09 days/08 nights birdwatching Tour

Day 1: Yerevan – Norashen – Dilijan

Transfer from Yerevan to Gull island/Sevan where is the second known breeding colony of Armenian Gulls.  Area is very unique in terms of different waterfowls.  After – transfer to Dilijan. Picnic lunch on the way and late afternoon birdwatching in the outskirts of Dilijan. Dinner and overnight stay in Dilijan.

Target species: Semicollared Flycatcher, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Green Warbler, woodpeckers, Armenian Gul, Great Cormorant, Glossy Ibises, Black-crowned Night- and Squacco herons and Little Egrets, other waterfowl and warblers.

Day 2: Dilijan – Margahovit – Sevan

Early morning drive into the Pambak mountains to look for Caucasian Black Grouse in Margahovit (by 4×4 cars). Besides it Ring Ouzel, Mountain Chaffinch, Water Pipit, Rock Bunting, etc will be observed. After lunch we will birdwatch in the woods for missing forest species.

Target species:, Ring Ouzel, Mountain Chaffinch, Water Pipit, Rock Bunting, Caucasian Black Grouse,

Day 3: Sevan – Vardenyats/ Selim Pass  – Noravank – Yeghegnadzor

Passing Vardenyats/Selim pass which is a high meadow with river oxbow. Perfect place to see the following species: Twite, Rufus Rock Thrush, Bluethroat, Radde’s accentor, Snowfinch, Water Pipit, etc. River oxbow creates perfect habitat for different waterbirds, among them Ruddy Shelduck, Common Lapwing, Common Redshank, Armenian Gull, etc.

Visit to Noravank monastery in spectacular gorge. Dinner and overnight stay at CWR Eco-lodge.

Target species:, Armenian Gull, Ruddy Shelduck, Citrine Wagtail, Black-necked Grebe, White-winged Snowfinch, , Tawny Pipit, Crimson-winged Finch, Rock Bunting, Golden Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, European Roller, Raddes’ Accentor, Eagle Owl.

Day 4 Yeghegnadzor – Gndasar- CWR Eco-lodge

Early start for Caspian Snowcock: earli in the morning we will drive up to Qarkatar mtn range about 2500m high.

After morning in the mountains we come down for lunch and drive to semi-desert area.

Target species: Caspian Snowcock, Tawny Pipit, Crimson-winged Finch, Red-fronted Serin, Alpine Accentor, Rock Bunting, Golden Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, European Rolle, Caspian Snowcock, Tawny Pipit, Red-fronted Serin, Rock Bunting, Golden Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, European Roller

Day 5: CWR Eco-lodge 

Full day in Caucasus WildLife refuge (on a horseback if wanted). Picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight in the Eco-Lodge.

Target species: Syrian Brown bear, Bezoar goat, Black, Griffon, Egyptian and Bearded vulture, and Armenian viper, Chukar, Lesser Grey and Woodchat Shrikes, Eastern Orphean Warbler, Black-headed Bunting, Bimaculated Lark, Grey-necked & Corn Buntings, Long-legged Buzzard, Lanner Falcon.

Day 6: CWR Eco-lodge

Visit to Vedi dry gorges and Oorts mountain range. Picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight in the Eco-Lodge.

Target species: Isabelline, Black-eared and Finsch’s Wheatears, Persian Wheatears, Upcher’s and Eastern Orphean Warblers, Rufous-tailed Bush Robin, Blue Rock Thrush, European Roller, Eastern Rock Nuthatch,  Trumpeter Finch, Deserst Finch, Pale Rock Sparrow, Rosy Starling

Day 7 : CWR Eco-lodge

Visit to Armash marshes. Picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight in the Eco-Lodge.

Target species: White-tailed Lapwing, Marbled Teal, Ferruginous Pochard, White-headed Duck, Glossy Ibis, Squacco & Purple Herons, Little Bittern, Spoonbill, Pygmy Cormorant, Gull-billed, White-winged and Whiskered Terns, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Reed, Great Reed, Paddyfield, Savi’s and Menetrie’s Warblers, Black-headed Wagtail

Day 8 : CWR Eco-lodge – Yerevan

After breakfast departure to impressive Geghard monastery carved out in the rocks, Garni gorge with impressive volcanic rock formations, afternoon in Yerevan.

Target species: Rosy Starling, Syrian Woodpecker, Rock Martin, Egyptian Bearded Vultures, Alpine Swift, Golden Oriole, Roller.

Day 9 : Yerevan – Aragats – Departure

After breakfast drive up to Mt. Aragats with stops at different altitude zones. Transfer to the airport. End of services.

Target species: Short-toed Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Booted Eagle, Griffon and Bearded Vulture, Radde’s Accentor, White-throated Robin, Bluethroat (ssp. magna), Alpine Accentor, Horned Lark (ssp. penicillata), Water Pipit (ssp. coutelii), Rock Sparrow, possibly White-winged Snowfinch and Crimson-winged Finch

Pricelist

Number of participants 3 Pax 5 Pax 7 Pax
Per person in Euros 2754 1987 1555

 

Included in the price:

  • English speaking birder/guide during the whole trip
  • 4×4 vehicles  max 3 per vehicle
  • Ford Transit minivan on Days 1 and 9
  • Accommodation in DBL/TWIN rooms in 4* quality guesthouses and hotels
  • Full board meal plan(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) starting from lunch on Day 1 and finishing Dinner on Day 9
  • Entrance tickets to nature reserves, monuments and other private nature areas

The price does not include:

  • Personal expenses like laundry, telephone calls, medical bills, extra drinks
  • Personal travel insurance, International airfare, any other services, excursions, activities or meals not mentioned in the inclusions.

Important Information:

  • The weather can be highly variable from below freezing with snow in the mountains through to hot temperatures in the semi-deserts.
  • The amount of physical effort required is generally easy to moderate although it may be necessary to walk up some steep grassy slopes to view high altitude species if the snow level is high.
  • There are no compulsory health requirements for this tour