Armenia - Butterflies of the Caucasus

Tour Code: ARM03

An 8-day holiday in search of the butterflies of the spectacular Caucasian countryside.

8 days from
£3,595
Land only price from
£2,795
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

Although no larger than Wales, Armenia supports an astonishing diversity of butterflies, with more than 230 species recorded. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the country harbours a fascinating mix of Caucasian endemics, eastern specialities and western Palearctic species, many occurring at the limits of their respective ranges. During this tour we will explore a remarkable variety of habitats, from semi-desert and flower-rich steppe to ancient beech forests, mountain passes, juniper-clad slopes and alpine meadows, searching for as many of these butterflies as possible. Among the highlights may be Persian Skipper, Dawn Clouded Yellow, Mountain Apollo, Gavarnie Blue, Kurdish Copper and the beautiful emperor butterfly Thaleropis ionia. Thousands of blues and whites can sometimes be seen 'mud-puddling' alongside streams, creating unforgettable natural spectacles.

  • Armenia supports 230+ species of butterfly
  • Persian Skipper, Dawn Clouded Yellow & Persian Fritillary in semi-desert habitat
  • Look for thousands of ‘mud-puddling’ blue & white butterflies at water courses
  • Short-tailed Blue, plus Jerusalem & Caucasian Lesser Spotted Fritillaries, Gharni
  • Large Blue, Hungarian Glider & Northern Brown Argus in forests & meadows, Dilijan
  • Mountain Alcon Blue, Kurdish Copper & False Heath Fritillary near Janjour
  • Apollo, Mountain Apollo & Nickerl’s Fritillary among montane species, Mt Aragats
  • Chelmos Blue, Agri Blue in montane hay meadows around Gnishik
  • This tour supports Butterfly Conservation

Grading

Easy day walks only.

Armenia's appeal extends far beyond its butterflies. This ancient Christian nation, nestled within the southern Caucasus between the Black and Caspian Seas, offers a rich cultural heritage, spectacular mountain scenery and warm hospitality. Our route takes us through dramatic basalt gorges, lush deciduous forests, remote mountain villages and high-altitude grasslands, whilst visits to places such as Garni Gorge and the magnificent monastery at Noravank provide memorable cultural highlights. Based in Yerevan as well as a selection of rural towns and villages, we will gain a rewarding insight into both Armenia's landscapes and its people.

A wealth of other wildlife can also be expected. The country's diverse habitats support an excellent range of birds, dragonflies and day-flying moths, and we will keep a particular eye open for such avian specialities as Upcher's Warbler, Green Warbler, Semi-collared Flycatcher, White-throated Robin, Radde's Accentor and the magnificent Lammergeier. With the possibility of recording 80 or more butterfly species during the week, combined with some of the Caucasus' finest scenery and wildlife, this promises to be a truly rewarding exploration of one of the Western Palearctic's most exciting and under-appreciated natural history destinations.

 

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Yerevan.
Day 2
Hatsavan and Garni; overnight Yerevan.
Day 3
Acharkut, from Dilijan.
Day 4
Janjour Pass, from Gumri.
Day 5
Mount Aragat, from Yerevan.
Day 6
Khosrov, from Yeghegnadzor.
Day 7
Noravank and Gnishik, from Yerevan.
Day 8
Fly London.
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    A mixture of simple but comfortable hotels and guesthouses with private facilities.

  • Food:

    All food included in the price.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2027

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 8th Jun – Tue 15th Jun SPACES £3,595
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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.
£2,795
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£345
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Tom Brereton
TL Tom Brereton

Tour Leader: Tom Brereton

Tom is a highly experienced ecological consultant with a lifelong interest in the natural world, with an MSc in Conservation and a PhD in Butterfly Ecology. Tom has worked for various wildlife conservation and research non-governmental organisations including the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, as an RSPB Warden and Reserves Ecologist, as Associate Director of Research at Butterfly Conservation, and as co-founder and Research Director of the UK charity Marinelife.

Tom is now a Visiting Professor at Bournemouth University, Visiting Researcher at Exeter University, and Head of Ecology at the Mapperton Estate, carrying out ecological work across England and also Mainland Europe and the Middle East. Tom has been an ecotourism guide since 1997, leading over 100 bird, butterfly, mammal and botanical tours mostly for Naturetrek. He is also a Brand Ambassador for Kite Optics.

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!

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