Hungary - Czech Republic – Slovakia, 15 days
This tour is designed to visit some of the best butterfly regions in Central-Europe. The Carpathian Mountains host many attractive mountain species while within the huge Carpathian Basin you can find an amazing variety of different habitats ranging from wet meadows, alkaline marshes, steppes through to extensive oak, beech, evergreen woods, limestone slopes and volcanic hills. No wonder that Hungary is one of the richest countries in terms of butterfly and dragonfly species in Europe with almost 200 butterfly species, about 3400 moths and 65 species of dragonflies. During the 15-day long tour we visit many national parks in Hungary: Balaton Uplands, Őrség, Bükk, Aggtelek, Hortobágy and the Carpathian Mountains of Slovakia and Moravia in the Czech Republic. The trip will be escorted by local guides.
It is possible to leave this tour earlier on the 9th day in Budapest or join the tour for the second half. Those who only sign up for the first part will complete 9 days starting and finishing in Budapest. Those who join the tour for the second half will have a 7-day holiday starting and finishing in Budapest.
{backbutton}
Itinerary
1
Upon arrival at Budapest Airport we head south towards the Kiskunsag National Park through an area which is a stronghold for Great Bustards. We aim to the Kondor EcoLodge which is our own lovely traditional thatch-roofed family style hotel with a garden full with songs of Golden Oriole, Common Redstart, Bee-eaters and Rollers. In and around there are attractive butterfly species as well, such as Cardinal, Swallowtail, Short-tailed Blue and many more.
2-4
We travel west towards the Bakony region above Lake Balaton. These days will be spent exploring the Bakony Hills featuring areas of oak and beech woods alternating with steppe like meadows.
5-7
We head to the easternmost foothills of the Alps. This is an area characterised by damp herb-rich meadows and sub-alpine vegetation, which we will visit en route. Afterwards we head for the White Carpathian Mountains, a UNESCO Biosphere reserve where we spend 2 days. We then head to the South and visit an the dolomite Tematinske Kopce Hills.
8
On our way back to Hungary we stop in the Small Carpathian Mountains. Re-entering Hungary, we travel to the famous Danube Bend Region and stay for one night at the foot of the Börzsöny Hills.
9-10
We leave the Börzsöny area and travel to Bükk National Park. On the way we travel through Budapest and it is possible to leave the tour at this stage or to join the group for the second part. The southern part of the park is well grazed with areas of longer grass, rocky outcrops and scrub with an abundance of wild flowers and high insect diversity.
11-12
Our journey to Aggtelek National Park takes us through the Uppony Hills, where we will visit a spectacular gorge in search of Hungarian Glider. During two days we explore a mixture of habitats ranging from dry hillsides to wet valleys.
13-14
We move on to the Zemplén Hills, which should offer us the best chance of finding Pallas' Fritillary. Later we visit the Hortobágy region where we spend 2 nights. This part of Hungary is scenically very different to what we have experienced so far, being part of the great plain or "Puszta".
15
We travel to Budapest for our flight home.
