Go Slow in Northern Greece

Tour Code: GRC13

A relaxed-paced, 8-day birdwatching holiday to Lake Kerkini, one of the finest wetlands in Greece.

8 days from
£1,895 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£1,695
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

Contained by the natural barriers of the Kerkini Mountains to the north and the Mavrovouni Mountains to the south, Lake Kerkini lies close to the Bulgarian border in northern Greece, and is renowned as one of the finest wetland sites in Europe. The lake and its surrounding regions are the focus of this tour, which begins with a direct 3-hour flight from London to Thessaloniki and a 2-hour drive to a lakeside hotel; our base for the next seven nights. Although most famous for its breeding populations of endangered Dalmatian Pelicans and Pygmy Cormorants, the huge heronry in the centre of Lake Kerkini at this time of year provides sanctuary for a wealth of other waterbirds, including numerous egrets, Spoonbills, Night, Purple and Squacco Herons. As we explore the surrounding countryside we will be captivated by the sights and sounds of spring as Bee-eaters swoop down acrobatically in pursuit of insects and Golden Orioles utter their fluty calls from stands of trees. Red-backed, Woodchat and delicate Masked Shrikes wreak havoc among the local insect population, whilst Black-headed, Cirl and Corn Buntings sing from roadside bushes. A wide variety of warblers, including Subalpine, Olivaceous and Olive-tree — the latter something of a speciality of northern Greece — should also be in song, although their more covert nature may make them somewhat harder to observe. As we explore further afield we should also find Lesser Spotted, Short-toed and Booted Eagles soaring overhead, Black Storks, Penduline Tits and Great Reed Warblers around the lakeshore and Western Rock Nuthatches, Rock Thrushes and both Ortolan and Rock Buntings on the nearby mountain slopes.

  • Relaxing boat trips to view nesting water birds
  • Daily passage of migrant birds
  • Breeding Dalmatian Pelicans
  • Exciting breeding species such as Olive Tree Warbler and Masked Shrike
  • Comfortable lakeside single-centre base
  • Delicious local cuisine and warm hospitality
  • Guided by an expert Naturetrek naturalist

Grading

A conventional natural history tour including gentle walks.

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DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Thessalonika; drive Lake Kerkini
Day 2/7
Exploration of Lake Kerkini and surrounding areas
Day 8
Drive Thessalonika and fly UK
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    We stay in a comfortable hotel with views of Lake Kerkini, each room with private facilities.

  • Food:

    All meals are included in the price.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2024

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 14th May – Tue 21st May FULL £1,895
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Barrie Cooper
Barrie Cooper landscape.jpg

Tour Leader: Barrie Cooper

Barrie has a lifelong interest in nature and remains grateful for having fond childhood memories of Skylarks, Yellow Wagtails, Lapwings, Great Crested Newts and Water Voles, species with significant declines during his lifetime.  His passion for nature inevitably led him into conservation and a successful career with the RSPB.  The latter half of his career was on the international stage where he developed conservation projects and advised and trained conservationists from five continents on how to develop education and communication programmes.  Several of his written outputs have been translated into various languages.  Some of his training workshops were in China as part of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper programme.  Barrie has studied wildlife in over sixty countries across the world and loves sharing his passion for nature with others.  Astronomy is another interest from his childhood and he occasionally provides informal stargazing sessions on his tours.  He’s now returned to his native Lancashire and lives next to the Lune Estuary on the edge of Morecambe Bay.  A little known fact is that he’s a qualified football coach! 

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 6th May – Tue 13th May SPACES £1,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,745
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£295

Tour Dates or Itinerary Don't Suit?

Allow our experts to create a private, customised itinerary with dates and prices to suit you.

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!