlhttp://www.explorer2000.com/Spring Wild Flower Tour
.. June -
. June 2006. (Tour Code: SWF) Leaders:
and. Price: £?
? (Based on a group of ten or more, a smaller group will incur a supplement).
During this tour we shall explore some of the spectacular scenery and flowers in the Vitosha, Rila, Pirin and Rhodope mountains. Bulgaria is a botanical wonderland, and beautiful flowers which we hope to see, some of them endemic or globally rare, include Edraianthus serbicus, Genista subcapitata, Paeonia peregrina, Aquilegia aurea, Crocus veluchensis, Dactylorhiza cordigera, Dianthus microlepis, Digitalis grandiflora, D. lanata, D. viridiflora, Gentiana verna, G. pyrenaica, Geum coccineum, Gladiolus imbricatus, Iris reichenbachii, Lilium rhodopaeum, L. jankae, Linum capitatum, Centaurea achtarovii, Limodorum arbortivum (Violet Birds-nest Orchid), Orchis coriophora (Bug Orchid), Primula deorum (Primula of the Gods) and many more.
..
. There is no rock climbing involved, but you should be fit enough for walking in mountainous country and bring suitable footwear which you have already broken in. Hotels all provide good food and wine, and are comfortable, but not luxurious. In out of the way places, we have chosen the best available. The holiday is on a half board basis.
Projected Itinerary (which may be subject to minor adjustments)
Sunday or Sunday?
.4 June Scheduled flight from Gatwick to Sofia. Sightseeing tour of Sofia on foot. (*See below).
5 June Drive to Pamporovo, visiting Assenova Fortress on the way. Overnight stay. Alyssoides bulgaricum
6 Junе Visit to Trigrad Gorge. Easy walk and drive for 6- hours. Lots of endemic plants (Haberlea rhodopensis!!! Verbascum decorum, V. roripifolium, Orchis militaris, and butterflies (incl. Apollo).
. 7 June Visit the beautiful rock bridges (Chudnite Mostove), and Progled. Easy walk and drive for 6 -8 hours Limodorum abortivum, Cortusa mathioly, Lilium rhodopaeum. (need a waterproof just in case).
. 8 June Walk through meadows and spruce forests in the vicinity of Pamporovo. Easy walk for 4-6 hours. Day for relax. Dactylorhiza cordigera, Lathrea rhodopaea, Plathanthera chlorantha, Corallorhiza trifida(need a waterproof just in case).
. 9 June Drive to Town of Velingrad for a one night stay, via Dospat Visiting meadows and reserves (Beglika) en route. Viola rhodopaea, Rhinanthus wagnerii, Astragalus alopecurus etc.
.. 10 June Drive to Borovets via Velingrad, Kostenetz, Samokov for a two night stay, visiting meadows en route.
.. 11 June Visit to Maljovitza trogue valley with stop on a meadow on the road Gentiana utriculosa, Orchis elegans, O. morio. Crocus veluchensis, Moderate to steep walk for 6 hours. Beautiful glacial landscape and
.Primula deorum (need a waterproof just in case).
.. 12 June Drive to the picturesque mountain town of Bansko for a four night stay. On the way there will be a visit to the famous Rila Monastery, one of the tour highlights in previous years. In the spruce forest above wintergreens. Some free time to explore Bansko and do some sightseeing before dinner.
.. 13 June Visit to the silicate part of the Northern Pirin National Park, Muratovo or Bunderishki Lakes, to see sub-alpine and alpine plants on silicate rock. Slow but steep walk with some big boldurs on it for 6-8 hours. Beautiful glacial landscape. (need a waterproof just in case).
.. 14 June Visit to Northern Pirin National Park marble part, near Bunderitsa Chalet and Vihren Peak. An area of grass and rocky screes. Slow but steep to very steep walk for 6-8 hours. But the rock garden with lots of local and balcan endemics is worth. Oxytropis urumovii, Verbascum davidovii, Brassica jordanovii, Saxifraga ferdinandi-coburgii, S. sempervivum, Globularia wilkomii, Daphne oleoides, D. cneorum, Viola grisebachiana, V. perinensis, Primula halerii, Iris reichenbachii. (need a waterproof just in case).
. 15 June Visit to Centarl Pirin National Park marble part peak Orelek along the valley of Mesta river. Petkovia orphanidea, Campanula jordanovii, Saxifraga sempervivum, Astragalus angustifolius.
. 16 June Return drive to Sofia, visiting South Vitosha foothills, Bosnek village and Golo Bardo Limestone flora, steppe and mediterranean plants and lots of butterflies. Asphodeline taurica, Astragalus onobrychis
..17 June Visit Viden peak, Konjavska Mts. for limestone flora and secondary steppe vegetation (replacing former decidous forest). A rock garden with lot of beautiful and endemic things Edraianthus serbicus, Genista subcapitata, Paeonia peregrina, Possibility to stop at Chokljovo swamp (age of 8500 years BP) on the via Aristotelis migration rout of birds (need a telescope). (need a waterproof just in case).
.. 18 June Transfer to the airport for your return flight to UK.
OUR PRICES INCLUDE:
Return flights to Sofia by scheduled service. (*Manchester departures can also be arranged at a supplement). Airport taxes. Half Board. Hotels with en suite facilities on a twin bedded shared occupancy basis. Coach for transfers and excursions. Specialist British and Bulgarian leaders. Guide/interpreter.
NOT INCLUDED:
Lunches (about £3 or less). Travel Insurance (Compulsory). This is available from Balkania Travel. Drinks and personal expenses such as gratuities. Single room supplement (£99).
