Hungarian Puszta & hills of Transylvanian Dracula’s country

Hungary and Romania, 12 days

Our tour offers a unique combination of first class birding at several interesting habitats, such as the lowland steppe of Kiskunság and Hortobágy National Parks in Hungary plus the hills and valleys of Transylvania and the mountains of the Eastern and Southern Carpathians in Romania.

The world-famous Kiskunság and Hortobágy Puszta preserves rare bird species such as Pygmy Cormorant, Squacco Heron, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Ferruginous Duck, Long-legged Buzzard, Red–footed Falcon, Great Bustard and Aquatic Warbler, to name just a few.

Romania should be high on the list of destinations for every birdwatcher. Transylvania is characterised by beautiful landscapes, scenic gorges and lakes, vast hay meadows and endless forests, where Golden Eagle, Capercaillie, Wallcreeper, Alpine Swift and Rock Thrush are found. It is dotted with nice villages, medieval towns and fortresses.

The Carpathian Mountains provide a good opportunity to discover exciting mountain species including Ural and Tengmalm's Owl, Ring Ouzel and Nutcracker. We also have a chance there to view rare mammals such as Chamois and Brown Bear.

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Fact File

3 days in Hungary
9 days in Romania
starting in Budapest and finishing in Bucharest
visiting the Kiskunság, Hortobágy, Transylvania, Eastern and Southern Carpathians
using 4 or 5 accommodations

Highlights

3 days in the Kiskunság and Hortobágy National Parks
visit to the Turda Gorge in Transylvania
birding in the Harghita Mountains, Bikaz Gorge and Killer Lake in the Eastern Carpathians
visit to Saint Anne Lake and Mohos Marsh
4 days in the Southern Carpathians
bear watching in the Bucegi Mountains
superb scenery, rare birds and mammals

Accommodation

3 nights at the Hungarian Puszta, Hungary
2 night in Torockó, Transylvania
3 nights in Zetea, at the Harghita Mountains
3 night in Southern Carpathians

Departure Dates

April-May

August-September

http://www.ecotours.hu/calendar

Price

Ask for the actual price.
Our price includes:

all travel as noted in the itinerary;
all accommodation based on shared rooms (most rooms are twin bedded), at most locations there are single rooms as well for extra charge (Please ask for a single room at the time of booking!);
3 meals per day, generally breakfast at the accommodation, packed lunch, dinner (consists of at least two courses);
services of the leader(s);
trip materials.

Not included:

flights to and from Budapest;
optional programmes to places of interest and entrance fees involved;
airport and other departure taxes, tips;
food beyond generally 3 meals/day mentioned in the itineraries;
excess baggage charges;
telephone calls;
alcoholic beverages;
compulsory personal insurance.

If you have questions about the inclusion of any cost item, please contact us.

Activity level

Generally easy to moderate walks
Some longer drives expected

Optional programmes

Optional Bear and Wolf watching in the Carpathians

Optional visit of Dracula Castle at Bran

Itinerary

Days 1-3

We arrive at the Budapest Airport where our English speaking guide meets us. We check Imperial Eagle en route as we travel towards the famous Kiskunság and Hortobágy National Park, where we stay for 3 nights. We explore marshes, fishponds and vast steppes for Pygmy Cormorant, Glossy Ibis, Long-legged Buzzard, Saker, Red-footed Falcon, Great Bustard, Eurasian Roller, European Bee-eater, Little Owl and many more species.

Day 4

We continue our journey towards Romania and visit the scenic Turda Gorge looking for Golden Eagle, Alpine Swift, Dipper and Grey-headed Woodpecker.

Days 5-7

We visit the upper part of Turda Gorge for Rock Thrush and Rock Bunting. The end of the day will find us at the foot of the Harghita Mountains, where the pine wood is home to Capercaillie, Hazel Grouse and Brown Bear. Three-toed and White-backed Woodpecker, Ural Owl, Nutcracker and Common Crossbill are among the species we might see. We make a day trip to Bekas Gorge, which is one of the most certain and easily accessible site for Wallcreeper in Europe. We also visit nearby Killer Lake and a swamp-meadow near Senetea, where Common Rosefinch is breeding.

Days 8-11

On our way to the Southern Carpathians we might visit Saint Anne Lake, the only crater lake of Europe. The nearby Mohos Marsh is one of the biggest highland moors. Later we arrive to Zarnesti from where we discover the famous Bucegi Mountains for Nutcracker, Common Crossbill, Crested Tit and Ring Ouzel. In Zarnesti Gorge we have chances to see Alpine Swift and Crag Martin. Bearwatching is also an option in a specially located hide. In the Stramba Valley we look for Ural Owl and Lesser-spotted Eagle. We won’t miss Bran, the home of “Count Dracula” that is also nearby. We might as well visit the Fagaras Mountains on a day trip to search for Three-toed Woodpecker, Alpine Accentor, Ring Ouzel and Wallcreeper.

Day 12

After breakfast we drive to Bucharest to catch the flight back home.

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