9 Days Birdwatching package

Birdwatching Tour

Best time for this program is May-June

In case weather conditions will not allow getting to location, we will do our best to suggest new option.

1^st Day arrival to Yerevan

2^nd  Day                       Yerevan – Dilijan forest  – Sevan (Gull island) – Sevan

Dilijan Forest is broadleaf forest that hosts Great spotted and Middle spotted woodpeckers, European nuthatch, Eurasian tree-creeper, Red-breasted, Semi-collared, Spotted flycatchers, Green warbler, Eurasian jay (atricapillus) and many other forest species.

Gull island/Sevan is the second known breeding colony of Armenian Gulls.  Area is very unique in terms of different waterfowls.

Great reed warbler, Sedge Warbler, Ferruginous Duck, Cattle Egret, Purple Heron, Collard Pratincole, Little Bittern, Yellow Wagtail, etc.

3^rd Day            Sevan – Selim Pass – Noravank Monastery –Yeghegnadzor

Vardenyats/Selim pass 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.

Noravanq Monastery (13 century) Canyon is an impressive canyon hosts many species of raptors: Short-toed and Golden Eagles, Bearded and Egyptian Vultures; as well as Eastern and Western nuthatches, Chuckar, Blue Rock Thrush, Red-fronted Serin, Linnet, White-throated Robin,  Alpine Swift, Red-billed Choughs. Usually Bezoar/Wild goats can be found on the top of the canyon.

4^thDay                       Yeghegnadzor – Jermuk Gorge – Zedea- Yeghegnadzor

Jermuk Gorge is breath taking gorge with Bearded Vulture, Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon nests. Other species will be Alpine Swift, Western Rock Nuthatch, Mistle Thrush, Golden Oriole, Dipper, Blue-Rock Thrush, etc. In early spring Wallcreeper is possible. Also we will visit Gndevanq Monastery (10-13^th century).

Zedea is a small river gorge with semi-desert vegetation. We expect to see Black-eared Wheatear, Rock Bunting, Rosy Starlings, Eastern Rock Nuthatch, best place to see White-Throated Robin, Blue-Rock Thrush, near the river Kingfisher, Penduline Tit, etc.

5^th  Day           Yeghegnadzor – Qarkatar Mtn – Marzpetuni fortress – Urtsadzor (Eco-lodge)

Qarkatar (Snowcock mtn) (4WD) We will take 4WD cars to travel to high mountain area, with the main purpose to see the Caspian Snowcock. The area is a sub alpine habitat with steppe slopes and staggering cliffs surrounding the place. Beside Caspian Snowcock we will focus on other high mountain specialists, such as Red-fronted Serin, Water Pipit, Ring Ouzel, etc. Usually male Bezoar goats and Syrian Bear could be found.

Marzpetuni Fortress surrounded with rocky mountains that are home for one of the rear raptors of Armenia: Lanner Falcon. As well as the area is neighboring with Khosrov reserve so we will see high variety of soaring raptors. Orphan warbler, Upcher’s Warbler, White-throated Robin, Isabelline Wheatear, Blue rock Thrush, Eastern Rock Nuthatch are common breeders of the area. Earlier in the seasons (end of March early April) flocks of Demoiselle crane can be observed.

6^th  Day Urtsadzor (Eco-lodge) –  Armash Fish Ponds –  Leopard canyon – Urtsadzor (Eco-lodge)

Armash Fishponds (4WD) offer one of the greatest birdwatching opportunities in the Armenia. Area by itself is salty semi-desert with artificial fishponds, more than 220 species depends of it during the year.  We will see more than 50 species in 3-4 hours period: among them will be  White-tailed lapwing, Blue-cheeked bee-eater, White-headed duck, Ferruginous Duck,  Pygmy Cormorant, Collard Pratincole,  Paddyfield Warbler, Menetries Warbler, Lesser Short-toed Lark, Glossy Ibis, Purple heron, Spoonbill, Armenia Gull, White-winged Tern etc.

Leopard Canyon (hiking 1 km) is rocky mountain gorge with semi-desert habitat and juniper rear forest on the slopes. We will visit one of them to mainly for Persian wheatear, beside it we will look for Eastern Orphean warble, White-throated warbler, Western and Eastern Rock Nuthatches, Red-fronted Serine,  Blue rock Thrush, Bearded Vulture, Golden Eagle, Red-billed Chough, etc.

7^th  Day           Urtsadzor (Eco-lodge) – Vedi Hills –Khor Virap – Yerevan

Vedi Hills (4WD) very unique arid, semi-desert area with rocky slopes, grass patches and low scrubs. It’s a home for many interesting species: among them Trumpter and Desert Finches; Isabelline, Finsch’s, Black-eared Wheatears, Rufus Bush Robin, Grey-necked Bunting, Upcher’s Warbler, Eastern Rock Nuthatch, etc. Also it’s a nice place for many different soaring raptors.

In case of additional time Khor-Virap marshes will be good option.

8^th  Day Yerevan-Araghats (Qari Lake) – Ambert  (Fortress, Church 11 sanctuary )-Yerevan

Mount Aragats is the highest pick of the Republic of Armenia. It is an excellent area to observe species that occupied semi-desert, woodland, meadow‐steppe, and sub‐alpine habitats. Radde’s and Alpine Accentors, Rufus Rock Thrush, Ring Ouzel, White‐throated Robin, Snowfinch, Crimson‐winged Finch, Horned Lark, and Red‐billed Chough can be observed during the trip. Many different Raptors such as Common Buzzard, Steppe Buzzard, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Lesser spotted Eagle, Snake Eagle, Black Kite, Honey Buzzard, Bearded Vulture, Booted Eagle breed in the area. Due to high amount of livestock it’s an excellent place to see Cinereous Vulture.

9^th day             Departure from Yerevan