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Birdwatching+ in the Mountains and Delta
This 8-nights predominately birdwatching itinerary includes three areas: The Mountains of Brasov, the Macin National Park and the Danube Delta. Guides will also offer background information on the rich flora and fauna of the areas. Follow this link for a general, but limited, list of bird species from the areas.

Cost: £500 excluding flights.
    To check availability please follow this link to the Enquiries page

The mountains of Brasov represent one of the most spectacular and accessible area in the Carpathians, the best place for a birdwatcher who enjoys exploring high mountains. The most attractive targets are the Piatra Craiului Massif, Râsnov Gorge, Poiana Brasov and Postavaru Massif, Piatra Mare Massif and the Bucegi Massif.

The Macin Mountains are the oldest in Europe and are very interesting for birds and plants. The area is also interesting from ethnical point of view holding a mixed population of Romanians, Turks, Italians and Lipovans (Russians). The Mountains are forested for most of their surface (deciduous forest - largely oak), but uphill bare rocky slopes are dominant. From the birdwatcher's point of view this is the most valuable habitat, the last recorded breeding site for Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) in Romania. Rock Bunting (Emberiza cia) are also found. The vegetation is steppic (a habitat lost in most parts of Europe) with semi-arid plants, more reminiscent of the Middle East. The area is also important for reptiles, eg the Nose-horned Viper (Vipera amodytes), and Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca).

The Danube Delta, the second largest delta in Europe, hosts an amazing range of habitats and life forms in a relatively small area, and is a real museum of biodiversity, a natural genetic bank with incalculable value for the worldwide natural heritage. Since 1990, the Danube Delta has been a Biosphere Reserve covering 580,000 ha. It has the largest number of birds of any South Europe wetland, being a key area for the passage of migrants and wintering birds, when the number of winter wildfowl may exceed 2 million. Over 320 species of birds are of European importance, of which 12 are globally threatened. The natural resources of the Delta have been used by people for over 7,000 years, and it is also an economic resource, encouraging activities like navigation, commercial fishing, tourism, and reed harvest.
The Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve includes 18 core areas, carefully protected. Aside from these areas there are a number of important sites that are accessible to the visitor.

Itinerary summary

Day
1	Arrival at Bucuresti Otopeni airport in the afternoon and drive (3 - 4 hours) to Cheia
2-4	Explore the Brasov area: Piatra Craiului Massif, Râsnov Gorge, Poiana Brasov and Postavaru Massif, Piatra Mare Massif and the Bucegi Massif.
5	Departure to Dobrogea via Brasov, Buzau, Braila, overnight in Greci.
6	The day is spent in the Macin mountains, departing for the main delta area, arriving in Tulcea or Murighiol, our base for the next 3 nights.
7-8	Explore the Danube Delta
9	Departure from Tulcea to Bucuresti Otopeni airport (4 hours driving).

To check availability please follow this link to the Enquiries page