Botanic Holiday in Bulgaria:
Orchid Mapping in the Western Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains
This unique 8-day botanic holiday in Bulgaria has been organised in conjunction with the NGO 'Wild Rodopi', a specialist wildlife research and conservation organisation operating in the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains. During the course of this unique orchid conservation tour, you will not only visit some of the most outstanding orchid sites in Bulgaria's Western Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains, but also experience the excitement of exploring and surveying potential new orchid habitats where important as yet unknown populations of rare orchids may be discovered. Unlike other standard botanic holidays, on these orchid conservation study tours you will not only enjoy the chance to find and photograph some of the rarest and most beautiful orchids in Bulgaria, but also have an opportunity to contribute directly to orchid conservation in Bulgaria by taking part in important orchid mapping and monitoring projects which will help improve knowledge about the distribution and conservation of orchid species in Bulgaria's Western Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains.
Key Target Species: Lady's Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium calceolus), Ghost Orchid (Epipogium aphyllum), Creeping Lady's Tresses (Goodyera repens), Pink Butterfly Orchid (Anacamptis papilionacea), Military Orchid (Orchis militaris), Fly Orchid (Ophrys insectifera), Horned Woodcock Orchid (Ophrys scolopax subsp. cornuta), Eastern Spider Orchid (Ophrys sphegodes subsp. mammosa).
| Best Months The most rewarding months for this botanic holiday are: May, June
Land Only Prices 1 person = 1795 Euros 2 people = 995 Euros per person 3-4 people = 795 Euros per person 5-6 people = 595 Euros per person Single supplement = 90 Euros
Inclusions * 7 nights B&B accommodation in twin rooms with en suite toilet/shower * Services of English-speaking wildlife guide and conservationist * Services of licensed private vehicle and professional driver NB: Unlike many other wildlife holiday companies who attempt to cut costs by making their guides have to double up as drivers, we employ separate dedicated drivers for all our trips as we believe this is not only safer but also allows our guides to concentrate fully on looking after you and finding you the wildlife!
Itinerary Day 1: From the airport at Sofia, we transfer to a village in the Western Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains. Having checked in to our hotel we will then begin our search for orchids in the 'Chervenata Stena' Bisosphere Reserve. Originally established as a botanic reserve, the region is renowned for its great variety of orchids. Day 2: Moving on deeper into the heart of the Western Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains, we visit a remote limestone area which preliminary investigations have suggested may harbour a range of interesting orchids, and may enable us to record and map new populations of some of our main target orchid species. Day 3: A full day spent searching for orchids on the northern slopes of the Perelik Massif. This is the highest part of the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains with a patchwork of lush flower-filled meadows and some ancient coniferous forests. The climate and vegetation of the region is very different to the areas we have visited so far, so we should find a different assortment of orchid species from those we have already recorded. Day 4: During the morning we continue our orchid hunting on the Perelik massif, this time exploring a conifer clad limestone outcrop where we may be able to map new populations of some rare species. In the afternoon, we then move on into the Trigrad Karst Massif, to begin our explorations of what is one of the most rewarding orchid regions in Bulgaria. Day 5: A full day mapping and monitoring orchid populations in the Trigrad Karst region. During the day we will visit a variety of orchid habitats and should manage to find a large variety of orchid species. Day 6: A second full day continuing our orchid hunting explorations of the Trigrad Karst region. Our focus today will be the monitoring of known existing populations of certain rare target orchid species, plus the search for new as yet unknown populations of these species. Day 7: Before commencing our journey back to Sofia, we will have a final morning mapping and monitoring rare target orchid species Day 8: The tour finishes after breakfast at the hotel in Sofia. |
Responsible Tourism Promise This botanic holiday in Bulgaria is being operated in conjunction with the wildlife research and conservation NGO 'Wild Rodopi'. Not only will the mapping and research data gathered during the course of this botanic holiday in Bulgaria contribute directly to orchid research and conservation efforts in the the Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains, but all profits from this botanic holiday in Bulgaria will be donated to the NGO 'Wild Rodopi' to help fund their orchid research and mapping projects. | Bookings & Information If you are interested in booking this botanic holiday in Bulgaria's Western Rodopi (Rhodope) Mountains or would like further information, then please email us: |
